The facts: The University’s Student Legal Services office allows for students to bring legal matters and questions to their office and they, to a certain extent, are able to provide feedback and advice.

Our opinion: This service is not used to its full potential, and students should take advantage of it while they can to prepare for their future.

Student Legal Services act as the law service for students on campus, providing legal advice and civil court matters. This untapped resource for students could provide valuable information to them in their legal troubles, while also giving them good experience for their future.

In Wednesday’s article, “Student Legal Services provides consultation, litigation,” Pamarah Gerace , director of Student Legal Services, claims 2,000 students usually use their services, and 30 percent of that is for settling land disputes with tenants. Gerace explains the office as “a general practice law firm, which means that we basically cover anything students come in with.”

Only a handful of the student body is even aware of these services, and probably only half of them actually use them. Even if seems unimportant, a legal issue is no joking matter, and with an 11-dollar fee, why not use this valuable resource?

Students must view this office as a stepping stool to the real world, much like college in general. Students can utilize the lawyers offered at this office, who provide helpful feedback. It is useful having someone walk you through the process with concern, rather than the stereotypical blood-sucking lawyers in the real world, which will only result in a headache and an empty wallet.

By doing so students can be better equipped for any future legal challenge that may come their way. Students can feel more comfortable with legal representation if they don’t necessarily know how to handle the situation.

The issues Student Legal Services deals with ranges from land disputes to car accidents. They can provide constructive advice and in some cases representation for anything not dealing with criminal, state or University charges.

The article goes further to describe a few principles students should practice before getting into legal trouble. Attorney Michael Avery of Student Legal Services advises, “Anytime an officer says ‘can I,’ you can typically say no,” due to the need for search warrant.

These services also include reading over an agreement to buy a car or rent an apartment—contracts we all have to face at some point in our lives. With the availability of these services and the results they yield, student should take advantage of this underutilized resource the University offers.