Text
Volume XVI No.1
November 2016
become a Professor of Law; (2)
What qualifications are
necessary for such titles,
considering we all end up getting
the same Juris Doctorate; and (3)
What exactly sets one on the
path towards becoming a
Professor or a Dean at a law
school? After having
contemplating it long enough, I
decided it was time to ask the
questions I wanted to ask and
actually get to know the person
behind the title. So I decided to
sit down with the Associate
Dean of Students, Ann
McGonigle Santos. Dean Santos
was happy to share her life
experience as a Dean, Lawyer,
Professional, and Mother.
Prior to joining Suffolk Law School, Associate Dean of Students
Ann McGonigle Santos served as an Assistant District Attorney at
the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. Mrs. Santos tried
several cases in both the District and Superior Courts, ranging
from simple assault and battery to rape and attempted murder.
Q: What qualifications are
required to become a Dean?
DS: Deans are professors that
have shown some quality in
leadership on either the academic
or student services side.
Q: How long have you been a
Dean?
DS: When the position opened
A Glimpse into a Dean’s World: up and I was asked to apply, I thought it
would be a great opportunity to do something
Featuring Dean Santos
different, but still stay connected to the
By: Nicholas Williams
students and teaching. I love what I do now
From early on, long before I enrolled as it allows
in law school, and back when I wanted to be
me to work closely with students and still
an OB/GYN, I was always told that there was
teach!
a challenging work-life balance in the lives of
lawyers. As I got to know the faculty, staff,
Q: Walk me through the day you decided to
and administrators during my first year, I
go to law school.
started to wonder what many of their roles
DS: It was after my first year of college that I
entail. My chief curiosity was what the actual
role of a law school Dean. (1) How does one did a summer internship as a victim witness
advocate. During that internship I simply fell
in love with the court system because there
were always exciting things happening, I had
also always wanted to be a prosecutor, so that,
too, played a huge role in my decision to go to
law school.
Q: Following up on the previous question,
what made you leave the prosecution field if
you loved it so?
DS: I did love it and I still do, but things
changed. I wanted to start a family soon, and
back then a $26,000 salary was not a salary to
start a family on. Although, I love
prosecution, I also found I had a real passion
for teaching that probably was connected to
my mother being a teacher for 30 years.
Q: What would you say about the field of
prosecution now?
DS: The job is different now than when I was
prosecuting because there are more virulent
drugs; more mental health issues involving
both defendants and victims, and potentially
less reources for some programs. However,
once a prosecutor always a prosecutor—it felt
like a family back then and I am still close to
many of my colleagues. Also, I met my
husband, who is a police officer, in
Courtroom 6B of the Middlesex Superior
Court when he was appearing as a witness!
Q: Can you tell me about the hardest case you
ever had to prosecute?
DS: The most difficult case? There are many,
but there was one in particular: a sexual
assault case of a child. Although I won the
case, the defendant had a prominent
reputation in the community so many people
didn’t or didn’t want to believe the 11-yearold victim. I have a real passion for
prosecuting cases that involve children; there
Deans World Continued on page 3
INSIDE | Student Benefits of Election, 3 | Rehab for Prisoners, 4 | Experience 6 | SBA President 10
2| November 2016
D I C T A
Volume XVI No. 1
November 2016
Thesuffolklawpaper@gmail.com
Dicta Executive Board
Nicholas Williams
Editor-in-Chief
Samantha Leburn
Managing Editor
Craig Martin
Art Director
Malkia Saunders
Treasurer
Keicha Mora
Secretary
Ashley Malans
Copy Editor
David Feldman
Copy Editor
Director of Public Relations
Stephanie Herbello
News Editor
Staff Writers:
Kierra MacDougall
Alison Farquhar
Rachel Seed
Suffolk Law Students and faculty enjoy a
delicious night of potluck with Latin American
Law Students Association.
A school newspaper of the people, by the people, and for the people. Dicta is your source for
news, stories and opinions of immediate concern to the Suffolk Law student body. The content we
provide is a reflection of the community involvement we all crave but don’t have the time to enjoy.
So speak up by reading & contributing to Dicta!
Dicta is the official student newspaper of the Suffolk Law School community, existing solely
to help foster a sense of community through communication. The goal of Dicta is to educate, inform,
enlighten, and entertain the student body through outstanding reporting and editorials on news,
events, trends, sports, arts, food, and popular culture. The opinions and views expressed in Dicta are
not necessarily those of the Dicta staff and are not the opinions of Suffolk University Law School or
the student body. Suffolk Law School students control and conduct all facets of this paper. Dicta does
not discriminate against any persons and complies with the university policies concerning equality.
Dicta encourages students, alumni, faculty, and administrators to submit letters to the editor and
articles for publication. Submissions should include the author’s name, class and/or position at the
university or in the community. Dicta reserves the right to edit and publish all submissions.
Anonymous submissions will not be published
3| November 2016
D I C T A
Deans’ world continued from page 1.
and our many different clinics are specifically Q: Oh, so you’re like the suburban soccer
mom with a minivan and all?
designed to prepare students to be ready to
is something refreshing and liberating about
practice when they graduate from law school.
getting justice on behalf of children.
DS: Not quite! More like a hockey mom
minus the minivan!
After having grilled Dean Santos
Q: Is there any advice you would like to give
about the professional aspect of her work and
to other law students?
Q: How do you find time to read for leisure? I
on gauging my own agenda, I begin to
haven’t had such an opportunity since
DS: If a student had a true passion for a field inquire, just a bit, into her personal life. Deans
undergrad.
really are not as intimidating as we some
of law, be it criminal or patent law or
might mistakenly think, and underneath their DS: I make time. It’s my “must” do. I
bankruptcy, I would tell that student to take
classes that highlight that interest and show a “tough as nails” personalities, they really are dedicate 20 minutes a night to just read a
committment to that area of the law. Becuase personable!
book, preferably a mystery/crime fiction
book.
I always knew that I wanted to be a
Q: As a child I used to participate in “take
prosecutor, I took classes that made it clear to
your child to work” day, I’m not sure if
Q: What are your favorite TV shows?
prospective employers that I was passionate
Massachusetts has a similar tradition, but did
about criminal law. However, if a student is
you ever have the opportunity to take yours to DS: Hm, I like West-Wing, Game of Thrones,
unsure, I would suggest taking a myriad of
BBC: Sherlock, MI-5.
work with you?
courses that will expose them to different
Q: Did you ever consider running for office?
areas to see what sparks their interest. I would DS: Well, I have two—a boy and a girl. My
also take advantage of all of the panels and
daughter came with me to work before, but
DS: I actually am on the Board of Selectman
not anymore since she’s older now.
networking events that we host to further
of my town. I ended up living in the town I
expose a student to different areas of the law
grew up in so it is very rewarding to be a part
Q: Do you have any favorite sports?
of its progress.
Q: How do you factor outside considerations
DS: Well I like all sports, to be honest!
to run the school? Are there any problems or
Particularly Hockey and college basketball. I Q:Last question, especially since I know time
issues encountered?
is running out: why do you stay so busy?
was also very athletic growing up, so I still
DS: Sometimes funding can be an issue with find ways to stay active by playing tennis!
DS: To be honest, I just really, really like to
certain programs, but generally, no. We
be involved in many things. I would never
Q: What do you do during your free time?
consider what the market demands and how
like to limit myself, and I don’t anticipate
we can make sure our students are prepared
DS: I really don't have much free time based slowing down soon.
attorneys according to the current legal
on how active my son and daughter are. Most
SPECIAL THANKS to Dean Santos for taking the time
market trend. We use practical approaches by weekends are spent going to their hockey
to speak with me, giving me insight into not only
producing practice ready and specific interest games or hopefully grabbing a bite to eat and
her life as a Dean, but also her life as a Mom and
Professor.
courses. For instance, the accelerator program nice glass of wine with family and friends!
How President-Elect Trump’s Policies Could Impact Law Students
By Alison Farquhar, Staff Writer
Following his upset victory, President-Elect Trump has begun
walking back some of his campaign promises, and his plans for
addressing some issues have yet to be fully elucidated. With the
national mood still turbulent and uncertain, Dicta examines how
President Trump could affect the personal and professional lives of
law students and attorneys starting on Inauguration Day, January 20,
2017.
Student Loans
The average private school law student has over $120,000 in
student loan debt at graduation, and the average undergraduate
student has over $28,000.
4| November 2016
D I C T A
In a campaign speech in October, Mr. Trump pledged to enact
a plan that would cap student loan payments at 12.5% of an
individual’s earnings per month, and forgive unpaid debts after 15
years. Rather than addressing existing student debt, however, he
focused on the obligation of colleges with tax-exempt endowments to
keep tuition low, and pledged to motivate colleges to cut tuition.
Further, he promised to eliminate some federal regulations which he
claims lead to schools spending inordinate amounts on compliance
and creating “administrative bloat”, which in turn raises tuition.
Earlier in the campaign season, Mr. Trump stated that the Department
of Education can be “largely eliminated” and that without it, schools
and private lenders could work together to determine student lending
rates. Mr. Trump’s official website offers no additional information
on his plans for addressing this issue.
impact attorney firms directly, but instead impact many clients of
attorneys. What is clear is attorneys should anticipate the Trump
Administration making many statutory changes in the fields of tax
law, administrative law, and several areas of finance.
Childcare for Working Parents
Childcare in Massachusetts is among the most expensive in
the country, with average annual costs exceeding $15,000 per year per
household. In households in which both parents work full-time,
childcare is often a necessary, and huge, expense.
In a document available on his campaign website that focuses
on mothers, Mr. Trump promises to make the average cost of
childcare in a taxpayer’s state of residence tax-deductible for
households earning up to $500,000 per year. He includes both
“institutional, private, nursery school, afterschool care, and
enrichment activities,” and the services of a stay-at-home parent or
grandparent, in his list of expenses that would qualify for the
deduction. Mr. Trump’s plan would also allow families to open
savings accounts for childcare expenses that would be tax-free up to
$2,000, plus pledging a $500 match to contributed by the government.
His plan also includes tax incentives for businesses to provide
employee childcare. Mr. Trump’s plan has been criticized as
unhelpful to low-income families, as the lowest-earning families do
not pay income taxes, and therefore could not benefit from his plan’s
income tax breaks.
Taxes and Job Creation (in the Legal Field)
Mr. Trump has not laid out policies that explicitly affect the
market for attorneys; indeed, his campaign focused on blue-collar job
creation. However, work for attorneys will conceivably increase in the
wake of his administration’s policies, as he has proposed sweeping
procedural and substantive statutory legal changes.
Mr. Trump’s plan to create jobs promises “unbridled
economic growth” through “tax, trade, energy, and regulatory” policy
reforms. He proposes income tax cuts for every tax bracket, and a
20% reduction in “business” taxes. His plan would reduce the number
of income tax brackets from seven to three, and increase the amount
individuals can deduct. He pledges to repeal the alternative minimum
The coming months will see the appointment of more officials
tax and the estate tax, though his website provides little to no
to the Trump Cabinet, possibly shedding light on the president-elect’s
information on point regarding how he will implement these policies plans to “make America great again”. Dicta will provide updates on
or make up for any lost government revenue. Many points of Mr.
this topic in our next issue.
Trump’s tax plan focus on manufacturing jobs, which are unlikely to
The calling for a reformation on the
rehabilitation process of Prisoners in the U.S.
By Samantha Leburn
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence,
therefore, is not an act but a habit. --Aristotle.
Up until the mid-1970s, rehabilitation was a key part of U.S.
prison policy. Prisoners were encouraged to develop occupational
skills and to resolve psychological problems such as substance abuse
or aggression that might interfere with their reintegration into society,
and indeed, many inmates received court sentences that mandated
treatment for such problems. Since then, however, rehabilitation has
taken a back seat to a “tough on crime” approach that sees
punishment as prison's main function. Research has shown that this
approach has created explosive growth in the prison population, while
having a very low effect on crime rates. As a result, the United States
now has more than 2 million people in prisons or jails: the most of
any developed country in the world. While many believe the primary
purpose of prisons and jails is punishment, a growing movement
5| November 2016
D I C T A
intends to change that perception. These reformers say prisons and
jails should serve as a deterrent to crime, to help rehabilitate people
with the hope of integrating them back into society. By targeting
prisoners’ behavior, reducing prison populations and offering job
skills, researchers argue we could reduce prisoner aggression and
prevent recidivism.
relationships. Many people who enter prison do not have this need on
the outside, as many come from broken homes, and the ability to
build friendships or trusting relationships becomes even more
impossible in prison. Often, fights break out when inmates are given
the opportunity to be together, and guards take advantage of racial
divides and in order to maintain some semblance of order. This in turn
encourages inmates to turn on each other. Under these extreme
According to criminal justice expert Joel Dvoskin, with a PhD circumstances it is not likely that one will gain trust yet alone obtain
from the University of Arizona, “The current design of prison systems love and affection through this environment, in spite of any love and
don’t work. Overly punitive approaches used on violent, angry
support they may or may not have on the outside. Not to mention, the
criminals only provide a breeding ground for more anger and more
overuse of solitary confinement literally leaves inmates isolated and
violence.” In furtherance of supporting this theory, it is important to
without human contact for weeks, months, or even years.
first understand the basic needs of a human being. Throughout most
studies done on human behavior by previous and current
As for the Esteem needs, Maslow posits they take two forms:
psychologist, they all began their research from Maslow’s Hierarchy (a) a need for strength, achievement, mastery and competence; (b) a
of needs. This is a comprehensive and holistic view of human
need for reputation, status, recognition and appreciation. Fulfillment
necessity accompanied by the emotional, physiological, physical,
of these needs leads to a sense of self-confidence, worth, and value to
spiritual and social support systems that should be provided in order
the world. Most prisoners have monotonous daily routine, leading to
for the individual to become a better citizen. According to Maslow’s frustration, both as an emotional response to their circumstances but
Hierarchy there are five basic needs: Biological and Physiological,
also due to lack of possibility of getting released. Although not every
Safety, Love, Esteem, and Self-Actualization.
inmate is in solitary confinement there are also not a lot of
recreational activities for the rest of the population to get involved in
Biological and Physiological needs (such as air, food and
while in prison. It is very hard for anyone to feel as though they have
shelter) are provided in the U.S. prison system. However, Safety
a true self-worth when they are not in an environment that enables
needs, the need for an individual to feel safe and not live in fear or
them to identify what their true potential is. Some prisoners try to
uncertainty is greatly absent in the life of a prisoner in the U.S. It has create a name for themselves, by either acting out to create fear and
been reported that due to lack of funds, there is a substantially higher respect from other inmates or by being obedient in hopes of being left
amount of prisoners within a prison with a very low amount of staff
alone or gaining benefits like early release. As an inmate in the
members in facilities. The prison staff is trained to handle multiple
Zimbardo study lamented,
inmates at once. The result of this overcrowding is guards, free within
limits, doing whatever is thought to be necessary to maintain law and
“I began to feel that I was losing my identity, that the person
order in the prison and to command the respect of the prisoners. This
that I called Clay, the person who put me in this place, the
in turn leads to lack of order for inmates because staff members often
person who volunteered to go into this prison – because it was
do not follow protocol and, in some cases, abuse. As a result, inmates
a prison to me; it still is a prison to me… I began to feel that
often get sexually assaulted, physically abused, emotionally abused
that identity, the person that I was that had decided to go to
and mentally abused. Such conditions, worsened by the overcrowding
prison was distant from me – was remote until finally I wasn't
of prisons, have contributed to a number of prison riots.
that, I was # 416. I was really my number.”
“What happens when you put good people in an evil place?
Does humanity win over evil or does evil triumph?” These were some
of the questions posed by the infamous simulation of prison life
conducted in 1971 at Stanford University under Professor Philip G.
Zimbardo. Throughout the experiment, prisoners were identified
through numbers and not by name. After just a few days, those given
the titles of “guard” subjected those given the titles of “prisoner” were
subject to harassment, abuse, and loss of control. This article and this
study do not intend to malign prison guards, but to show that
everyday people are capable of great wrongs when power goes
unchecked. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” as the saying goes,
and Safety needs are not met under these conditions.
Love needs come in the form of friendship, intimacy, and
affection from work group, family, friends, and romantic
It is clear that this loss of self contributes to overall feelings of
worthlessness to prisoners.
Trying to meet Maslow’s forth level of Hierarchy is nearly
impossible under the conditions of these prisons in America. After
analyzing the first four of levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy it becomes
more evident that an inmate may never reach the stage of Self
Actualization needs. Most inmates never actually learn the skills
needed to transfer back into society after such long periods of time.
For those who have completed their time in prison, they quickly
realize they are not quite equipped to deal with the real world, and
prefer to go back because they have been so accustomed to living in
that environment. Incarceration is not meant to be fun, but a
combination of strict sentencing guidelines, budget shortfalls and a
punitive philosophy of corrections has made today's prisons much
6| November 2016
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more unpleasant and much less likely to rehabilitate their inhabitants
than in the past.
For these listed reasons, some experts believe that it would be
cheaper, more humane, and more productive to reform the prison
system into one focused on rehabilitation to reduce recidivism and
turn out better citizens than were brought in. The findings suggest that
individual-centered approaches to crime prevention need to be
complemented by community-based approaches. When properly
implemented, work programs, education, and psychotherapy can ease
prisoners’ transitions to the free world. More staff members should be
hired and properly trained to prevent abuses. When a staff member is
found to have abused or improperly implemented his or her power,
that staff member should be let go. Mandatory minimum sentences
should be abolished to take into account the specifics of a crime, and
community service should be an option so as to reduce the prison
My Katahdin Experience
By Kierra MacDougall
Saturday, 3:30am: Beep… beep…
beep… my mind turns on like a switch at the
sound of the alarm. What time is it? What day is
it? Do I have a meeting? Is something due? Is
something wrong? All questions leading me to
answer why I am getting up in the middle of the
night – and then it hits me I do not have to be
anywhere but rather need to be somewhere.
Katahdin.
It was the last long weekend of the
summer and we were ready to seize every moment
of it. With a two-pound tent and a couple of
hammocks, the place we would call home for next
seventy-two hours was out there somewhere. We
prepared for different camping situations because
this trip was planned last minute; we did not have
a camping site lined up for the weekend. We did
however do some research and used Google Earth
to pin-point some possible camping locations. In
order to better see the possible “sites we put
Google Earth on satellite images that were
captured during the Spring. This view captured
that the leaves were no longer on the trees and we
were able to spot some lean-to sites that were free
and first-come-first-serve. We made a list of about
a half-dozen GPS coordinates of potential sites for
us and left a copy with our family and friends
back home for safekeeping. We were off.”
Experience continued on page 8.
population. To take this a step further, small offenses should
automatically be removed from a prisoners’ record after a certain
number of years has passed so they can continue their life with a clean
slate and be open to job opportunities that may not be available to
those who have served prison time.
Overall, these services help rehabilitate individuals and make
a much smoother transition back into society. If the prison system in
America begins these reforms, they will see a decrease in our tax
dollars going strictly to incarcerating the same people over and over,
an increase in turnout of productive citizens post-prison, and a more
manageable prison system to the benefit of our citizenry.
7| November 2016
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8| November 2016
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logging roads of the Katahdin Woods. It was on
American Southwest faced an increasing threat
these logging roads where we bumped into four
from private collectors and looters. Thus,
Down the Dirt Road
moose, a fox, four deers, and two owls! Never had enforcement needed to be created to protect these
I seen so much wildlife. Fortunately, we did not
treasures. Others,
We had our list of coordinates, GPS, a
run into a black bear but other hikers there was
including the
printed map and a good attitude. The first six
Department of the
hours of driving on the highway were nothing out one roaming around camp area told us. In
addition to the wildlife, the roaring brooks, lakes,
Interior, believed
of the ordinary. Green trees, Maine license plates,
rivers, and stars were breathtaking. It is no
the protection of
highway signs and the occasional road kill
wonder Henry David Thoreau was drawn to
such treasures had
entertained our eyes. Our highway drive was
explore these woods many years ago.
a narrow
exactly as expected except for the slight delay in
archeological
Bangor due to accidentally locking the keys in the
Local Katahdin
focus. Instead, they
car.
wanted to broaden
Katahdin Woods and Waters showed me
The GPS told us to take a right on a dirt
the president’s
a world where New England remains untouched
road that appeared to be a farmer’s personal
authority to protect
by the average type of tourism you see in places
driveway. Despite our suspicions, we took that
public lands for
like the White Mountains in New Hampshire. At
right turn and headed down the dirt road that
their scenic and
the same time I saw wildlife I also saw how the
would hopefully lead us to an open campsite.
other values.
local community is part of this land. The logging
After driving an hour we were faced with an
Members of Congress, particularly from western
roads we went on were large dirt roads with
obstacle–more accurately our Toyota Camry was
broken stop signs and debris. There were signs at states, pushed back and believed the president’s
faced with an obstacle.
authority designating national monuments of
every corner that said “No National Parks.” We
couldn’t understand why people wouldn’t want to public land was too broad. A compromise
We were at a beat up bridge only wide
between a narrow archeological focus and a broad
enough for one car to pass. Fully confident in our preserve such a beautiful land. We were lucky
enough to be one of the first visitors to this land as public land protection focus had to be met.
car we trudged over the bridge. However, our
a national monument. Already they were
confidence was short lived when we realized the
In 1906 President Roosevelt signed the
bridge was missing 2 by 4s and could not make it reconstructing the land for scenic views and
Antiquities Act into law that helped compromise
informative signs on the particular locations. We
over the lip of the wood at the last section of
the competing interests. Under the Antiquities
saw the land as it was transitioning from a world
bridge. At this point a few cars had lined up
Act, the president is authorized, in his discretion,
where logging and wildlife collided to a land that
behind us and were watching us make our
to declare by public proclamation historic
mistake. Stuck on the bridge we got out of the car will soon be fluttered with tourism and wildlife.
landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and
to find the bridge was not only missing a layer of The experience was a perfect end to our summer
other objects of historic or scientific interest to be
but just the beginning for these local communities
wood to make it an even ground but also there
national monuments. This expanded the
that will be affected by this new national
were a few sections of the bridge with rotted
president’s authority of designating national
monument.
wood that created holes the size of tires. We
monuments to include both archeological interests
tackled this challenge with the help of a ranger
and public land interests. Since the Antiquities
National Monuments: Serving to Protect
and we decided then and there that the Katahdin
Act enactment in 1906, almost every president
Nature’s Beauty
Woods and Waters National Monument was a
(except for Presidents Nixon, Reagan, and George
place like no other.
There were a few things that inspired our H. W. Bush) has designated national monuments.
last-minute adventure to Katahdin Woods and
Our Little Oasis
Challenges to Preservation
Waters: a challenging hike at Mt. Katahdin, the
sure possibility of a seeing a moose and a way to
We passed by a few occupied campsites
National monuments are usually
connect back to nature one last time before the
before reaching our own little oasis. We parked
designated from land the federal government
summer was gone. When we found out Katahdin
the car and walked about a half mile until we
already owns from various uses (logging, mining,
reached our own lean-to site that was situated on Woods and Waters was made into a National
etc.) in favor of long-term conservation. In the
Monument that was the final decision maker to
the International Appalachian Trail. After a few
past, monuments were used to protect a single,
go.
trips back and forth to the car we finally had our
identifiable resource. However, in recent years
luxurious campsite set up.
monuments are being used to protect large
The Antiquities Act
ecosystems. Long-term conservation helps us
One of our goals on this trip was to hike
The earliest versions of the Antiquities
evaluate our land’s precious resources and beauty
Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park. Although
Act of 1906 were used to protect historic and
but unfortunately may have a negative impact on
physically we were only a few miles away from
prehistoric objects and artifacts. At the turn of the those closest to the protected land.
the mountain, to get to the entrance of Baxter
nineteenth century, archeological treasures of the
State Park we needed to drive 3 hours through the
Experience continued from page 6
9| November 2016
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
D I C T A
and the logistics of funding this monument.
Disappointment also came from local figures like
The land of Katahdin Woods and Waters
Dana Doran, the Executive Director for
was made into a national monument with the help
Professional Logging Contractors of Maine.
of Roxanne Quimby, founder of Bert’s Bees and
Doran stated that “Maine loggers need reliable
philanthropist. Quimby donated more than 87,500
and safe access to the area's working forests and
acres in the Katahdin Region to the federal
the PLC will work closely with our Congressional
government. In his executive order designating
delegation, the communities surrounding the
the new national monument, Obama described
proposed monument and the National Park
Katahdin Woods and Waters as an “exceptional
Service to address the very real access and road
example of the rich and storied Maine woods.” Its
safety issues this monument creates.” Despite her
particular location is enhanced by larger protected
disappointments, Doran says she will make sure
landscapes such as Baxter State Park. Prior to
this decision does not cost jobs in Maine’s logging
becoming a national monument, the rich land was
industry.
a vital source for Maine’s logging and
papermaking industry. Even though the new
Supporters
national monument seeks to protect the valued
The establishments of the national
land not everyone agreed with Obama’s decision.
monuments do end up benefiting society in one
way or another. There are many people in support
of Obama’s designation of Maine’s new
monument. As I have seen first hand, this national
monument is drawing in visitors from all over and
the land is rebuilding with the goal of long-term
conservation in mind. Local supporters of the
national monument, such as key figures from the
Appalachian Mountain Club, Environment Maine,
and Natural Resources Council of Maine, are
thrilled with the decision because it will protect
the remote North Woods and create new
opportunities for conservation, recreation and
nature-based tourism jobs in the region. This
Oppositions
remote land is home to bears, moose, the
In response to Obama’s decision,
threatened Canada lynx, streams, and lakes. This
Governor Paul LePage of Maine said that
designation may give mill towns a new
Obama’s unilateral action of establishing the
opportunity to rebrand themselves to attract
monument “demonstrates that rich, out-of-state
tourism and businesses.
liberals can force an unpopular agenda on the
Another national monument that faced
Maine people against their will.” Even though
similar challenges during its establishment is the
Legislature passed a resolution opposing the
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
national monument, members of Maine’s
Before Clinton established this national
congressional delegation opposed it and local
monument in 1996, 47% of Utahns opposed its
citizens voted against it repeatedly the executive
creation. However, six months later opposition
order was still signed. LePage also fueled his
jumped down to 32% , in one year tourism rose
disapproval of the national monument by saying
how “the Quimby family used high-paid lobbyists 58% and in ten years the monument’s 430 jobs
contributed $26 million to the local economy.
in Washington, D.C., to go around the people of
When Grand Staircase-Escalante was designated a
Maine and have President Obama use his
national monument there was very little
authority to designate this area a National
consultation with local stakeholders and mainly
Monument.” Other state leaders such as United
States Representative Bruce Poliquin and United created as a political favor. Although local
States Senator Susan Collins also expressed their consultation was overlooked, over time the local
hesitations over the decision due to stakeholders’ community of the Grand Staircase-Escalante
benefited from the decision.
opposition, the impact on the local community,
An Ode to National Parks
Nature is a place that energizes the soul.
As a law student, a mental retreat for just 20
minutes can revitalize my mind and better prepare
myself for a busy schedule. When time and
money are on my side, the best kind of place has
no roofs or walls. So, as a salute to the end of the
summer and the starting gunshot mark to the new
school year, my top soul-energizing place ended
up being in Katahdin Woods and Waters National
Monument.
Two days before Katahdin Woods and
Waters was declared a national monument the
National Park Service celebrated its 100th
birthday. The national monument is a designation
of protected land within the National Park and
later down the road we may see the new
monument turn into a National Park. Other
designated national monuments we treasure today
include Grand Canyon National Park and Joshua
Tree National Park. Already around the corner is
Acadia National Park, a national park that draws
in over two million people each year so Maine is
not a stranger to scenic hungry visitors.
The natural landscape of America is
unique and deserves to be treasured. The past
century we have made great efforts in preserving
America’s beauty but it is becoming more tricky
to satisfy the needs of all those effected by longterm conservation. In America, we seem to
respond better when there are financial gains and
short-term rewards but long-term rewards (or
consequences) should be taken into consideration.
Society’s views towards land and wildlife
protection are different today than what they were
in the 1900s. More people today would agree that
protecting our land is more than just preserving its
natural beauty. As our cities become more
urbanized we are losing touch with the natural
world. Not only does our land need protection
from destruction but also we need our land to
prosper for our own health benefit.
10 | N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6
D I C T A
weigh on people’s minds. The bar passage
was low. There’s no getting around that.
Students are frustrated with sharing the
facilities. Again, there is really no way to
talk around that but I believe truly that
these things are not indications of failure
but markers of the progress we are capable
of making.
weren’t sure if we’d even attempt a
replacement but as many of you know ended
up hosting the first fall event in recent
memory that has not ended with (to the full
extent of my knowledge) a single altercation.
It was not only successful by that metric but
was one of the most financially responsible
fall events the SBA has hosted and has given
us the fiscal freedom to give clubs almost
To some that may come across as a
double the budgets they had last year and
surprising assessment but there’s a lot that
boost the total number of events we are
has happened in the last year that leads me
having to reach the greatest possible number
towards an optimistic appraisal. Some of
of students no matter what their interests may
these things have been loud and easy to see
be.
like the shuffling of the Board of Trustees,
others have been quiet like the professors
These are the kinds of things that lend
who have included cross-discipline
themselves to a positive appraisal. Setbacks
teachers in classes where their outside
happen. Inevitably bad news happens but the
perspective may be valuable but the trend ability to rebound is not likewise a guarantee.
is one that does overall suggest steady and From the student all the way to the highest
sustainable improvement to the quality of administrators, Suffolk has consistently
our education and the environment in
proven itself one of the most stalwart and
which we receive it.
resolved bodies of people. It’s easy to unfairly
game the bar passage numbers or pour
Even this week for example, should
finances towards problems but Suffolk
be the week of November 14th, there are a
Daniel Hahn, Suffolk University Law
emphasizes a trust in its constituents when
series of town hall style meetings hosted by
School Student Bar Association (SBA)
there are bad days to build towards a better
Suffolk leadership to get constituent
President
tomorrow. There is a focus here on
feedback on finding the best next
reinventing policies and providing tools for
President. That’s a fairly progressive stance.
A Word with the President Not only is it a progressive stance but it’s an success not patches for aesthetics’ sake and
that trend is one that is easy to be proud of as
action that says the Board of Trustees heard
I thought long and hard about what I
a student.
wanted this op-ed piece to tailor its focus on. the concerns raised after last year’s media
coverage and is actively responding to them
In a time when I think everyone could
As much as it has dominated discussion this
in a way that seeks to actually amend them.
use some good news I am proud to be a
past week, I think there’s enough being said
member of an institution that empowers us to
on and enough forums for it to be said in
If we want to zoom in on Suffolk Law
be the initiators of that good news.
about the US election. That is not to say I do we see the same trend. Bar passage was
not think it’s an important subject—maybe
announced about a month ago but that email
Case and point the return of our
it’s even a vital subject—but I want to take a did not come out with just results. That email student newspaper, Dicta who overcame
step away from that. I want to talk about
was coupled with a link to the
many early hurdles this year to reinvent and
Suffolk and where we are.
administration’s “Five-Point” plan to boost
revitalize itself for the future. It is quite the
results in the future and follows the heels of a honor to be included in its inaugural pages
I want to talk specifically about
and as always, the greatest of honors to be
Suffolk this year and my experience with my partnering with Barbri to provide better
your SBA President.
access to bar prep materials starting as soon
role in its student leadership. It’s an
as a student’s 1L year.
appropriate moment, halfway through our
Thank you all,
academic year, and it is a good moment. What
Even further, if we zoom in to the
I mean to say is—from the perspective of this SBA level, we met social setbacks when last Daniel Hahn
moment—it does seem good to be enrolled at year Fall Ball was declared cancelled. We
Suffolk. Now I know there are problems that
11 | N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6
D I C T A
Top: Governor Calvin Coolidge, laying the cornerstone of
Suffolk Law School in Boston in August 1920 Photo courtesy of
Familypedia.com
Right: Suffolk Law School Alumni Event 2016
As Presidential Search Continues, two New Trustees were confirmed by the board on Oct. 21.
Larry Smith, co-founder of the Nation Safe Drivers Group in Boca Raton, Florida, and Patricia J. “Trish” Gannon, executive
vice president of finance and planning and chief financial officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.
Photo Courtesy Suffolk University News Archive, November 2016
12 | N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6
D I C T A
DICTA: “We Will Survive”
By: Keicha Ivelisse Mora
Dicta has been the official Student newspaper 2016. Dicta has undergone a very arduous
of Suffolk Law School for over 40 years.
2016-2017 year. The board was very close to
losing its credentials as being apart of the
Suffolk Community. The staff this year has
“Dicta is the official student
worked very hard to ensure that our goal as
newspaper of the Suffolk Law School
the school newspaper to “enlighten, inform,
community, existing solely to help foster a
and educate” is not lost. This year we have
sense of community through communication. attempted a more modern approach to convey
The goal of dicta is to educate, inform,
Dicta to the public by printing a digital copy
enlighten, and entertain the student body
for the community to have readily available
through outstanding reporting and editorials
access to. The board has also been working to
on news, events, trends, sports, arts, food, and create as many events and opportunities as
popular culture.” This is the message the last possible to engage the student body in being
printed copy of Dicta conveyed to the Suffolk affiliated with such a prestigious body of
University student body in the year 2015Suffolk Law School spirit. Dicta has been
apart of the Suffolk Law School community
for over forty years giving students who are
not involved in a journal or clinic the
opportunity to share their perspectives on the
values of the University. It has been an honor
to keep the spirit of Dicta alive this year as a
2L student. My engagement as a staff member
has been invaluable because we have had the
pleasure of bringing Dicta back to life. As
Gloria Gaynor sang in her famous song, “I
will Survive”: “As long as I know how to
love, I know I'll stay alive, I've got all my life
to live, I've got all my love to give and I will
survive, Dicta will survive, hey, hey.”
13 | N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6
D I C T A
Suffolk Law School Community Engagement Snapshots
Suffolk University Pro-Bono Fair
Photos courtesy of The Boston Bar Association, Twitter, 2016
Boston Bar Association Luncheon
Massachusetts Bar Association President Jeffrey Catalano (right) visited
Professor R. Lisle Baker's (left) Positive Psychology for Lawyers class on
Tuesday, November 15, to discuss work-life balance, community
involvement, and self-care."
Photos courtesy of The Boston Bar Association, Twitter, 2016
Photo Credit Alison Farquhar
14 | N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6
D I C T A
Back at Suffolk University
Law School
Across
4. The Associate Dean of Students at SULS.
5. Person who accepts promise from
another.
8. A First Year law student is commonly
referred to as this.
9. Dean of Students at SULS.
10. Person who makes a promise to another.
11. A SULS program designed to ensure
academic success in Law School.
Down
1. Latin for guilty act.
2. An agreement between two people
reduced to writing.
3. By reason of the soil.
5. The Dean of SULS.
6. Textbooks in Law School are referred to
as this.
7. Suffolk Law Newspaper.
Across: 4. santos 5. Promise 8.onel 9.ferrari 10.promisor 11.asp Down:
1.actus reus 2. contract 3. ratione soli 5. Perlman 6.casebooks 7. dicta
November 2016
become a Professor of Law; (2)
What qualifications are
necessary for such titles,
considering we all end up getting
the same Juris Doctorate; and (3)
What exactly sets one on the
path towards becoming a
Professor or a Dean at a law
school? After having
contemplating it long enough, I
decided it was time to ask the
questions I wanted to ask and
actually get to know the person
behind the title. So I decided to
sit down with the Associate
Dean of Students, Ann
McGonigle Santos. Dean Santos
was happy to share her life
experience as a Dean, Lawyer,
Professional, and Mother.
Prior to joining Suffolk Law School, Associate Dean of Students
Ann McGonigle Santos served as an Assistant District Attorney at
the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. Mrs. Santos tried
several cases in both the District and Superior Courts, ranging
from simple assault and battery to rape and attempted murder.
Q: What qualifications are
required to become a Dean?
DS: Deans are professors that
have shown some quality in
leadership on either the academic
or student services side.
Q: How long have you been a
Dean?
DS: When the position opened
A Glimpse into a Dean’s World: up and I was asked to apply, I thought it
would be a great opportunity to do something
Featuring Dean Santos
different, but still stay connected to the
By: Nicholas Williams
students and teaching. I love what I do now
From early on, long before I enrolled as it allows
in law school, and back when I wanted to be
me to work closely with students and still
an OB/GYN, I was always told that there was
teach!
a challenging work-life balance in the lives of
lawyers. As I got to know the faculty, staff,
Q: Walk me through the day you decided to
and administrators during my first year, I
go to law school.
started to wonder what many of their roles
DS: It was after my first year of college that I
entail. My chief curiosity was what the actual
role of a law school Dean. (1) How does one did a summer internship as a victim witness
advocate. During that internship I simply fell
in love with the court system because there
were always exciting things happening, I had
also always wanted to be a prosecutor, so that,
too, played a huge role in my decision to go to
law school.
Q: Following up on the previous question,
what made you leave the prosecution field if
you loved it so?
DS: I did love it and I still do, but things
changed. I wanted to start a family soon, and
back then a $26,000 salary was not a salary to
start a family on. Although, I love
prosecution, I also found I had a real passion
for teaching that probably was connected to
my mother being a teacher for 30 years.
Q: What would you say about the field of
prosecution now?
DS: The job is different now than when I was
prosecuting because there are more virulent
drugs; more mental health issues involving
both defendants and victims, and potentially
less reources for some programs. However,
once a prosecutor always a prosecutor—it felt
like a family back then and I am still close to
many of my colleagues. Also, I met my
husband, who is a police officer, in
Courtroom 6B of the Middlesex Superior
Court when he was appearing as a witness!
Q: Can you tell me about the hardest case you
ever had to prosecute?
DS: The most difficult case? There are many,
but there was one in particular: a sexual
assault case of a child. Although I won the
case, the defendant had a prominent
reputation in the community so many people
didn’t or didn’t want to believe the 11-yearold victim. I have a real passion for
prosecuting cases that involve children; there
Deans World Continued on page 3
INSIDE | Student Benefits of Election, 3 | Rehab for Prisoners, 4 | Experience 6 | SBA President 10
2| November 2016
D I C T A
Volume XVI No. 1
November 2016
Thesuffolklawpaper@gmail.com
Dicta Executive Board
Nicholas Williams
Editor-in-Chief
Samantha Leburn
Managing Editor
Craig Martin
Art Director
Malkia Saunders
Treasurer
Keicha Mora
Secretary
Ashley Malans
Copy Editor
David Feldman
Copy Editor
Director of Public Relations
Stephanie Herbello
News Editor
Staff Writers:
Kierra MacDougall
Alison Farquhar
Rachel Seed
Suffolk Law Students and faculty enjoy a
delicious night of potluck with Latin American
Law Students Association.
A school newspaper of the people, by the people, and for the people. Dicta is your source for
news, stories and opinions of immediate concern to the Suffolk Law student body. The content we
provide is a reflection of the community involvement we all crave but don’t have the time to enjoy.
So speak up by reading & contributing to Dicta!
Dicta is the official student newspaper of the Suffolk Law School community, existing solely
to help foster a sense of community through communication. The goal of Dicta is to educate, inform,
enlighten, and entertain the student body through outstanding reporting and editorials on news,
events, trends, sports, arts, food, and popular culture. The opinions and views expressed in Dicta are
not necessarily those of the Dicta staff and are not the opinions of Suffolk University Law School or
the student body. Suffolk Law School students control and conduct all facets of this paper. Dicta does
not discriminate against any persons and complies with the university policies concerning equality.
Dicta encourages students, alumni, faculty, and administrators to submit letters to the editor and
articles for publication. Submissions should include the author’s name, class and/or position at the
university or in the community. Dicta reserves the right to edit and publish all submissions.
Anonymous submissions will not be published
3| November 2016
D I C T A
Deans’ world continued from page 1.
and our many different clinics are specifically Q: Oh, so you’re like the suburban soccer
mom with a minivan and all?
designed to prepare students to be ready to
is something refreshing and liberating about
practice when they graduate from law school.
getting justice on behalf of children.
DS: Not quite! More like a hockey mom
minus the minivan!
After having grilled Dean Santos
Q: Is there any advice you would like to give
about the professional aspect of her work and
to other law students?
Q: How do you find time to read for leisure? I
on gauging my own agenda, I begin to
haven’t had such an opportunity since
DS: If a student had a true passion for a field inquire, just a bit, into her personal life. Deans
undergrad.
really are not as intimidating as we some
of law, be it criminal or patent law or
might mistakenly think, and underneath their DS: I make time. It’s my “must” do. I
bankruptcy, I would tell that student to take
classes that highlight that interest and show a “tough as nails” personalities, they really are dedicate 20 minutes a night to just read a
committment to that area of the law. Becuase personable!
book, preferably a mystery/crime fiction
book.
I always knew that I wanted to be a
Q: As a child I used to participate in “take
prosecutor, I took classes that made it clear to
your child to work” day, I’m not sure if
Q: What are your favorite TV shows?
prospective employers that I was passionate
Massachusetts has a similar tradition, but did
about criminal law. However, if a student is
you ever have the opportunity to take yours to DS: Hm, I like West-Wing, Game of Thrones,
unsure, I would suggest taking a myriad of
BBC: Sherlock, MI-5.
work with you?
courses that will expose them to different
Q: Did you ever consider running for office?
areas to see what sparks their interest. I would DS: Well, I have two—a boy and a girl. My
also take advantage of all of the panels and
daughter came with me to work before, but
DS: I actually am on the Board of Selectman
not anymore since she’s older now.
networking events that we host to further
of my town. I ended up living in the town I
expose a student to different areas of the law
grew up in so it is very rewarding to be a part
Q: Do you have any favorite sports?
of its progress.
Q: How do you factor outside considerations
DS: Well I like all sports, to be honest!
to run the school? Are there any problems or
Particularly Hockey and college basketball. I Q:Last question, especially since I know time
issues encountered?
is running out: why do you stay so busy?
was also very athletic growing up, so I still
DS: Sometimes funding can be an issue with find ways to stay active by playing tennis!
DS: To be honest, I just really, really like to
certain programs, but generally, no. We
be involved in many things. I would never
Q: What do you do during your free time?
consider what the market demands and how
like to limit myself, and I don’t anticipate
we can make sure our students are prepared
DS: I really don't have much free time based slowing down soon.
attorneys according to the current legal
on how active my son and daughter are. Most
SPECIAL THANKS to Dean Santos for taking the time
market trend. We use practical approaches by weekends are spent going to their hockey
to speak with me, giving me insight into not only
producing practice ready and specific interest games or hopefully grabbing a bite to eat and
her life as a Dean, but also her life as a Mom and
Professor.
courses. For instance, the accelerator program nice glass of wine with family and friends!
How President-Elect Trump’s Policies Could Impact Law Students
By Alison Farquhar, Staff Writer
Following his upset victory, President-Elect Trump has begun
walking back some of his campaign promises, and his plans for
addressing some issues have yet to be fully elucidated. With the
national mood still turbulent and uncertain, Dicta examines how
President Trump could affect the personal and professional lives of
law students and attorneys starting on Inauguration Day, January 20,
2017.
Student Loans
The average private school law student has over $120,000 in
student loan debt at graduation, and the average undergraduate
student has over $28,000.
4| November 2016
D I C T A
In a campaign speech in October, Mr. Trump pledged to enact
a plan that would cap student loan payments at 12.5% of an
individual’s earnings per month, and forgive unpaid debts after 15
years. Rather than addressing existing student debt, however, he
focused on the obligation of colleges with tax-exempt endowments to
keep tuition low, and pledged to motivate colleges to cut tuition.
Further, he promised to eliminate some federal regulations which he
claims lead to schools spending inordinate amounts on compliance
and creating “administrative bloat”, which in turn raises tuition.
Earlier in the campaign season, Mr. Trump stated that the Department
of Education can be “largely eliminated” and that without it, schools
and private lenders could work together to determine student lending
rates. Mr. Trump’s official website offers no additional information
on his plans for addressing this issue.
impact attorney firms directly, but instead impact many clients of
attorneys. What is clear is attorneys should anticipate the Trump
Administration making many statutory changes in the fields of tax
law, administrative law, and several areas of finance.
Childcare for Working Parents
Childcare in Massachusetts is among the most expensive in
the country, with average annual costs exceeding $15,000 per year per
household. In households in which both parents work full-time,
childcare is often a necessary, and huge, expense.
In a document available on his campaign website that focuses
on mothers, Mr. Trump promises to make the average cost of
childcare in a taxpayer’s state of residence tax-deductible for
households earning up to $500,000 per year. He includes both
“institutional, private, nursery school, afterschool care, and
enrichment activities,” and the services of a stay-at-home parent or
grandparent, in his list of expenses that would qualify for the
deduction. Mr. Trump’s plan would also allow families to open
savings accounts for childcare expenses that would be tax-free up to
$2,000, plus pledging a $500 match to contributed by the government.
His plan also includes tax incentives for businesses to provide
employee childcare. Mr. Trump’s plan has been criticized as
unhelpful to low-income families, as the lowest-earning families do
not pay income taxes, and therefore could not benefit from his plan’s
income tax breaks.
Taxes and Job Creation (in the Legal Field)
Mr. Trump has not laid out policies that explicitly affect the
market for attorneys; indeed, his campaign focused on blue-collar job
creation. However, work for attorneys will conceivably increase in the
wake of his administration’s policies, as he has proposed sweeping
procedural and substantive statutory legal changes.
Mr. Trump’s plan to create jobs promises “unbridled
economic growth” through “tax, trade, energy, and regulatory” policy
reforms. He proposes income tax cuts for every tax bracket, and a
20% reduction in “business” taxes. His plan would reduce the number
of income tax brackets from seven to three, and increase the amount
individuals can deduct. He pledges to repeal the alternative minimum
The coming months will see the appointment of more officials
tax and the estate tax, though his website provides little to no
to the Trump Cabinet, possibly shedding light on the president-elect’s
information on point regarding how he will implement these policies plans to “make America great again”. Dicta will provide updates on
or make up for any lost government revenue. Many points of Mr.
this topic in our next issue.
Trump’s tax plan focus on manufacturing jobs, which are unlikely to
The calling for a reformation on the
rehabilitation process of Prisoners in the U.S.
By Samantha Leburn
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence,
therefore, is not an act but a habit. --Aristotle.
Up until the mid-1970s, rehabilitation was a key part of U.S.
prison policy. Prisoners were encouraged to develop occupational
skills and to resolve psychological problems such as substance abuse
or aggression that might interfere with their reintegration into society,
and indeed, many inmates received court sentences that mandated
treatment for such problems. Since then, however, rehabilitation has
taken a back seat to a “tough on crime” approach that sees
punishment as prison's main function. Research has shown that this
approach has created explosive growth in the prison population, while
having a very low effect on crime rates. As a result, the United States
now has more than 2 million people in prisons or jails: the most of
any developed country in the world. While many believe the primary
purpose of prisons and jails is punishment, a growing movement
5| November 2016
D I C T A
intends to change that perception. These reformers say prisons and
jails should serve as a deterrent to crime, to help rehabilitate people
with the hope of integrating them back into society. By targeting
prisoners’ behavior, reducing prison populations and offering job
skills, researchers argue we could reduce prisoner aggression and
prevent recidivism.
relationships. Many people who enter prison do not have this need on
the outside, as many come from broken homes, and the ability to
build friendships or trusting relationships becomes even more
impossible in prison. Often, fights break out when inmates are given
the opportunity to be together, and guards take advantage of racial
divides and in order to maintain some semblance of order. This in turn
encourages inmates to turn on each other. Under these extreme
According to criminal justice expert Joel Dvoskin, with a PhD circumstances it is not likely that one will gain trust yet alone obtain
from the University of Arizona, “The current design of prison systems love and affection through this environment, in spite of any love and
don’t work. Overly punitive approaches used on violent, angry
support they may or may not have on the outside. Not to mention, the
criminals only provide a breeding ground for more anger and more
overuse of solitary confinement literally leaves inmates isolated and
violence.” In furtherance of supporting this theory, it is important to
without human contact for weeks, months, or even years.
first understand the basic needs of a human being. Throughout most
studies done on human behavior by previous and current
As for the Esteem needs, Maslow posits they take two forms:
psychologist, they all began their research from Maslow’s Hierarchy (a) a need for strength, achievement, mastery and competence; (b) a
of needs. This is a comprehensive and holistic view of human
need for reputation, status, recognition and appreciation. Fulfillment
necessity accompanied by the emotional, physiological, physical,
of these needs leads to a sense of self-confidence, worth, and value to
spiritual and social support systems that should be provided in order
the world. Most prisoners have monotonous daily routine, leading to
for the individual to become a better citizen. According to Maslow’s frustration, both as an emotional response to their circumstances but
Hierarchy there are five basic needs: Biological and Physiological,
also due to lack of possibility of getting released. Although not every
Safety, Love, Esteem, and Self-Actualization.
inmate is in solitary confinement there are also not a lot of
recreational activities for the rest of the population to get involved in
Biological and Physiological needs (such as air, food and
while in prison. It is very hard for anyone to feel as though they have
shelter) are provided in the U.S. prison system. However, Safety
a true self-worth when they are not in an environment that enables
needs, the need for an individual to feel safe and not live in fear or
them to identify what their true potential is. Some prisoners try to
uncertainty is greatly absent in the life of a prisoner in the U.S. It has create a name for themselves, by either acting out to create fear and
been reported that due to lack of funds, there is a substantially higher respect from other inmates or by being obedient in hopes of being left
amount of prisoners within a prison with a very low amount of staff
alone or gaining benefits like early release. As an inmate in the
members in facilities. The prison staff is trained to handle multiple
Zimbardo study lamented,
inmates at once. The result of this overcrowding is guards, free within
limits, doing whatever is thought to be necessary to maintain law and
“I began to feel that I was losing my identity, that the person
order in the prison and to command the respect of the prisoners. This
that I called Clay, the person who put me in this place, the
in turn leads to lack of order for inmates because staff members often
person who volunteered to go into this prison – because it was
do not follow protocol and, in some cases, abuse. As a result, inmates
a prison to me; it still is a prison to me… I began to feel that
often get sexually assaulted, physically abused, emotionally abused
that identity, the person that I was that had decided to go to
and mentally abused. Such conditions, worsened by the overcrowding
prison was distant from me – was remote until finally I wasn't
of prisons, have contributed to a number of prison riots.
that, I was # 416. I was really my number.”
“What happens when you put good people in an evil place?
Does humanity win over evil or does evil triumph?” These were some
of the questions posed by the infamous simulation of prison life
conducted in 1971 at Stanford University under Professor Philip G.
Zimbardo. Throughout the experiment, prisoners were identified
through numbers and not by name. After just a few days, those given
the titles of “guard” subjected those given the titles of “prisoner” were
subject to harassment, abuse, and loss of control. This article and this
study do not intend to malign prison guards, but to show that
everyday people are capable of great wrongs when power goes
unchecked. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” as the saying goes,
and Safety needs are not met under these conditions.
Love needs come in the form of friendship, intimacy, and
affection from work group, family, friends, and romantic
It is clear that this loss of self contributes to overall feelings of
worthlessness to prisoners.
Trying to meet Maslow’s forth level of Hierarchy is nearly
impossible under the conditions of these prisons in America. After
analyzing the first four of levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy it becomes
more evident that an inmate may never reach the stage of Self
Actualization needs. Most inmates never actually learn the skills
needed to transfer back into society after such long periods of time.
For those who have completed their time in prison, they quickly
realize they are not quite equipped to deal with the real world, and
prefer to go back because they have been so accustomed to living in
that environment. Incarceration is not meant to be fun, but a
combination of strict sentencing guidelines, budget shortfalls and a
punitive philosophy of corrections has made today's prisons much
6| November 2016
D I C T A
more unpleasant and much less likely to rehabilitate their inhabitants
than in the past.
For these listed reasons, some experts believe that it would be
cheaper, more humane, and more productive to reform the prison
system into one focused on rehabilitation to reduce recidivism and
turn out better citizens than were brought in. The findings suggest that
individual-centered approaches to crime prevention need to be
complemented by community-based approaches. When properly
implemented, work programs, education, and psychotherapy can ease
prisoners’ transitions to the free world. More staff members should be
hired and properly trained to prevent abuses. When a staff member is
found to have abused or improperly implemented his or her power,
that staff member should be let go. Mandatory minimum sentences
should be abolished to take into account the specifics of a crime, and
community service should be an option so as to reduce the prison
My Katahdin Experience
By Kierra MacDougall
Saturday, 3:30am: Beep… beep…
beep… my mind turns on like a switch at the
sound of the alarm. What time is it? What day is
it? Do I have a meeting? Is something due? Is
something wrong? All questions leading me to
answer why I am getting up in the middle of the
night – and then it hits me I do not have to be
anywhere but rather need to be somewhere.
Katahdin.
It was the last long weekend of the
summer and we were ready to seize every moment
of it. With a two-pound tent and a couple of
hammocks, the place we would call home for next
seventy-two hours was out there somewhere. We
prepared for different camping situations because
this trip was planned last minute; we did not have
a camping site lined up for the weekend. We did
however do some research and used Google Earth
to pin-point some possible camping locations. In
order to better see the possible “sites we put
Google Earth on satellite images that were
captured during the Spring. This view captured
that the leaves were no longer on the trees and we
were able to spot some lean-to sites that were free
and first-come-first-serve. We made a list of about
a half-dozen GPS coordinates of potential sites for
us and left a copy with our family and friends
back home for safekeeping. We were off.”
Experience continued on page 8.
population. To take this a step further, small offenses should
automatically be removed from a prisoners’ record after a certain
number of years has passed so they can continue their life with a clean
slate and be open to job opportunities that may not be available to
those who have served prison time.
Overall, these services help rehabilitate individuals and make
a much smoother transition back into society. If the prison system in
America begins these reforms, they will see a decrease in our tax
dollars going strictly to incarcerating the same people over and over,
an increase in turnout of productive citizens post-prison, and a more
manageable prison system to the benefit of our citizenry.
7| November 2016
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8| November 2016
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logging roads of the Katahdin Woods. It was on
American Southwest faced an increasing threat
these logging roads where we bumped into four
from private collectors and looters. Thus,
Down the Dirt Road
moose, a fox, four deers, and two owls! Never had enforcement needed to be created to protect these
I seen so much wildlife. Fortunately, we did not
treasures. Others,
We had our list of coordinates, GPS, a
run into a black bear but other hikers there was
including the
printed map and a good attitude. The first six
Department of the
hours of driving on the highway were nothing out one roaming around camp area told us. In
addition to the wildlife, the roaring brooks, lakes,
Interior, believed
of the ordinary. Green trees, Maine license plates,
rivers, and stars were breathtaking. It is no
the protection of
highway signs and the occasional road kill
wonder Henry David Thoreau was drawn to
such treasures had
entertained our eyes. Our highway drive was
explore these woods many years ago.
a narrow
exactly as expected except for the slight delay in
archeological
Bangor due to accidentally locking the keys in the
Local Katahdin
focus. Instead, they
car.
wanted to broaden
Katahdin Woods and Waters showed me
The GPS told us to take a right on a dirt
the president’s
a world where New England remains untouched
road that appeared to be a farmer’s personal
authority to protect
by the average type of tourism you see in places
driveway. Despite our suspicions, we took that
public lands for
like the White Mountains in New Hampshire. At
right turn and headed down the dirt road that
their scenic and
the same time I saw wildlife I also saw how the
would hopefully lead us to an open campsite.
other values.
local community is part of this land. The logging
After driving an hour we were faced with an
Members of Congress, particularly from western
roads we went on were large dirt roads with
obstacle–more accurately our Toyota Camry was
broken stop signs and debris. There were signs at states, pushed back and believed the president’s
faced with an obstacle.
authority designating national monuments of
every corner that said “No National Parks.” We
couldn’t understand why people wouldn’t want to public land was too broad. A compromise
We were at a beat up bridge only wide
between a narrow archeological focus and a broad
enough for one car to pass. Fully confident in our preserve such a beautiful land. We were lucky
enough to be one of the first visitors to this land as public land protection focus had to be met.
car we trudged over the bridge. However, our
a national monument. Already they were
confidence was short lived when we realized the
In 1906 President Roosevelt signed the
bridge was missing 2 by 4s and could not make it reconstructing the land for scenic views and
Antiquities Act into law that helped compromise
informative signs on the particular locations. We
over the lip of the wood at the last section of
the competing interests. Under the Antiquities
saw the land as it was transitioning from a world
bridge. At this point a few cars had lined up
Act, the president is authorized, in his discretion,
where logging and wildlife collided to a land that
behind us and were watching us make our
to declare by public proclamation historic
mistake. Stuck on the bridge we got out of the car will soon be fluttered with tourism and wildlife.
landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and
to find the bridge was not only missing a layer of The experience was a perfect end to our summer
other objects of historic or scientific interest to be
but just the beginning for these local communities
wood to make it an even ground but also there
national monuments. This expanded the
that will be affected by this new national
were a few sections of the bridge with rotted
president’s authority of designating national
monument.
wood that created holes the size of tires. We
monuments to include both archeological interests
tackled this challenge with the help of a ranger
and public land interests. Since the Antiquities
National Monuments: Serving to Protect
and we decided then and there that the Katahdin
Act enactment in 1906, almost every president
Nature’s Beauty
Woods and Waters National Monument was a
(except for Presidents Nixon, Reagan, and George
place like no other.
There were a few things that inspired our H. W. Bush) has designated national monuments.
last-minute adventure to Katahdin Woods and
Our Little Oasis
Challenges to Preservation
Waters: a challenging hike at Mt. Katahdin, the
sure possibility of a seeing a moose and a way to
We passed by a few occupied campsites
National monuments are usually
connect back to nature one last time before the
before reaching our own little oasis. We parked
designated from land the federal government
summer was gone. When we found out Katahdin
the car and walked about a half mile until we
already owns from various uses (logging, mining,
reached our own lean-to site that was situated on Woods and Waters was made into a National
etc.) in favor of long-term conservation. In the
Monument that was the final decision maker to
the International Appalachian Trail. After a few
past, monuments were used to protect a single,
go.
trips back and forth to the car we finally had our
identifiable resource. However, in recent years
luxurious campsite set up.
monuments are being used to protect large
The Antiquities Act
ecosystems. Long-term conservation helps us
One of our goals on this trip was to hike
The earliest versions of the Antiquities
evaluate our land’s precious resources and beauty
Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park. Although
Act of 1906 were used to protect historic and
but unfortunately may have a negative impact on
physically we were only a few miles away from
prehistoric objects and artifacts. At the turn of the those closest to the protected land.
the mountain, to get to the entrance of Baxter
nineteenth century, archeological treasures of the
State Park we needed to drive 3 hours through the
Experience continued from page 6
9| November 2016
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
D I C T A
and the logistics of funding this monument.
Disappointment also came from local figures like
The land of Katahdin Woods and Waters
Dana Doran, the Executive Director for
was made into a national monument with the help
Professional Logging Contractors of Maine.
of Roxanne Quimby, founder of Bert’s Bees and
Doran stated that “Maine loggers need reliable
philanthropist. Quimby donated more than 87,500
and safe access to the area's working forests and
acres in the Katahdin Region to the federal
the PLC will work closely with our Congressional
government. In his executive order designating
delegation, the communities surrounding the
the new national monument, Obama described
proposed monument and the National Park
Katahdin Woods and Waters as an “exceptional
Service to address the very real access and road
example of the rich and storied Maine woods.” Its
safety issues this monument creates.” Despite her
particular location is enhanced by larger protected
disappointments, Doran says she will make sure
landscapes such as Baxter State Park. Prior to
this decision does not cost jobs in Maine’s logging
becoming a national monument, the rich land was
industry.
a vital source for Maine’s logging and
papermaking industry. Even though the new
Supporters
national monument seeks to protect the valued
The establishments of the national
land not everyone agreed with Obama’s decision.
monuments do end up benefiting society in one
way or another. There are many people in support
of Obama’s designation of Maine’s new
monument. As I have seen first hand, this national
monument is drawing in visitors from all over and
the land is rebuilding with the goal of long-term
conservation in mind. Local supporters of the
national monument, such as key figures from the
Appalachian Mountain Club, Environment Maine,
and Natural Resources Council of Maine, are
thrilled with the decision because it will protect
the remote North Woods and create new
opportunities for conservation, recreation and
nature-based tourism jobs in the region. This
Oppositions
remote land is home to bears, moose, the
In response to Obama’s decision,
threatened Canada lynx, streams, and lakes. This
Governor Paul LePage of Maine said that
designation may give mill towns a new
Obama’s unilateral action of establishing the
opportunity to rebrand themselves to attract
monument “demonstrates that rich, out-of-state
tourism and businesses.
liberals can force an unpopular agenda on the
Another national monument that faced
Maine people against their will.” Even though
similar challenges during its establishment is the
Legislature passed a resolution opposing the
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
national monument, members of Maine’s
Before Clinton established this national
congressional delegation opposed it and local
monument in 1996, 47% of Utahns opposed its
citizens voted against it repeatedly the executive
creation. However, six months later opposition
order was still signed. LePage also fueled his
jumped down to 32% , in one year tourism rose
disapproval of the national monument by saying
how “the Quimby family used high-paid lobbyists 58% and in ten years the monument’s 430 jobs
contributed $26 million to the local economy.
in Washington, D.C., to go around the people of
When Grand Staircase-Escalante was designated a
Maine and have President Obama use his
national monument there was very little
authority to designate this area a National
consultation with local stakeholders and mainly
Monument.” Other state leaders such as United
States Representative Bruce Poliquin and United created as a political favor. Although local
States Senator Susan Collins also expressed their consultation was overlooked, over time the local
hesitations over the decision due to stakeholders’ community of the Grand Staircase-Escalante
benefited from the decision.
opposition, the impact on the local community,
An Ode to National Parks
Nature is a place that energizes the soul.
As a law student, a mental retreat for just 20
minutes can revitalize my mind and better prepare
myself for a busy schedule. When time and
money are on my side, the best kind of place has
no roofs or walls. So, as a salute to the end of the
summer and the starting gunshot mark to the new
school year, my top soul-energizing place ended
up being in Katahdin Woods and Waters National
Monument.
Two days before Katahdin Woods and
Waters was declared a national monument the
National Park Service celebrated its 100th
birthday. The national monument is a designation
of protected land within the National Park and
later down the road we may see the new
monument turn into a National Park. Other
designated national monuments we treasure today
include Grand Canyon National Park and Joshua
Tree National Park. Already around the corner is
Acadia National Park, a national park that draws
in over two million people each year so Maine is
not a stranger to scenic hungry visitors.
The natural landscape of America is
unique and deserves to be treasured. The past
century we have made great efforts in preserving
America’s beauty but it is becoming more tricky
to satisfy the needs of all those effected by longterm conservation. In America, we seem to
respond better when there are financial gains and
short-term rewards but long-term rewards (or
consequences) should be taken into consideration.
Society’s views towards land and wildlife
protection are different today than what they were
in the 1900s. More people today would agree that
protecting our land is more than just preserving its
natural beauty. As our cities become more
urbanized we are losing touch with the natural
world. Not only does our land need protection
from destruction but also we need our land to
prosper for our own health benefit.
10 | N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6
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weigh on people’s minds. The bar passage
was low. There’s no getting around that.
Students are frustrated with sharing the
facilities. Again, there is really no way to
talk around that but I believe truly that
these things are not indications of failure
but markers of the progress we are capable
of making.
weren’t sure if we’d even attempt a
replacement but as many of you know ended
up hosting the first fall event in recent
memory that has not ended with (to the full
extent of my knowledge) a single altercation.
It was not only successful by that metric but
was one of the most financially responsible
fall events the SBA has hosted and has given
us the fiscal freedom to give clubs almost
To some that may come across as a
double the budgets they had last year and
surprising assessment but there’s a lot that
boost the total number of events we are
has happened in the last year that leads me
having to reach the greatest possible number
towards an optimistic appraisal. Some of
of students no matter what their interests may
these things have been loud and easy to see
be.
like the shuffling of the Board of Trustees,
others have been quiet like the professors
These are the kinds of things that lend
who have included cross-discipline
themselves to a positive appraisal. Setbacks
teachers in classes where their outside
happen. Inevitably bad news happens but the
perspective may be valuable but the trend ability to rebound is not likewise a guarantee.
is one that does overall suggest steady and From the student all the way to the highest
sustainable improvement to the quality of administrators, Suffolk has consistently
our education and the environment in
proven itself one of the most stalwart and
which we receive it.
resolved bodies of people. It’s easy to unfairly
game the bar passage numbers or pour
Even this week for example, should
finances towards problems but Suffolk
be the week of November 14th, there are a
Daniel Hahn, Suffolk University Law
emphasizes a trust in its constituents when
series of town hall style meetings hosted by
School Student Bar Association (SBA)
there are bad days to build towards a better
Suffolk leadership to get constituent
President
tomorrow. There is a focus here on
feedback on finding the best next
reinventing policies and providing tools for
President. That’s a fairly progressive stance.
A Word with the President Not only is it a progressive stance but it’s an success not patches for aesthetics’ sake and
that trend is one that is easy to be proud of as
action that says the Board of Trustees heard
I thought long and hard about what I
a student.
wanted this op-ed piece to tailor its focus on. the concerns raised after last year’s media
coverage and is actively responding to them
In a time when I think everyone could
As much as it has dominated discussion this
in a way that seeks to actually amend them.
use some good news I am proud to be a
past week, I think there’s enough being said
member of an institution that empowers us to
on and enough forums for it to be said in
If we want to zoom in on Suffolk Law
be the initiators of that good news.
about the US election. That is not to say I do we see the same trend. Bar passage was
not think it’s an important subject—maybe
announced about a month ago but that email
Case and point the return of our
it’s even a vital subject—but I want to take a did not come out with just results. That email student newspaper, Dicta who overcame
step away from that. I want to talk about
was coupled with a link to the
many early hurdles this year to reinvent and
Suffolk and where we are.
administration’s “Five-Point” plan to boost
revitalize itself for the future. It is quite the
results in the future and follows the heels of a honor to be included in its inaugural pages
I want to talk specifically about
and as always, the greatest of honors to be
Suffolk this year and my experience with my partnering with Barbri to provide better
your SBA President.
access to bar prep materials starting as soon
role in its student leadership. It’s an
as a student’s 1L year.
appropriate moment, halfway through our
Thank you all,
academic year, and it is a good moment. What
Even further, if we zoom in to the
I mean to say is—from the perspective of this SBA level, we met social setbacks when last Daniel Hahn
moment—it does seem good to be enrolled at year Fall Ball was declared cancelled. We
Suffolk. Now I know there are problems that
11 | N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6
D I C T A
Top: Governor Calvin Coolidge, laying the cornerstone of
Suffolk Law School in Boston in August 1920 Photo courtesy of
Familypedia.com
Right: Suffolk Law School Alumni Event 2016
As Presidential Search Continues, two New Trustees were confirmed by the board on Oct. 21.
Larry Smith, co-founder of the Nation Safe Drivers Group in Boca Raton, Florida, and Patricia J. “Trish” Gannon, executive
vice president of finance and planning and chief financial officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.
Photo Courtesy Suffolk University News Archive, November 2016
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D I C T A
DICTA: “We Will Survive”
By: Keicha Ivelisse Mora
Dicta has been the official Student newspaper 2016. Dicta has undergone a very arduous
of Suffolk Law School for over 40 years.
2016-2017 year. The board was very close to
losing its credentials as being apart of the
Suffolk Community. The staff this year has
“Dicta is the official student
worked very hard to ensure that our goal as
newspaper of the Suffolk Law School
the school newspaper to “enlighten, inform,
community, existing solely to help foster a
and educate” is not lost. This year we have
sense of community through communication. attempted a more modern approach to convey
The goal of dicta is to educate, inform,
Dicta to the public by printing a digital copy
enlighten, and entertain the student body
for the community to have readily available
through outstanding reporting and editorials
access to. The board has also been working to
on news, events, trends, sports, arts, food, and create as many events and opportunities as
popular culture.” This is the message the last possible to engage the student body in being
printed copy of Dicta conveyed to the Suffolk affiliated with such a prestigious body of
University student body in the year 2015Suffolk Law School spirit. Dicta has been
apart of the Suffolk Law School community
for over forty years giving students who are
not involved in a journal or clinic the
opportunity to share their perspectives on the
values of the University. It has been an honor
to keep the spirit of Dicta alive this year as a
2L student. My engagement as a staff member
has been invaluable because we have had the
pleasure of bringing Dicta back to life. As
Gloria Gaynor sang in her famous song, “I
will Survive”: “As long as I know how to
love, I know I'll stay alive, I've got all my life
to live, I've got all my love to give and I will
survive, Dicta will survive, hey, hey.”
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D I C T A
Suffolk Law School Community Engagement Snapshots
Suffolk University Pro-Bono Fair
Photos courtesy of The Boston Bar Association, Twitter, 2016
Boston Bar Association Luncheon
Massachusetts Bar Association President Jeffrey Catalano (right) visited
Professor R. Lisle Baker's (left) Positive Psychology for Lawyers class on
Tuesday, November 15, to discuss work-life balance, community
involvement, and self-care."
Photos courtesy of The Boston Bar Association, Twitter, 2016
Photo Credit Alison Farquhar
14 | N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6
D I C T A
Back at Suffolk University
Law School
Across
4. The Associate Dean of Students at SULS.
5. Person who accepts promise from
another.
8. A First Year law student is commonly
referred to as this.
9. Dean of Students at SULS.
10. Person who makes a promise to another.
11. A SULS program designed to ensure
academic success in Law School.
Down
1. Latin for guilty act.
2. An agreement between two people
reduced to writing.
3. By reason of the soil.
5. The Dean of SULS.
6. Textbooks in Law School are referred to
as this.
7. Suffolk Law Newspaper.
Across: 4. santos 5. Promise 8.onel 9.ferrari 10.promisor 11.asp Down:
1.actus reus 2. contract 3. ratione soli 5. Perlman 6.casebooks 7. dicta