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5-2-1983

The Alledger, volume 02, number 13The Alledger

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Recommended CitationThe Alledger, "The Alledger, volume 02, number 13" (1983). The Alledger. Book 23.http://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/alledger/23

Farewell to Noel Augustyn Concludes Tenure as Assistant Dean by Barbara Cardone

At the close of the spring semester, the Boston College Law School community will bid farewell to Assistant Dean Noel Augustyn. As of July 1, Augustyn has accepted the position of Associate Director of the American· Association of Law Schools, the learned society for legal education, in Washington, D.C ..

Augustyn joined the B.C. law Administration three years ago, after practicing in the Boston area for six years. Though entitled administrative, his job required both administrative and acedemic envolvement. "There was no time for total emersion in any single area," he remarked, "but the joy of the job is in its diversity." Among his varied duties, Augustyn taught one course (Evidence) during the second semester; worked with the Admissions, Alumni, and Placement Offices; had administrative responsibility for co­curricular activities (e.g. the Grimes, Jessup, and Client--Counseling Competitions); and supervised the first year legal Research and Writing curriculum.

Coordinating the legal Research and Writing program was by far the most difficult and perhaps the most rewarding of all of his duties. As Augustyn poses the problem, "The difficulty is in allowing the instructors the acedemic freedom necessary for creativity in teaching, while at the same time insuring that all first year students receive essentially equivalent training in legal research and writing." A notable ir.provement instituted by

Augustyn was the elimination or m~ "intensive" research and writing section for students needing extra instruction, and replacing it with third year teaching assistants, a~ailable to all who want additional help or instruction.

Another improvement in the Legal Research and Writing curriculum was the restructuring of the grading system, allowing earlier assignments to count for a significantly lower percentage of the total grade, so that students are ultimately graded on the writing skills that theyr have learned during the course instead of those that they lack at the beginning of the year.

Along similar lines, Augustyn implements the policy of the "optional" grade for moot court oral arguments, whereby the grade fo r the argument counts only if it improves the student's overall grade. He felt this an important move because "the course emphasizes writing sk il ls, not oral expression," and although the oral argument experience is important to first year students, it seemed unfair for students to be so heavily graded on a skill not strong ly emphasized in the course.

As a final step in improving the course, Augustyn would have liked to convert the legal Research and Writing grading system to a sati factory /u nsat i sfacto ry seale, instead of the present letter sca le. His proposal was resisted, however, especially by the writi ng instructors, who feared lack of student incentive as one possible resul t.

Reflecting upon the overall changes in Boston College Law School during the last three years, Augustyn is most

pleased with the strides that B.C. has made towad greater national recognition. "When I was practicing law in Boston," he recalls, "B.C and B.U. were considered to be almost interchangeable terms. Now, within the last three or four years, B.C. has become recognized as the better institution by the Boston legal community. As its graduates have begun to move across the country, it has gained national recognition as well." At least part of that recognition he credits to improvements in the Placement Office and the consistantly outstanding job done by Admissions.

As to improvements that he wou ld like to see, "I wish the place could be cleaner," he said. "The addition of the plants and of a few coats of paint have helped in improving the overall appearance, but it seems that much more could be done in terms of house and grounds upkeep to really help beautify the place."

As his · parting words to the law school community, Dean Augustyn would like to say that he has enjoyed thoroughly his three years at B.C., and that is primarily because of the people who comprise the institution. "Noteworthy," he said, "is the utter lack of pomposity among faculty, staff, and students. We do not take ourselves overly-seriously, and because of that, the place retains its friendly , humane atmosphere,"

On behalf of the legal community, the staff of the Alledger thanks Noel Augustyn for his three years of service with B.C. law School and wishes him well in his new position as Associate Director of AALS .

Library Plans Renovations Hope to Start Work This Summer

by Michael Kilkelly

The Law School Library is in the midst of planning extensive internal renovation to be completed over the next year and one-half. In February, the Library's Director, Sharon Hamby, submitted a comprehensive memo outl ining the space needs of the library to Dean Huber, who passed the memo along to Frank Campanella, the Executive Vice-President of the University.

The memo outl ined the need for better space for the LEX IS terminal and the planned WESTLAW termi nal. The l ibrary is ~lso planning on buying IBM personal computers on which students can do computer-based lega l exercises. An audio-visual facility is needed, as the use of AIV materials expands. A separate temperature and humidity-controlled room is needed for the Microform collection, which is quickly growing. Area is also needed near the card catalog for computer terminals, as the University's library changes over to an on-line catalog system. A facility for the handicapped where all their special equipment could

be located is also a priority. An architect has been hired to design

plans to renovate the library, namely Brian Massey from Design Alliance in Boston. After looking at the needs of the library and some ideas from the li brary staff, he has come up with a couple of sets of plans with d ifferent options for use of library space. Hamby hopes that a broadly outlined plan can be fin alized this month, so that wo rk can begin th is summer, and be

. completed next summer. Only limited work .-can be done during the school year on many of th ese renovations.

Several ideas have already been accepted fo r use in the plans, while some problems remain. It is envisioned that some of the space the library has in the basement will be converted into some _of the distinct rooms that are necessary. The first stairwell inside the library will be punched th rough into the basement so that access to the basement will be controlled. The l ibrary will also ta ke over the space which is currently the offices fo r the LSA, LALSA and Celeste Lopes. The

' current plans for the basement include an A/V room and two smaller rooms for handicapped students which will

house the Kurzweil machine and other equipment which alumnus Mel Nash intends to contribute. The remaining dilemma is then to settle on one more thing to be put in the basement.

The 'contenders for the remaining basement space are first, the computer terminals for LEXIS and WESTLAW and the personal IBM'S and second, the microform colLection. There are problems with both possibilities. Putting the microform downstairs removes it from the reference area, so that George lang and Judy Harding, the Government documents libra rian, will have to shuttle back and forth. Putting the computers down there necessitates building a roo m on the first floor for th e microforms, wh ich at present looks to be difficult

The architect came up with several ideas which the library staff like. The reference area will be expanded and rearr(!nged, so that catalog terminals can be added. The -display case will be placed where the lounge area is now. The lounge area will be eliminated, to · be replaced by the new student lounge area in the basement (see the article on the student lounge). Seating will be moved into the expanded reference

For Third Years Only by Michael Kilkelly

Graduation weekend will kick off with a dance at Jason's in the Back Bay on Thursday.night, May 26. Tickets are available at the Bookstore unitl May 20. No tickets will be available at the door, so be sure to pick them up before May 20.

A D.J. will be spinning records that night. If you have any musical requests, either for particular songs or for a type of music, get them in to Sam Habbas or Karen del Ponte, who will pass them on to the D.J.

On Saturday evening May 28, a cocktail reception will be held at Putnam House from 6:00-9:00pm. All friends, family, and other hangers-on are invited. There w ill be hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

Graduation day will begin with a service at 11 :OOam in the chapel. Insufficient in t e r est has been expressed in an ecumenical service, so a Catholic service is being planned.

All graduating students are to meet in the lobby of Stuart Hall at 1:OOpm. Weather permitt i ng, graduation services will be held on the lawn outside the library at 2:00pm. In case of rain, graduation services will be held inside the ice hockey build ing, McHugh Forum, on the Main campus. There will be a reception on the lawn following graduation exercises.

Caps and gowns are available according to the schedule found in the Notic~s section. The 1983 edition of our Yearbook,Sui Juris, is still available from Mus Sayid or Debbie Fisher.

area around the Shepard's. Glazed glass of some sort will,be put up around the ·entrance to give greater security.

In terms of design, t he architect had to work with the entrance to the old undergrad resource center, which is now totally closed off. The plans would make that entrance an administrative corridor, moving the librarian's offices over to where the microforms are currently . The architect also designed a microform room at the back of the first floor, in case the microforms are not put in t he basement. This potentially present more problems than it solves, in that the microforms are still removed from the reference area, and the open space on the first floor is taken away. Other configurations limit or take away shelf space,· which may be a problem after the yellow shelves down the middle of the first floor are taken away .

The basic outlines of the plan satisfy the library staff. · Window space is maximized and expansion is possible. A copy room may also be included, although feelings are mixed about putting the noise and the mess of the copiers all in one space.

Page 2 / ALLEDGER

The Wonderful World of Legalese

Vol II. No. 13

Boston College Law School 885 Centre Street

Newton Centre, MA 02159 (617) 969-0100 (x4371)

Editor-in Chief Managing Editor Features Editor Photo Editor Entertainment Ed. Business Mgr. Productiofl Mgr. Cartoonist

Staff this issue: -

Sheryl Serreze Michael Kilkelly Barbara Epstein

Ian Veitzer ME Murphy

Michael Clanc.y Susan Taylor

Ivy Main

Dan Winslow

Barbara Cardone

Cari Burkard

Bob Pasquarella

1'be ~ Is publJshed every other Monday. 14 ttmes per academic year. for and t:7( the students of ao.toa CoDege Law Sc:bool We welcome submissions and contributions from all our readers. Manuscripts. news. letters. ads. notices. etc. should reach us by 5 p.m. the Wednesday Immediately preceding the Intended publica­tion date. COP'/ may be left at the ~office (M2018 Stuart Hall beneath Mr. Pepper's office) or in our matlbox across from the Deans' Offices.

Race Judy Carter

The Devonshire. It gives new meaning · to the phrase "high life~'

From its private membership rooftop pool and health club to its doorman-attended lobby, The Oevo;1shire lavisht:S upon you the attention you deserve, the services you desire: concierge, doorman, electronic security, available maid service, indoor valet parking, on­premises shopping, and more . All with smashing views and within walking distance of your office. Watch for our model apartments furnished by some of Boston's finest designers.

THE DEVONSHIRE One Devonshire Place . (Between Washington and Devonshire Streets, off State Street) Boston .

Now renting for Spring 1983 occupancy. Rental Age nt : IHUNNEMANI Features include: Dc>ormcn /Ct>nc! erge/ Elect ronlc Secunty/

Indoor Valet Parkmg/ MaiJ Service Ava ilat>le /O n -Premi>es Con ve nience Shc>ps/ Private Memt>er,h lp lnJuur Pool anJ Hea lth C lut> .

I heJmum from $675 tu $985/ 2 t>eJrooms from $!015 to $1555 / Penthouse Duplex A partmen t> fwm $2015 to $ 3700.

Rf' nlin~ offirr: open Mon.-Fri . (Except Thurs.) 10 to 6 / Thurs. 10 to 7 / Sat. 11 to 5 / Sun. 1 to 5/ TPirphonr: (617) 720-3410

Cross Examination

Cornflakes of Law

A Case on All Fours

The Peppercorn Th~ory of Consideration

May's Playma te of the M onth

Security Interest

Blackacre

by Dan Winslow and Cari Burkard

Photos by Bob Pasquarella

May 2. 1983/ Page 3

Meeting of the Minds

Learned Hand

Arm's Length Transaction

A night on the town is easier when you already live in town.

No traffic crush , no last minute rush. Instead a leisurely dinner at your special restaurant, an early arrival at the symphony and a nightcap at your favorite club afterward.

That's a night out, . Devonshire style. That's because this new full-service luxury residential tower is minutes from everything that makes Boston exciting.

Exciting too, are the harbor and skyline views from our apartments and the formidable array of services at your service.

THE DEVONSHIRE One Devonshire Place. (Between Washington and Devonshire Streets, off State Street) Boston .

Now renting for Spring 1983 occupancy. Rental Agent: IHUNNEMANI Features include: Doormen/Concierge/ Elec tronic Securi ty/ Indoor Valet Parking/Matd Service Ava ilable/O n -Premises Conventence Shops/ Private Membership Indoor Pool and Hea lth C lub.

I bedroom from $675 to $985/ 7. bedrooms from $!01 5 to $155 5/ Penthouse Duplex Apartments from $20 15 to $3700. Renting offiee: open Mon.-Fri. Thurs.) 10 to 6/ Thurs. 10 to 7/ Sat. 11 to 5/ Sun. 1 to 5/

72()-3410

Page 4/ ALLEDGER

NOTICES

New Student Lou nge Read·y in September

by Michael Kilkelly

Room L-115, in the basement of the library complex near the Bookstore, is being converted into a full-fledged student lounge this summer at a cost of $20,000, according to Dan Winslow, chairman of the Student Lounge Committee.

The new lounge will include sofas, chairs,and newspaper and magazine racks on the upper tier of the room, in the back. The lower level will have large tables and chairs for receptions, vending machines, a bulletin board, some sort of conversation "pits" up

against the upper tier, and a bar/ticket counter. Other possibilities include a small stage with risers, and a stereo/TV.

It is hoped by the Student Lounge Committee that this room will allow for an informal meeting area, a place to read the paper in comfortable furniture, as well as a room for student organizations to host receptions. It is envisioned that the lounge will have set hours of operation, and be locked at other times, with some sort of monitor to provide general security. Scheduling would guarantee specific hours for general use, as well as first come-first serve for specific meetings and receptions.

UsAVE YOUR

CAPS AND GOWNS- Third year students may pick up their caps and gowns at any of the following times : Newton Campus: Student Lounge May 3, 1 0:00-3:00

(Room L-115) May 5, 10:00-3:00 May 29, Noon

Chestnut Hill: Fulton Hall May 18-20, 9:00-5:00

{Room 110)

A rental fee of $13.00 is due when picking up the caps and gowns. Please keep in mind that this is "off-the-rack" service. Don't wait until Commence­ment Day {May 29) . Students who pick their caps and gowns up on May 3 or 5 have the best chance of finding ones in their own size.

THIRD YEAR STUDENTS- Massachu­setts Bar Examination Applications are available now in Mr. Pepper's office.

ACCESS TO LAW LIBRARIES DURING EXAMS- During the period April 22-May 24, most law schools in the Boston area will enact a restrictive

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The Nation's Number One Bar Review. 401 Se.venlh Ave., Suite 62, N.Y., N.Y. 10001 (212) 594-3696 (201) 623-3363

29 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass. 02116 (617) 437-1171 1214 One East Penn Square Building, Philadelphia, Penn. 19107 (215) 563-4988

H-ow lo~ -till t~r~auo...tJM,

1i,ree wuJ.:s, -h,ur d ll.'j s- , ()n~ hovr 11..11.:! s ~ vel'\ -.1

policy. During these weeks, students will not be allowed to use the libraries of other law schools after 5:00pm on weekdays_ and all day on weekends. This policy has been necessitated by the heavy demand for library seating during this period. Boston College students needing legal materials at other area law schools should obtain a letter from Gyorgy Lang, B.C . Reference Librarian, to secure access.

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TH&H TO e. IS 'TWIS SAIUtl!l> B~ ~~

ST'A'Tl>T~ oF FlfiiUI:>S~ PoES A I-411YE: II

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ALL LAW STUDENTS- All students are reminded that they must use their assigned "Examination Numbers" when taking final exams. Any student who has fo rgotten what his/her exam number is please see Mr. Pepper NOW. Do not wait until the day of your exam as this will prevent the exam from starting on schedule .

THE FIIU'f '/€"/IR. 5-rupENTS A'-.E

fv'JAK!Nb- &<JOt> usc- OF 'T4t

TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULE-

May 3&4-Weekend service in effect May 5,6&7-Regular class day.service May 9,1 0& 11-Regular class day service May 8, 12, 13, 14& 15-Weekend service May 16~22-Weekend service Beginning May 23,1983, the Mini-bus will run between the Chesnut Hill and Newton campuses once every half­hour f rom 8:00am-6:00pm. There will be a 7:30am departure from Cleveland Circ le. No transportation service will be availab le on weekends or University holidays.

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