Orientation : University of Dayton, Ohio

Orientation

The Office of Student Life is responsible for virtually all matters involving the quality of student life at Dayton Law. The office works collaboratively with faculty and administrators to ensure that our students thrive - personally and academically - in a supportive and inclusive law school community. The goal is to maintain an approachable, confidential office that exists primarily to support students in identifying resources to maximize the quality of their law school experience.

About Orientation

Orientation will introduce you to the high academic and professional standards we expect in the Dayton Law community. Orientation will also provide you the opportunity to meet and interact with your future classmates who will travel with you on this professional journey, as well as to meet the faculty and staff who will guide you. You are required to attend all orientation sessions, unless otherwise noted.

Important: One item that distinguishes our law school orientations from others is that during Orientation Week, you will attend your first week of mandatory classes in the Learning Skills Lab course. You will begin to be graded on your attendance and work in the course starting Orientation Week, so come prepared to work and begin your time as a University of Dayton School of Law student.

Orientation Schedule

Residential J.D. Students - August 17-20

**Monday, August 17, 2026 (DAY 1) (Professional Attire)**
8:00a.m.-8:30a.m. (ATRIUM)	Registration for Residential Students
8:30a.m.-9:30a.m. (ATRIUM)	Prayer and Breakfast
9:30a.m.-9:45a.m (FRONT STEPS)	Class of 2026 Composite Picture
9:45a.m-10:15a.m (COURTROOM)	Welcome & Dean’s First Lecture Chris Roederer, Law School Dean & Professor of Law
10:15a.m-11:45a.m (COURTROOM)	Welcome to the Legal Community and Academic Regulations Tamara Tabo, Associate Dean of Students & Director of Academic Success Jeffrey Schmitt, Associate Dean of Programs, Faculty, and Academic Affairs & Professor Shannon Penn, Assistant Dean for Academic Administration & Registrar
11:45a.m.-1:15p.m. (ATRIUM and SECOND FLOOR)	Lunch and Student Organization Fair
1:15p.m.-2:15p.m. (VARIOUS LOCATIONS)	BREAK OUT GROUPS Parenting While in Law School: Trying to Balance it All Room 111 Maureen Anderson, Executive Director for Equity Compliance/Title IX Coordinator ADA Section 504 Coordinator Equity Compliance Office And Student panel: Alex Barnes, Joshua Little, Rachel Gaines, Krissy Moore, Logan Calloway Leadership the University of Dayton Way (Marianist Values ) Room 14 (Lower Level) Stephanie Cohn, Marianist Education Associate; Program Manager of Online Program Manager Hybrid JD & Director of Student Life; Learning Communities Coordinator And Victoria VanZandt, Assistant Dean of the Hybrid JD Program, Residential LLM, MSL, and Government Contracting and Procurement; Professor of Lawyering Skills Welcome to Dayon: Life outside Keller Hall Room 103 Student panelists Julia Smallcombe, Asmara Yamini, Vallen Krikor, Mattingly Rattliff, Kirsten Tibbits Active Duty, Reservists, and Veterans, What UD Can Do for You Room 115 Ron Johnson and Tina Kosobud Military and Veteran Programs and Services and Veterans and Military Advocacy Group (UDSL Student Organization) Seeking Accommodations-What to Know About the Process Room 120 Deanna Arbuckle, Assistant Director of Access & Disability Services
2:30p.m.-3:30p.m. (KENNEDY UNION BALLROOM)	Professionalism and Civility (Friends and Family invited to attend) The Hon. Caroline H. Gentry, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio The Hon. Thomas Rose, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio The Hon. Peter Silvain, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio Please join us as we welcome the incoming University of Dayton School of Law Class of 2026! Family and friends are invited to join us for the following: Event: August 17, 2026 2:30-3:30 A talk of Legal Professionalism and Civility 3:30-4:00 Oath of Professionalism and Welcome to the Dayton Legal Community Reception to Follow Event Address: The Ballrooms of Kennedy Union, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45429 Parking is available for hybrid students and guests of hybrid and residential students in the S1 lot. Residential students should park in the lot in which their UD parking pass has been issued. Please be sure to park in S1 or street parking only (unless you are a residential student with a pass) as you will be ticketed in all other lots. Contact Stephanie Cohn at scohn1@udayton.edu FOR THE PURPOSES OF PARKING AND SEATING THERE IS A HARD RSVP DEADLINE OF AUGUST 3, 2026 RSVP at https://forms.gle/iTga7zTVBrDeyqQS8
3:30p.m.-on (KENNEDY UNION BALLROOM)	The Administration of the Oath of Professionalism (Friends and Family invited to attend) RECEPTION TO FOLLOW The Hon. Michael Newman, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio Welcome from the Dayton Bar Association The Hon. Michael Newman, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio Jennifer Otchy, Chief Executive Officer, The Dayton Bar Association Jeff Cox, The Dayton Bar Association President

**Tuesday, August 18, 2026 (Casual Attire)**
8:00a.m.-9:00a.m. (ATRIUM)	Breakfast and Community Building
9:00a.m.-10:00a.m. (ROOM 103)	LAW 6002: Learning Skills Lab Class Session #1- Strategic Planning for Law Students, Part 1 Tamara Tabo, Associate Dean of Students & Director of Academic Success
10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. (ROOM 103)	LAW 6002: Learning Skills Lab Session #2- Expert Reading for Law Students, Part 1 Nicholas Seger, Associate Professor of Academic Success
11:00a.m.-11:15a.m.	Break
11:15a.m.-12:15p.m. (ROOM 103)	Introduction to the Law Library & Registration of Online Resources Mike VanderHeijden, Professor of Law & Director Zimmerman Law Library Shea Daley Burdette, Assistant Professor of Law Libraries & Assistant Director of Zimmerman Law Library
12:15p.m.-1:30p.m. (ROOM 103)	Intro to Mission and Vocation Programming and Lunch with Dean’s Fellows: HOW TO SUCCEED AS A LAW STUDENT Stephanie Cohn, Program Manager of Online Program Manager Hybrid JD & Director of Student Life; Learning Communities Coordinator And Residential Dean’s Fellows
1:30p.m.-2:00p.m. (ROOM 103)	Mission and Vocation Programming: What does this Mean to UDSL? Our past and present (including Pro Bono!) Stephanie Cohn, Program Manager of Online Program Manager Hybrid JD & Director of Student Life; Learning Communities Coordinator
2:00p.m.-3:00p.m. (ROOM 103)	LAW 6002: Learning Skills Lab Class Session #3- Strategic Planning for Law Students, Part 2 Tamara Tabo, Associate Dean of Students & Director of Academic Success
3:00p.m.-3:15p.m.	BREAK
3:15p.m.-4:15p.m. (ROOM 103)	LAW 6002: Learning Skills Lab Class Session #4- Learning Like a Lawyer: Expert Reading for Law Students, Part 2 Reading for Deep Comprehension Nicholas Seger, Associate Professor of Academic Success
4:15p.m.-5:15p.m.	Optional Tour of Building and Campus With Residential Dean’s Fellows

**Wednesday, August 19, 2026 (Casual Attire)**
8:00a.m.-9:00a.m. (ATRIUM)	Breakfast with UD Resource Fair Online Learning Julianne Morgan, Senior Instructional Designer Hannah Jackson, Senior Instructional Designer University of Dayton’s Women’s Center Leah Ward, Executive Director Military and Veterans Programs Ron Johnson and Tina Kosobud Brook Center Elizabeth Long, Assistant Director, LGBTQ+ Education Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Dialogue Zone Julio Quintero, Director for Inclusive Excellence Strategy and Initiatives Campus Ministry Counseling Center Tyler C. Kennedy, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Office of Conduct and Civility Nick Foley, Assistant Director Heather Ashley, Assistant Director for Community Standards and Civility Equity Compliance and Title IX Maureen Anderson, Executive Director Office of Learning Resources Deanna Arbuckle, Assistant Director of Access & Disability Services
9:00a.m.-10:30a.m. (ROOM 103)	LAW 6002: Learning Skills Lab Class Session #5- Learning Like a Lawyer: Law School Classroom Simulation Daniel Craine, Professor of Academic Success
10:30a.m.-10:45a.m.	BREAK
10:45a.m.-11:45a.m. (ROOM 103)	Culture and the Law Dan Craine, Professor of Academic Success Heather Creed, Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence; Director of Professional Development
11:45a.m.-12:45p.m. (ROOM 103)	Lunch and Kaplan Discussion Tommy Sangchompuphen, Director of Bar Preparation and Online LL.M. Faculty Development and Bar Readiness; Associate Professor of Academic Success Katie Armstrong, Assistant Director of Bar Preparation
12:45p.m.-1:15p.m. (ROOM 103)	Introduction to the Office of Professional Development Heather Creed, Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence; Director of Professional Development
1:15p.m.-2:45p.m. (ROOM 103)	LAW 6002: Learning Skills Lab Class Session #6- Getting What You Need to Succeed Nicholas Seger, Associate Professor of Academic Success Daniel Craine, Professor of Academic Success Tamara Tabo, Associate Dean of Students & Director of Academic Success
2:45p.m.-3:00p.m.	BREAK
3:00p.m.-4:15p.m. (ROOM 103)	Class Time Prof. Allison Silvain Stephanie Cohn, Program Manager of Online Program Manager Hybrid JD & Director of Student Life; Learning Communities Coordinator

**Thursday, August 20, 2026 (Casual Attire)**
9:00am-on (ROOM 103)	KAPLAN Pre-Law Diagnostic This time is reserved for students who have not yet completed the pre-law diagnostic. Attendance will be required for only those students.

Online Hybrid J.D. Students - August 15-17

**Saturday, August 15, 2026 (Casual Attire)**
8:30a.m.-9:30a.m. (ATRIUM)	Registration and Breakfast
9:30a.m.-10:00a.m. (ATRIUM)	Community Building
10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. (ROOM 103)	Strategic Planning for Law Students Tamara Tabo, Associate Dean of Students & Director of Academic Success
11:00a.m.-11:15a.m.	Break
11:15a.m.-12:15p.m. (ROOM 103)	Introduction to the Law Library & Registration of Online Resources Mike VanderHeijden, Professor of Law & Director Zimmerman Law Library Shea Daley Burdette, Assistant Professor of Law Libraries & Assistant Director of Zimmerman Law Library Steven Streck, Academic IT Client Service Analyst
12:15p.m.-1:30p.m. (ROOM 103)	Intro to Mission and Vocation Programming and Lunch with Dean’s Fellows: HOW TO SUCCEED AS A HYBRID LAW STUDENT Stephanie Cohn, Program Manager of Online Program Manager Hybrid JD & Director of Student Life; Learning Communities Coordinator And Hybrid Dean’s Fellows
1:30p.m.-2:00p.m. (ROOM 103)	Mission and Vocation Programming: What does this Mean to UDSL? Our past and present (including Pro Bono!) Stephanie Cohn, Program Manager of Online Program Manager Hybrid JD & Director of Student Life; Learning Communities Coordinator
2:00p.m.-3:30p.m. (ROOM 103)	Learning Like a Lawyer: Law School Classroom Simulation Daniel Craine, Professor of Academic Success
3:30p.m.-4:30p.m.	Optional Tour of Building and Campus With Residential Dean’s Fellows

**Sunday, August 16, 2026 (Casual Attire)**
9:00a.m.-9:45a.m. (ATRIUM)	Breakfast Q & A session for the Hybrid Program and Get Real Intensives Victoria VanZandt, Assistant Dean of the Hybrid JD Program, Residential LLM, MSL, and Government Contracting and Procurement; Professor of Lawyering Skills Stephanie Cohn Program Manager of Online Program Manager Hybrid JD & Director of Student Life; Learning Communities Coordinator
9:45a.m.-11:15a.m. (ROOM 103)	Learning Like a Lawyer: What to Expect from Law School Exams Nicholas Seger, Associate Professor of Academic Success
11:15a.m.-11:30a.m.	BREAK
11:30a.m.-12:30p.m. (ROOM 103)	Culture and the Law Daniel Craine, Professor of Academic Success Heather Creed, Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence; Director of Professional Development
12:30p.m.-1:30p.m. (ROOM 103)	Lunch and Kaplan Discussion Tommy Sangchompuphen, Director of Bar Preparation and Online LL.M. Faculty Development and Bar Readiness; Associate Professor of Academic Success Katie Armstrong, Assistant Director of Bar Preparation
1:30p.m.-2:00p.m. (ROOM 103)	Introduction to the Office of Professional Development Heather Creed, Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence; Director of Professional Development
2:00p.m.-on (ROOM 103)	KAPLAN Pre-Law Diagnostic This time is reserved for students who have not yet completed the pre-law diagnostic. Attendance will be required for only those students.

**Monday, August 17, 2026 (DAY 3) (Professional Attire)**
8:00a.m.-8:30a.m. (ATRIUM)	Registration for Residential Students
8:30a.m.-9:30a.m. (ATRIUM)	Prayer and Breakfast
9:30a.m.-9:45a.m (FRONT STEPS)	Class of 2026 Composite Picture
9:45a.m-10:15a.m (COURTROOM)	Welcome & Dean’s First Lecture Chris Roederer, Law School Dean & Professor of Law
10:15a.m-11:45a.m (COURTROOM)	Welcome to the Legal Community and Academic Regulations Tamara Tabo, Associate Dean of Students & Director of Academic Success Jeffrey Schmitt, Associate Dean of Programs, Faculty, and Academic Affairs & Professor Shannon Penn, Assistant Dean for Academic Administration & Registrar
11:45a.m.-1:15p.m. (ATRIUM and SECOND FLOOR)	Lunch and Student Organization Fair
1:15p.m.-2:15p.m. (VARIOUS LOCATIONS)	BREAK OUT GROUPS Parenting While in Law School: Trying to Balance it All Room 111 Maureen Anderson, Executive Director for Equity Compliance/Title IX Coordinator ADA Section 504 Coordinator Equity Compliance Office And Student panel: Alex Barnes, Joshua Little, Rachel Gaines, Krissy Moore, Logan Calloway Leadership the University of Dayton Way (Marianist Values ) Room 14 (Lower Level) Stephanie Cohn, Marianist Education Associate; Program Manager of Online Program Manager Hybrid JD & Director of Student Life; Learning Communities Coordinator And Victoria VanZandt, Assistant Dean of the Hybrid JD Program, Residential LLM, MSL, and Government Contracting and Procurement; Professor of Lawyering Skills Welcome to Dayon: Life outside Keller Hall Room 103 Student panelists Julia Smallcombe, Asmara Yamini, Vallen Krikor, Mattingly Rattliff, Kirsten Tibbits Active Duty, Reservists, and Veterans, What UD Can Do for You Room 115 Ron Johnson and Tina Kosobud Military and Veteran Programs and Services and Veterans and Military Advocacy Group (UDSL Student Organization) Seeking Accommodations-What to Know About the Process Room 120 Deanna Arbuckle, Assistant Director of Access & Disability Services
2:30p.m.-3:30p.m. (KENNEDY UNION BALLROOM)	Professionalism and Civility (Friends and Family invited to attend) The Hon. Caroline H. Gentry, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio The Hon. Thomas Rose, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio The Hon. Peter Silvain, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio Please join us as we welcome the incoming University of Dayton School of Law Class of 2026! Family and friends are invited to join us for the following: Event: August 17, 2026 2:30-3:30 A talk of Legal Professionalism and Civility 3:30-4:00 Oath of Professionalism and Welcome to the Dayton Legal Community Reception to Follow Event Address: The Ballrooms of Kennedy Union, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45429 Parking is available for hybrid students and guests of hybrid and residential students in the S1 lot. Residential students should park in the lot in which their UD parking pass has been issued. Please be sure to park in S1 or street parking only (unless you are a residential student with a pass) as you will be ticketed in all other lots. Contact Stephanie Cohn at scohn1@udayton.edu FOR THE PURPOSES OF PARKING AND SEATING THERE IS A HARD RSVP DEADLINE OF AUGUST 3, 2026 RSVP at https://forms.gle/iTga7zTVBrDeyqQS8
3:30p.m.-on (KENNEDY UNION BALLROOM)	The Administration of the Oath of Professionalism (Friends and Family invited to attend) RECEPTION TO FOLLOW The Hon. Michael Newman, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio Welcome from the Dayton Bar Association The Hon. Michael Newman, U.S. Dist. Court, Southern District of Ohio Jennifer Otchy, Chief Executive Officer, The Dayton Bar Association Jeff Cox, The Dayton Bar Association President

Orientation Academics

Learning Communities/Dean's Fellows

Mission and Vocation Programming is a required course for all incoming law students that will assist you with the foundational skills necessary for success. As part of the course, each student will be assigned to a Learning Community led by a Dean's Fellow. Dean's Fellows are upper-level students selected based on their academic achievement, commitment to the Dayton Law community, aptitude for expert learning strategies and interest in education. They work closely with the Academic Success department and the first year doctrinal professors to assist students in developing effective strategies to maximize the opportunity for academic success. You will meet your Dean’s Fellow during Orientation and they will work with you throughout your first year.

Residential Students - Learning Skills Lab

To help incoming students get a jump-start on their law school academic success, the Learning Skills Lab course begins meeting during Orientation Week. Required asynchronous instruction begins the week of Monday, August 10. Students should anticipate beginning readings and assignments during that week in order to be prepared for the live class meetings beginning during Orientation.

Expect to receive an invitation to join the course page for Learning Skills Lab on or shortly before Friday, August 7. The invitation will be sent to your UD email account. The course page will include the syllabus, meeting schedule, and instructions for accessing assignments necessary for Orientation Week. The Learning Skills Lab class meetings for Orientation Week are also noted in the Orientation schedule itself.

If you do not receive a course page invitation by 5:00 p.m. on August 8, please email your Learning Skills Lab professor. If you are enrolled in Section 1, your professor is Professor Daniel Craine. He can be reached at dcraine1@udayton.edu. If you are enrolled in Section 2, your professor is Professor Nicholas Seger. He can be reached at nseger1@udayton.edu.

Hybrid Students - Orientation for Online Hybrid JD Asynchronous Instruction

To help incoming students get a jump-start on their law school academic success, asynchronous instruction begins before Orientation Weekend. Required asynchronous instruction begins the week of Monday, August 10. Students should anticipate beginning readings and assignments during that week in order to be prepared for the live class meetings beginning during Orientation.

Expect to receive an invitation to join the Orientation for Online Hybrid JD course page on or shortly before Friday, August 7. The invitation will be sent to your UD email account. The course page will include the syllabus, asynchronous instruction elements, and assignments necessary for Orientation Weekend.

If you do not receive a course page invitation by 5:00 p.m. on August 8, please email Professor Nicholas Seger. He can be reached at nseger1@udayton.edu.

Understanding the Professional Expectations for Aspiring Lawyers

Professionalism and Ethics

Law students, as aspirants to membership in the legal profession, should conduct themselves in accordance with the ethical and professional norms of that profession. Thus, the School of Law expects its students to display the same high level of honesty, ethical conduct, and professional decorum expected of members of the practicing bar.

- Excerpt from the UDSL Policy on Ethics

During Orientation, you will be introduced to the values, professional norms and ethical obligations expected of you as a member of the Dayton Law community and as an aspirant member of the legal profession.

As you prepare to become a member of the Dayton Law community, you should also familiarize yourself with the Policy Manual and carefully read the School of Law Honor Code prior to orientation. You will sign the Honor Code Acknowledgment Form during Orientation, certifying that you have read the Honor Code and agree to be bound by the terms of the Honor Code while a student at Dayton Law. A copy of the Honor Code Acknowledgement Form with your signature will be maintained in your permanent student file.

Attire for Law School Orientation Events

During Orientation, you will attend numerous events that will vary in their degrees of formality. You will meet your future classmates, professors, as well as members of the local bench and bar. While we do not have a mandatory dress code at the law school, we expect you to dress in a manner appropriate for professional students aspiring to become lawyers.

We request that you dress in professional courtroom attire for the Oath of Professionalism Ceremony. Men should wear a buttoned-down shirt and slacks. Women should wear a dress or nice blouse and slacks or skirt. We will also be taking pictures, so again, dress accordingly.

For all other days, the recommended dress is casual attire.

Oath of Professionalism

Monday, August 17 at 3:30 p.m.

We invite your friends and family to witness you take the Oath of Professionalism, which will mark your official entry into the legal profession.

Parking for Oath of Professionalism

Parking is available for hybrid students and guests of hybrid and residential students in the S1 lot. Residential students should park in the lot in which their UD parking pass has been issued. Please be sure to park in S1 or street parking only (unless you are a residential student with a pass) as you will be ticketed in all other lots.

Live Stream for Oath of Professionalism

The Oath of Professionalism will be streamed live on the School of Law's Facebook page and the recording will also be viewable there afterward.

Other Information

Bookstore

The bookstore is located in Marianist Hall on the main campus: https://udayton.edu/bookstore/index.php.

Bar Association Memberships

Dayton Bar Association Student Membership

Federal Bar Association Membership

Ohio State Bar Association Membership

American Bar Association Membership

Resources

Declarations of Disclosure

You must complete your Declarations of Disclosure document by Monday, August 31.

Declarations of Disclosure Document

Student Schedules

Please go to Porches to view your schedule.

Oath of Professionalism

All students at the University of Dayton School of Law take the Oath of Professionalism, marking your official entry into the legal profession:

As I begin the study of law at the University of Dayton, I, ______________, gratefully acknowledge the privileges inherent in becoming a lawyer and willingly accept the responsibilities that must accompany those privileges.

From this day forward, I promise to do my utmost to live up to the high ideals of my chosen profession. I will remember that my actions reflect not only upon myself, but upon the University of Dayton School of Law and the legal profession. I vow to be a person of principle, compassion, strength, and courage. At all times, I will conduct myself with dignity and civility and show kindness and respect toward my classmates, professors, staff, and all persons.

I have read the University of Dayton School of Law Honor Code, and I hereby commit that I will conduct my life in accordance with the values and standards expressed therein.

This pledge I take freely and upon my honor.