In case you were not aware (you were), exams are just around the corner. No doubt correlated, study rooms are becoming quickly sparse. What can you and your study partner(s) do to ensure access to a crisp private study room?
Book in advance.
Quicker circulation lines. Guaranteed reservation. Quasi-VIP.
Francis Jammes in his study room.
Also available at circulation: ear plugs.
Big things are happening here at the GSU Law Library. Well, maybe not big things, but important things.
First, we’re in the midst of our annual student survey. Every year we send out a survey to the students to get their take on things. We use this information to make all kinds of decisions from library policies to programming to activities. Think of it this way- for just 5 minutes of your time you get a better, more comfortable, and more responsive library. That’s worth it, right? If you think it is, the survey is available right here.
Next, we need your pet pictures. To lighten the mood during finals, the library will be displaying student, faculty, and staff pet pictures on the public access computers and active learning area screen. We already have quite a few faculty and staff submissions, so don’t miss out on showing off your favorite pet. Send your pictures to Patrick Parsons at pparsons@gsu.edu.
Big Lola Parsons
By Daniel Means [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
Recent productions around Atlanta have included the last “Fast and Furious” movie, the “Hunger Games” series, “The Walking Dead,” “Selma,” and “Anchorman 2.” Of course, Tyler Perry Studios in Southwest Atlanta has produced a number of movies, not just the popular Madea series.
How is all this made possible? In part because the State of Georgia provides a great deal of support for film and tv production. In fact, we have a state office (the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Guide Office) dedicated to helping producers bring their vision to reality. The office maintains a database of property that people have submitted to serve as a film location, hosts an online directory of Georgia crew and production services, and links productions to local business and industry leaders.
Perhaps more important are the tax benefits of filming in Georgia. There is a flat tax credit of 20% of the cost of production (minimum investment of $500,000) for qualified productions in Georgia.
How to find out the benefits (and costs) of filming in Georgia? Easy!
First, check the statutes—state tax credits will be covered in state law. A quick search of the Official Code of Georgia turns up Section 48-7-40.26, the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act. Check the annotations in an annotated code, and you might find “Lights, Camera, Action…Incentives,” by Kevin Potter, an article published in the Journal of Multistate Taxation and Incentives, describing the impact of the entertainment industry on local economy, as well as explains the Georgia tax incentive—as well as those of select other states.
To fully understand the processes involved, it’s critical to check the regulations. Again, the annotated code provides some indication of where to begin that search. The Georgia Department of Economic Development, Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Division, wrote the regulations for the application and qualification process for the Film Tax Credit under the Act. The Department of Economic Development regulations are found at section 159-1-1.01 and following in the Georgia Compilation of Rules and Regulations. The Georgia Department of Revenue is responsible for administering the tax credits. Those regulations are found at section 560-7-8-.45 of the Georgia Compilation of Rules and Regulations.
What other costs could there be? Don’t forget that a permit is necessary in many cases! To find the rules for permits, check the city or county website. In Atlanta, the Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment provides support and guidance for production companies working through the permitting process. Of course, if you want the rules underlying a posted permit fee schedule, you should check for city or county ordinances. In the case of Atlanta, Chapter 46, Article IV of the municipal code governs entertainment filming.
To recap, state statutes governing tax credits provide an incentive, while state regulations provide further explanation of how to apply the tax credit. Secondary sources explain the function of the tax credits in the economy and compare Georgia with other jurisdictions. Local ordinances govern the permitting process, setting forth the requirements that production companies must follow to actually film a movie in my neighborhood or on campus.
Got something to say about the charging lockers? We want to hear it.
The College of Law deployed six charging lockers throughout the building to better support students’ use of mobile devices. See an earlier Blackacre Times post announcing the charging lockers arrival . These student resources have been in place now for a little over six months and it seems as good a time as ever to reflect on their usefulness and your experiences/satisfaction (or lack thereof) with them. To do so a very, very quick survey has been created. We humbly ask you to take two minutes to complete it. The survey link is below.
https://gsu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_2ridQmq3wa6NwIR
The endgame here is to learn if you are using them and if not how can we make them more useful, reliable, secure, convenient etc.; consequently, we want to hear from you even if you are not using the charging stations. It would be helpful to know why.
The College of Law charging lockers currently offer Apple Lightning, Apple 30-Pin, Micro USB, USB Type-C connections. They are located:
And they look something like this just in case you never noticed them before:
A speaker from the 2015 GSU Law Commencement
Calling all graduating 3Ls! Do you enjoy public speaking? Have you dreamed of giving the commencement address to your fellow classmates? Do you have something awe-inspiring to share? THIS IS YOUR CHANCE.
SBA is seeking applications from 3Ls who will be graduating this May to represent our class as the student commencement speaker. If you’re interested (and you should be), email your resume and a short description of what you would talk about if you were chosen to speak (a few paragraphs) to Dean Timmons (kctimmons@gsu.edu).
The deadline for submission is Wednesday, April 6. That’s tomorrow! So, take this afternoon and tonight to gather your thoughts and sum up your law school experience at GSU. What have the past three years meant to you? What do your classmates mean to you? What have you learned about yourself or the law along the way? Who would you like to thank for making this possible? We want to hear what you have to say!
Here’s Reese Witherspoon’s Legally Blonde speech for some inspiration:
Celebrate Law Week with legal trivia in the law library and win a study room for a day! Come along for this intellectual slugfest in the fifth floor active learning area of the law library on Monday, April 4, 2:30-4pm. The questions will focus on all things “law” but be prepared, they may be a little different than what you’re used to.
We will run through the questions at least twice so don’t worry about dropping in halfway through. The team, individual, coterie, gang, or horde that answers the most questions correctly will receive the grand prize; the rights to a study room of your choice for a full day.
The Law Library is currently accepting applications for graduate research assistants (commonly known as GRAs) for the summer and fall semesters. The Law Library has two types of GRAs – Reference GRAs and Research GRAs. Position descriptions are linked below:
Eligibility
Law Library GRA positions are open to all GSU law students who have completed their first two semesters of classes. Part-time students are eligible. Students applying for Summer positions must be enrolled in at least 4 hours of Summer classes. Students may apply for both types of GRA position, but cannot be hired for both positions at the same time.
Submission
Applications are due at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016.
Reference GRA applicants: Email one document which includes a 1) cover letter, 2) current resume, and 3) completed availability form to Patrick Parsons (pparsons@gsu.edu). Include your last name in the file name.
Research GRA applicants: Email one document which includes a 1) cover letter and 2) current resume to Patrick Parsons (pparsons@gsu.edu). Include your last name in the file name.
As summer veers ever closer, students – especially 1Ls – face the decision of whether to take classes during the summer. It’s a complicated issue and it’s ultimately up to how each individual student’s schedule shakes out. That said, here are some basic tips that might help you make up your mind.
If you’re still not sure whether you should take summer classes, try contacting your adviser or the faculty members teaching the courses you’ve got your eye on. They should be able to help you craft a schedule that makes sense.
As almost everyone has heard, President Obama nominated US Court of Appeals Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Judge Garland is the first Supreme Court nominee since President Obama nominated Elena Kagan on May 10, 2010, who was subsequently confirmed by a 63-37 vote in the US Senate. If confirmed, Judge Garland would fill the recent void left by the unexpected death of former Supreme Court Justice and legal superstar Antonin Scalia.
But, who exactly is Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland? Would he replicate Justice Scalia’s conservative, textualist leanings or strafe more towards the oft progressive Justice Ginsburg. Luckily for us, an article written by Georgia State’s very own Caren Morrison gives us a fantastic breakdown of Judge Garland’s record concerning a few contentious issues. Professor Morrison describes Garland as a “Moderate” with careful and meticulously written opinions. Some of his judicial highlights are:
Read the entire, wonderfully written article here.
Image courtesy of Jacob Moyer via Flickr Creative Commons
Staying in town over Spring Break? Need a way to catch up on your pro bono hours?
Want to help out in your local community?
Well, here are just a few of the many volunteer opportunities available via Hands on Atlanta during this year’s spring break. Check the Hands on Atlanta Volunteer Calendar for the full schedule: (http://www.handsonatlanta.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Calendar_Page)
Sunday 13th March:
Monday 14th March: – Friday 18th March
Saturday 19th March:
The Muslim Law Students Association is also planning to take a visit down to Clarkston to meet with the refugee population Saturday March 13th, so if you are interested in immigration law or in working with refugees be sure to reach out to Haroun Mcclellan (MLSA President) @ amcclellan1@student.gsu.edu to reserve a slot.
And don’t forget to stay on the lookout for any PILA events including their Criminal Law panel (March 15th) and their annual Law week talk.
Also, if you’re interested in further volunteer opportunities throughout the year make sure to check out these two organizations and the different projects they have going on.
Glitter of Hope Foundation (The Glitter of Hope Foundation is a not-for-profit organization devoted to addressing the basic needs of orphan* children rescued from refugee camps in Africa and Asia and brought into the US as refugees. ) http://www.glitterofhope.org/
Helping Organizations and People Everywhere (H.O.P.E. teams up with non-profit organizations and charities worldwide to support many initiatives including: financial empowerment, ambassadorship and networking, strengthening local communities, physical & mental health, youth leadership, and non-profit consulting.) http://hopefsm.weebly.com/
The Blackacre Times 
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