One L Switches Role With Law School Dean

April 21, 2006

Jessica Germain, a first-year, full-time day student, served as “Dean for a Day” on April 17, 2006. Germain was given the honor after being the highest bidder in the Public Interest and Government Law Association (PI-Gov) Silent Auction. Her winning bid of $185 allowed her to switch roles with Law School Dean Jack Guttenberg, who attended her classes while Germain had a full day of scheduled Dean appointments.

Germain said she was attracted to this opportunity because she thought it would be interesting and a fun way to learn more about the Law School. “I also like working in administrative positions and I was interested in having the opportunity to meet others affiliated with the Law School that I normally wouldn’t come into contact with as a student. Plus, I thought it would be fun to have the Dean sit in my classes,” she said.

Her day began at 7:30 am with a breakfast meeting with Guttenberg. She then was briefed by the Dean’s secretary and attended a number of meetings with senior administrators about development, career services, admissions, academic affairs and communications issues. She attended a business lunch with Law School alumni and her day concluded at 6:00 pm with a “Dean Germain Reception” for Law School students. Throughout the day, several professors stopped by or e-mailed her requesting salary raises while the students pressured her for lower tuition. Germain said she contemplated that dilemma for a bit, but decided it would be best to leave that conflict for the “real” Dean.

Germain found her experience as the Dean to be valuable. She gained an appreciation for all of the responsibilities that Dean Guttenberg has on a daily basis, including dividing his time among administrators, professors, students and alumni.

In her place, Guttenberg, who spent the weekend reading and preparing for Law School class, attended Constitutional Law, Contracts and Civil Procedure. An active participant in classes, he took Germain’s notes and briefed her on the classes. As a student for the day, Guttenberg also got involved in the life of the Law school, studying in the library and hanging out with students in the Commons.

Germain was impressed that the Dean would offer this opportunity to switch roles with a student. “It says a lot about him and how student-oriented he is. As a leader, Dean Guttenberg really wants to be in-touch with students and with what is taking place in the classroom.” She also added that she has been impressed with the community atmosphere at the law school. “Capital is a friendly place and the professors are accessible. There is much camaraderie between professors and students. Law School is hard enough, but to have these relationships makes for a better experience and I really appreciate it.”

After a long day of meetings, Germain returned to life as a student, just in time to begin studying for finals.

Germain graduated from the University of Michigan with a major in English and a minor in Spanish; she then worked for a year in auto sales and marketing. This summer, she will work with the Legal Mediation division for the Ohio Auto Dealers Association.