I was disappointed to read the column in the Alligator on Monday telling undergraduates to stay out of the university’s law library. I believe the author’s opinion is only one of a minority of the law school community. As a current UF law student, I want to offer a different perspective that I believe many of my fellow students at UF law embrace.
The author depicts UF undergraduate students as loud, selfish and messy. He blames droves of undergrads for ruining the library, which I think is quite an exaggeration. I’ve studied in the law library for two years now and have never had much of a problem. Sure, there have been students who have been loud or disrespectful, but it’s not an epidemic. Those people exist in every library in the world. The solution is to politely ask the person to stop talking, not to shoot mean glares and attempt to bar students from studying there.
UF is an open campus. We don’t partition the UF law campus from the general Student Body, and undergraduates have the right to access our library. In a similar manner, UF law students are allowed access to just about everything undergraduates are offered.
It would be a shame if the undergraduate Student Body attempted to keep law students off of the main campus. It’s great to be able to play intramural sports with the undergrads and have access to facilities like the numerous libraries, Southwest Recreation Center, the Reitz Union and the on-campus pools. Many law students cheer on the Gators sports teams or relax at Lake Wauburg. There’s even an independent, student-run newspaper where my colleague chose to voice his concerns.
Our law school community should avoid giving undergraduates the idea that UF law students, or lawyers in general, are elitist. The fact that you are a law student doesn’t put you above undergraduates or make your finals any more important.
Also, I wouldn’t want to be in the business of telling Pat Young where he can and cannot study. Have you seen those biceps?
As a former UF undergraduate and current UF law student, I can say with confidence that the Gator Nation is the greatest collective body of students in the world. I’d be happy to let future clients pore over Study Edge packets next to me. Go Gators.
And undergrads: Welcome to the law library.
[Thomas Heekin is a UF law student. A version of this column ran on page 7 on 3/25/2014 under the headline "Undergrads in law library OK, welcome"]
