To-Do Tuesday: Issue 4 | May 26, 2026

Hello [FIRST_NAME],

Happy To-Do Tuesday! This is your fourth newsletter, and this week is a time to catch up and complete any final requirements that were due in May as well as introduce our CLS Connect Checklist and first year J.D. curriculum.

Checklist in CLS Connect

If you activated your LawNet, then you were assigned in CLS Connect a checklist of applications and requirements that are due throughout the summer in the lead-up to Orientation. Some of the items are required while others are optional. Members of the Student Services team will check off the required items as they are completed by you. Please note that new forms and applications will be added to this checklist throughout the summer, and these forms and applications will also be highlighted in the To-Do Tuesday newsletters.

Be sure to activate your LawNet so you can gain access to various items in CLS Connect!

Due ASAP: Technology Requirements
 

• Activate your University accounts (UNI/Lionmail) and set up notification emails ASAP.
• Complete your LawNet profile ASAP, which is used by students, faculty, and staff, as a way to get to know you. Students are required to complete the following fields:
  • Emergency Contact Person
    • This field is only viewable by authorized Law School staff members.
  • Emergency Contact Information
    • This field is only viewable by authorized Law School staff members.
  • Pronouns
    • Add the pronouns by which you identify (optional).
  • Phonetic Name Pronunciation
  • Name Sound File (instructions)
• Review the New Student Guide to Technology.
• Complete the Computer-Based Training Module.

Due May 2: Housing Application
Should you wish to apply for on-campus housing, use the Housing Portal to submit your application to the Columbia Residential office.

• You will need your PID. Your PID is an identifier that is unique to you. You should have received your PID in an email from the Office of Admissions. If you do not have it, please check your spam folder. You may also call (212) 854-2674 or email the Office of Admissions for assistance.

• You will need your UNI email: If you have not activated your UNI email account, forgot your password, or need to reset your password, click here. Housing information will only be sent to your UNI email account.

Only students who submit a housing application on or before May 2, 2026 will be prioritized for on-campus housing. Students who apply after May 2 will not be prioritized for a housing assignment.

Please note that there is a $20 administrative non-refundable fee to submit an on-campus housing application.

For housing-related questions, please email Luke Christie, the Law School’s housing liaison, at housing@law.columbia.edu.

Course Registration

The first-year curriculum is the same for all first-year J.D. students. You will be assigned randomly to a block of required courses in both the fall and spring terms. Learn more about the first-year curriculum.

Remarkable Spotlights

She not only has one of the brightest smiles you will see at Columbia Law School, Bernice Jusino, assistant director of Student Services, is also behind your To-Do Tuesday emails! Bernice works closely with the Dean of Students to develop and establish operational standards to improve the student experience, manages logistics for large events like orientation and graduation, and orders the food for all Student Services events—including Orientation.

Bernice is the heart of the Student Services team. If you have any questions, she will know the answer or will connect you with the person who does!

Fun Fact: Born and raised in the South Bronx, Bernice loves to cook and host family and friends. She looks forward to movie nights with her 13-year-old, and cuddling with her nephew Hudson (an adorable Australian Labradoodle). You can find her on Thursdays at her “happy place,” the Greenmarket. Do yourself a favor—try the sourdough bread!

Melissa Lopez, Associate Director of Registration Services

Melissa’s primary responsibilities working with the Reg Services team on registering students, exams, and EMS course rooms management. Melissa graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 2023 with a master’s degree in higher and postsecondary education. Melissa has worked at the Law School for 7 years.

Fun Facts: Melissa loves to get out of the city and explore different tranquil areas of New York. She also loves to relax with a good book and is currently reading 4 at a time.