Disclaimer: To be clear, I am not affiliated with United for Diploma Privilege (U4DP). This petition has been started in my own individual capacity to address the concern of an online exam moving forward without the State Bar grappling with the inequity that will inevitably result. I have supported, and will continue to support, any efforts by U4DP to attain the fairest solution of diploma privilege for all.

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We the undersigned fall California bar applicants and interested stakeholders respectfully request that the State Bar of California create a relief fund for students impacted by the recent decision to move the exam from a September 9-10 in-person exam to an October 5-6 online exam. This move, as has been articulated by United for Diploma Privilege, will disproportionately impact those who do not have access to a quiet space, stable WiFi, or the funds to financially float themselves for an extra month of studying. 

Given that the State Bar stands to save significant costs with online administration (e.g. printing costs, conference center reservations, laptop fees, live proctors, etc.), we find that there should be ample budget to allocate to a relief fund. Such a fund could be used for child daycare, hotel reservations (in order to secure stable WiFi and a quiet space), daily necessities to support students during the extra month of studying, etc. We believe this request is reasonable and will alleviate some of the inequity that this online exam will create. 

Moreover, we submit that the option for temporary licensing is not a solution for those whose jobs are contingent on them being a barred attorney. Temporary licensure that requires eventually studying for and taking a bar examination is not equivalent to diploma privilege. We emphasize that, if a graduate has practiced without incident in a supervised capacity for two years, they have demonstrated more than minimum competency with or without an examination. As such, this option does not provide the equitable solution it purports.

Given that diploma privilege has seemingly been taken off the table by the Supreme Court of CA, a relief fund is necessary to ensure equitable access. We sincerely hope you consider the effects that this pandemic and period of civil unrest have had on many of the fall 2020 bar applicants and acknowledge that an online exam, without equitable access to ideal testing conditions, will test for privilege rather than competence.