In addition to Denver Law intentionally seeking out those qualified to successfully complete the law school program, the Office of Admissions for a number of years has discussed the importance of encouraging communities of diversity, including LGBTQ+ prospects, applicants, and current law students. Here are some examples: our associate dean of diversity, DEI staff, law student diversity assistants and alums reach out to all admitted students who identify as lgbtq+ individually to answer questions, encourage them etc. We also host a DEI-sponsored virtual reception for all students. We run Denver Law Ascent as well, a pre orientation program designed to build community and provide support to students from historically underrepresented groups prior to the onset of 1L. In addition, we are hosting this year more than 10 events with local high schools and colleges, marketed as diversity events to encourage interest in law school by diverse students including students who identify as lgbtq+ . Finally, we also run the IIC-PLEP, another pipeline program with intentional programming around academic support and belonging.
For admissions: On p 39 of the viewbook (physical copy) and on the web, we list DU OUTlaws as one of the select student organizations, along with other affinity groups. In addition, we include information about such groups in orientation packets and in our DEI admitted student reception and outreach.
Admissions: There is a check box in the application that allows students to identify as LGBTQ+. In addition, we changed the format of our application in 2008 from a Male/Female option question for “Gender” to a free text box, enabling the applicant to self-identify without limitation. Additionally, there is a place on the application that allows a student to select self-identifying pronouns, as well as allows an applicant not to select. The application reads PRONOUNS and the applicant can check the line in front of each of these options: He/Him/His; She/Her/Hers; They/Them/Theirs; Option Not Listed; I do not wish to self-identify. Post-Enrollment: We have an opt-in listserv that we send to all students; It shares information about diversity related events/jobs etc. Any student can opt in and can also choose to share their identity information (though they do not have to do the latter to join the listserv). The university as a whole, not just the law school, does not track lgbtq+ status after admissions. We have the admissions information but since we do not track it in an ongoing way beyond that we cannot answer questions 4b-4i.
All students can indicate a preferred and/or a professional/chosen name, which will print on rosters, etc. Most offices take extra care to ensure that the preferred one is that one that appears/prints on reports, lists, communications, etc. Here is the info/policy: https://www.du.edu/registrar/records/preferredname.html
We have general diversity scholarships for incoming students but we also offer different scholarships throughout the year to enrolled students, some of which focus on lgbtq+ status.
We include language in job postings that speak to our EEO policy and also our general interest in seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds. We share job postings with various outlets, such as professor listservs that target individuals from diverse backgrounds, affinity bar organizations and more. Summer 2021 we hosted a job preparatory virtual series designed for candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds to help provide them with information and tips on the legal job market. Our lawyering process program also has a diversity fellowship program.
This is run out of the university not law school: https://www.du.edu/registrar/other-student-services/identity-resources/gender-designation-personal-pronouns
This information for staff is not available to me and not publicly collected.
https://www.du.edu/health-and-counseling-center/medical/lgbtqi_health.html
We provide parental leave benefits for adoptions. We do not provide financial assistance for adoptions. Here’s the link to parental leaves: https://www.du.edu/human-resources/hrpartners/leaves.html Here’s the link to the benefits guide:https://www.du.edu/human-resources/media/documents/2021-2022-benefits-guide.pdf
The DU Health and Counseling Center is the primary provider for the plan, all primary care/referrals starts at the HCC
Note – DU Student Health Insurance Plan is for DU students only.
https://www.du.edu/health-and-counseling-center/medical/lgbtqi_health.html and specifically: Identifying your gender identity or sexual orientation as anything other than cisgender or heterosexual does not mean you are mentally ill or need counseling. Often LGBTQIA-identified individuals seek counseling due to negative external reactions from others which contribute to marginalization and discrimination. Sometimes these beliefs become internalized as well and together, they can result in feelings of isolation, guilt, fear, loneliness, anger, etc. which can negatively impact mental health. College in general can be a significant time to explore your values and identity. It is not uncommon for students to question, explore, and embrace their sexual, romantic, and gender identities as a part of that experience. Counseling can specifically address issues related to your gender/sexual identity (coming out, transition(s), dating/sex, marginalization/discrimination, the impact of an intersex identity, exploring polyamory, discovering you are asexual, or the intersection of these identities with others you hold, etc.), but it can also be a safe space for LGBTQIA-identified individuals to address unrelated mental health concerns in a non-judgmental and accepting environment (anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, etc.). We provide individual counseling to address any of these concerns and offer a confidential LGBTQIA Support Group for those wanting specific support around these identities. This group meets weekly for 1.5 hours in the Pride Lounge during the academic year. The day and time changes based on the quarter. Please see the main HCC page for details (where do we list our groups??). Counselors can provide counseling and documentation that meets WPATH Standards of Care (SOC) for gender confirmation surgery and gender affirming hormone therapy if requested by a treating physician.
There are a total of 9 single user “All-Gender Restrooms” available on floors 1, 2, and 3 out of our 4-floor building. All restrooms are ADA compliant and accessible to students, faculty and staff in the building. On our website, the two main areas to find information on our All-Gender Restrooms are through the Westminster Law Library and Student Affairs webpages. See the links below:
https://www.law.du.edu/library/about-library/building-information
There are a total of 9 single user “All-Gender Restrooms” available on floors 1, 2, and 3 out of our 4-floor building. All restrooms are ADA compliant and accessible to students, faculty and staff in the building. On our website, the two main areas to find information on our All-Gender Restrooms are through the Westminster Law Library and Student Affairs webpages. See the links below:
https://www.law.du.edu/library/about-library/building-information
Sexual orientation and the law (generally every fall) Gender identity and the law (spring 2021)
Also other courses address LGBTQ+, though I cannot answer percentage. Examples of such courses also include: con law II, repro justice course, family law, fed courts, con law individual rights, and more.
Students can seek out funding through the career office and/or student bar association to attend conferences like Lavendar Law and the equal justice works conference.
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Yes, optional for all students
Please note: we do discuss dei matters for all students at orientation, there is a required dei training for all student leaders as well, and many additional options. Faculty have a mandatory training but also other optional trainings to join.
Students: We capture this data at orientation. Some professors also ask for it with each class. We also send info to students over email about how to enable pronouns on zoom pages. Event registrations typically also ask for pronouns and do not ask for honorifics typically. As for faculty/staff, they are permitted to use it but it is not required and/or mass information is not shared.
Peer mentors and lawyer mentors matched by affinity, regular outreach by DEI office, facilitation of wellness activities and DEI specific counseling by professionals