All 1Ls are assigned carrels by the Circulation Desk staff during fall orientation. All non-journal 2L and 3L students select carrels through an open sign-up coordinated by the Student Bar Association. Each carrel is assigned multiple occupants. No carrels will be assigned to Student Organizations or other entities.
Students must return their carrel keys at the end of their last enrolled semester of the school year. Graduating students must return their carrel keys at the end of their last enrolled semester. Recent graduates studying in the Law Library for the bar exam may keep their carrel; however, carrel keys will be due the Friday of the week after the bar examination has been administered.
Students can keep personal belongings in the carrels at their own risk. Law Library items checked out to students can be kept in the carrels, but the borrower will be responsible for loss of these items. Students shall not keep Law Library items that are not checked out in their carrels; these items will be removed from the carrels when discovered. Law Library staff may conduct periodic, unannounced searches for missing Law Library materials.
For safety and security reasons, only Law Library staff will handle the Master Carrel Key which is used to access carrels when students lose or forget their key. This is considered the “lock-out service.” When a student requests lock-out service, Law Library staff will request to see the student’s ID card and will verify the carrel number checked out to the student. If the student does not have an ID card, Law Library staff may use the picture board for identification. If proper verification cannot be made, then access to the carrel will be denied.
Each student can use the lock-out service up to two (2) times in any given semester. A record will be kept for each use of this service. Thereafter, a $20 duplicating key fee will be assessed. Once the fee is paid, Law Library staff will assist the student with access to their carrel until such time as the new key has been reassigned to the student. When the new key is reassigned, the two (2) time lock-out service limit will renew.
Consistent with University fire safety policies, microwaves, refrigerators, coffee pots, electric heaters, hot plates, or other heat producing appliances are not allowed in carrels or in the Law Library. Items found in violation of the Law Library policy will be removed and brought to the Circulation Desk where the owner can retrieve the item. If the item is not claimed within seven (7) days, it will be disposed of according to the Law Library’s Lost and Found Policy and Procedure.
Study carrels are provided to Law School students for research and educational use. These carrels are to be used by students for studying and preparing for their Law School classes. While Law School students may come to see their study carrel as a “home away from home,” students should be mindful that decorations on the outside of carrels can detract from the academic environment of the Law Library and may leave visitors and dignitaries with a negative impression of the professionalism of the Law School and its students.
Students may personalize and decorate their study carrels but must adhere to the following guidelines: