Student Affairs Guide - Howard University School of Law

examples of using ideas and expressions from others. The source of the quotationsor paraphrase or idea must be properly credited.One common problem area arises from paraphrasing. Lengthy paraphrasingshould be avoided. Reordering paraphrased paragraphs does not shield one fromthe necessity of giving proper credit to the source of the ideas. A single generalcitation at the end or beginning of a lengthy paraphrase does not adequately creditthe source, although such a citation for a single sentence or proposition often willbe adequate. If a lengthy passage of a student’s writing was largely inspired byand/or dependent on and/or consists of essentially a paraphrase of another’s work,the student’s citation should so disclose.Another common problem arises from the use of certain ideas and terms whichare so common in legal discourse (or general discourse) that no citation is needed.For example, one need not use a citation for the proposition that the freedom ofspeech is one of our most cherished and important liberties. Nonetheless, acitation to a Supreme Court case or to Jefferson or to some other authority whichdiscusses the point at greater length would be appropriate. When there is theslightest doubt about the need for citation, the citation should be included.3-1004 Seriousness of Academic PurposeTo achieve its educational purposes Howard University School of Law mustmaintain an environment conducive to learning and to scholarly endeavors byboth faculty and students. Seriousness of academic purpose requires students toprepare daily, to complete assignments in a timely fashion, to attend class, to bepunctual, and to participate in class. Unexcused failure to meet one or more ofthese basic requirements may indicate a lack of seriousness of purpose and maysubject a student to discipline. Seriousness of academic purpose also encompassesappropriate conduct throughout the School of Law, the University, and theWashington, D.C., community.3-1005 EmploymentThe study of law, especially in the first year, is a full-time endeavor. Experiencehas proven that it is in the best academic interest of the student not to undertake apart- time job, especially during the first year of study. Nonetheless, the lawschool faculty and administration recognize that some students must obtain parttimejobs to help defray expenses. Consequently and in accordance with ABAstandards, the faculty has adopted a policy permitting part-time employment notto exceed 20 hours. The faculty reserves the right to require any student engagingin outside employment to either reduce or terminate the employment if, in thejudgment of the faculty, acting through the Student Affairs Committee, suchreduction or termination is warranted in light of the student’s academicRev. August 2012 57