Dear Class of 2023,
Welcome to Harvard Law School! We are Noelle Graham and Billy Wright, your Student Body Co-Presidents, and we are thrilled to welcome you to the HLS community.
HLS is a place we have both grown to love throughout our time here. And while the upcoming semester will admittedly be unlike any other that HLS has experienced, we believe that the things we love about HLS — such as growing close with an incredible group of people, discovering the law in a vibrant and exciting environment, giving back to society in meaningful and varied ways — are all still attainable. But now more than ever, we must be deliberate about pursuing these treasured experiences.
Our screens may be planted in different states and different countries, but we can all flourish together as one community. And as your Co-Presidents, we promise to do all that we can to bring our student body closer in new and creative ways. But we hope that you can make a promise to us and your fellow students as well. Promise to be there for one another. Take the extra step to reach out to your peers to show support. Promise to be kind with your actions and caring with your words. We don’t think this year will be easy. But it can still be great.
If we could impress one thing upon the Class of 2023, it would be this: Our experience at HLS is what we collectively make of it. So come together to make your section more than just a collage of faces on a Zoom screen. Build a cohesive community that learns to thrive. Dive into every club and organization that speaks to you. Curate your own journey, but always know that you never have to undertake it alone.
Further, we encourage you to be proactive in shaping your HLS experience by running to be your 1L section’s Student Government Representative or by signing up to join one of our incredible committees.
Student Government’s mission is to help bring the HLS community together and to advocate to the administration for policy changes that help the student body. Over the course of the summer and continuing into the year, we have also worked to ensure that the faculty and administration are kept accountable for their decisions and are aware of student concerns. We can never guarantee a certain outcome, but our peers are our priority and we will never stop fighting to make HLS a better place.
If you would like to join a committee now, head to our website to read our committee descriptions and sign up for your favorite! We accept committee applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. If you would like to run to be your Section Representative, we will be sending out more information detailing how to do so over the next few weeks. And you do not have to choose between joining a committee or running for a position; you can do both!
Finally, amidst the start of classes this week, take a deep breath. Pause. Stop. Breathe. Reflect on why you came here, who you want to be, and how you hope to grow during this incredible three-year journey ahead of you. The world needs passionate, knowledgeable and honorable practitioners of law right now, and while studying remotely may be few people’s first choice, it does not make your journey any less worthwhile. We are so grateful that you chose to join the HLS community despite such hurdles, and we can’t wait to meet you all.
Here’s to a transformative and fulfilling year!
Best wishes,
Noelle Graham and Billy Wright
To stay up to date on all things Student Government, keep a lookout for the weekly newsletters and follow it on Facebook and Instagram @HLS_StudentGov.