Notice to Students
Students are responsible for ascertaining and following the rules, policies, and procedures contained in this Student Handbook and, where referenced, on the Law School’s website. In addition, all students are subject to the rules, policies, and procedures of Golden Gate University, even those not specifically described in this handbook.
The Law School’s website, http://law.ggu.edu, is the online resource for information, policies, and services referenced in this handbook. In addition, the website provides access to GGU4YOU, Golden Gate University’s web portal to the administrative database.
A new edition of this handbook is published at the beginning of each academic year. All students should carefully review the new edition each year as all students are subject to all sections of the current handbook, except that continuing students who matriculated in prior academic years are governed by the Grading Policies portion of the Academic Standards of the current handbook and by all other portions of the Academic Standards in the handbooks for their respective matriculation years.
The provisions of this Student Handbook are subject to change at any time. The Law School expressly reserves the right to change the requirements for continuation at the School of Law or graduation, the right to modify the offering, timing, and content of courses, the right to modify scholarship policies, and the right to change regulations affecting the student body, including but not limited to the requirements relating to academic standing, disqualification, and graduation. Such changes shall become effective whenever the administration deems appropriate and may operate retroactively. Any changes to the Student Handbook made between the annually published versions will be noticed to students via email or Law School News.
Emergency Services
In case of medical or family emergencies, the following telephone numbers can be used to reach GGU Staff, who will attempt to get a message to the student. Please note that, due to federal regulations, no contact information, course schedule or other information about students will be released to anyone without the express, written permission of the student.
- Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm
Contact Law Student Support at 442-6615 or the Dean’s Office at 442-6600.
- Other times when the university is open (nights and weekends)
Dial “0” from any campus phone or 442‐7000 from an outside phone.
- When the university is closed
Leave a message on the Law Student Support or Dean’s Office voicemail, or contact GGU security services by calling 442-7093.
A student with a potential health emergency should, when possible, inform the Law Student Support Office ahead of time so that appropriate action can be taken in the event such an emergency does arise.
Security
Students with a security problem, including lost or stolen articles, should contact the switchboard operator by dialing “0” from a campus phone or 442‐7000 from an outside phone. After regular hours (after 10 pm Monday through Friday and after 3:30 pm on weekends) a GGU security staff member may be contacted by calling 442-7093.
Escort Service
As a courtesy, the university operates a security escort service to accompany students from the university to their means of transportation after dark, within a reasonable distance. To request an escort, students may either call the operator or go to the information desk on the first floor. While it is unusual, sometimes (typically on Friday evenings) no escorts are available. Students should arrange in advance for escorts on weekends.
Escort service maps, which show the range of service, are available from the information desk in the first floor lobby.
Lost and Found Items
The university’s lost and found area is located at the Business Services and Facilities Office front counter in room P-63 (on the Plaza Level). Items can be turned in or retrieved from that office during its normal hours of operation. The front counter is open from 10 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday. At all other times, please contact the operator by dialing “0” from a campus phone or 442-7000 from an outside phone for additional information and assistance. Students also may check with Law Student Support about lost items.
Personal Property Insurance
The Law School does not assume responsibility for loss or damage to personal property belonging to students. Students should inspect their own insurance policies to determine any such coverage.
Campus Security Information
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Golden Gate University publishes a set of crime survey statistics for the campus and surrounding area. That information, and other important security information, is available in Street Smarts, a document published annually by Business Services and Facilities. Street Smarts is available online via Golden Gate University’s website, under “About GGU.” Hard copies of Street Smarts are also available upon request from Business Services and Facilities.
Administrative Offices
The majority of the School of Law’s faculty and administrative offices, including classrooms and the Student Bar Association, are located on the second and third floors of the building at 536 Mission Street. The entrance to the Law Library is on the street level, in the main lobby adjacent to the university switchboard and information desk.
Mailing Address
The mailing address for all offices and departments within the School of Law is:
Golden Gate University School of Law
536 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-2968
Phone Number
The phone number for the main university switchboard is 442-7000, and the law school’s main phone number is 442-6600. All telephone numbers referenced in this handbook are in the 415 area code.
Facility Hours
536 Mission Street: Monday through Friday - 7:30 am to 11 pm; Saturday - 7:30 am to 8:30 pm; Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
School of Law Offices
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
442-6664 or relee@ggu.edu
Hours: Hours may vary, but will be posted on the office door. Please email for specific information.
ADMISSIONS
442-6630 or lawadmit@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9 am to 5:30 pm
ALUMNI SERVICES
442-7824 or alumni@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9 am to 5 pm
BAR EXAM SERVICES
369-5384 / rboujaoude@ggu.edu or 442-6644/ marlee@ggu.edu
Hours: Hours may vary, but will be posted on the office door. Please email for specific information.
OFFICE FOR CAREER SERVICES
442-6625 or lawcareer@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9 am to 5:30 pm; Evening hours by appointment
DEAN’S OFFICE SUITE
442-6600
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9 am to 5:30 pm
EXTERNSHIPS
442-6698 or externships@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9 am to 5 pm
FACULTY CENTER
442-6640
Hours: Monday through Thursday - 8:30 am to 6:30 pm; Friday - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
FINANCIAL AID
442-6635 or lawfao@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm, and by appointment
GRADUATE LAW PROGRAMS
442-7234
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9 am to 6:30 pm
HONORS LAWYERING PROGRAM
369-5358 or lcisneros@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9:30 am to 6 pm
LIBRARY
442-6680
Hours: Monday through Thursday - 7:30 am to 10:30 pm; Friday - 7:30 am to 9 pm; Saturday - 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday - 11 am to 6 pm (Hours are extended during exam study periods and restricted on holidays, semester breaks, and in the summer.)
Computer Lab: Monday through Thursday - 7:30 am to 10:15 pm; Friday - 7:30 am to 8:45 pm; Saturday - 10:00 am to 6:45 pm; Sunday - 11 am to 5:45 pm.
LITIGATION CENTER
442-6668 or info@ggulitigation.com
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9 am to 5:30 pm
ON-SITE LEGAL CLINICS
442-6647
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9 am to 5 pm
REGISTRAR’S OFFICE
442-6620 or lawreg@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday through Thursday - 9 am to 6:30 pm; Friday - 9 am to 5:30 pm
STUDENT ACCOUNTING SERVICES
442-7839 or sas@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday - 9 am to 5:30 pm.
STUDENT AFFAIRS, LAW SCHOOL
442-6615 or lawstudentsupport@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday and Friday - 9 am to 5:30 pm, Tuesday through Thursday - 9 am to 6:30 pm. Evening hours by appointment. Any variations to these hours will be posted on the office door.
WELLNESS RESOURCES
442-6578 or wellness@ggu.edu
Hours: Monday through Thursday - 10 am to 6:30 pm; Friday - 10 am to 5 pm
Student Organizations
One of Golden Gate University School of Law’s great strengths is its active and enthusiastic student body. Student organizations serve the interests of a diverse population and spend a significant amount of time and effort developing programs and organizing activities to support their members and enrich the law school experience for everyone. Student groups publicize their activities in the Events Calendar, in Law School News, and by posting approved flyers and digital signage. Each organization has a mailbox in the Student Bar Association (SBA) Lounge.
SBA meetings are public, and all students are encouraged to attend and participate in SBA meetings and events. All students are eligible to vote in SBA elections, which are held every spring.
A portion of each student’s fees goes to the SBA, whose officers make decisions about what activities and programs to fund throughout the year, including allocations to SBA-approved student organizations. Any student organization planning to raise or collect funds aside from the SBA funds allotted to the organization must coordinate appropriate accounting policies with the Director of Administration and Technology Services. Student organizations are not permitted to maintain bank accounts.
Student organization leaders are expected to collaborate and communicate regularly with their faculty and OCS staff advisors. This is especially important when members of the student organization invite attorneys and other VIP guests to campus.
A list and description of all student organizations recognized by the School of Law may be found on the website. If you wish to start a new student group, revive a group that has been inactive, or update the name or description of your student organization, please contact the SBA President or Student Affairs, Law school.
ABA Standards Compliance
Student Complaint Policy and Procedures
ABA Standard 510 requires law schools to develop and maintain a policy and procedure for handling student complaints about significant problems regarding the law school’s program of legal education and compliance with all ABA Standards. This policy, described below, is in addition to the policies on handling complaints related to sexual harassment and disabilities, outlined in the Discrimination & Harassment Policy and the Policy and Procedures for the Provision of Services to Students with Disabilities, respectively.
- Filing of Written Complaint
Students who wish to report a problem with the law school’s program of legal education or its compliance with the ABA Standards should file a written complaint with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Law School. (As appropriate, the Associate Dean may appoint a designee to fulfill his/her role in these complaint procedures.) The complaint may be submitted via email, US Mail, or personal delivery. The complaint should identify and describe in detail the problem, and explain how the matter implicates the law school’s program of legal education and compliance with specific ABA Standard(s). The complaint also should include the student’s contact information to facilitate further communication in regards to the complaint. The Associate Dean will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within five business days.
- Investigation and Response to Complaint
The Associate Dean will investigate the complaint. The Associate Dean will then set up a meeting with the student or, alternatively, provide the student with a written response to the complaint, within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. In the meeting or the written response, the Associate Dean will provide a substantive response to the complaint, describing the steps taken to investigate the complaint, as well as any steps taken or to be taken to address the complaint.
- Optional Appeal
If the student is dissatisfied with the Associate Dean’s response to, or resolution of, the complaint, the student may file a written appeal with the Dean of the law school. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the Associate Dean’s response to the complaint. In response to the appeal, the Dean shall either affirm or reverse in whole or in part the Associate Dean’s determination. The Dean’s response to the appeal will be communicated to the student within 30 days of receipt of the appeal. The Dean’s decision shall be final.
- Record
The law school will maintain a record of all complaints filed pursuant to this procedure. The record shall be kept in the Associate Dean’s office for a period of 8 years from the date of final resolution of the complaint.
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