Code of Student Responsibility
The Code of Student Responsibility governs McGeorge Students both on- and off-campus at all times from the day you submit your application until graduation, expulsion, voluntary withdrawal, or academic disqualification not followed by reinstatement. The Code is divided into four parts – Cannons of Ethics, Disciplinary Rules, Organizational Rules, and Procedural Rules. This Code embodies the key concepts of professionalism and civility that are so crucial to the legal profession.
Capital Commendation for Public Service
The McGeorge Capital Center for Law & Policy encourages students to pursue experiences that emulate pro bono legal experiences during their legal career and recognizes students who give their time to others through pro bono legal services (separate from volunteer internships) and/or unpaid community service. Students may earn the Capital Commendation for Public Service at the following levels based on total hours devoted to service during the entirety of your time at law school:
- Bronze (50 hours)
- Silver (100 hours)
- Gold (150 hours)
Any public service performed while enrolled at McGeorge may count towards the Commendation provided the hours were unpaid and not for academic credit, subject to approval by the program director. (Legal Clinic hours typically do not count towards the Commendation. Hours of service performed through the Reading Partners Program, although compensated through work-study, may count toward the Commendation.)
Students interested in receiving the Capital Commendation for Public Service should complete the Registration Form and Public Service Timesheet. Both forms are available online at https://www.mcgeorge.edu/our-faculty/centers-and-institutes/capital-center-for-law-and-policy/capital-commendation-for-public-service.
Student Bar Association
All McGeorge students hold membership in its Student Bar Association (SBA). The SBA serves as a forum for student interests and concerns and it sponsors school-wide events throughout the year including the Barrister’s Ball. The SBA also organizes and oversees several student committees, and provides funding for the Registered Student Organizations. The SBA is administered by a student-elected Board of Governors comprised of the SBA President, JD Full-Time (Day) and Part-Time (Evening) Division Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, a Representative for each JD class year (1D, 2D, etc.), and an At-Large Representative representing Masters and JSD students.
SBA Student Committees
The SBA organizes and oversees various student committees to focus on student issues and events such as stress relief activities, networking opportunities, social events, facilitating communication with the student body, and addressing student concerns. Students apply for and are appointed to serve on these committees by the SBA Vice Presidents. From year to year the committees change, but may include: Activities and Sports, Barrister’s Ball, Events and Coordination (ECC), Wellness, Alumni, Masters, Bylaws, and Elections.
ABA Law Student Division Representative
The American Bar Association (ABA) is a national organization providing law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public. All students attending ABA-approved law schools are eligible to join. One student is selected by the SBA President to serve as the McGeorge ABA Law Student Division Representative. This Representative advocates on behalf of ABA Law Student Division members from their school, serves as the school’s point person on the ABA, communicates the benefits and value of ABA membership at their school, and serves as one of their school’s two voting delegates to the ABA Law Student Division Assembly (the policy-making body of the Division).
Registered Student Organizations
Practicing legal and public policy skills does not always happen in class or during an internship. Registered Student Organizations (“RSOs”) play an integral role in the campus environment and educational process for students at McGeorge, and the many events hosted annually directly enhance academic and career preparation, cultural awareness, public service, leadership skills, and networking opportunities. Students meet people with similar interests, organize meaningful activities, and have plenty of opportunities to network their way into a stellar internship or career. The Student Services Office is the campus department through which groups register at McGeorge. Groups must register annually to be recognized by McGeorge. The deadline to register a group is October 1.
Faculty Committees with Student Representation
Each year the SBA President, in consultation with the Student Services Office and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, appoints student representatives to several of McGeorge’s standing committees to insure student input to faculty and administrative policy decisions. Committees with student representatives include: Code of Student Responsibility, Curriculum, Diversity Affairs, Grading and Advancement, and Honors & Awards.
Student Services Office
The Student Services Office is part of the larger Office of Student and Career Services, and exists to support McGeorge law and public policy students from Orientation to Graduation. We advocate for students and support extracurricular activities at the Law School including student organizations and student government, as well as a variety of all-school activities such as wellness programs, diversity and inclusion programs, academic advising programs, and other events that serve to entertain, educate, and cultivate an inclusive community in the Law School.
In addition, we assist students with personal matters and academic concerns. We support student-parents, students with disabilities, short term medical concerns, Title IX matters, and family emergencies. Members of our team can connect you to useful resources around the university. While many people are here to assist you during your time at McGeorge, we hope you will view our office as a useful resource and a good place to start with questions.
Career Services Office
The Career Services Office (CSO) is part of the larger Office of Student and Career Services, and gives students the tools necessary to build an individual career plan and to take charge of their professional future. The CSO provides a modernized approach to individualized career advising including interactive programs, speakers, digital handouts and videos, and collaboration with our extensive network of alumni and employers.
Disabled Student Services
McGeorge makes every reasonable effort to accommodate students with physical, psychiatric, learning, or other disabilities. Appropriate services and modifications are determined on a case-by-case basis. Our campus facilities are accessible to students with mobility impairments, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, we do not discriminate in the administration of our educational programs, admissions, scholarships, loans, or other activities or programs based on disability. ADA accommodation requests for the law students go through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities on our Stockton campus. Students can request services by visiting www.pacific.edu/disabilities and selecting New Students Apply Here. Once registered, students will be asked to provide documentation of their disability, and meet with the accommodation specialists to determine reasonable accommodations.
TB Clearance and Immunization Records
All incoming undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled in one or more units attending any of the three Pacific campuses are required to meet immunization requirements by the first day of classes after which a registration hold will be applied. Visit https://www.pacific.edu/immunizationcompliance for more information.
Student Health Insurance
In order to ensure each student’s academic success, Pacific mandates that students maintain comprehensive health insurance if they are enrolled in 6 or more units per semester. Each academic year students are required to complete an insurance waiver if they have their own insurance that meets university requirements. If a waiver is not completed by the posted deadline date, the student will be enrolled in the student plan.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Many students experience a variety of emotional challenges while in school. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available to students on the Sacramento campus. Some common reasons students access CAPS services include relationship issues, stress management, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, traumatic experiences and more. CAPS therapists are experienced working with graduate students and provide a confidential, nonjudgmental environment in which to work on your issues. CAPS DOES NOT bill your health insurance.
Student Health Services
Student Health Services is an on campus health clinic available to all McGeorge students as part of the mandatory Health Fee. Services include treatment for acute injuries or illness, physicals, immunizations, women’s care, medication management and referrals.
Policy Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, Discrimination, & Retaliation
McGeorge is committed to the personal safety of its students and other members of its campus community and to maintaining a safe and respectful environment free from sexual misconduct or gender-based discrimination. McGeorge provides education and prevention programs including awareness campaigns, prevention strategies, bystander intervention, and risk reduction. McGeorge also provides outreach programs to make students, faculty, and staff aware of all aspects of this Policy, including the practical implications of an affirmative consent standard, resources available for victims, and right and responsibilities of Students, Faculty, and Staff.
A detailed explanation of the support and services available to assault victims may be found in the full “Policy Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination and Retaliation,” which is located at https://webshare.pacific.edu/sites/policies/Pages/Policy%20Prohibiting%20Sexual%20Misconduct%20Discrimination%20and%20Retaliation.aspx.
To report student, staff, or faulty sexual misconduct, a victim or witness may contact Student Affairs at sacstudentaffairs@pacific.edu 916.739.7089, in addition to any campus Security Authority, such as Public Safety.
The University Title IX Coordinator may be contacted directly. Additionally, any member of the McGeorge community may make a report online using this form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UnivofthePacific&layout_id=15.
A confidential report may be made by calling the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office, using 209-946-2315. All other members of the campus community must forward any report of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator.
Retaliation, in any form, for reporting sexual misconduct, harassment, or discrimination is strictly prohibited.
Prohibited Harassment Policies & Procedures
McGeorge is committed to providing an environment free of sexual harassment and harassment because of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, or any other basis made unlawful by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. This policy applies to all persons attending or involved in the operations of McGeorge. Prohibited harassment in any form, including verbal, physical, and visual conduct, threats, demands, and retaliation is unlawful and will not be tolerated.
Substance Abuse Policies & Procedures
Students are expected to comply with federal, state, and local laws governing the possession, distribution, use, and consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs on the campus and as part of school activities both on and off the campus. A publication, “Substance Abuse Policies and Procedures,” provides further information about policies, procedures, and available drug and alcohol abuse education programs as required by Section 1213 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended. The publication is available online at mcgeorge.edu/Substance_Abuse_Policies_and_Procedures.htm.
Compliance with the Cleary Act
In compliance with the Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Cleary Act, the Pacific Sacramento Campus Public Safety Department is responsible for providing the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report contains the three most recent calendar years of crime statistics for the campus. It includes crimes that occurred on campus, in campus housing, and on non-campus property and public property that is adjacent to campus. Also included in this report is fire safety information for on-campus housing. Hard copies of this report are available at the Public Safety Office, Human Resources Office, and Admissions Office, and an electronic version is available online at mcgeorge.edu/Documents/Policies/annualSecurityReport.pdf.
Compliance with Federal Regulations
Non-discrimination policy: McGeorge School of Law, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (45 CFR 86), and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 does not discriminate in the administration of any of its educational programs, admissions, scholarships, loans, or other activities or programs on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation or preference, national or ethnic origin, color, disability, marital status, age, or religious belief.
Inquiries regarding compliance with these statutes and regulations maybe directed to the Office of the Dean, 3200 Fifth Avenue, Sacramento, California 95817, (916) 739-7151, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, in San Francisco or Washington, D.C. Student records: Inquiries about the School’s compliance with student access and privacy rights regarding educational records, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, may be directed to the Office of the Dean or to the Student and Family Educational Rights and Privacy office, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.
Victims of Crime Resource Center
Since 1984, McGeorge has hosted the state-funded California Victims of Crime Resource Center which provides crime victims with legal reassurance and aid. Through the Resource Center’s toll-free number, 1.800.VICTIMS, and their website (800victims.org), crime victims can obtain information from law students concerning compensation, restitution, their roles and rights in the criminal justice system, and referrals to local assistance providers and advocacy groups.
Sacramento Campus and Law Library
The library serves all students and faculty members on the Sacramento Campus. A school ID is needed to gain entry on evenings and weekends. A variety of study spaces are available including study rooms that can be booked online up to two weeks in advance. The library offers resources to assist with both courses and research, including West Academic, CALI, Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg Law, HeinOnline, EBSCO, and a variety of other databases. Student support for TWEN, Canvas and ExamSoft is available. Students can borrow material from other libraries via interlibrary loan. Reference librarians are available throughout the day and by appointment for assistance with research questions. If you have any library related questions or concerns, please speak to a library staff member at the circulation desk, a librarian or the library director.
Veteran’s Resources
The Sacramento Campus Veteran's Resource room is located on the second floor of the Student Center, and is available for use by students and alumni. University of the Pacific has V.A. Certifying Officials on all three campuses: Sacramento campus, contact: 916.739.7106, San Francisco campus, contact: 415.929.6498, Stockton Campus, contact: 209.946.7647.
Pacific’s Diversity Listserv
The pacificdiversity@lists.pacific.edu listserv provides a central location for members of the Pacific community to share event announcements, speakers, professional development opportunities, etc., relating to diversity and inclusion. To subscribe to this list, follow these instructions:
Send a message to sympa@lists.pacific.edu from the address you want to subscribe to the list.
In the subject line of your message, type in: “subscribe pacificdiversity First Name Last Name” (indicate your own first name and last name).
Leave the message body blank.
Center for Inclusion and Diversity
The Sacramento Campus Center for Inclusion and Diversity (CID) is located upstairs in the Student Center. The CID is open to all students and is staffed by peer volunteers. Students are encouraged to explore the center for kinship and support. Programming from the CID seeks to build community, foster understanding on issues of diversity, and promote an atmosphere of inclusion for all members of the Sacramento campus.
Bar Admission for JD and LLM Students
Each state has its own character, fitness and other qualifications for admission to the bar. The rules of the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California require each law student who plans to take the California Bar Examination to register with the Committee and pay the prescribed fee after beginning the study of law and before any other application is transmitted to the Committee.
Forms for registration are available from the State Bar of California’s website at calbar.ca.gov.
California and other states have standards of character and fitness to practice, which must be satisfied by candidates applying for admission to the Bar. The Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California of the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California provides:
Every applicant shall be of good moral character. The term “good moral character” includes qualities of honesty, fairness, candor, trustworthiness, observance of fiduciary responsibility, respect for and obedience to the laws of the state and the nation, and respect for the rights of others and for the judicial process. The applicant has the burden of establishing that he or she is of good moral character. For students who expect to practice in California, an Application for Determination of Moral Character is available from the State Bar of California’s website at calbar.ca.gov. Most students file the application with the Committee of Bar Examiners during their senior year, preferably more than six months before sitting for the California Bar Examination. Students with a record of involvement in disciplinary or criminal matters may want to file the application at an earlier date.
Students who plan to practice law in jurisdictions other than California should check that state’s requirements for student registration and admission to the bar. Further information regarding admission requirements and bar examiner addresses is available in the Office of Student Affairs.
Alumni
Every graduate from McGeorge School of Law becomes a lifetime member of the Alumni Association upon earning their degree. McGeorge School of Law alumni have distinguished themselves as leaders in legal practice, on the judicial bench in local, state and federal trial and appellate arenas, in all levels of government service, and in the business and nonprofit communities. Alumni are found in each of the 50 United States, as well as in 52 countries around the globe.
A Board of Directors, representing the law school’s more than 13,000 alumni, governs the McGeorge School of Law Alumni Association. The Board provides ample opportunities for leadership and engagement with the law school and fellow alumni. Among Board priorities are building Alumni Chapters around the country, engaging more alumni in volunteer opportunities, charitably supporting the law school, and actively assisting new graduates with their post-law-school job search. The Board also supports the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund, two annual MCLE events (at nominal cost to alums), and several events during the academic year connecting current students with alumni.
