Oh crap, I probably offended PC computers and everyone who makes, owns, or has ever owned one on an unprecedented level by using that term that way. How many people should I apologize to, now? The makers of PCs? PC users? PC computers themselves? I guess I would have to write code for that last one. I don’t want to anger an entire type of computer causing a futuristic, robot revolt. Actually, I bet Macs are angry that their name isn’t used in the acronym for being sensitive to all needs at all times. “That’s so not Mac” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Simultaneously offensive to cats, cat lovers, and Mexicans. Shit, I mean latinos! I mean… latinos and latinas??

The aforementioned paragraph is an example of hyperbole, shedding light on the absurdity that has blossomed from the idea that everyone must be “politically correct” ALL the time to not offend anyone, ever. The extreme degree to which being politically correct is spiraling out of control is ever apparent in schools and universities across the United States.

In the last few years, public school students have been sent home for wearing shirts depicting the American flag and logos of political organizations among other things. Wearing something patriotic in America? Well, that is just crazy! How dare they show support for and pride in their country! I hope it’s obvious that the previous sentences are brimming with sarcasm.

Additionally, a Fiji-themed party at a UC Irvine fraternity caught flak after being deemed racist. One of the most recent absurdities and blatant overreactions happened when students were punished for saying “bless you” when those around them sneezed. Yes. Seriously. Saying the word “bless?” Heaven forbid. Yikes, I just said Heaven…good thing I am not a public school student anymore. I would probably be expelled for such an insensitive remark.

It’s gotten to the point where specific areas on many university campuses are designated “free speech” areas. Once upon a time, this designation of an area where Americans can speak their minds was unnecessary, as one could feel free to speak his or her mind anywhere. Yet that time has come to a close, it seems, based on the recent news about the evil students saying “bless you.” Those crazy renegade kids! Get them off our streets!

Hopefully, schools can realize that, while it is important to be politically correct, (I definitely condone sending a student home if he or she wears a shirt with a racist slur), there is definitely a way to go too far in the other direction. Students should not have to feel like they are walking on eggshells with every single action. So, schools, how about trying to be just the right amount of PC? Or, the right amount of Mac. Whatever you prefer.

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Marisa Mostek (@MarisaJ44) loves globetrotting and writing, so she is living the dream by writing while living abroad in Japan and working as an English teacher. Marisa received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder and a certificate in journalism from UCLA. Contact Marisa at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

Featured image courtesy of [Travis Nep Smith via Flickr]

Marisa Mostek

Marisa Mostek loves globetrotting and writing, so she is living the dream by writing while living abroad in Japan and working as an English teacher. Marisa received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder and a certificate in journalism from UCLA. Contact Marisa at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post That’s SO Not PC! appeared first on Law Street.

At a time when law school enrollment is down across the country, it seems like it would be very difficult to open a new law school; however, the University of California-Irvine wasn’t deterred by this when it opened its own law school in 2009. This month, the University of California, Irvine School of Law received full accreditation from the American Bar Association.

The school has already accomplished much more than simply earning its accreditation. UC Irvine Law’s enrollment has increased every year since its opening, despite the nationwide decrease in demand for law school. The school has also been ranked third in student placement in prestigious judicial clerkships, behind only Yale and Stanford. In addition, the school placed seventh in Scholarly Impact, a rankings system that measures the impact professors have on the law field.

To get perspective on UC Irvine Law’s success, I talked with the Dean of the Law School, Erwin Chemerinsky. As far as seeking accreditation went, Chemerinsky says the standards that needed to be met were made clear and the school was careful to meet all requirements. But Chemerinsky stressed, “Accreditation is the minimum required, we want to go far beyond that in creating an outstanding law school.”

According to Chemerinsky, the goal from the beginning was to be a top law school, and that mentality has driven its success. When asked how UC Irvine Law is growing while so many law schools are losing students, Chemerinsky stressed that the school’s success is due to the outstanding faculty and students they have recruited, adding, “I believe that we have created a very special law school. In part, it is different and special because of our commitment to experiential learning.“

The experimental learning that UC Irvine Law is known for includes an innovative docket of classes, along with a requirement that all students participate in a clinical program. In clinics, students represent clients under faculty supervision.

UC Irvine Law has entered a saturated market and thrived. There are currently more law school seats nationwide than students to fill them, which has led to falling enrollment and some lower prices. Despite this, UC Irvine Law has attracted more students every year. Some industry experts predict it will be a top 20 law school in next year’s US News & World Report rankings. UC Irvine Law’s success presents a possible alternative to lowering prices for struggling law schools. The school has shown that no matter what shape the market is in, if you offer a unique and valuable product, people will buy it. UC Irvine Law offers its  unique product by aggregating great faculty and providing innovative curriculum. In this current law school market, schools must lower prices or offer a better product.  UC Irvine Law shows schools exactly what that superior product should look like.

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Matt DeWilde (@matt_dewilde25) is a member of the American University class of 2016 majoring in politics and considering going to law school. He loves writing about politics, reading, watching Netflix, and long walks on the beach. Contact Matt at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

Featured image courtesy of [Mathieu Marquer via Flickr]

Matt DeWilde

Matt DeWilde is a member of the American University class of 2016 majoring in politics and considering going to law school. He loves writing about politics, reading, watching Netflix, and long walks on the beach. Contact Matt at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post UC Irvine Law School Accredited and Thriving appeared first on Law Street.