News
ASUCH 2003-2004 Final Report
By Steve Ngo
Apr 4, 2004, 19:36

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, HASTINGS COLLEGE OF THE LAW
ASUCH

2003-2004 Final Report
Submitted by Steve Ngo, ASUCH President
April 4, 2004

INTRODUCTION

During this term, ASUCH governed by a clear and simple vision. We consciously sought to address student needs and create a positive social environment, while cultivating a future alumni base that would view favorably their experience at Hastings. As discussed in previous reports, ASUCH had an active year. Below are highlights of our efforts.

KEY EFFORTS

Student Business Cards
In consultation with the Administration, ASUCH introduced the student business card to improve and further professional opportunities for students. Many law schools provide business cards for their students. Card designs were approved and ASUCH implemented a program with the Faithful Fools Copy Shop, located a block from campus, where students may place their orders. This program recently added an option to place orders over the internet.

Waitlist Postings on the Internet, On-Line Registration,
And Other Improved Campus Technology
Since June, ASUCH has worked with the Administration on improving and expanding campus technology, especially in the form of additional computer and printer stations. The Gold Room as well as the student lounge on 1M of the 198 building now offer printer services and updated computer stations. The most significant accomplishment for the student body is the new use of current technology in the Records Office. It has finally posted waitlist procedures on the internet, eliminating the inconvenience for many students to come onto campus to view their registration status. In addition, this semester, ASUCH expects the College to implement an on-line registration program that will eliminate inefficiencies and additional inconvenience.

The Legacy Dinner Program
ASUCH aimed to bring to life the 126-year Hastings Legacy, inviting prominent alumni back to campus for intimate dinners with current students. The inaugural dinner was a treat for Hastings Students. About a dozen students had the privilege of spending an evening in the Skyroom with Associate Justice Marvin Baxter ('66), Court of Appeal Justice Carol Corrigan ('75), and Secretary of State Kevin Shelley ('83). The Office of Alumni Relations manages this program and is exploring future Legacy Dinners with potential guests Mayor Willie Brown, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, District Attorney Kamala Harris, and Public Defender Jeff Adachi.

ASUCH as Advocate
This past year, ASUCH representatives voiced their strong support for issues related to the progress and direction of the state, as well as some issues more directly affecting our classmates. The ASUCH General Council passed a resolution opposing Proposition 54, which was defeated overwhelmingly at the polls during the October 7th Special Election. The General Council also expressed their opposition to the Governor's proposed budget cuts in higher education and intends to speak out and lobby against them. On campus, student representatives voted to stand by their classmates who continue to face discrimination based on sexual orientation from the U.S. Armed Forces' on campus recruiting policy.

Drug-Dealing Press Conference
In November, ASUCH spoke out on the conditions that affect the quality of life for Hastings students, specifically, the prevalence of drug-dealing around campus. Reaching out to neighborhood schools to highlight the problem of drug dealing, ASUCH called on the District Attorney candidates to address the issue. Both the incumbent Terrence Hallinan and the new District Attorney, Kamala Harris, toured the drug dens in our neighborhood and promised to act.

The Chance Initiative
Expecting to launch next semester, the Chance Initiative is a partnership between ASUCH and the YMCA Youth Chance High School, an alternative high school for at-risk youth. The idea for the Initiative emerged from the drug-dealing press conference as an opportunity for Hastings students to counteract the negative effect of the drug dealing on the high school's students. Anticipated program components include a shadow day, mentoring, tutoring, and outreach efforts.

The Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal
Over the past several years, a group of talented and passionate students set out to found a new scholarly publication at Hastings that speaks to the College's tradition of legal education and its location in the Tenderloin, San Francisco, and California. During these trying years, ASUCH has devoted student funding to aid this effort, recognizing the importance of a journal of this nature and the contribution such a journal could provide to legal scholarship, the College and its students. This semester, the Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal published its first issue, building on the hard work of its members (including its innumerable bake sales) and a successful inaugural symposium that brought prominent scholars to campus. This year's symposium featured Professor Erwin Chemerinsky and Mark Rosenbaum, Legal Director of ACLU (Southern California). The Journal has already sent its second issue to the publisher. Our investment came to fruition! ASUCH expects greater returns in the future, and is excited about the Administration's growing support for the Journal. Through the commitment of its membership and the quality and purpose of its product, we look forward to the day when the Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal will be officially recognized by the College.

Strengthening the Institution of ASUCH
The ASUCH General Council streamlined its bylaws and the budget process by which student organizations petition for student funds, including moving reimbursement authority for student organizations to the Office of Fiscal Services. ASUCH also established new protocols and procedures that improved organizational effectiveness that called for, among other things, stricter service hours and attendance requirements. The ASUCH website at www.myhastings.org has provided another avenue for the General Council to carry-out its functions by sharing valuable information with the student body. All of these actions have strengthened our student government so that future ASUCH administrations can serve the student body in an effective and efficient manner.

Student Life: Special Thanks to Mike Carney and Company
As ASUCH Director of Community Affairs, Mike Carney and Student Life Committee leaders Elaine Cheung and Brian Wang created a new standard for student life here at Hastings. From the Welcome Back BBQ and Party to the 1L Welcome Party, Barrister's Ball, Beer on the Beach, Bar Review, and this weekend's Masquerade - ASUCH successfully organized many social activities throughout the year in the hopes of building community and making law school a little less stressful than it has to be.

ON-GOING EFFORTS

ALWD v. Bluebook: The Citation Debate
As first discussed at the June Board of Directors meeting, students expressed frustration over the legal citation system taught in the Legal Writing and Research/Moot Court program. Since that meeting, the Curriculum Committee reviewed the issue, considering student input both for and against the current system, ALWD. The Committee recently announced its findings, which included a recommendation to use the Bluebook method in the LW&R/Moot Court curriculum. ASUCH is continuing a dialogue with the Legal Writing and Research/Moot Court program director, as well as Dean Martinez, in hopes of bringing the issue to resolution.

Task Force on Hastings Image and Marketing
The Task Force seeks to address student concerns regarding College's ability to refine its image and improve its marketing strategy. ASUCH solicited student feedback in the form of discussion groups and student survey responses. Other efforts currently include a logo design contest for t-shirts and assigning a team of students to review the merchandise sold at the bookstore. A report framing the results of all of these efforts was presented to the Board of Directors at its retreat in March by 1Ls Ross Greenman, Brian Wang, and 2L Andrew Massey, utilizing student survey data compiled by 1L Richie Hom. The presentation was well-received, and ASUCH has already followed-up on some matters with members of the Board of Directors and the Administration.

ATM on Campus
Initial reports mentioned three firms that were bidding for a debit transaction/cash back system in the bookstore, and that a system would be installed by February. Unexpected technical delays have moved the installation date to summer. Discussions for an actual ATM on campus are on-going.

Federal Repayment Legislation
Senator Dick Durbin (IL) has introduced a bill that would allocate federal funds to repay student loans of law graduates who work for a public defender or prosecutor. ASUCH has been exploring how the bill can include repayment for work at non-profits, and a strategy of how to lobby on the bill's behalf.

Student Outline Bank
This year, ASUCH began replenishing its outline bank on the www.myhastings.org website. Some students have generally donated their outlines, and we hope that more students will contribute their work throughout the summer.

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CONCLUSION AND THANKS

These efforts could not have been successful without the input, time, energy, and dedication of the ASUCH General Council and the Hastings Administration. Specifically, ASUCH would like to thank the following individuals.

Students

On behalf of the members of the ASUCH Executive Board and Class Representatives, it has been a pleasure and privilege serving the student body and working with the Board of Directors, Hastings Alumni, Faculty, and Staff. We hope that we have provided a unique and lasting contribution to the 126-year tradition of the College through our service, and expect the next ASUCH Administration to build on our efforts with even greater success.

Best regards,


Steve Ngo
ASUCH President
Class of 2004