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  • Climate Survey 2022

    Connect, Share Knowledge, and Succeed Within the LGBTQ+ and Ally Legal Community.

    Southwestern Law School

    March 23, 2022

    Question 1 provided each school with a field to confirm or update their nondiscrimination statement.
     
    a. If you answered 'it is incorrect,' please provide the URL from your school's website with the corrected version

    https://www.swlaw.edu/sites/default/files/2022-01/SWLS.2021%20-%20Policy%20to%20Prevent%20Discrimination%20Harassment%20Retaliation%20-%209.15.21%20reformatted.pdf

    b. Does your law school (or larger University, if those policies are binding upon the law school) have a "code of conduct" which prohibits same-sex relationships (including but not limited to physical/sexual activity, marriage or registered domestic partner status, etc.) for employees or students?
    No
    2. Does your law school intentionally seek out LGBTQ+ prospective students?
    Yes
    a. If ‘yes,’ how and where are your efforts directed?

    The admissions office will be holding one (up to two) LGBTQ+ prospective student events for Spring 2022. Additionally, the President of OUTLaw served as a student panelist for a January 2022 admissions event (Scholars and Advocates). Southwestern is planning to co-host an LGBTQ+ Law Fair for prospective students (in conjunction with the July 2022 Lavender Law Conference and the LGBT Bar Association).

    3. Does your law school's welcome packet for admitted students include mention of identity group support for LGBTQ+ students, as well as for students of color or other minorities?
    No

    Specific student organizations are not referenced in the welcome packet, but there is a reference to our commitment/achievements in diversity (page 6 of https://issuu.com/southwesternlawschool/docs/2021_southwestern_law_school_j.d._welcome_packet?fr=sNjY2NjM2ODQ3MTM). All student organizations, including OUTLaw, BLSA, APALSA, and LLSA, are listed on the public website, found here: https://www.swlaw.edu/student-life/student-organizations.

    4. Does your school offer students the option to self-identify (also known as "Self-ID") as LGBTQ+ in admissions applications or post-enrollment forms?
    Yes
    a. If 'yes,' please describe your student Self-ID process:

    Applicants are also invited to submit an optional diversity statement where they can share their sexual orientation or gender identity.

    b. If 'yes,' how many students are currently enrolled at your law school in total?:
    950
    c. If 'yes,' how many self-identified LGBTQ+ students are currently enrolled at your law school, in total?:
    104
    d. If 'yes,' how many of your currently enrolled LGBTQ+ students also self-identify as people of color?
    46
    Lesbian?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Gay?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Bisexual/ Pansexual?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Transgender / Nonbinary?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Queer or member of gender/sexual orientation minority group?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    5. Does your law school offer transgender and nonbinary students who have not legally changed their names the ability to have their name-in-use reflected on their admission applications or post enrollment forms?:
    Yes

    We allow applicants to submit a “preferred name” on their application, but all official documents do require their legal name to be used. We are currently studying this issue.

    6. Does your law school provide any annual scholarships specifically for LGBTQ+ students?
    Yes

    We offer several institutional scholarship funds for LGBTQ+ students, such as:

    – The Daniel Aragon Endowment Fund: Established to support continuing students with financial need who are active members of the Gay and Lesbian Association at Southwestern.

    – Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Law Students Association Scholarship Fund: A fund was established by this Southwestern student organization to provide scholarships for deserving gay, lesbian and bisexual students at the law school.

    – Robyn Mellender Memorial Scholarship Fund: This fund provides assistance to LGBT students at Southwestern.

    7. Does your law school actively seek to employ diverse staff/faculty/administrators, including openly LGBTQ+ individuals?:
    Yes
    a. If 'yes,' please detail how and where diversity recruitment efforts are directed:

    Southwestern has been committed to academic diversity since its founding in 1911.Our commitment to diversity in faculty, students and staff remains a top priority for us today. Recruitment efforts for staff include advertising on several platforms in an effort to reach a diverse pool of qualified applicants. These platforms include LinkedIn, Simplicity, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and various listservs. With respect to faculty, we have taken special care to note all CV’s that have been submitted by diverse applicants through formal channels, such as AALS placement bulletins. We have also recruited through more informal channels. We appoint diverse recruitment committees. We have called on individual faculty members to reach out to members of federal, state, and local bar associations who come from historically underrepresented communities and show promise as law teachers,and encourage them to apply for faculty positions. Recruitment efforts for faculty include sending to various listservs and publications such as Minority Listserv, Women in Higher Education, Diverse Issues In Higher Education, and the National LGBT Bar Association.

    8. Does your law school conduct a "Self-ID" program which allows staff/faculty/administrators to voluntarily and (if they desire) confidentially identify their gender identity and sexual orientation?:
    No
    9. How many faculty (not staff/administrators) are employed by your law school in total?
    64
    10. How many self-identified LGBTQ+ faculty are employed by your law school in total?
    7
    a. With reference to #10, how many LGBTQ+ faculty self-identify as people of color?
    2
    Lesbian?
    2
    Gay?
    5
    Bisexual/Pansexual?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Transgender / Nonbinary?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Queer or member of gender/sexual orientation minority group?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.

    After resigning in fall 2021, an individual who self-identifies as lesbian will be rejoining our full-time faculty in April 2022. Because she is not currently a member of our full-time faculty, this individual is not included in the numbers listed in our responses Questions 10 or 10b. When this individual rejoins Southwestern’s full-time faculty, the total number of self-identified LGBTQ+ faculty will increase to 8, and the total number of self-identified lesbian faculty will increase to 3.

    11. How many staff/administrators (not faculty) are employed by your law school in total?
    107
    12. How many self-identified LGBTQ+ staff/administrators are employed by your law school in total?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    a. With reference to #12, how many LGBTQ+ staff/administrators self-identify as people of color?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Lesbian?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Gay?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Bisexual / Pansexual?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Transgender / Nonbinary?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.
    Queer or member of gender/sexual orientation minority group?
    We do not collect a breakdown of this data.

    Although Southwestern does not currently track this information or collect this data, we do have multiple staff members who self-identify as LGBTQ+.

    13. Does your law school provide employee benefits such as health insurance, family medical leave, parental leave, and nontraditional family planning like assisted reproduction and/or adoptive benefits?
    Yes
    a. If 'yes,' are those employee benefits available on equal terms to employees in same-sex marital/domestic partnership relationships as they are to employees in different-sex marital/domestic partnership relationships?
    Yes
    b. If you answered 'yes' to #13, are those employee benefit plans inclusive of the specific needs of LGBTQ+ employees (i.e., are assisted reproductive benefits offered without the need for extended traditional attempts at pregnancy, are care techniques such as mammograms, prostate exams, hysterectomies, etc. available to employees of all genders, are parental leave policies equal for people of all genders, etc.)?
    Yes
    c. If you answered 'yes' to #13a AND/OR if you answered 'yes' or 'unsure' to #13b, please summarize or reproduce your policy here:

    Yes, comprehensive medical coverage is offered to all employees and their partners equally, regardless of LGBTQ+ status. From our health-care/insurance provider: Aetna complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Aetna does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

    14. Does your law school offer transition-related health benefits including hormone therapy, gender counseling, gender-affirming surgeries, etc. to transgender/nonbinary employees and employees who are undergoing gender transition?
    Yes
    a. If 'yes' or ‘unsure,’ please summarize or reproduce your policy here:

    Yes, Aetna does offer transition-related benefits for transgender/transitioning employees including Counseling, Hormone therapy, and Surgical.

    15. Does your law school offer a student benefit plan including health insurance with nontraditional family planning like assisted reproduction and/or adoptive benefits, and/or any additional benefits such as access to campus facilities?
    No
    b. If you answered yes to #15, are those student benefit plans inclusive of the specific needs of LGBTQ+ students (i.e., are assisted reproductive benefits offered without the need for extended traditional attempts at pregnancy, are care techniques such as mammograms, prostate exams, hysterectomies, etc. available to students of all genders, etc.)?
    Yes
    c. If you answered yes to #15a AND/OR if you answered yes or unsure to #15b, please summarize or reproduce your policy here

    Answer left blank.

    16. Does your school offer the same transition-related healthcare benefits to students and their partners/spouses who are transgender/nonbinary or undergoing gender transition?
    Yes
    a. If 'yes,' please summarize or reproduce your policy here:

    Gender Dysphoria Treatment Policy – Southwestern Law School

    17. Do all students at your law school have access to on-campus health, counseling and therapy services either through the law school or the larger University?
    Yes
    a. If 'yes,' are your school's on-campus health care providers trained to ensure they can provide culturally and clinically competent care to LGBTQ+ patients, particularly transgender and nonbinary patients?
    Yes
    b. If you answered 'yes' or 'unsure' to #17a, please provide the basis for your answer (i.e., counseling center language, etc.):

    Yes, all Southwestern students have access to counseling and/or psychological services. Southwestern provides students with the counseling services of HelpNet, a private consulting firm that can refer students to counseling services and community resources for problems involving relationships, academic stress, family, financial and legal circumstances, substance abuse and other concerns. Students are entitled to two free counseling sessions each year (July 1 through June 30). All the counselors in HelpNet’s network have been carefully screened for professional licensing and credentials. On February 15, 2022, Southwestern launched a new mental health services program for students through a partnership with Christie Campus Health. This partnership provides all Southwestern students with access to personalized mental health services and attention 24/7, 365 days a year. The objective of this program is to reach all students with one easy-to-access mental health and wellbeing platform so that Southwestern can provide counseling and other services to students who are asking for help and for those who could be hesitant to seek the resources that they may need. Psychotherapist Daria Spino is also available to assist students on campus several days per week. Students are entitled to up to three, 50-minute sessions per semester, where they will receive one-on-one guidance.

    18. Does your law school provide single-stall and/or multi-stall restrooms available to people of all genders (i.e., gender-neutral restrooms) in each law school building so that transgender/nonbinary people have a safe restroom space?
    Yes
    a. If 'yes,' please describe how those all-gender restroom(s) is/are identified (i.e., what does the signage say, is it identified on building maps and online resources), the number of all-gender restroom stalls available in each law school building, and whether these are accessible for people with disabilities in each building or floor

    Gender neutral restrooms are identified with restroom door “Gender Neutral” signage, are accessible for people with disabilities, and are available in both administrative buildings.

    Southwestern is adding two single stall gender neutral restroom and construction will conclude by the end of March 2022. We are also considering changing from “gender neutral” to “gender inclusive.”

    19. If your law school is maintaining gender-segregated (i.e., "Women's Restroom" and "Men's Restroom") restroom stalls, does it have a policy applicable to those facilities which ensures that transgender/nonbinary students/staff/administrators/faculty, as well as anyone who does not meet gender stereotypes, have access to facilities that match their gender identity?
    No
    20. Does your law school have one or more annual LGBTQ+ specific course offerings (e.g., LGBTQ+ Law and Policy, Sexual Orientation Law, Gender Identity Law, etc.)?
    Yes, we offer both a Gender Identity Law course and a Sexual Orientation Law course, annually
    a. If 'yes,' please list course names:

    Beyond Marriage Equality: Protecting LGBTQI Family Relationships; Immigration and the LGBTQI Community; Intersections of Discrimination–Sexual Orientation, Race, and Gender; LGBTQI Youth in Systems of Care; Transgender Law

    These five courses will be offered for the first time in Summer 2022 as part of a program in sexual orientation and gender identity law.

    21. Does your law school have an active LGBTQ+ law student group?
    Yes
    a. If you answered "yes," does that group receive annual funding from the law school administration?
    Yes
    22. Does your law school provide funding, including travel support, for LGBTQ+ students to participate in LGBTQ+-focused learning and/or career services opportunities?
    Yes
    a. If yes please provide details and examples of when and how those opportunities have been utilized in the past three years:

    In the past, our OUTLaw student organization has been provided funding to attend the Lavender Law Conference and LSAC LGBTQIA Equality Conference.

    23. Does your law school have a hate/bias incident policy that faculty, staff/administrators, and students are required to follow?
    Yes
    a. If yes to #23, does that process specifically identify sexual orientation AND/OR gender identity/expression as protected categories?
    Yes, both
    b. If yes to #23, does the policy set out a clear hate bias/incident reporting process for faculty, staff/administrators, and students to utilize if necessary?
    Yes
    24. Does your law school provide mandatory anti-sexual harassment training that explicitly covers same-sex harassment and harassment of transgender/nonbinary people, for all staff/faculty/administrators, at least every three years?
    Yes

    Examples of same-sex harassment and harassment of transgender/non-binary people are included in the school’s mandatory anti-sexual harassment training.

    25. Does your law school provide diversity and inclusion training that incorporates robust LGBTQ+ curriculum as well as anti-racism curriculum, at least every three years? NOTE: Please check all that apply.
    Yes, optional for all faculty/staff/administrators
    Yes, optional for all students

    Yes, we have a Diversity & Inclusion committee that is comprised of faculty, staff, and students that puts together programs and leads discussions to address these issues. Participation in the programs/events are optional for all staff, students, and faculty. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee has a portal page where students, staff, and faculty can access videos and articles, including on gender identity issues, and sends out a monthly newsletter to students that highlights a diversity-related topic and offers educational material to students. These newsletters have included a focus on transgender violence, for example. In addition, the school launched an extensive survey of the student body on inclusivity issues last year and is reviewing the results to identify areas of need. Additionally, The Dean’s Task Force for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging was established to address important issues related to the diversity and inclusiveness of our community. The Dean’s Task Force for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging has four subcommittees (Training, Programming, Grievance, and Curriculum) comprised of faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The Dean’s Task Force has provided a unique opportunity for all subsections of our community to come to the table to discuss critical issues, those that relate to our sense of belonging, and put into action ways to make positive changes so that all community members feel valued and included at Southwestern.

    26. Does your school enable and encourage the sharing of personal pronouns (e.g., She/Her, He/Him, They/Them) and honorifics (e.g., Ms., Mx., Mr.) in public communications (email signature blocks, Zoom profiles, nametags, event registration forms, etc.)?
    People are allowed to use them but the school doesn't facilitate or request it
    a. Does your law school capture students' personal pronouns and honorifics as part of the registration process?
    Yes
    b. If your law school captures students' personal pronouns and honorifics, is that information consistently shared with professors on class rosters with an expectation that it will be used in the classroom?
    No

    We are currently working on how to import personal pronoun and chosen name information into our class rosters for faculty. We are also working on a personal pronoun and chosen name policy for faculty and staff.

    27. Please describe all additional ways, not identified through your earlier responses, in which your law school works to be safe, inclusive, and welcoming for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and administrators:

    At Southwestern, it is our mission to foster diversity and inclusion. We take pride in our vibrant community of students, staff, and faculty from all walks of life, and we strive to be as supportive as possible to our LGBTQ+ community. Here are all the additional ways our law school provides a welcoming, safe and inclusive learning environment to our LGBTQ+ community: As a show of support to our LGBTQ+ students and faculty, we have designed our own pride month school logo. We also purchased a Pride flag, which we plan to display during Pride Month. We have a whole week dedicated to Diversity in which our LGBTQ+ students are celebrated as part of our larger community. We have a Diversity and Inclusion Committee that is comprised of faculty, staff, AND students. Additionally, Southwestern is continuing the work of the Dean’s Task Force for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging to move our campus toward being as open and inclusive as possible and to help maintain an environment conducive to learning from one another, sharing experiences, and promoting justice. Our Student Bar Association organized and runs their SBA Social Justice Safe Space Series. In this monthly conversation series sponsored by our affinity groups, including our LGBTQ+ student group OUTLaw, guest lecturers are invited to help lead discussions on issues such as discrimination, racism, and disenfranchisement, as it relates to the legal profession. Southwestern Law School has been recognized for our commitment to diversity and has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity for seven years. This award was presented to Southwestern based on the law school’s exemplary diversity and inclusion initiatives, and ability to embrace a broad definition of diversity on campus, including gender, race, ethnicity, veterans, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT community. This is one of many awards in recognition for our commitment to diversity. Last year, Southwestern was recognized by preLaw Magazine as one of the Top Ten Most Diverse Law Schools with a grade of A+. You can find more here: https://www.swlaw.edu/student-life/diversity. Several of our faculty write about LGBTQ+ issues. There is 24/7 security on campus to make sure all of our students feel safe on campus.

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