Last week 57 Howard Law students volunteered to spend their spring break down in New Orleans, providing legal and humanitarian services to those still desperately in need a 18 months after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This was part of Howard’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB). They could have easily lounged by the pool or caught up on much-needed sleep, but instead demonstrated that being a social engineer is a journey, not a destination.

These students provided legal and humanitarian services that included:

• Assisting in the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office
• Working with criminal defendants in the Public Defender’s Office
• Helping property owners in eminent domain cases and other property litigation with the Loyola University of New Orleans legal clinic
• Helping homeowners clear their title in order to receive much-needed government recovery aid
• Interviewing Katrina survivors displaced to a FEMA-run trailer park 100 miles from New Orleans in Baker, LA
• Investigating the cases of individuals who may have been wrongfully convicted with the Innocence Project and
• Helping to rebuild homes and lives with Habitat for Humanity

These students are a shining example of what it means to be a social engineer, living that call here and now while still law students. They bring great credit to themselves, the HUSL, and Howard University through their selfless service, dedication, and passion.

Special thanks to Professor Josephine Ross and the student planners who have worked tirelessly since early January to make this ambitious project a resounding success. Thanks also to Dean Duckett and Professors Ellis, Meekins and Cunningham for organizing project for the students, supervising them down in New Orleans all week.

I join the Law School community in praising the work of the students and faculty who participated in the Alternative Spring Break activities. Your work was in the finest social engineering tradition of this law school. The positive impact of your activities will be felt by individuals known and not known to you for many years. We applaud your efforts and we thank you for this tremendous service. You make us proud! Kurt. L. Schmoke Dean

Professor Meekins, one of the faculty at the School of Law who accompanied the students states that the students were also presented with two proclamations by the City Council of New Orleans recognizing their dedication, committment and tireless work on these various projects and the Law School’s continuing committment to social justice. The proclamations are signed by all members of the City Council, including one of the Law School’s alums, James Carter. The presentation took place at a regularly scheduled Council meeting with remarks by Professor Ross and Mr. Louis Brown. Tamar M. Meekins Professor of Law

Here’s the 2007 Alternative Spring Break Honor Roll: