Policies and Practices that Impact the Student Experience
Nondiscrimination Policy
This school has a nondiscrimination policy that covers:
- Employment
- Admissions
The school’s nondiscrimination policy addresses discrimination on the basis of:
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity
- Gender Expression
Name in Use (a.k.a. Chosen Name)
Name in use can be used. Students can indicate name in use:
- On law school application
- Upon request
Name in use appears:
- Automatically on school-generated name tag/materials at school events (e.g., new student orientation)
- Automatically on faculty class rosters
- Automatically on school-generated materials for on-campus interviews
Pronouns and Honorifics
Faculty, administration, and staff are:
- Encouraged but not required to include pronouns in email signatures
Students can indicate pronouns:
- On law school application
- In school’s student information system
- During new student orientation
Student pronouns appear:
- Upon request on school-generated name tag/materials at school events (e.g., new student orientation)
- Automatically on faculty class rosters
Scholarships
School offers specific financial aid for students based on:
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity
Resources and Opportunities
- LGBTQ+ student organization(s)
- LGBTQ+ focused project or pro bono group
- Funds for students to attend the Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair
- Funds for students to participate in the Williams Institute Annual Moot Court
Classroom Experience
- Offers at least one course that focuses primarily on LGBTQ+ issues
Faculty
- School has a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) faculty committee
- School has faculty member(s) who conduct research primarily focused on LGBTQ+ topics
Facilities
This law school provides:
- All-gender-inclusive multi-stall restroom(s)
- All-gender-inclusive single-occupancy restroom(s)
- Gender-designated multi-stall restroom(s) that students can use based on the gender with which they self-identify
All-gender-inclusive restrooms:
- Located in main law school building
- Located in the law library
- Some are ADA accessible
Local Community
- LGBTQ+ specific events
- Pride events
- Readily identifiable LGBTQ+ owned businesses
- Readily identifiable LGBTQ+ friendly businesses (e.g., pride flag sticker)
Navigating Western New England University School of Law
Questions about financial aid
Office of Admissions
Rachel Szostak
rachel.szostak@law.wne.edu
413.782.1286
Questions about LGBTQ+ resources available on and/or off campus
Office of Student Affairs
Jordan Hall
jordan.hall@law.wne.edu
413.782.1376
Questions about usage of chosen name, pronouns, or honorifics
Law School Registrar
Terese Chenier
terese.chenier@law.wne.edu
413.782.1402
Questions about connecting with LGBTQ+ student organization(s)
Office of Student Affairs
Jordan Hall
jordan.hall@law.wne.edu
413.782.1376
Questions about connecting with LGBTQ+ alumni
Advancement
Kristina Oleksak
kristina.oleksak@wne.edu
413.782.1557