Family Friendly Moscow
The College of Law’s Moscow location has unique traits that make it ideal for law students balancing the demands of school and life. In particular, students with spouses and/or families enjoy friendly facilities, resources, and infrastructure both at the College and in the community that make doing it all a little easier. Livability.com took notice by ranking Moscow the 2018 Best Place to Raise a Family.
Family Study Room
In summer 2019, the College of Law converted two study rooms into our first ever family study room. Occupants enter into a student study area equipped with desks, chairs, and outlets. Through an internal door and viewable through a large glass window, students can use the other side as a place for family members to play, read books, or watch television. The room is reservable exclusively for law students on a first come, first serve basis and students are responsible for watching after their own family members.
Lactation Rooms
Our lactation room, opening in fall 2019, is on the second floor of the College of Law in a discreet and quiet corner of the building. Visitors have access to comfortable seating, a sink and kitchenette, a refrigerator for storage, a changing table, and more. Available on a first come, first serve basis, the lactation room is a relaxing space that is equipped for the needs of nursing mothers. The University also maintains a number of lactation rooms outside the College of Law.
Gender Neutral Restrooms & Changing Tables
In addition to multi-occupant, gendered restrooms, the College of Law enjoys two single occupant, gender neutral restrooms on each floor of our building. The large restrooms provide occupants the space and privacy they need to address personal and family matters. A changing table is in one of the restrooms on the lower level and first floor and in the lactation room on the second floor.
Class Schedule During the Day
Over 90% of the College of Law course offerings in Moscow are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. PST. Required and highly recommended courses and required co-curricular programs are rarely scheduled outside of this time frame. Our hope is that law students maintain a healthy balance between their work and home life – one that allows them to focus on school when on campus and focus on other priorities when home.
Childcare Services
In addition to community childcare options, the University maintains two important resources – the Children’s Center and the Child Development Laboratory. Accredited by The National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Center serves families with children age six weeks to six years old. The Laboratory serves children 3 to 5-years old and provides a learning setting for U of I students and faculty through a high quality, developmentally appropriate program for young children.
Assigned Carrels
The Law Library has over 200 individual carrels available for students to move into from day one of their legal education. Students are assigned a carrel their first year and pick one their second and third years. This “home away from home” allows students to store their materials and study in a space dedicated to them. The carrels also become a great way to meet other students.
Parents, Wives, Partners & Husbands (Enrolled & Supporting) Facebook Group
A Facebook group exists for enrolled students and supporting spouses to connect with one another. Members in Moscow have connected for playdates, shared information on community events, helped each other with babysitting needs, and more. Supporting spouses and families are always welcome at College of Law events.
Broader Community
With a population of 25,000 people (including students) in 6.85 square miles, the City of Moscow’s density and size make getting around easy. Within minutes one could drop off children at daycare or school, run some errands, and get to school for class. Parking is easily available around the College of Law building, but many students walk or cycle to school. Others access the Smart Transit bus lines.
On-campus apartment options provide students and their spouses and families an opportunity to live among those similarly situated. The South Hill apartments are home to graduate and law students and offer townhouse style apartments for students over the age of 21 as well as married couples. For students with families, South Hill Vista provides newer townhouse style apartments surrounded by green space and playgrounds. These offerings and many others near campus provide affordable and easily commutable options as well as a smooth transition to the community.
The Palouse region has more employment opportunities than may be initially identified. In addition to large education sector employers like the University of Idaho and Washington State University, there are positions in the health sector at Gritman Medical Center and Pullman Regional Hospital and the private sector at Emsi and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, among many other places. In addition to external job posting websites, the University’s Job Location and Development Program maintains a webpage of open positions in the region. For more opportunities, the cities of Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington are just a forty minute commute south.
Moscow School District includes four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one alternative high school. Public schools enjoy strong support from the community and are consistently ranked in the top tier of scores in Idaho. In addition, the community is home to charter and private school options, including Moscow Charter School and Palouse Prairie Charter School, among others.
Families enjoy the many benefits of Moscow’s community events, including the nationally recognized Farmer’s Market, Renaissance Fair, Rendezvous in the Park, and much more. The Appaloosa Museum, local businesses, libraries, city and county parks, a trampoline park, and varied places of worship round out the community resources that make the Palouse home.