Commission/Interest Group:   Pre-Law Advising Interest Group       

Chair:   Julie Givans & Sandra Voller, Co-Chairs           

Summary of Annual Meeting at National Conference (agenda items, issues, discussion topics, announcements, etc.)

Review of goals achieved over past year -

In the first year of its existence, the Pre-Law Advising Interest Group completed most of the goals it set for itself at last year's meeting in Salt Lake City . A website was created and exists at the NACADA web address. Printed copies of the web pages were passed out to attendees. In addition, a presentation on pre-law basics was done at the NACADA region 10 conference last February.

Information/Announcements -

Members were made aware of basic print and web resources available for pre-law advisors. In addition, members were informed of the existence of regional Associations of Pre-Law Advisors, as well as the Pre-Law Advisor's National Council, as additional pre-law resources.

Discussion of needs and goals for 03-04-

The "hot topics" that arose are outlined below. Goals for the next year included improving the web site and increasing the number of pre-law topics presented at regional conferences. To support this goal, an outline of a pre-law "basics" presentation was distributed to all members, who were encouraged to use it as the basis for proposals of their own.

Approximate Number of Interest Group Members in Attendance:   12   

Critical Issues of Concern or "Hot Topics" Identified:

1. Is there a need to "institutionalize" pre-law advising? At many campuses, pre-law advising is done in a piecemeal fashion, without leadership or direction from administration. Some members expressed frustration that the designated 'pre-law' advisor on their campus does not interact with academic advisors. Thus, pre-law information is not getting into the hands of the "front line" advisors who need it, and, therefore, not reaching the students who need it. Perhaps different models need to be examined and 'best practices" for pre-law advising determined.
2. Is pre-law advising curricular or co-curricular advising?

Unit Goals and Objectives for Next Year:

1. Increase number of presentations given at regional conferences.
2. Improve web site, increasing its usefulness as a resource for pre-law advisors.
3. Create volunteer/leadership opportunities within the interest group; find members willing & able to fill them.
4. Increase size of interest group.

Future Activities Planned:

1. E-mail version of this report will be sent to all members; additional e-mail updates sporadically throughout the year to provide information and resources.
2. Gather information on pre-law advising programs across the country - what models are out there? What works well? Perhaps develop a monograph on this sometime in the future.

Volunteer Opportunities Available Within the Unit :

• Web site reviewer(s) to read the pages, and suggest additional questions or resources to be included.
• Submit proposals to present at regional conferences on pre-law topics of choice.

Members Serving this Unit (committee members, liaisons, etc.) : none currently