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Tribal Hunting
and Fishing Rights
Student Files
Small Claims Suit
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We soon learned to recognize the sharp, vicious bark of the coyote as it came across the murky plain at night to disturb our dreams among the mail-sacks; and remembering his forlorn aspect and his hard fortune, made shift to wish him the blessed novelty of a long day’s good luck and a limitless larder the morrow. --Mark Twain, Roughing It, Vol. 1, Chapter 5 |
This morning, while walking to campus to edit this issue of Letter of the Law, I came across a motionless coyote lying in the grass along Terwilliger. A knowing, peaceful smirk across his face made him look like he was enjoying an earnest nap. I moved closer and realized that, even though no blood or visible wounds tainted his wolflike coat, the coyote was dead. He had probably been making his way back to Tryon Forest after hunting in the surrounding neighborhood, when a rushing automobile cut short his time on earth.
This is not the first coyote I have observed in the area. In mid-September, I spotted one standing nobly in the law school faculty parking lot, gazing back at me and other students as we left campus after an SBA meeting. A few days later, in the early morning, my housemate and I surprised a prowling pair of coyotes while driving along a side street not far from campus. The coyotes stood and stared, frozen by equal parts curiosity and fear.
The presence of these coyotes so close to the law school means something. Native American lore identifies the coyote as creator, teacher, jokester, and keeper of magic. The species’ Latin name, canis latrans or “laughing dog,” personifies the coyote by attributing to him a reputation for clowning around.
What exactly is these coyotes’ message? The appearance of a coyote is often an omen that life has become too serious; he reminds us to lighten up and shun situations that have become stressful and complex.
Has the law school become too serious? Adrian Ingram would argue yes. In her article in this issue, she focuses on the virtually palpable disinterest this year toward student groups. She reminds us that there is much more to law school than studying for exams.
This spring, events on campus will provide respite from the study of law. SBA’s “What the Hell Are We Doing Here?” Forum on Feb. 18 will help build our community by connecting people with activities and information. If you have a question about life at law school, chances are good that someone at this forum will be able to answer it. Eight days later, PILP hosts its annual auction, arguably the biggest event of the year at our law school. The weekend of Mar. 4–7, the University of Oregon will host the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference. As always, this conference will feature the heavy hitters in the field of environmental law.
These events are just a starting point. Other diversions are covered elsewhere in this issue, each one exciting and rewarding in its own right. We are lucky to attend Lewis & Clark. Often we forget to take advantage of the virtually limitless resources available at our fingertips.
The coyotes are speaking to us. It is time we listened.
—Nathan Baker, 2/12/99
Special thanks to: Garrick Baxter for the spontaneous transportation; Duane in the Duplicating Center; Randy Niven for scanning; Christine Mama Raphael for the kind use of her laser printer; and Steve Johansen for the extension.
Corrections
In the December ‘98 issue of LOTL, we mistakenly described Emily Morris as Emily Davis in a photo from Wacky Pants Day. Oops! Sorry!
We also failed to acknowledge Emily Davis as the photographer of several photos.
Worst of all, we overlooked our own staff for their hard work. An extra special thanks goes out to Elizabeth Dantas, Emily Davis, Kevin Minoli, and Esin Onart. THANKS!!!!!
THINK SNOW
We apologize for neglecting to include information about the L&C’s news and events hotline in our last issue. The hotline, 768-SNOW, is a useful resource for finding out whether classes will be held during winter weather events. Letter of the Law disputes all claims that our inadvertence delayed Winter Storm ‘99 until Winter 2000. Global warming is more than willing to take all the credit.
WANTED: Artists and Photographers. Please contact lotl@lclark.edu.
LOTL will be accepting submissions for the next issue through March 22, 1999. Send articles to lotl@lclark.edu.