As a part of the third annual Online Symposium, Virginia Law Review Online will be publishing pieces and hosting an author panel discussion on the subject of “Speech Inside the Schoolhouse Gates: 50 Years After Tinker v. Des Moines.” VLR Online is seeking submissions of approximately 4,000 to 6,000 words on topics relating to free speech in schools. We envision submissions on a wide range of topics; some examples might be the extent of school purview, online harassment/cyber-bullying, the history/doctrine associated with Tinker v. Des Moines, and controversial speakers on college campuses.
Length: Pieces published as part of VLR Online‘s Symposia are lightly-footnoted and generally between 4,000 and 6,000 words in length. VLR Online will not accept submissions longer than 8,000 words unless the author has requested and been granted an exception prior to submission.
Deadline: All pieces must be submitted by August 10, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the Online Development Editor upon request. Selection of pieces for publication will only occur after the submission deadline has passed.
Format: We only accept electronic submissions to VLR Online. Submissions by anyone other than UVA Law students should be sent by e-mail to valawrev.online@gmail.com in Microsoft Word format. The subject line of the email should read “VLR Online Symposium Submission.” Submissions should be in Times 11 or a larger sized font, should utilize footnotes instead of endnotes, and should have numbered pages. All submissions must include:
- A cover letter, which should prominently feature the following:
- the title of the manuscript,
- an e-mail address (Note: We will not acknowledge receipt of submissions without an e-mail address),
- a mailing address,
- a daytime telephone number,
- a word count for the manuscript (including footnotes).
Though not required, it may also be advantageous for the cover letter to explain why the submission addresses an issue that is topical, intuitive, and important, under the criteria set forth above.
- A copy of the manuscript, and
- The author’s most recent resume or C.V. University of Virginia School of Law students need not provide a resume as their submissions will be pooled anonymously.
Student Submissions: Students whose pieces are accepted for publication will be extended invitations to join the Virginia Law Review. If you are a current student or recent graduate (within one year) of the University of Virginia School of Law, submissions must be emailed to vlronline_6bd2@sendtodropbox.com in .docx format. The document must abide by these guidelines:
- The document should include cover page, which should contain the following:
- the title of the piece,
- an abstract of 250 words or less,
- a table of contents,
- a word count for the piece, both with and without footnotes.
Though not required, it may also be advantageous for the abstract to explain why the submission addresses an issue that is topical, intuitive, and important, under the criteria set forth above.
- The file must be the [Piece Title], and the subject line of the email must be Online Symposium Student Submission.
- Any identifying information must be removed from the body of the document as well as the personal information embedded in the digital file by following the instructions below. This includes removing identifying information typically included at the beginning of a Note in a * footnote, such as class information, Online Advisors, or professors that assisted in the drafting and editing of the piece. Correctly following all instructions will maintain each author’s anonymity.
- Word 2010, 2013, 2016: Go to File, select “Info”, click on Check for Issues”, click on “Inspect Document”. In the dialog box, click “Remove All” and close box. Save document.
- Word for Mac 2016, 2018: Go to Tools, select “Protect Document” or select “Protect Document” button on Review tab. Save document.
In addition to the document above, all submissions must include in a SEPARATE DOCUMENT the following information, which is to be emailed to vlronline_6bd2@sendtodropbox.com in .pdf format. The PDF should be titled “[Piece Title].Confidential”. This separate document should be a single page and include:
- Your name, phone number, e-mail address, and mailing address
- The title of your submission
- A signed statement (an electronic signature will be accepted) that your piece was substantially written during law school
- The name(s) of any professor(s) with whom you worked when writing your piece
Symposium Date: The author panel will be part of a full-day symposium hosted by VLR on January 24, 2020.