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The LLSN committee is very pleased to hear that "Class Recording" (aka "lecture recording" or "seminar" recording) is now available at MLS, albeit in a limited capacity.
In 2016 the Later Law Students' Network began a conversation with our members about the problematic nature of the strict "no recording" policy at MLS.
We surveyed our members, we brought this issue to the Student Equity and Wellbeing Committee and proposed several ideas to faculty about how the preferred teaching methods could be balanced with needs of the cohort. We were particularly concerned about the impact of this policy on parents, carers, those with mental health conditions, illness and students experiencing family violence.
The Law Students Society, Law Students for Lecture Recording Group and individual students also raised their concerns.
With multiple voices creating pressure, the law school came to understand the perspective of the cohort and changed their inequitable policy. We as a community have witnessed how important it is for us to speak up about the issues affecting us and advocate for effective change. The LLSN implores you to keep it up!!
The current policy is one of our suggestions. It is a sensible step forward. However, we still believe there is more work to be done to make this course accessible to all students and people from diverse backgrounds.
For a start the availability of this service was announced via mass e-mail potentially buried amongst a large number of incoming announcements. Student groups were not asked to disseminate the message (unlike other initiatives). The Law School "Policies and Procedures" Webpage is yet to feature "Class recording". As far as we know announcements about this initiative have not been made in classes. Moreover, the requirement that students needing short term access demonstrate they are unable to attend class for 10 business days is excessive.
Class recordings are not available for the purposes of revision. As such the course is not catering for a range of learning styles. A stroll down to the Graduate School of Education (just by stovetop) will likely provide some advice on the necessity of doing such a thing. You can provide us with feedback on what works for you here.
Evening classes are not available to accomodate students who work. Students are not working so they can buy smashed avo on the weekend. Students work to support themselves, their children and their families.
Take home examinations unfairly prejudice parents and carers. Presently, there are no appropriate accommodations to support such students. We are working on this! You can find more information here.
In sum, we are happy to see MLS taking this step forward. However, our work here is not done. We will continue to seek feedback about your experience and advocate for the needs of later law students.
The official communication from MLS regarding this change is quoted here. We strongly encourage anyone eligible to apply. We know students have already be approved for access.
Be well,
The Later Law Students' Network.