volume 16, number 1 - UDC Law Review

\\jciprod01\productn\D\DCR\16-1\DCR104.txt unknown Seq: 20 29-JAN-13 10:2636 UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LAW REVIEWAfter conferring with ALJs and other OAH staff, we selected 941 North CapitolStreet between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday,as the location and times when the most hearings were conducted and when wewere likely to secure the greatest survey participation. During the eleven days weconducted the survey (the District of Columbia government closed for Veteran’sDay), OAH scheduled 149 hearings at two locations. At least one party appearedin 123 of these cases, 89 of which were scheduled at the location and time whenstudents conducted the survey. 99Each morning during the course of the survey students set up a small table inthe hallway outside the OAH waiting room. In addition to clipboards and pens,students set out copies of the letter describing the survey and a basket of fruit andchocolates for survey participants. 100 Although the space did not afford participantsmuch privacy in which to complete the survey, the consensus among studentswas that the location was superior to either the conference room or thewaiting room where they had conducted the pretest. One student wrote, “[o]ncewe established a table outside the OAH office, it became far easier for us toapproach people about their cases and encouraged individuals to approach us aswell.” 101As students completed the first week of survey administration, it became clearthat it was taxing for them to staff the survey table four mornings a week and thatthey were daunted by the prospect of doing so for another two weeks. At thatpoint, we enlisted the help of three more student volunteers. Each of them waspaired with one of the five original students, who by that time had gained experienceadministering the survey.During the second week of the survey, students made a large yellow sign toidentify the project and to explain their purpose. Students reported that manypeople approached them seeking legal assistance. As one student wrote, “Manypeople thought we were there to provide legal services and were distraught whenthey found out we were only there giving out a survey. These people were desperatefor help and guidance during their proceeding. Even if they couldn’t fill outthe survey, they would tell us about the tragedy they had suffered, and how theydidn’t know what to do, or what to expect, or how to prepare.” 102 This promptedthe students to prepare a list of free legal service providers who handle UI case todistribute to people who asked for representation. 10399 E-mail from Ann Yahner, supra note 34.100 Offering small tokens of appreciation for those who complete surveys is a widely used practicein research. The gifts are small in value, such as a campaign button or voting sticker. They areintended and understood as a thank you for the time dedicated to completing the survey.101 Memorandum from Eric Berkey, supra note 66. R102 Memorandum from Catherine Knight, supra note 68. R103 The list included the Claimant Advocacy Program, as well as the D.C. Employment JusticeCenter, the Archdiocesan Legal Network, D.C. Law Students in Court, Legal Counsel for the Elderly,