Looking Out For Your Rights

by: Ben Christian

I am one of five undergraduate (unpaid) summer interns for the National Legal Department of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU is a non-profit law firm and advocacy group that focuses on Constitutional law (civil rights litigation) and Human Rights advocacy. It is the largest Human Rights law firm in the world. Much like a fraternity, it is divided up into state-run affiliates (i.e. the ACLU of Kansas, or New York Civil Liberties Union-NYCLU), yet it also has a National office (which is the part I work for). The National office only handles legal cases that they feel will have an impact on the federal level. About 50-60% of our cases go to the Supreme Court, and we win a little over 50% of those (these are actually pretty good odds for a law firm). Likewise, they only take on advocacy work that will have an impact on the national and international level.

My day-to-day job involves researching legal topics, composing memos on relevant information, doing hands-on legal review (i.e. reading over sworn depositions, cataloging subpeonaed information, etc.), and assisting in the writing and editing of legal briefs and motions. This internship is a rock-solid choice for anyone who is thinking about attending law school, especially for Constitutional law, or who is interested in Human Rights advocacy (there are also advocacy-specific internships). Also, many of the State-affiliates offer their own internships, so you could do one closer to home. This specific internship is really focused on getting students ready to practice law, it's very hands-on, there are lectures every week about various facets of the law, and there are workshops on applying to law school, the LSATS, and getting clerkships and jobs. There is precious little grunt work like copying and fetch-and-carry. Furthermore, the staff are some of the friendliest, most helpful people out of any workplace I've ever been in. Truly a fantastic opportunity. Too bad it doesn't pay.

The Air Assault School: Tower of Terror

ROTC Cadet Harrison Mann expresses himself better through illustration (click image to enlarge). Enjoy.

Four Years Fly by When You're Having Fun

by: Nick Alexander

Here we are once again at the end of another great year. But sadly, just like at the end of every other great year, we must say goodbye to our seniors. These are the men that first brought us to KDR, the men that showed us "fraternity gentlemen" is actually a legitimate term, and of course the men with whom we have shared some of the most meaningful years of our lives.

Our senior roast at the end of April was a fantastic example of the respect our fraternity has for our seniors. While this was a great opportunity to poke fun at them and recall embarrassing stories that they hoped everyone forgot, I cannot recall one speaker who did not struggle to hold back tears. When I spoke about my Big Brother, I used the first half of my time to make fun of him. But then I said a few words about his positive influences on me; a few words that completely changed my tone from comedic to sincere and choked me up a bit.

As a rising senior, I am finally realizing that four years is not long at all. I wonder what kinds of stories the younger brothers will tell about me when I have graduated. Kappa Delta Rho has given me the best college experience that I can possibly have and for that, I am eternally grateful. The bonds I have made along the way, the lessons I have learned, and the man that I have become assure me everyday that I am in the right place. I guess the only negative side that I see to my time here is that because it is extremely fulfilling and so much fun, it is flying by really fast.