Moritz College of Law - The Ohio State University Law School

Moritz IT



Ohio State OIT

Academic Information: Computing @ Moritz

Personal Computers

Although the Law Library and the university provide computer labs, most students find it very helpful to have their own computers. During the first semester, students will use the computer for personal work such as typing briefs, class notes, and outlines. In the second semester, the computer will be used extensively for the Legal Writing and Analysis course.

StudentsA word-processing program is the only essential software students need to have. Most faculty and staff in the Moritz College of Law use WordPerfect; MS-Word and WordPerfect are the most common word-processing programs used in the practice of law. The computers in the computer lab have both WordPerfect and MS-Word on them.

Students should also consider purchasing a modem or network card for home access to the Internet; this permits students to do on-line legal research from home. Lexis and Westlaw are the primary servers of on-line legal research and both can be accessed through the Word Wide Web (students are given passwords for both systems). If necessary, Lexis and Westlaw provide free access software for use on a student's home personal computer.

Computer Use in the Drinko Hall

Some students choose to purchase laptop computers; doing so allows use of a computer anywhere in Drinko Hall and, if a student has installed a wireless network card, s/he may access the Internet from all carrels and tables in the Moritz Law Library, the student lounge and a number of classrooms.

In addition, students may use a laptop computer to take some exams (the decision to permit computer use on exams is up to the individual professor). Some laptop users bring the computers to class to take notes. The college is installing electrical outlets by each seat in the classrooms, but there may be a few classrooms in which this project is not yet complete.

The Moritz Law Library, the student lounge, several classrooms and the area outside the 12th Avenue entrance to Drinko Hall are covered by a wireless network.

Electronic Mail Account

All incoming law students will be provided with an e-mail account. A number of professors create list serves for their classes, so that discussions can continue on line and to disseminate assignments.