Applicants can indicate LGBTQ+ status on their admission application. In addition, students are asked to identify their own pronouns so this information can be printed on orientation name badges. Our Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion also collects student preferred names, name pronunciations, and pronouns so they can be shared with faculty to use in the classroom.
Yes. UIC allows students to identify a preferred name to be displayed on class rosters, school directories, ID Cards, and diplomas. In addition, the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion collects student preferred names, name pronunciations, and pronouns so they can be shared with faculty to use in the classroom.
The Law School seeks to employ a diverse workforce. Every job posting includes the following non-discrimination statement:
“The commitment of UIC School of Law to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms. It is the policy of the Law School not to engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as a protected veteran. The Law School will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in the Law School’s programs and activities. University complaint and grievance procedures provide employees and students with the means to resolve complaints that allege a violation of this policy. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Office for Access and Equity, the UIC office charged with reviewing and addressing complaints of harassment and discrimination.”
The Law School faculty has received training about proper interview protocol, implicit bias, and the importance of maintaining objectivity. The training includes a review of federal, state, and local regulation. The Faculty Recruitment Committee’s (FRC) process does not ask about a candidate’s sexual orientation, although a candidate may self-identify.
Through the University’s new hire process, which uses UI New Hire, applicant tracking, and the Hiretouch system, data are collected for gender identity (Male/Female only). HR systems do not collect data for sexual orientation, and the school does not formally collect this information through a Self-ID Program.
Coverage varies depending on the plan selected by the eligible employee. Four types of plans are available, including Health Maintenance Organizations, Open Access Plans, Quality Care Health Plan, and the Consumer-Driven Health Plan.
Plan information can be found here: https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4208/File/Benefits/EmployeeBenefits.pdf
CampusCare, the student health insurance plan offered by the University of Illinois Chicago does not cover fertility services for any student. Other services are available to all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Transgender healthcare, including non-cosmetic surgery, hormonal treatments, pre-and post-surgical mental healthcare services, and follow up medical visits, is a covered benefit up to the maximum limit under the CampusCare Certificate of Coverage when all of the following are met:
1. Gender dysphoria is diagnosed and documented by a mental healthcare Provider.
2. Ongoing care is established with a primary care Provider and/or mental healthcare Provider.
3. Age of the Member is 18 years or older.
4. Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment is established.
5. A referral letter from one qualified mental healthcare professional confirming the Member’s condition and current mental health status.
All care is expected to be provided at the University of Illinois at Chicago or in-network facilities, unless pre-approved for out-of-network care by the CampusCare Medical Director or designee. Services covered under this Certificate of Coverage must be determined to be medically necessary and preauthorized by the CampusCare Medical Director.”
Through a partnership with Empowered Therapy, Inc., the Law School Counseling Center provides UIC Law students with on-campus or telehealth access to individual and relationship therapy. The mental health practitioners at the Law School Counseling Center are a diverse group of licensed clinical psychologists and masters-level counselors with varying race, ethnicity, and LGBTQ+ status themselves. They practice from an integrative model that emphasizes socially responsible practice, which entails working as a culturally competent clinician who continually engages in self-reflection and trainings so they can provide the most up to date and informed treatments. The clinicians at the Law School counseling center provide culturally and clinically competent care for LGBTQ+ students, in addition to students of diverse backgrounds and marginalized communities.
When a student initially seeks out services, the student is asked if the student has a preference for which therapist the student would like to work with (LGBTQ+ status, gender, race, ethnicity, or religion, etc.). The Law School Counseling Center then does its best to match the student with a clinician of the student’s choice based on the student’s preferences and the therapist’s personal qualities and training. The biggest priority is fostering a sense of safety and security for students seeking therapy. The Law School Counseling Center accomplishes this by collaborating with our clients to fully understand their needs and providing them with culturally competent practitioners who can join with them on their journey of personal growth. In addition to providing therapy, the clinicians consult with Law School faculty and staff regarding inclusivity, psychoeducation, and ways to foster a felt sense of safety on campus for students, including for those who identify as LGBTQ+, transgender, or non-binary.
The Law School has 10 single-stall restrooms that are accessible for people with disabilities and are identified on the egress floorplan. The signs on the single-stall restrooms read: “All-Gender Restroom.” The locations of the restrooms are:
The 300 S. State Street Building has a single-stall restroom on floors 3, 4, 5 and 12; and two single-stall restrooms on floor 2.
The 315 S. Plymouth Court Building has a single-stall restroom on floors 1, 2M, and 6.
The 19 W. Jackson Building has a single-stall restroom on floor 1.
Nondiscriminatory Bathroom Access Policy Statement: “Consistent with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) commitment to human dignity, everyone at UIC has the right to use bathroom facilities that correspond to their sex or Gender Identity or to utilize single-stall bathroom facilities that are designated gender-inclusive. Further no one is allowed to require that an individual show any form of identification in order to use a bathroom facility at UIC.”
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law (LAW 475) is offered annually.
The Law Student Travel Grant has been established to defray a portion of travel costs and other expenses incurred by UIC Law students who participate in professional activities that are not otherwise funded by the law school. A student may submit an application for a variety of legal or law-related professional development activities, including LGBTQ+-focused learning and career services opportunities. Students find opportunities that they would like to explore, complete an online application, and are reimbursed for a portion of their expenses, pending approval and documentation. This opportunity is available throughout the year.
All students are invited to share their pronouns, preferred names (if different from legal names), and name pronunciation as part of the new student orientation process within the Law School. This information is then shared with faculty and staff. In addition, the University Registrar’s Office provides mechanisms for students to formally change their legal names or preferred names, changes which are reflected on class rosters. Finally, students are encouraged during orientation, and throughout their time at UIC Law, to add their pronouns to their Zoom profile.
The University of Illinois Chicago has seven Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change, one of which is the Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC). The GSC hosts programs, exhibits, physical/virtual gathering spaces for members of the LGBTQI+ community, and resources for safety and inclusion.
UIC Law students also have participated in programs and working groups of the Chicago Bar Association’s LGBT Committee (The CBA is housed in the same building as UIC Law, https://www.chicagobar.org/chicagobar/CBA/Committees/), the Alliance of Illinois Judges (https://www.theaij.com/), and LAGBAC, Chicago’s LGBTA+ Bar Association (https://lagbac.org/).