Now that our extended summer has finally come to an end, there was a welcome return to one of Dineen Hall’s traditions on November 8, when students, faculty, and staff gathered around the Hon. Bernadette Romano Clark L’89 and Harold T. Clark Hearth for the annual Fireplace Lighting Ceremony and to enjoy seasonal treats.

There is much to be thankful for as we head toward Thanksgiving, not least that—with our careful vigilance against the coronavirus pandemic—we continue with in-person classes and extra-curricular and social events in Dineen Hall

I am also grateful for our alumni family and the way you continue to step up to support and encourage our students. You can read about examples of that support below. From all of us in Dineen Hall, I wish you a joyful, peaceful, and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

Eighty-six percent (86%) of College of Law first-time takers passed this year’s New York State bar exam, a two percentage point increase over last year’s performance and equal to the NYS average pass rate. Results from other jurisdictions indicate even higher pass rates among our graduates who sat for bar exams outside of New York.

These positive improvements validate our bar passage strategy, including targeted interventions for at-risk students. The faculty ad hoc Bar Exam Committee, chaired by Professor Kelly Curtis, continues to assess our performance to develop data-driven strategies to improve it. As these strategies are implemented and refined, I expect to report even bigger gains next year.

In addition, our new partnership with Helix Bar Review guarantees that none of our students will have to sit for the exam without having a comprehensive bar preparation program available to them. Given low pass rates among those who self-study, I expect positive impacts from this initiative as well.

📌What’s the buzz? Read the accomplishments of faculty, staff, and students in our Yearbook, and tales of your friendships, connections, and legacies in the Stories Book.

❕The Wall Street Journal recently profiled Pulitzer prize-winning novelist and alumna Elizabeth Strout L’82, who returns to the story of Lucy Barton in her new book, Oh William!

An Important Message Regarding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Federal student loan repayments will resume February 2022. As you prepare to restart payments, please review recent announcements by the US Department of Education that include important changes to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

A Limited PSLF Waiver, in effect through Oct. 31, 2022, expands PSLF rules of eligibility to include loan types and payments not previously considered. Any prior payment made will count as a qualifying payment, regardless of loan type, repayment plan, or whether the payment was made in full or on time, if borrowers met the condition of qualifying employment (full-time employment with the government or a 501(c)(3) or other not-for-profit that provides a qualifying service.)

Scholarship with Impact

Syracuse Law faculty continue to provide measured commentary on some of the hottest media topics, including remote work, mask mandates, political civility, and bail reform. Thank you for re-sharing these links on your social media channels!

• Professor Arlene Kanter Looks at the Right to Work Remotely with the ABA Journal
• Professor William C. Banks Helps Fact Check Patriot Act Claim with Politifact
• Professor Doron Dorfman Describes “Fear of the Disability Con” to Bloomberg Law
• Profanity Watch: Deseret News Talks with Professor Keith Bybee
• Professor John Wolohan Addresses American Sports Gambling with The Daily Caller
• Professor William C. Banks Helps CNN Explain Steve Bannon 1/6 Subpoena
• WAER Interviews Professor Jenny Breen About CNY Ballot Measures
• Houston Chronicle Interviews Professor Lauryn Gouldin About Bail Bonds

❕Attention employers! If you are able to provide employment or externship opportunities with your company, law firm, or agency, please reach out to Director of Externships and Career Services Dafni Kiritsis, at dkiritsi@syr.edu or 315.443.1941.

Attention Class of 2021 Alums!

The Office of Career Services needs your urgent help to complete your Class of 2021 Graduate Employment Survey. This short survey can be accessed directly from your cell phone.

Why is this survey important?

• We are required to report employment data to the ABA to comply with accreditation requirements. We anonymize and combine individual data with other graduates before we submit the information.
• Accurate employment data benefits your alma mater’s U.S. News & World Report ranking and helps expand career opportunities for both graduates and future students.
• If you are still looking for permanent employment, the Office of Career Services can partner with you. Please schedule half-hour Zoom appointments by emailing lawcareer@syr.edu. 

❕The Office of Career Services is working with the First-Generation Law Students Association to organize a lunch hour (noon-1 p.m.) virtual speaker series. Assistant Dean of Career Services Lily Yan Hughes welcomes any alum who was a first-gen student to participate in the series. If you are interested in sharing your personal and professional journey with current first-gen students, please contact her at lyhughes@syr.edu or 315.443.1941.

Questions? Please contact Sophie Dagenais, Assistant Dean for Advancement and External Affairs, at sdagenai@syr.edu or 315.443.4536, or Kristen Duggleby, Director of Alumni Relations at klduggle@syr.edu or 315.443.9532.

Contact us at 315.443.1964 or LawAlumni@syr.edu to send us your news. Remember, you can also update your contact information on ’Cuse Community.

I’ll keep you updated on our news in future editions of the Dean’s Dispatch, and for those of you who use social media, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram for timely updates and photographs.

You also can connect with me on my own LinkedIn account.