Spring Break
DSG may hire lawyer for student use
Duke student government
By: Diana Sheldon
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: News
Last update: 2/28/08 at 6:11 AM EST
Last update: 2/28/08 at 6:11 AM EST
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"We're looking into hiring a lawyer to sit in the DSG office two hours a week to offer legal services for students on a first-come-first-serve basis," said DSG President Paul Slattery, a senior.
Slattery-who presented the proposal, sent Feb. 25 to University administrators and the North Carolina State Bar-said the program's lawyers would be responsible mainly for offering legal advice and giving referrals. Services would be capped at $3,000.
He also said any firm or attorney chosen could not currently or in the future be involved in legal action against the University.
This program previously existed until 2003 when the lawyer, a Duke graduate, passed away.
Attorneys would mainly help students with issues such as traffic, alcohol and drug possession violations. They might occasionally help with cases of theft, vandalism, destruction of property, assault and sexual assault.
Dean of Students Sue Wasiolek, with whom Slattery has worked closely on the proposal, is particularly knowledgeable in this area, he said. He added that he will rely on her knowledge in choosing the most adequate candidates.
"We value that the attorney is Durham-based, has a lot of experience with traffic and alcohol work and is well-established," Slattery said, adding that the University also places a strong emphasis on male-female diversity.
The proposal calls for at least three candidates. Applications will start coming in just after Spring Break, after which DSG will either set up an interview committee or will arrange for the candidates to speak to the senate.
In other business:
DSG Executive Vice President Jordan Giordano, a junior, presented an election bylaw that would allow the positions of president and vice president to be put to vote as a combined ticket. Currently, every position of the executive board is elected independently.
Senators also unanimously granted charter status to the Women's Mentoring Network. The network is a non-selective women's group open to everyone on campus, said sophomore Bethany Hill, a senator and co-founder of the network.
"We have currently received support from the Women's Center and [Dean of Undergraduate Education Stephen] Nowicki and have 150 members on the listserv," Hill said.
Junior Alex Crable, chair of the Student Organization Finance Committee, said SOFC had granted the Women's Mentoring Network recognition status because it is a non-selective group. No current group on campus is accomplishing what the network would like to accomplish, he said.
The network has already hosted discussions in freshman dorms, dinners with faculty members and an event at the Nasher Museum of Art, Hill said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Are you kidding?
posted 2/28/08 @ 9:42 AM EST
"Dean of Students Sue Wasiolek, with whom Slattery has worked closely on the proposal, is particularly knowledgeable in this area, he said. He added that he will rely on her knowledge in choosing the most adequate candidates. (Continued…)
Mike Kell
posted 2/28/08 @ 9:43 AM EST
This is doomed to failure. Is memory so short that you don't recognize this "Dean of Students Sue Wasiolek, with whom Slattery has worked closely on the proposal" and whom he feels "is particularly knowledgeable in this area" is the SAME Dean Wasiolek who recommended the disgraced Wes Craven, um, er, I mean Covington, as a lawyer for your students? You don't remember that this is the same Dean Wasiolek who advised Duke students who were facing charges not to notify their parents? And Slattery, a senior with almost a full Duke education to lean on, will rely on her knowledge in choosing the most adequate candidates? Sort of like stacking the deck against the students!
Note that Suke will allow only the weakest of candidates, because the Dean will only allow candidates who are not currently involved in legal action against Duke (THAT narrows the field!) and who must promise never to be involved in such action in the future (and that cuts out the rest of the members of the bar in goo
Students, Protect Yourselves!
posted 2/28/08 @ 1:59 PM EST
May I suggest that you ask Joe Cheshire or Brad Bannon to Join you along with Dean Sue in your selection process?
Bucky Durant
posted 2/28/08 @ 2:08 PM EST
One attorney for two hours per week? GMAFB! You need 2,000 attorneys working 168 hours per week. And if they get too busy, they should be allowed to hire independent contractors. (Continued…)
Duke Alum
posted 2/28/08 @ 8:11 PM EST
Parents that are unhappy with Duke not having lawyers on staff that can give your apparently troubled kids advice here's a suggestion.
Encourage your kids to avoid the kind of trouble that requires legal advice. (Continued…)
Michael
posted 3/03/08 @ 10:26 AM EST
Looks like the "brown-noseing" is getting deeper and deeper....Using Dean sue to "help" find the right attorney is like letting the fox guard the henhouse. (Continued…)
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