Orientation : University of Dayton, Ohio

Orientation

Please check back in July for the Fall 2026 Orientation schedule.

The Office of Student Affairs 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.

VIEW RESIDENTIAL ORIENTATION SCHEDULE

VIEW HYBRID ORIENTATION SCHEDULE

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 11. 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 8. 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 9, 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 11. 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 8. 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 9, please email Professor Nicholas Seger, Interim Director of Academic Success. 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 Student Policy Manual and carefully read the School of Law Honor Code and Student Standards of Behavior and Code of Conduct 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 18 at 3 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. Please use the link in the Orientation schedule to RSVP by August 4 for guests for parking purposes.

Parking for Oath of Professionalism

Families attending the Oath of Professionalism can pick up their reserved parking pass on the day of the event at the Visitor Center located at University Circle/L Street.

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 29.

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.