Counsel’s Counsel is the world’s preeminent advice column for law students. Written by recent UVA Law graduate, Jane Doe, J.D.
Question:
Dear Jane: I write to you in the midst of one of my most challenging days as a student here at UVA Law. No, I didn’t bomb a cold call. I didn’t get turned down for an appellate clerkship either. I’ve had many days where I’ve questioned whether I belong here. None of those days were as bad as this Monday is turning out to be. What could rival those feelings of disappointment, rejection, and imposter syndrome, you ask? The answer is hanger and my missing Roots bowl.
It all started first thing this morning. The SBA president sent an email regarding changes to the Roots delivery program. At first, I was excited to hear that the Roots delivery time was now at 12:00 p.m. instead of 1:00 p.m. I have class at 1:00 p.m., so I haven't been able to order my El Jefe bowl yet this semester. I figured I would celebrate the new delivery time by ordering a bowl for lunch (I also haven’t been to the grocery store in over three weeks).
I walked to ScoCo a few minutes before noon. I was getting hungry and couldn’t wait to dig into my bowl. A crowd started to gather near the delivery spot. Our bowls are nowhere to be found. Then, thirty minutes after the scheduled delivery time, one of my classmates posted in our class GroupMe, “They messed up so bowls aren’t coming until 1pm.” Both my hunger and my anger grow with each minute. I realize I won’t have lunch before my class starts. My stomach is starting to hurt.
I have a few questions. Can we impeach the SBA president for this? Should the CEO of Roots step down for this mistake? Can I show up to class a few minutes late to wait for my bowl? Can I eat my bowl during class?
- Rooting for Myself.
Answer:
Rooting: What a horrible start to your week! While breakfast is the most important meal of the day, lunch is either the second or third most important. While I’m not Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., I hope my response will help you with Finding Your Roots.
First, instead of demanding the CEO of Roots resign from his position, you should exploit this mistake. You should absolutely ask for your money back for the late bowl. I would also suggest demanding discount codes for future bowls. I’ve heard that HOTSPOT40 gets you 40 percent off your order. Ask for 50 percent off bowls for the rest of your law school career.
Impeaching the SBA president may also solve this problem, and many others at this school for that matter. But it sounds like, for once, the SBA president is not to blame for the Roots debacle. A leader with better foresight would not have had a delivery time that conflicted with many classes in the first place. To his credit though, the president did respond to complaints from students and tried to make a change.
I don’t recommend showing up late to class to wait for your bowl. Arriving late to class with a Roots bowl is similar to coming to a morning class fifteen minutes late with a cup of Starbucks in hand. This is very troublesome behavior. While your classmates should be focusing on the law, they are instead judging you for being late. Professors really should just lock the classroom door to prevent anyone from coming in after class has started. Or they should at least glare at you.
Finally, please don’t eat your Roots bowl during class. Or any food for that matter. This is inconsiderate to your classmates and the professor. There is nothing worse than hearing the crinkling of a Student Affairs snack wrapper or the pop of a soda can while you are trying to learn or teach. Have you ever seen someone answer a cold call with food in their mouth? Disgusting. Trust me, the kid next to you really doesn't want to smell your stinky lunch. (I suppose you should be able to eat in class if you have an accommodation, and we know Student Affairs hands those out like candy.)
If your El Jefe is ever late again, I would recommend grabbing a bite to eat from the Sidley Austin Café to hold you over during class. You can stick your late Roots bowl in one of the SBA fridges for later. I don’t think you have to worry about SBA cleaning out those fridges anytime soon.
- Jane Doe, J.D.
For a serious response to your serious inquiries, please access the anonymous submission form using the QR code below.
