Orientation

Student Affairs

Orientation at Denver Law

Orientation is required for all incoming JD students. Denver Law’s orientation experience is designed to welcome and prepare new JD, Transfer, and Visiting students for their legal education journey. Orientation includes both asynchronous pre-orientation modules and in-person programming tailored to each student cohort.

Orientation Schedule

Orientation takes place in early August for new incoming students, with a follow-up session—Orientation 2.0—held in early January for current 1L JD students.

Specific dates and times vary between full-time and part-time students. For the most up-to-date orientation dates, please refer to the Law Registrar's Academic Calendar.

Orientation schedules and additional details will be shared via email from the Office of Student Affairs and made available in the online Pre-Orientation course.

Orientation 2.0
Required for all current 1L students in January

Orientation 2.0 provides continued academic and community support at the midpoint of your 1L year, with programming tailored to reflect students’ first-semester experience and preparation for your summer and 2L year.

Determining Your Section
Relevant to Full-Time 1Ls Only

You’ll be assigned to a section and a subsection that determines your class schedule and Lawyering Process group. To locate your section and subsection:

  1. Log into MyDU.
  2. Navigate to the “Student Resources” page.
  3. View your fall class schedule.
  4. In the "Details" section, look for the course number followed by a number and letter (e.g., LAWS 4385 2B).
    • The number indicates your section—this is a group of approximately 80 students who you’ll share the same class schedule with.
    • The letter indicates your subsection—this is group of about 20 students who will be your classmates in Lawyering Process.
Orientation Leader Volunteers

Orientation Leaders (OLs) are returning JD students who volunteer to support and mentor incoming students. OLs assist with small-group facilitation, academic coaching, and logistical support throughout orientation week.

Each spring, the Office of Student Affairs issues a call for applications to non-graduating students. Applicants are invited to interview for a volunteer OL role during fall orientation.

Note: This is a volunteer position; OLs do not receive academic credit or monetary compensation.

To learn more about becoming an Orientation Leader, expand the sections below.

  • Duties & Responsibilities
    • Assist in the implementation of all orientation activities
    • Facilitate small group discussions, social activities and academic exercises
    • Serve as a mentor and role model for incoming students
    • Attend all academic sessions assigned to your corresponding faculty members and provide support to faculty
    • Communicate with faculty regarding academic sessions and expectations prior to orientation
    • Attend all social and networking events to help connect new students to the Denver Law community
    • Serve as a liaison for your students as they take part in Day of Service projects
      • Communicate with students about the project prior to arriving for orientation
      • Participate in the project and engage with the students to help them feel more welcome
    • Attend all required training sessions
  • Necessary Skills & Qualifications
    • Competent legal writing and law school study skills
    • Must not be on academic probation (Students with GPAs between 2.3 and 2.7 may be considered based on other circumstances and involvement.)
    • Effective interpersonal skills
      • Effective and competent communication skills, including active listening
      • Ability to work in teams and resolve interpersonal conflicts
      • Willingness to engage with diverse populations
    • Available to participate fully in all of the orientation program, including training sessions
    • Ability to facilitate small group activities and exercises
    • Ability to maintain a positive, flexible and adaptable working style
    • Ability to accept and respond to constructive feedback
  • Benefits

    While it is not a paid or for-credit position, Orientation Leaders do receive other benefits for volunteering:

    • Resumé leadership enhancement
    • Specialized leadership training in group facilitation and academic skills
    • Free meals and admission to all social events the week of orientation
    • T-shirts, name badges and other orientation swag
    • References for future employment from the Office of Student Affairs

Contact

 

Office for Student Affairs