Legal Studies Latest News as of 10/31/25

October 31, 2025
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1) Writing Support!
2) IRAP
3) APR Doesn't Work for Legalst
4) Legalst 190.5
5) UC Ctr Sacramento
6) Basic Needs 
7) Talk by the Dean
8) Know Your Rights
9) Resource for Opportunities
10)  P/NP deadline TODAY
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1) Writing Support!
Writing Support!
Free Mid-Semester Academic Writing Support!
As we head into the second half of the semester, it is time to hunker down and write! So, visit the Student Learning Center Writing Program for one-on-one focused feedback and strategies to help you grow as an academic writer. Book anappointment (bit.ly/writingappt), visitdrop-in (bit.ly/slcwpdt), or sign up for weekly (bit.ly/slcwpwt) to work with a friendly peer writing partner and meet your writing goals. Visit virtually or come in person--note that Fridays are virtual only. We can’t wait to talk with you!
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2) IRAP
IRAP
This is an exciting opportunity that Legal Studies students may be interested in, and enjoy, volunteering alongside one of our UC Berkeley Law student groups-- and help make an impact. 
IRAP (International Refugee Assistance Project) is a global legal aid and advocacy organization working to create a world where refugees and all people seeking safety are empowered to claim their right to freedom of movement and a path to lasting refuge. IRAP envisions a world where refugees and all people seeking safety have a set of affirmative, vested rights and protections that guarantee them a safe way to get to a safe place to live permanently. We are currently looking for student volunteers who can speak Dari or Pashto to assist in conducting interviews with Afghan refugees. Volunteers will help facilitate client communication and support the preparation of asylum and green card applications. We welcome both semester-long and year-long commitment, and the estimated hours of commitment per semester can range from 8 to 25 hours.
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3) APR Doesn't Work for Legalst
APR Doesn't Work for Legalst
Because of the variable nature of our requirements, the APR (academic progress report in CalCentral) does not work for the Legal Studies major. While this is unfortunate, it is easy to keep track of the requirements on your own. 

There are four prereqs, four Core classes and four Area courses required.
Here's where you can find the details about the requirements for the major on our website.
The APR does work for the University and College requirements, so be sure that all of those requirements say 'satisfied'. 
Pro-tip: 'Collapse all' at the top of the report and then click on each section separately. 
Just be sure not to look at the Legal Studies sections. It'll just stress you out.
When you get ready to graduate, I will clear you for the major requirements.
College and University requirements will be auto-approved in the system.
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4) Legalst 190.5
Legalst 190.5
Legalst 190.5: Global Supply Chains and Labor Regulation
Spring 2026 Tuesdays 3-6pm 
#17307
What to Expect:
Business Meets Human Rights:
Explore how global brands navigate labor issues, ESG pressures, and new regulations like the EU Due Diligence Directive.
Real-World Learning:
Work in teams to solve supply chain challenges across tech, fashion, agriculture, and more. No prior experience required.
Top Industry Speakers:
Hear from experts at Google, PepsiCo, Article One, the U.S. Dept. of Labor, and other leading rights organizations.
Policy x Practice:
Dive into binding agreements, stakeholder campaigns, and legal tools reshaping global business.
Dr. Sanchita Banerjee Saxena is a global thought leader on business, labor, and sustainability. She's a Senior Advisor at Article One , former Executive Director of Berkeley's Institute for South Asia Studies, and author of multiple books on labor rights and globalization. Her work spans decades of research, policy, and international consulting - now brought directly into the classroom.
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5) UC Ctr Sacramento
UC Ctr Sacramento
UC Center Sacramento
Virtual Info Sessions

Come learn more about our internships
in and around the state Capitol, UCCS
courses, and public policy research!

RSVP AT:
UCCSPROGRAM@UCDAVIS.EDU
DATES AND TIMES:
Friday, September 5 from 12-1pm
Thursday, September 18 from 11-12pm
Tuesday, September 30 from 2-3pm
Monday, October 6 from 1-2pm
Wednesday, October 29 from 12-1pm
Friday, November 7 from 11-12pm
Tuesday, November 18 from 1-2pm
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6) Basic Needs 
Basic Needs 
SNAP benefits are likely to be delayed or paused next month so as a reminder, if you know anyone who would find it useful: students can visit the UC Berkeley food pantry once a week https://basicneeds.berkeley.edu/pantry
There is also the Berkeley Food Pantry (on Sacramento) and the Berkeley Food Network (on Ninth St)
Also, there's the Berkeley Student Food Collective (on Bancroft) for affordable groceries.
If you would like to purchase a PIF (pay it forward) meal for someone when you dine at Everytable on Telegraph, students and community members in need of a delicious lunch will be so happy you did!
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7) Talk by the Dean
Talk by the Dean
Monday, November 3 | 5 - 6 pm PT

Hybrid Event
2111 Bancroft Way, #104, Berkeley, CA & Zoom
Doors open at 4:30pm and close at 5:15pm. No admission after 5:15pm.

Register today! 

Light refreshments will be served.

Erwin Chemerinsky
Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, Berkeley Law  
 
Sponsored by: Institute for the Study of Societal Issues
Co-sponsored by: Institute of Governmental Studies, Berkeley Social Welfare, Center for Right-Wing Studies
Since January 20, 2025, we have seen unprecedented illegal and unconstitutional actions, unprecedented efforts to expand the power of the presidency, and unprecedented use of government power for retribution in the United States. What is happening?  Where is it leading?  What can we do about it?

Erwin Chemerinsky is Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.  Prior to assuming this position he was the founding dean of the University of California, Irvine School of Law, and a professor at Duke Law School, University of Southern California Law School, and DePaul Law School.  He is the author of 20 books and over 200 law review articles. 
His most recent major book, No Democracy Lasts Forever:  How the Constitution Threatens the United States, was published in August 2024. He frequently argues appellate cases, including in the United States Supreme Court.  In 2022, he was the President of the Association of American Law Schools.
This event is free, open to the public, and wheelchair accessible.
For other accommodations or information, please contact issi@berkeley.edu or (510) 642-0813 with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7-10 days in advance of the event. California Relay Service 711
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8) Know Your Rights
Know Your Rights
RESOURCES:

UC Immigration Information

Know Your Rights & Legal Resources

Mental Health Resources 

GUIDANCE FOR INSTRUCTORS:

Instructors have the authority to be flexible in providing support to students in need, and we wish to remind you of the following guidelines and resources:

These resources detail potential adjustments you can provide to students whose studies are disrupted by circumstances beyond their control. 

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9) Resource for Opportunities
Resource for Opportunities
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10)  P/NP deadline TODAY
P/NP deadline TODAY
Today is the deadline to change to P/NP.
After today, you would need to use one of your two Late Change to Class Schedule golden tickets.

If you change a major requirement to P/NP, be sure to get a P, but also you won't be able to use that course for the major because all major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

I usually always advise keeping a class for a letter grade because most of the time students will work just as hard and end up with a good grade...only now they are stuck with a P. 
Don't change to P/NP if you think you're going to get an A- minus or even a B.
If you do change to P/NP, be sure to pass it because an NP in the law school application gpa is counted as an F.
A P is considered as pretty much nothing because they won't know if you got an A+ or a C- minus. A P is kind of useless. A letter grade is much more useful.
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