PRE-ORIENTATION
June to Mid-July: We recommend that you relax, plan your relocation to Miami (if needed), and refer to our summer reading recommendations. Please continue to check Memo Monday for important reminders, deadlines, and information.
Mid-July: We will provide pre-Orientation items. First, to assist with your initial reading assignments, our Legal Communication and Research Skills (“LComm”) faculty will post two online modules in the 1L Orientation Course on Blackboard: “How to Read a Case” and “How to Brief a Case.” Our Academic Achievement Program will also post a series of short podcasts designed to give you a head start in preparing for your law school classes.
Late July to Mid-August: You will gain access to the Orientation section in Blackboard and additional helpful materials will continue to be posted there in the weeks leading up to Orientation.
Week of August 7: The Student Technology Help Desk will host several virtual IT set-up sessions, which will address how to access our wireless network, UM email accounts, and other technology resources. You will also receive your section assignment, class schedule, booklist, and first reading assignments.
ORIENTATION WEEK and FIRST DAY OF CLASS
Monday, August 14: Orientation will kick off with our annual Welcome Plenary and Oath of Professionalism, featuring remarks by Dean David Yellen, SBA leadership, and distinguished alumni.
Tuesday, August 15: Additional Orientation programming will include Professional Identity: Inclusive Excellence, Professional Identity: Academic Integrity, Thriving as a 1L, Mindfulness and Wellbeing, and Upper-Level Student Panels.
Wednesday, August 16: The 1L class will participate in HOPE Day of Service. Students will spend the morning connecting with peers and the community through service projects. This is an opportunity to meet great people while making a difference. Click here for more information.
Monday-Wednesday, August 14-16: Upper-level students will host optional, self-pay dinners at local restaurants. The sign-up sheets for these dinners will be located on the Orientation Blackboard page.
Friday, August 18: The fall semester will begin with your first LComm class and the Law Library’s Access to Legal Information class.
HOPE DAY OF SERVICE - WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
I desire to participate in the University of Miami (the "University") School of Law’s HOPE Day of Service to be held on August 16, 2023. I represent that I am knowledgeable of the HOPE Day of Service and the inherent risks of personal injury or property damages to myself and to others, seen and unforeseen, which may be associated with the HOPE Day of Service. Notwithstanding these risks, I wish to assume them by participating in the HOPE Day of Service and in any travel associated with it.
1. I understand and agree that the University accepts no responsibility for my acts or the acts of others while I am participating in and traveling in connection with the HOPE Day of Service.
2. I further hereby authorize and grant the right to the University, its faculty, employees, representatives, agents, contractors, vendors, and volunteers designated by the University, to record my image, likeness, photograph, and voice by any technology or means, as they may wish (the "Images"). The University may copy, use, publish, display, and distribute the Images, with or without my name, for any lawful purpose, in any broadcast, print, or electronic media, including, but not limited to, distribution by newspaper, radio, television, magazine; distribution by means of streaming or other technologies via the Internet, or distribution of audio or video files (e.g. podcasts), as the University may, in its sole discretion, consider of benefit to the University or the public at large. I understand and agree that I will not receive compensation, now or in the future, in connection with the University’s exercise of the rights granted hereunder. I waive any right to inspect or approve the Images in these works.
3. In consideration of University of Miami offering this opportunity and allowing me to participate in the HOPE Day of Service, the receipt and sufficiency of said consideration being hereby acknowledged, I hereby do release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless the University, its officers, trustees, faculty, employees, representatives, agents, and volunteers designated by the University, from any and all liability or claim of liability, whether for personal injury, property damage, or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with my participation in the HOPE Day of Service and any travel associated with the HOPE Day of Service.
By signing the form, I acknowledge that I have read and understand this Waiver and Release of Liability and that I wish to be bound by its terms.
CONNECT WITH US
Your future colleagues are connecting on the University of Miami School of Law Class of 2026 Facebook group as well as the Class of 2026 WhatsApp group. If you have not done so already, we encourage you to submit a request to join the groups.
If you have questions about Orientation, please email admissions@law.miami.edu.
If you experience an emergency or have a significant conflict preventing your attendance at any Orientation programming, please contact deanofstudents@law.miami.edu, so we can support you.
We look forward to seeing you in August. In the meantime, we wish you a safe and enjoyable rest of the summer!
- Miami Law Orientation Committee
