In addition, the Law School offers NameCoach, a tool on which students can record their preferred name/pronunciation and identify pronouns for faculty/staff usage.
The Law School seeks to employ a diverse workforce. Every job posting includes a non-discrimination statement (see below).
“The commitment of UIC John Marshall Law School 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 included 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, UI New Hire, applicant tracking system, and Hiretouch, data is collected for gender identity (Male/Female only). HR system does not collect data for sexual orientation.
Coverage varies depending on the plan selected by the employee. Four types of plans are available, including Health Maintenance Organizations, Open Access Plans, Quality Care Health Plan, and the Consumer-Driven Health Plan.
The information would have to be verified with each individual health insurance plan that the State of Illinois offers. https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/benefits
Because the Law School is part of the University of Illinois at Chicago, employees are eligible to take advantage of UIC’s State Employee Assistance Program at no charge where any issue can be discussed in a confidential, therapeutic setting. Further, employees have access to behavioral healthcare through insurance providers.
The student health insurance plan offered by the University of Illinois at Chicago does not cover fertility services for any student. Other services are available to all students regardless of gender.
“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 Sankofa Psychological Services, UIC John Marshall Law School students have on-campus or online access to individual and relationship therapy. The mental health practitioners on campus 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.). We then do our best to match the student with the clinician of the student’s choice based on the student’s preferences and the therapist’s personal qualities and training. Our biggest priority is fostering a sense of safety and security for students seeking therapy. We accomplish this by collaborating with our clients to fully understand their needs and provide 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 faculty and staff on campus regarding inclusivity, psychoeducation, and ways to foster a felt sense of safety on campus for students, especially for those who identify as 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.
UIC’s Office for Access and Equity is the office charged with reviewing and addressing complaints of violations of this policy.”
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law (LAW 475). It will be offered this summer.
The Law Student Travel Grant has been established to defray a portion of travel costs and other expenses incurred by UIC John Marshall Law School 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.
The Law School became part of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in August 2019.
UIC is one of the most ethnically- and culturally-diverse universities in the country. It is the largest university in the Chicago area, with more than 33,000 students enrolled in 16 colleges. In 2006, The Advocate Magazine named UIC one of the queer-friendliest campuses in the country. In 2012, 2013, and 2014, Campus Pride and the Huffington Post named UIC one of the Top 25 LGBTQ-friendliest campuses in the country. Also, as part of UIC, all law school students have access to the Gender and Sexuality Center, which offers programming and safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ communities.
In 2016, the Law School was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame as a Friend of the LGBT Community.
The Law School has a Student Support and Emergency Team that can address the concerns of any student experiencing difficulties. The Law School has a food pantry and a Professional Clothes Closet on campus for students in need. The Law School has an emergency fund to assist students in need. The Law School has an Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion who maintains a physical DEI office on campus that is devoted to DEI matters; in addition, the Law School has a faculty-status Associate Dean for SCALES and Inclusive Excellence.
In 2020 we renamed the Law School’s “Mother’s Room” as a “Lactation Room” so it is accessible to students and employees of any gender identity who are nursing parents.
In 2020, all restrooms (whether labeled men, women, or all-gender) were stocked with free menstruation supplies to support the needs of any student, employee, or guest who is using a particular restroom.
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. We also use NameCoach, which allows students to identify their own pronouns and preferred names for faculty to use in the classroom.