The law school Dean reaches out to every student who self-identifies as LGBT upon admission. Further, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion and student leaders from OUTLAW contact these same students as a part of our outreach efforts with admitted and incoming students.
Applicants to SMU Dedman School of Law are given the opportunity to self-identify as LGBTQ+ through LSAC’s flex app standard questions. The law school receives this data for its applicants.
SMU Dedman School of Law collects preferred names in the application process, and those names are carried over into class roster information. The law school instituted an instruction to faculty regarding language for their syllabi regarding preferred names and pronouns.
The law school is deeply committed to employing a diverse staff and faculty. In addition to advertising open positions through standard HR channels, we seek out and advertise on listservs and job boards of minority organizations. We believe having a diverse staff and faculty will help us better serve all students, and diversity is always a consideration in making hiring decisions.
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Transition-related healthcare is covered by the employee medical plan if deemed medically necessary.
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Counseling Center’s Philosophy: Staff members seek to provide an open, supportive atmosphere in which individuals feel free to express feelings and communicate problems. It is our belief that all persons should be accepted for who they are, and we recognize and encourage each individual’s potential for personal growth and change. Concern and respect for each person’s needs is paramount.
The law school has two restrooms that are available for all genders – one in the classroom building and one in the library. They are marked with signs noting that they are accessible restrooms and are available to all genders.
LGBT Rights and the Law
Gender Law
OUTLaw is the law school’s LGBTQ+ student organization. It receives funds each year that can be used for a variety of purposes, including sending officers to conferences. They have not utilized their budget for this purpose in recent years, instead choosing to use the funds for on-campus activities for the entire organization.
Yes, optional for all students
The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, the Director for Diversity and Inclusion, and other administrators attend conferences focused on inclusive practices for the LGBTQ+ community. In an effort to help students locate and navigate the resources available to LGBTQ+ students and allies at SMU Dedman School of Law, those resources are listed in the law school’s student resources materials. The law school hosts social events for our LGBTQ+ students such as happy hours (virtual during the pandemic) and a Thanksgiving potluck dinner (except during the pandemic) hosted by a professor and attended by the Dean.
The law school admissions office seeks out students from all backgrounds including LGBTQ+ in its recruitment efforts. Specifically, we utilize the resources provided by LSAC (candidate referral service and law school forums), as well as traditional recruitment methods such as attending on-campus recruitment fairs. Additionally, LGBTQ+ faculty reach out to admitted students to answer any questions about climate.