Sometimes, law school can present moments of high stress. During those moments, it can be easy to forget about self-care and wellness. However, in order to overcome the stress associated with law school, it is important that students take care of themselves (physically, mentally and spiritually). Fortunately, the Samford University campus provides resources to Cumberland students that can be used to implement and maintain a wellness routine throughout their law school years.
Resources related to self-care and wellness can be found in the Lucille Stewart Beeson Law Library. By searching the online catalog, books about overcoming anxiety, depression, and burnout can be found. Also, there is useful information about spirituality, meditation, and finding work-life balance. Additional information about self-care and wellness can be found by searching for articles within the law library’s databases.
American Disabilities Act (ADA) Resources
Cumberland School of Law complies with the regulations of the American Disabilities Act.
Therefore, students with disabilities can request accommodations by contacting Samford University’s Disability Access and Accommodation coordinator. Law students receiving accommodations must then contact Tona Hitson, who serves as director of student services and ADA compliance at Cumberland. It is important to remember that requests for accommodations are not retroactive, and requests should be submitted early.
Jessica Hunter, a current Cumberland student, will guide law students, faculty, and staff through sessions designed to focus on health and well-being. The first Bending the Law Yoga session of the Spring semester will take place at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2020 in the Friendship Room of the Lucille Stewart Beeson Law Library. Additional dates for the series can be found on the Cumberland events calendar.
Campus Recreation provides recreational programs and outdoor adventure activities, which include fitness classes and intramural sports. Multiple facilities are available for both athletes and non-athletes of the Samford community. In order to use the facilities, a current university identification card must be presented.
Contemplative and Mindful Lawyering Series
According to Lynn Hogewood, director of academic support at Cumberland, the central goal of the Contemplative and Mindful Lawyering Series “is to provide opportunities to enhance learning, lawyering, and wellness in the practice of law.” The series includes workshops that introduce skills such as mindfulness, focusing without distraction, empathy, open-minded communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and more. Yoga, which emphasizes connection to the breath and body, will be offered in the Great Room of Memory Leake Robinson Hall (the law school building) on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 6 p.m. Additional dates for events of the series will be posted on the Cumberland events calendar.
Counseling Services and Wellness Programs
According to its website, “[t]he mission of Counseling Services & Wellness Programs is to empower the students of Samford University to realize their academic and personal potential by promoting psychological, social, and spiritual wellness through individual counseling and outreach programming.” Trained professionals are available to provide services including, but not limited to, evaluation, exploratory psychotherapy, crisis intervention, educational wellness programming, and referrals. Please visit the office’s website to learn more about the many services provided.
The Office of Spiritual Life coordinates campus worship services that are held at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition to campus worship services, University Minister Bobby Gatlin and other staff work to coordinate convocation programs, campus outreach activities, campus organizations and global missions.
In partnership with St. Vincent’s Health System, health care services are provided to students and employees of Samford University through University Health Services. According to its website, “University Health Services is a fully-functional health care facility providing primary medical care, preventive health care and wellness services.” Hours of operation are 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. (Note that shortened hours, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., will be offered through January 17, 2020.)