Month: October 2025

Congo Week 2025: Cost of Power, Blood Cobalt & Corporate Responsibility

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Boy holding cell phone

UConn Law’s African Law Association (ALA), Black Law Students Association (BLSA), Energy & Environmental Law Society (EELS), and the UConn Law Library are sponsoring UConn Law's third annual Congo Week October 19-25.

The 18th anniversary of Congo Week features activities that commemorate the millions of lives lost in the Congo Conflict while celebrating the enormous human and natural potential that exists in the country. The goal is to raise global consciousness about the situation in the Congo and advocate for peace, justice and human dignity in partnership with the Congolese people.   

A few semesters back, Kwaku Aurelien, Co-President of the African Law Association at UConn Law,  moderated a symposium featuring Maurice Carney, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Friends of the Congo. This event highlighted the situation in the Congo, and sparked interest in bringing Congo Week to UConn Law. 

The Congo holds the world’s largest deposits of coltan, an essential component for cellphones, play stations and other electronic devices. We urge UConn law students to recognize there are many things they can do to affect change in the lives of the Congolese.  One action item is the “Cell Out” - a digital moment of silence starting at 12 noon on Wednesday, October 22nd. UConn Law encourages all students to turn off their phone for at least one hour, refrain from texting and encourage those in your circle to do the same. Activities abound throughout the UConn Law campus to raise awareness of this global issue. This week of recognition exemplifies the mantra by Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”  

For more information on Congo week check out the following: 

Lake with Mountains
Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

If we are sitting on all this wealth, why are we so poor?  Maurice Carney

“Censorship Is So 1984”: A Legal Stand for the Freedom to Read

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Banned Books Week 2025 features the theme  “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” The American Library Association explains that the phrase invokes the dystopian warnings of George Orwell’s 1984 to underscore how censorship remains a real and present threat — not some relic of a past era.

At UConn Law Library, we’re highlighting the legal and societal implications of that debate. From law to literature, from historical court battles to contemporary challenges, our curated Banned Books & the Law display (right by the entrance) will feature titles that have sparked censorship efforts.

We also encourage you to check out our accompanying Banned Books Research Guide, which links to key resources such as cases and legislation and advocacy organizations.

When a title is challenged — the question isn’t only “What do we read?” but “Who decides?” Our display and guide aim to help students, faculty, and patrons grapple with that very question.  This Banned Books Week, join us in resisting censorship, exploring the legal stakes behind challenged works, and reaffirming that the freedom to read is central to the rule of law — not a footnote to it.

 

Supporting Student Well-Being: Law Student Mental Health Day at UConn Law

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Fall in Connecticut brings crisp air, colorful leaves, and plenty of cider donuts—but for law students, it can also bring a heavier workload and looming deadlines. The American Bar Association designates October 10th as Law Student Mental Health Day aligning with World Mental Health Day, recognized by the World Health Organization.

Here at UConn Law we’re celebrating a little early with events on Tuesday, October 8—and you’re invited!

Featured Programs – October 8

  • Breakfast Break (9:30-11 am, Library Patio): Hungry?  There's a firm sponsored breakfast break in partnership with CCD on Wednesday 10/8 hosted by Pullman & Comley LLC . Representatives will be there to share coffee, snacks, information, and even a little swag. So please stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and introduce yourself!
  • Student Affairs & Mental Health Committee Tabling (12:30–1:45 pm, Library Patio): Stop by for treats, giveaways, and information about mental health resources in law school and beyond.
  • Yoga on the Quad (12:45–1:30 p.m., Hosmer Quad)
    Take a mindful break with a 45-minute yoga flow led by Christina Cruz ’24, certified yoga instructor and UConn Law alum. All levels are welcome. (Bring a mat if you have one, though it’s not required.) All levels are welcome—this is about moving, breathing, and taking a break.
  • Law Library Display: Visit the library to explore resources on lawyer well-being and mindfulness. You can also dive deeper into these topics through the Student Wellness Research Guide. 

        Year-Round Resources

        Stack of stones next to Daisy flowerYour well-being matters every day, not just on October 10. UConn Law and the Office of Student Affairs provide ongoing support, including:

        • UConn Law offers various resources to help you recognize mental health concerns as well as resources available to help you focus on your well-being.  The UConn Law Office of Student Affairs staff is located in One Stop on the second floor of the library.
        • On-campus Mental Health Counselor, Corrine, offers one on one counseling. Please email her at                       corrine.ochsner@uconn.edu to set up a time to meet! More info available through the UConn Law Student Portal.  
        • BeWell - offers free and confidential mental health support 24/7/365 by calling (833) 308- 3040 (for the US, Canada and the Caribbean). For all other locations please call +1-984-268-2016. This service offers immediate in-the-moment support with a counselor, regardless of your location, to help you manage your concerns.
        • Togetherall -completely anonymous online peer-to-peer mental health support community available free to UConn students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Togetherall provides access to an online community and a wealth of useful resources, including self-help courses covering topics such as anxiety, sleep, depression and more. Register with your UConn email at: https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/student

          Online Resources:

          Together, UConn Law and the ABA are committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering a culture of wellness in law school and the legal profession.