 So I get the pleasure of greeting everyone as you come in during orientation And that might have been the last time like your class was assembled in this room. So I'm really excited for you guys Congratulations, I know the next few weeks. There's a lot. Yes, you can clap please So and you guys are like what's mandatory about this meeting? What do we need to know? But there is a lot between now and commencement day and this meeting we use regalia to get you in the door But this meeting covers a lot of kind of nuts and bolts of things that you need To get from now to commencement and to the bar exam. So we want to make sure that we give the information to you We know that there are people who can't physically be here because of conflicts or they're you know Doing exciting things across the country with semester in practice So we are recording this session and once we have the link we will send it out to you But those people did not get the regalia. They did not get their graduation Announcements, so we really appreciate you being here in person and so we have a pretty full agenda So we're gonna go through it in order. I don't think you got a copy of it But we'll go through a lot of the information that's in your handout answer any questions that you have But we're going to start with Sean Keely through all wrap from the SBA All right, hi everyone, I'm just gonna make a couple announcements for SBA first of all congratulations to everyone from SBA It's been a long three years, and I know most of you are ready to go But before we go we do ask that you take part in voting for faculty member staff staff member and professor adjunct of the year You should have received an email for a problem answered in the corresponding secretary of SBA Look in the Facebook group. We do have a Twitter page that is going up Which we are revamping so we have every bit of social media covered. You have no reason not to vote So keep looking out for notifications, and we will keep bugging you for that Also SBA asks even though we are on our way out. There are two more years before us Who will be running our groups and organizations next year? We do ask that you do take part in those elections as well The success that we've given we'd like to continue on So don't neglect it if you are a president of our organization, please do set up your elections Please do reach out to those because we do want those to succeed as well Those groups are probably the most important parts of our school for students besides going to class And just a quick recognition for those that were in SBA this year. It was myself as a 3L rep We had Jamie Spinella as a 3L rep We had Manta Dirks who was our corresponding secretary who sent out our weekly emails every single week And then we also had Jess Trello who was our ABA representative and did some great job there, so So next up that's that's all for me. I get to sit in the nice chair again So we're gonna have financial aid announcements from Katherine Palletana Hi, everybody. I just have three quick announcements to make the final things you need to do as you prepare to leave is Getting your loan counseling done. So if you've borrowed a federal loan At any point during your time here, you'll want to complete exit counseling. We're having a session Next week on the 18th. We're having a representative from Access Lex come in someone who is You know well-versed in repayment options and and so forth. They're gonna come in and present To anyone who's able to make that particular session. We're also taking individual appointments So feel free to contact our office stop by to set up an appointment with your counselor So if your last name is a to K, you'll meet with me if it's L to Z you'll meet with Tina Another item is the Bar loans so if you are interested in borrowing a bar loan private bar loan feel free to come by our office and we have information on that and and The pill wrap I was trying to think of the last thing. So we also have a loan repayment We have a loan repayment program. So next year if you're doing public interest work and you are interested in our Public interest loan repayment program. We will have information on the website We have information on it now So you can look at the website now and see what the program is all about and if you'll qualify and then if you Are interested in it next year as of March 1 will have the new applications that you would all be eligible to apply for Thank you Thanks. Now some couple announcements from the registrar's office and student finance most importantly is still We're still looking for a couple Pro bono paperwork from you one of your requirements the due dates April 18th make sure they're signed by the appropriate people and To the pro bono folks so they can get that over to us Also, obviously your writing requirement and Any incompletes may first deadline for incompletes so we can get those grades processed and on your transcript They're ready to go and and also to make sure if any problems come up. We can take care of those in the first week of a Bar paperwork You know you're probably well into that now, but please if you have any questions on that Please stop by the office all bar paperwork from wherever you're going to sit must come through our office So please do that Balances if you have any balances we had a statement go out on April 5th Please look at that statement. Make sure you don't have any balance and please take care of that by May 1st as well There will be an email for me later on today at some point Exam software has another update where I know you're on your last cycle. So you don't care. However It's helpful. It's gonna fix that weird anonymous number issue where you were seeing your last one. So hey And Also, we do have the exam schedules online now as a reminder for take-homes and for in-class and Right here. We have our key return box You know if you have any issues with that you can see sue principi in the Dean's suite, but just have your name and Locker number on that envelope and we'll sue will take care of the recording of that if there's any questions You can like I said see them downstairs That is it next we have Brittany repose of from our support welcome So, I know like all of you so I'm gonna miss you guys a lot but So there's this thing that you have to take after you graduate call the bar exam and Unfortunately, I feel like I bring this like cloud of darkness because I'm like the bar exam cloud but But I'm going to be positive today So please study for it is the first thing If you don't have a bar review course yet, please talk to me Please get one If you don't know which one you want just talk to me about it and let me know John Pierre is an advocate of Kaplan So There's that Bar applications are due soon for most jurisdictions if not already so April 30th is a deadline coming up May 1st Is a deadline for Rhode Island coming up May 11th is the deadline for Massachusetts coming up So if you want me to review your applications open door every Tuesday or by appointment at any time So just let me know I'm here all summer to support you while you're studying for the bar if you want to come in and talk about anything if you Want to cry if you want to laugh if you want some Oreos like I'm here for you For any reason that you need I'll be doing some bar support events throughout the summer to kind of not only to de stress But just to help you while you study and of course I'll still be doing the supplemental bar review every Saturday throughout the summer so we're doing our kickstart portion now and So that's every Saturday until you graduate and then we are doing I will do it throughout the summer in a schedule We'll go out for that As well, but otherwise I'm here to support you You're all going to pass the bar. I'm going to miss all of you, but I'll see you later this week in class Hi, everyone first of all congratulations on graduating. It's very exciting We're excited for you. I hope graduation day is not rainy So this first thing that I have for career development is this yellow form that hopefully you've all filled out and stuck in that basket right over there This information is really important to our office Particularly, you know, if you have a job already, but also if you're still looking What states you're thinking of taking the bar exam in and things like that? And the reason this is important information for our office is because there are so many opportunities that come through our office from employers Throughout the years after you graduate where there's you know, they ask us We're looking for someone who's Barden, Massachusetts Barden, Connecticut, you know can is this is there any? You know alumni that you can think of We reach out to you and ask you this is something that you're interested in This is also why we need your update contact information. It's really important. This is not to bother you We are only looking for you so that we can help you And so please put the email address that you will most likely be using after graduation Even if it's your Roger Williams one, whichever one would be the most useful to reach you at This other it's not if you'll find a job, it's when is our positive affirmation sheet for you to read through You will find a job it takes some others some longer than others But you will and we are here to help you we work with a ton of our alumni Years after a law school graduation if they're switching careers if they're just starting out if they're doing you know All sorts of things we work with all different years you know you become part of our network now and We love to have alumni back on campus for career development panels and things like that so that you can talk about your experiences for future generations that graduate and we have a really good relationship with a lot of our alumni and we Really, you know hope to continue that and you guys are you know like I said the fabric of our network now and we really appreciate your help to Sort of passing on your knowledge to future generations of law grads If you need us we're also here during the summer All summer long and you can come and see us make appointments And you can also cry in our office and then go to Brittany's and eat Oreos Um, but thank you and if you have any questions, please feel free to come and see us Okay now on to the fun stuff graduation So my name is Margie. I am not in Bristol. I'm in Providence with the clinical programs have been have thank you Have been here for too long. No, no So I want to talk to you about that day because after all it's the most important day of your three years Because you're finally done and moving on to just one more small hurdle And then I look forward to seeing everybody's name with Esquire at the end of it So I'm gonna go over what's gonna happen that day But the first thing I want to talk about is Glen Manor So if you've signed up on the sheet for Glen Manor, you do not have to respond through email If you haven't signed up for Glen Manor, what is wrong with you? You have to go to Glen Manor. It is the event of your three years. I promise It's it's a great event if you're thinking about oh, I don't want to go then stop thinking that way and go because it's your it's the day that You get to spend with the people who were tortured for three years just like you So it's your day to enjoy and start to think about the fact that you made it And you only have to graduate and then that's it so if you haven't already signed up for Glen Manor, please sign up and You I there'll be a photographer there the photographers take plenty of pictures and it's just a great time and they have great food and they have drinks and You get to just chill out and enjoy the scenery. So if you haven't signed up Please sign up for that. Now. Let's talk about graduation so You need to arrive by We you have to I have to have it all dressed by 1115 So do not get there any later than 1030 the reason I say that is because The inevitable will happen. There'll be an accident. There'll be traffic. You'll be running late and then it's very hard to get all of you dressed up and ready to go in 45 minutes Especially because you're gonna want to spend time with your classmates and you're going to want to take a whole bunch of candid pictures and And it starts you start to realize it. Oh my god. We're done here So I I really need you to make sure that you're there by no later than 1030 We will have snacks and refreshments for you. So if you didn't get time to eat, we always have snacks there for you Nobody should be in the Recreation center room with you except other graduates. So don't please don't take your family in Just because it's too chaotic. There's too much going on in that room We have a lot to accomplish in that 45 minutes So it takes probably 15 or 20 minutes just to get everybody situated on the bleachers To be able to take a class picture and you may think that's easy, but it's not trying to Push everybody in and get a nice picture and who's taller than the other person and blocking them and who's doing this so It's really important that you get there early so that nobody's rushing and so that you're enjoying the prep before you actual last walk here, so As far as when you get in there do not put your regalia you're on ahead of time because it's heavy and it's warm and even if it's Cold outside. I promise you it's not going to be cold in the auditorium where we are So do not put the regalia around ahead of time. I want you to be able to walk around have a snack Congratulate your friends spend a little time with your friends. I will not Start robing people for probably I'm gonna say like 30 minutes before I'll stop and we'll have a lot of help in there So there'll be staff in that room with you to help you to get dressed to help you with your hat and your Your regalia and everything that we have to do so Don't get dressed. Just take it on a hanger and and we'll help you when you get there after you've had a little time to sort of Talk to each other and enjoy the day so One of the things that is gonna happen in there is there'll be a photographer in there taking candid pictures of you If you have a special group that you want to take a picture with You should track down the photographer who's in there so that she'll be able to take a picture with you and your friends You probably want to ask for some information so that if you want to copy that picture you can get it But they they take great candidates and they'll take a ton of pictures So that'll be an opportunity for you to do that Do not take a whole bunch of stuff into that room with you because You're not gonna be walking in with like a big handbag and you know an extra pair of shoes and all of that stuff So keep anything that you all gonna take into that room with you at a minimum Because there's nobody really to watch it why we're at commencement and you really you shouldn't be Commencing with a pair of shoes in your hands or a hat or an umbrella or whatever so I Would say try to take as few things as possible in there Give you your personal belongings to your family to take into the tent with them Or put them somewhere in the school where you know you can get them Okay, so it's very important that you don't take a lot of stuff So when we when we get into the gymnasium There's a whole bunch of stuff we have to do so one of the things obviously is to spend some time congratulating each other and and I think it really hit you that morning That you're finally done and you're on to the next thing so We you will spend some time doing that We'll have a whole bunch of staff members in there that will help you with with your hooding which Is a big deal because a lot of them Of different sizes of different lengths Don't worry about any of that But I do need you all to make sure that your hat fits the right way So if you're gonna wear guys or girls if you're gonna wear your hair up then try the Try the TM on with your hair up because a lot of people that morning Figure out that their hats either too big or too small So you need to make sure and I know some of you had it on so you need to make sure that it fits properly Okay, because We don't have extras they're ordered specifically for you. So if it doesn't fit that day, you're out of luck Okay, so please don't leave your entire regalia in a bag until commencement morning And then think that it's gonna be okay because it's not You'll probably have a regalia that either touches your toes or goes up above your knees And you're not gonna be happy and you might have a hat that's either too big or too small And you're gonna have a big mark on your head or it's gonna be falling off all the way into the tent So that be very careful to make sure that After all the money you spent you look good on your commencement day. Okay, so When you get into The gym I will be well The whole staff will be handing out a card with your name on it Because the question that everybody asks is do we have to sit in alphabetical order? Absolutely not you may have somebody that you don't want to sit next to in alphabetical order So my goal is to have this be a happy day for you and don't point all the people out. That's embarrassing But my goal is our our goal is to have you sit with your friends So I'm gonna just explain the way what happens on commencement day we Sit you in whatever order you want to be with your friends in front of or in back of you So when we process into the tent there are two lines Anybody in the left hand line goes to the left of the stage Anybody in the right hand line goes to the right of the stage So if you and your friends are gonna line up side by each It's not gonna work because they're gonna go on the other side of the of the tent Okay, so you need to make sure that they're in front of you And I'll say this again when we're in the gymnasium But you need to make sure that they're in front of them back at you Okay, and there's only so many seats in each row So if you have if you are missed popularity or missed your popularity and you have 45 friends Sorry, they're not all gonna be with you So how many people here are the half a mr. Pop a ladder, you know, yeah, see nobody wants to admit it But in any case you really have to make sure that You do the right do it the right way you're gonna you're gonna get into that tent and all of a sudden your friends are gonna disappear on the other side Not cool. So in any case may I'll repeat this but No alphabetical other could guess what when you go up on to the stage, you don't really get your diploma You get an empty container with no diploma in it, so So no worries. You don't have to worry about you getting the wrong one You're not getting one at all until you go back and hand in your regalia and and you get your big you get your diploma, okay? So so I know everybody's disappointed with that, but oh well So as we as we get lined up I'll line everybody up yep No, you're gonna get them that day, right? Yeah, that you we usually put them in a big They put them in a great big envelope and you get them that day they used to put your grades in there But I'm not sure if they still do that Yeah, yeah, well, I think most of you will know ahead of time what your grades are I would assume but In case there's any last-minute grade Maybe they don't do that anymore. I've been here too long. Anyway, so what what's gonna happen is? we need to get you lined up and ready to go by no later than 12 30 and So it takes a while for us to do that because who has to go to the bathroom and who needs one more thing and who forgot They're this or they're that or whatever. So I do It's not a lot of time. It's gonna go by really fast But once I get you all lined up when you're in line you're in line and you can't get out or move because all the seats are numbered So once you're in line, there's only so many seats in a row So if you decide you're gonna go somewhere else, you're not gonna have a chair for your butt when you get in there So don't do it once I get you lined up. That's it. You're there You're in that seat and that's it we count everybody you off to make sure everybody has a seat But there are no extras. Okay, so all of this stuff. I'll retell you but I just want people to know This is the way it's gonna be for that day Let me see The cards that you're gonna get with your names on them some of you may have names that Have a different pronunciation the way than the way it looks what you need to do is you need to as soon as we're done here Dean Hassel is in that room in back of us go in there Say your name to her She'll phonetically put it on the back of your card and then she will record it so that she can practice it because Yes, so yes, so she's the one that's gonna be on stage and what's gonna happen is we'll give you up your cards with your Names on them that morning after we get you all Robed and you will hold on to that card for dear life because she doesn't know all of your exact names Sorry, so what you're gonna do is you're gonna hand her that card when you get up to the stage She's gonna announce it and then you're gonna walk across and get your diploma Okay, so or your fake diploma So in any case, um, if you have a name that you think she's not gonna pronounce right You need to stand in line over here and one by one. Just go in she'll record your name and she'll write it phonetically So she'll remember how to say it and if all else fails whisper it to her when you get to the top of the stage Okay, so when we get you all lined up will come out of the recreation center about 10 minutes before it's time to go after everyone's lined up and When you get out there, you'll see that all of the faculty are out there and the board of trustees and all the important people And they're all out there for you basically so it's a really great Feeling I think when you see that the entire faculty administration are all there for you Spending the day to celebrate your accomplishments, but they'll all be there Your family obviously can take pictures and stuff But it's really just about you stay in there. Do not leave once I get you lined up. Please don't leave so If you do have personal belongings make sure that you give them to your family ahead of time so that you don't have to worry about them Okay, we'll stand there for about 10 minutes and then we'll start to process and to the Pipe and drums right so we will it's a I can't express to you enough how fabulous that day is rain or shine But that being said one of the most important things I want everybody to think about especially the females is What you are wearing the shoes especially so we have had Commencements that it was pouring rain Torential sorry was still walking and we have had days where it's a hundred and fifty degrees It feels like with the regalia on so you need to pay attention to the weather forecast and you do need to make sure you dress Appropriately so you don't want to wear heavy clothing if it's gonna if the forecast is 90 degrees because the regalia very is very heavy And it's very warm and sorry. There's no wear condition under the tent. So You net need to pay attention that the second thing is especially for the females Don't wear those tall skinny heels because you'll be stuck in the grass. I promise and Then instead of having a good pitch You're gonna be having a picture like this with you trying to get out of the grass with the heels So don't do it So I would if I would suggest that what you wear is wedges if you're gonna wear heels Or something with a wide heel I got You know the block lock heels, okay, so and guys we don't care what you wear as long as you know as long as you're comfortable so Yes, somebody oh Please every year. I have at least one Joker who I say I don't want to see hairy legs men or women on the stage So please don't wear flip-flops and shorts under your regalia because it doesn't look good It especially doesn't look good if you can hear he likes so You don't want your parents and your family to be embarrassed. So please shave your legs or Don't wear flip-flops and the second thing about the flip-flops is you're going up on several stairs to the stage and It's makeshift steers. It's not something that's permanent. So you don't want to be falling onto the stage. It's it won't look good So you really have to pay attention to that. So do not wear flip-flops. Do not wear spike heels Because you'll be falling as you go in so When we get into the tent Everybody and I'll tell you this again on graduation day But when we get into the tent everybody remains standing We're gonna do the national anthem the men take your hats off then you put it back on the women No, you don't have to but make sure that Everybody takes the hats off why we do the national anthem and then put some back on Everybody stand until the Dean tells you that it's time to sit. Okay, so everybody remains standing if Anybody has any special needs make sure that you see Charlotte or Chelsea to make to make sure that those needs are met If you have hit if you need handicapped seating make sure you sign up for that The up for whatever family members they will have they generally have the golf carts to take them to the handicapped seating area so Do that ahead of time so that any family members that have a problem with mobility Will make sure that they have a ride over to their seats. Okay, so I think that's about it I don't know if anybody has any questions. I think I probably covered it all But if you do you can go to Chelsea's office and ask Her Charlotte they they're experts My clinical people can certainly come into my office. I love to see you so you can ask me anything you want so any questions or Awesome, see how great I answer the wall. Thank you very much Hi, everyone. I'm Alicia Hennan I am one of your librarians one of your librarians for life even after you leave here. We are still your librarians But I am also an alumni and two years ago I was in your seat right now So when Margie tells you to show up early because time goes fast trust me It goes really fast and you want to get as many selfies in with your friends as possible So today I'm actually here to talk to you about the law Alumni Association The law Alumni Association is governed governed by 16 board members the current president is Jillian Jagling a 2009 graduate and all of you are welcome to join The Association is alumni owned and it serves as an excellent network as you venture past these walls. I Invite you all to get involved in the law Alumni Association and to attend Events that are held locally and regionally So even if you're not sticking around here after graduation there are events that are held all around Please keep the law Alumni office updated with all of your information so like your new address where you're employed Your email all of that is mainly just to keep in contact with you to Make sure that you're getting getting invited to events receiving updated publications, you know keeping you in the know I Want to tell you about An event that will be coming up in the summer. There is a Art the annual law Alumni Association Breakfast meeting. It'll be Thursday June 21st At 745 in the morning. I know super early At the Rhode Island Convention Center There will be judges attorneys alumni there. It's right before the Rhode Island Bar annual meeting. It's a really wonderful network opportunity. I also know that it's right in the thick of Studying for the bar, so it could be nice to take a break and get some free food But in taking just chasing a little study break Also keep your eyes out for some more information about the law Alumni weekend that happens every fall You'll all be invited to that If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Megan Hansen in the law on the Alumni office Or to email law alumni at our w.edu. They are able to help you with any questions in the future And I just wanted to say I wanted to end by saying congratulations You are all Wonderful and I am so happy for all of you And Usually what happens if you take them right out you hang them up and sometimes even in the shower You know while you're taking a shower it helps With the breakers so in doing that that would help I need to unfortunately have to see deadline dates I need a deadline date of the 23rd any problems Because it takes time So if something doesn't fit now the gun should be they're all gonna be different today rentals So you're gonna have some some people can have to this below the knee and so we're gonna have it right above the ankle And that's fine either way. That's fine Because they are just rentals and not made to you as far as the hands go We want them to fit you but they never gonna fit you exactly because they weren't custom-made But what Margie means is like you don't want to do you like to roll them around your head No, it's been around your head something's wrong, but if it's a little You can put bobby pins or men can't but well you could if you want to but You can put bobby pins to hold it down You don't want it tight because if you get tight what's gonna happen not only the mark You're gonna have a headache They will they give you a headache. It's pressure. I know you guys didn't go to your med school, but it will give you pressure So anyways, so that's about it with that about the regalia. So unfortunately like I said there is a deadline The store will be open that day so family and friends can come in and I really I don't even care if you guys really buy anything I really like to see your parents I mean most of them I've seen in the first I was saying to parents I see you on the first day I see you on the last day So I kind of like that I like to see you know them again or if I had it met them to see where you guys came from You know, I really enjoy that, but we'll be open So if they want to come in we'll have frames there and different things like that and as far as Returning your regalia says you all know these are rentals What's gonna happen is they're gonna do the commencement the commencement doesn't really last so long and it's absolutely beautiful You really like it After the commencement is done You know you can have a few you have a little while if you want to take pictures with your your parents So whatever you want to do with your gowns, but round 245 is so Three o'clock tops. We want them back at the the gym and What they do is it's the What do they call it recreation yeah the recreation center and what they have is they're gonna have a couple of tables set up the first table is gonna be from the student finance and records and They're the first table is gonna be mine. I'm sorry be mine and there we receive your regalia back and Your cap and your gown and your hood three pieces. We're gonna give you a card You're gonna take that card over to the student record records You give them the card plus that little arm diploma cover the reason why you get that diploma covers the poem is that big You don't want me walking around with that so you're gonna give that back and that's when they give you your diploma Now if something happens, we're open until three o'clock if you get to the gym a little late and Nobody's there to get your regalia Don't freak out Okay, you can come over you won't be able to get your diploma right then and there but at least you can go back to the bookstore and return the The regalia and I can give you your Your card we don't want anybody to be stressed. This is your day So, you know, we'll work around it, but you know try to be there for three Okay, so now what I'm gonna do is I'm going to Show how to put them on although module help you there. It just helps to See what you have I'm going to do it I think I can turn it off No, this is not going to fit mine Because mine is short like I am Excuse me, vertically challenged And we usually have to get very small I got this as a board And as far as them being big This way, this really We can't get them any smaller This is your board We have to have like a very short row We need a fit Do I And this is This is I think I'm going to say it in a quiet This is Stop saying it And this is your This is your board No That's how you know this is the problem They're over your head You have to pin that They have thought you have to They will pin it for you Because you don't want it to be choking you Because you will be choking you Unless we don't like you Then we'll choke you I don't think I can see many of them here yet And then There's a button in the back They're going to Put this over your body So you look very nice And See it And then And then The colors show this way And if you want to know why The purple is the color of your green So if you don't like purple You should have begun with white But maybe you should have known that before And then The colors of the back Across the school colors And now the Cams have a little seam So you put the seam And then you push it down And I think my head grew We want them to go here We don't want them this way We want them this way We want them this way And the final thing I want to tell you guys I even know that you're going to be shocked That's saying this Every year Can we decorate the tears And you know I love to have fun But we are in law school This is a law school graduation I'm going to say no So I really don't want to see all that stuff And that's about it Any questions? And you can't keep the little tassels Sorry it did Glue to it Please don't pull that off Please So is there any questions or anything Happy happy Done? Now if you haven't named that So Dean has to be able to Please go that way And she is waiting Congratulations everyone