Announcements
Week of 2 December 2024
Community Pop-Up Event: Philadelphia String Quartet
Monday, December 2, 12:30-1:30pm in the Arthur M. Goldberg ’66 Commons
There will be an informal Pop-Up Community Event today in the Commons to mark the start of exams and the holiday season by featuring our special guests, the Philadelphia String Quartet. We hope their wonderful music will give inspiration to motivate for successful outcomes and their sounds will uplift your spirits!
Weekly Mass and Other Worship Opportunities
Mass is held at the Law School Chapel of Our Lady, Mirror of Justice, dedicated in memory of Helen A. O’Connor, on Wednesdays at 12:30pm when classes are in session. The last Mass for the semester will be December 11th. Further details and other opportunities for worship can be found on the Campus Ministry website. For other information, you may contact Fr. Aldo Potencio, OSA at aldo.potencio@villanova.edu.
Midnight Breakfast
Thursday, December 5, 7pm in the Arthur M. Goldberg ’66 Commons
SBA will be providing donuts, coffee, and hot cocoa. Please join us to spend time with one another and take a pause from the busyness of final exam preparation!
Good Luck on Exams!
Information regarding exam times, rooms, and permitted materials is available at http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/law/currentstudents/registrar/exams.html
Law Library Use During Finals
During finals, library use is limited to those in the Villanova Law community. Please show your ID when you enter the law library. As a reminder, the law library is a quiet study space. Talking/noise is disruptive to other students. Please respect your classmates and take phone calls and other conversations outside the library. Headphones are available for check out at the Circulation Desk for listening to class or other recordings. If you wish to talk with others, please reserve a group study room in the library or the classroom wing or meet in other, non-library spaces in the building. Your fellow students greatly appreciate it! The Library also has a limited supply of earplugs – ask for them at the Circulation Desk.
Podcasts and Research/Technology Skill-Building Resources Available Over Break
Facing a long drive, flight or train ride over Winter Break? Check out our Legal Podcasts guide to help you pass the time. Or pick up new legal-specific drafting skills in Word, Excel, and other technologies through Procertas. See the Develop a New Skill page for other ways to enhance your resume and prepare for your Spring classes.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings, including the Law School, and within 75 feet of all buildings, which includes…
- the front of the law school,
- the walkway from the parking garage,
- the outdoor dining area,
- all entrances.
This policy covers all tobacco products (including smokeless tobacco and dip). Thank you for your cooperation.
Emergency Closing Information
The Law School rarely closes because of weather or emergency conditions, but should it become appropriate that information will be available on the Law School website, our Emergency Cancellation Line 610-519-7744, and a notice will be sent via Nova Alert. If you have not signed up for Nova Alert, you may do so online at MyNova>Novasis>Personal Information>Nova Alert – Sign-up.
The Emergency Cancellation Line is a listen-only number that will carry details regarding closing, late opening, early closing, and library access. Please do not call the main number to obtain information available on the Emergency Cancellation Line.
Gazette Submissions
This is the last Gavel Gazette for the semester. Please send items for next semester’s first issue to gavelgazette@law.villanova.edu by 3pm on Friday, January 10.
Environmental Law Journal Publications
The Villanova Environmental Law Journal congratulates the following Staff Writers whose Case Notes were selected for publication in Volume 36, Issue 2:
- Marina Campo—Pressure in the Pipeline? Hidden Tensions Beneath the Surface in the D.C. Circuit's Analysis of Alabama Municipal Distributors Group v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Benjamin Levy—A Monumental Tug of War: The Clash Over Presidential Authority and National Monuments in Murphy Co. v. Biden
- Naseem Memari—A Beacon Trying to Signal Heading: The Ninth Circuit Interprets California Whistleblower Protection Act in Killgore v. SpecPro Professional Services, LLC
- Julia Snyder—A Modern Moby Dick: The First Circuit Reveals How Man's Unchecked Fixations Still Impact Nantucket's North Atlantic Right Whale in Nantucket Residents Against Turbines v. U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Mgmt.
Many thanks to all the Staff Writers for their thoughtful submissions. We would also like to recognize our Managing Editors of Student Works – Sarah Hofgesang, Alison Moyer, Caroline Nelson, and Kevin Walsh – for their hard work throughout the writing process.
Counseling Center YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@Villanovacounseling
These contain ‘self-serve’ advice and guidance with titles such as: • Resilience Skills for transition to college • Coping with Academic Disappointment • Progressive Relaxation and Body Scan • Mindfulness Playlists: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/health-services/counseling-center.html
Absence Reporting Form
If you have missed or know you will miss a class session and believe the absence may be excused, please use this form to record the absence and have it excused where applicable. Please note that individual faculty members DO NOT receive submitted forms, so you must still notify your professors independently of any absences.
Embedded Counselor at the Law School
Dr. Allison Kosloff, counselor from University Counseling Center, will be at the Law School in Room 138 from 12:30-4:30pm on Mondays throughout the fall semester for appointments with Law Students. Students should schedule an appointment in advance (in-person or telehealth). To make an appointment or for more information about groups and other counseling information, see the form on the Counseling Center’s website or call 610 519-4050.
DEI LibGuide
The DEI LibGuide includes information about the law school and university Offices of DEI, the DEI Committee list, processing DEI environmental complaints, student organizations, and affinity groups, a glossary of DEI terms, and details about the Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas Community Award. Refer any questions, suggestions, and recommendations about the LibGuide content to the Office of DEI.
Wellness Resources for Students
Villanova University School of Law faculty and staff care about you. We remind all law students to prioritize your physical, emotional, and mental health. It is important to reach out if you are going through a challenge, feeling overwhelmed, need to talk or want to find ways to maintain balance in your life.
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers: LCL is fully operational during this time of uncertainty. They have one staff rotating in the office each day to ensure every helpline call will be thoroughly handled. Their volunteer base of 295 law students, attorneys, and judges are ready, willing, and able to assist any student, staff or faculty member that may be struggling LCL’s 24/7 helpline is 888-999-1941 and their website is also a wealth of information www.lclpa.org
University Counseling Center: Please see the Counseling Center’s website regarding their message for continuity of care, on-line appointment request form, local referrals or prescription refill if you have been seeing the University psychiatrist. Law Students have full access to the University Counseling center M-F, 9-5 610 519- 4050 and UWill 24/7 Telehealth Counseling
Villanova’s Health and Well-Being website
Nancy Whalen, Director of Student Affairs and Wellbeing can help you if you need to connect to resources, want a wellness check-in or need to discuss a specific concern. Email her at whalen@law.villanova.edu or schedule a time to meet with Nancy.
In an emergency, call Villanova Public Safety at 610-519-4444.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.