Arrival & Orientation
The fall term begins on Monday, August 26th, with orientation scheduled on Tuesday the 27th. During orientation you will be welcomed and given a tour of the law school. Orientation is also when you will be given your keys, access cards, exam numbers, and other important and exciting paperwork! We suggest that you arrive in Fayetteville at least one week prior to orientation.
Important Dates
Fall 2013 semester classes for the School of Law end on Friday, December 6th, with an exam period that extends through Friday, December 20th. LL.M. candidates are typically allowed a great deal of flexibility regarding their exams, and there is often the option of taking tests off campus at a time of your selection.
ISIS
Each U of A student will be given an ISIS account. ISIS is the online system that houses all student information. ISIS is where you may pay your bill, check your UA email, and view your grades among other things. Once we have confirmed the course schedule for the term, I will create an ISIS account for you. You will be sent your user ID and a temporary password via e-mail.
Tuition Bill
Your tuition and fees should be paid to The Office of the Treasurer. You can also pay your bill online through your ISIS account. Questions regarding payment should first be directed to the Treasurer’s Office.
Course Schedule & Registration
We are proud to be one of the only LL.M. programs in the U.S. that offers a complete curriculum of specialized classes. However, variations from our regular schedule can be approved to allow for individual interests. Please contact Professor Schneider if you have special requests.
Course Materials and Assignments
Almost all of our course materials are specially designed by the Professors who teach the LL.M. courses. With just a few exceptions, these materials will be provided electronically to the candidates without charge. Assignments and other class communications will be provided by email. Most courses will have a web presence, often a TWEN site. All candidates will be provided with free access to Westlaw and Lexis legal research services.
L.L.M. Lounge/Study Room
L.L.M. candidates will have access to their own study lounge that includes access to a computer and printer, as well as a microwave, mini fridge, and office supplies. You will also have a mailbox and a small storage area. LL.M. candidates are responsible for maintaining the lounge.
Health Care and Student Insurance
We are very fortunate to have The Pat Walker Health Center on campus, which houses a medical clinic, women’s clinic, health promotion center, and counseling and psychological services (CAPS). Office visits are free to students, as the costs are included in your student health fee. (Laboratory, immunizations, x-rays, etc. are not included)
You can find information on student insurance here: http://health.uark.edu/insurance.php. Please feel free to continue with your current carrier if you like. Insurance coverage is optional for graduate students, with the exception of international students. Our office does not coordinate the purchase of insurance, so it will be important for you to work with the Health Center directly to purchase a policy if needed.
Immunization Requirements
All students are required to meet certain immunization requirements. Proof of immunization must be submitted to the Pat Walker Health Center before enrollment can occur. Everything you need to know about immunization, including the form you must submit, can be found here.
Living In Fayetteville
Housing
The University of Arkansas has an off campus housing department (http://offcampushousing.uark.edu/) with resources that allow you to search for housing, compare prices, proximity to campus, and help finding used furniture. You can also find information on roommates, utilities, landlord contracts, etc… In order to use the site you will first need to sign up for a guest account.
You may recall that the School of Law is located on the north side of campus, as shown on this UA Campus map http://campusmaps.uark.edu/
There are a lot of apartment options and a fair number of houses and duplexes. If you plan to drive, keep in mind that typically, the further you are from campus, the less expensive the housing becomes. There can be, however, difficulties associated with parking on campus. See Transportation, below.
Transportation
If you are planning to fly into Arkansas, please note that our closest airport is the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport located in Bentonville, Arkansas, about 30 miles north of Fayetteville. They also have links to shuttles, taxi information, and bus routes under the "travel planning" link.
The UA bus line is good, and it is free http://parking.uark.edu/67.php .
Parking on campus can be difficult unless you buy a permit. You can find information on permit costs at the Parking website (http://parking.uark.edu/20.php).
If you plan to be on foot or bike, Fayetteville has a large number of beautifully maintained walking/biking trails. The city of Fayetteville parks and recreation department has a nice listing of the trails with a great interactive map found here: http://www.accessfayetteville.org/government/parks_and_recreation/trails_and_greenways/index.cfm. It may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but as you start to identify housing, you will find that most housing sites will mention which trails are accessed nearest to the property, and then you can use the interactive map to see how long of a walk/bike ride it would be for you.
Food
The Northwest Arkansas Local Food Guide is a great resource for restaurants, farmers markets, CSA’s, and farms that support and utilize local food. The farmers market in Fayetteville should be on your must-do list.
On campus, there are ao many food options, all of which are outlined on the dining services website which lists all of our eateries and includes a pricing guide. The School of Law is very close to the Student Union building, which houses a number of options. Arsaga’s Espresso Cafe, which serves drinks, pastries, and sandwiches, is located in The Young Law Library within the School of Law.
Outdoor Activities
Arkansas is the “Natural State,” so campers, hikers, kayakers, and nature enthusiasts will find an abundance of things to do. Some highlights include Devils Den State Park, Big Bluff/Goat Trail in Ponca, and Mount Magazine. You can find a good listing of state parks the State of Arkansas’ state parks website. If you do one outdoor excursion, make it a float trip down a portion of the Buffalo National River. You will not be disappointed! The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is small, but has a nice garden and is home to the Fayetteville Farmers Market on Sundays. Wilson Park is one of the more popular parks and has a pool, a walking path, tennis courts, basketball courts and a sand volleyball court, and it is within walking distance of the School of Law.
