group of students participating in our annual Students of Color Dinner.

Diversity, Equity and Belonging

The School of Law’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Belonging works with students, faculty, administrators, and staff to promote diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency throughout all levels of the School of Law.

Through programming and support, we work strategically to develop relationships with students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to continue to cultivate and maintain a diverse and inclusive law school environment.

On this page:

Contact Us:

715 O'Brian Hall, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1100
716-645-7889
law-dei-questions@buffalo.edu

To support our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, please consider making a gift to our Social Justice and Racial Equity Fund.

Goals

  1. Revamp Academic Programming and Student Success
  2. Increase Diversity Amongst our Student Body, Faculty, Staff and Administration
  3. Promote and Advocate for Diversity, Equity and Belonging
  4. Expand Support and Opportunities for Diversity, Equity and Belonging

Mission Statement

The University at Buffalo School of Law is committed to providing an environment where students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented minority groups excel personally, academically, and professionally. The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging seeks to continue to collaborate with the various School of Law Departments and community partners to provide a comprehensive approach to executing Diversity, Equity, and Belonging initiatives. Through program development, strategic planning, and community outreach, the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging strives to continue to create an academic community comprised of a diverse group of professionals whose differences are valued as a source of strength in our law school community.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University at Buffalo School of law is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for students, faculty, and staff, without discrimination, or segregation on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or military status.  

The law school also abides by the University’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy, which states:

The University at Buffalo is committed to ensuring equal employment, educational opportunity, and equal access to services, programs, and activities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin*, sex, religion, age, disability, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, familial status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the University community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely based upon a protected characteristic.

Both the law school and the University policies are in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and harassment.  These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and other laws, regulations and policies prohibiting discrimination may be directed to Sharon Nolan-Weiss, Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Title IX/ ADA Coordinator, 406 Capen Hall, Buffalo, New York 14260; Tel. (716) 645-2266; email diversity@buffalo.edu.  Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500; Tel. (646) 428-3900; Email OCR.NewYork@ed.gov

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*  Consistent with EEOC guidance, “national origin” as used above includes both ethnicity and physical, linguistic, and cultural traits.

How We Achieve Diversity

  • Recruit talented and diverse students, staff, and faculty.
  • Provide support to retain diverse students, staff, and faculty.
  • Develop a culture of respect and awareness for diverse identities and culture.
  • Provide governance mechanisms through which diversity, equity, and inclusion concerns can be addressed.
  • Engage the community by providing opportunities for members of the Buffalo-Niagara community to engage with students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds at the School of Law.

Tools for You

Special Sessions Resources Student Groups Communications

From the Minority Bar Association of Western New York

From the School of Law

From Our Student Organizations

  • Buffalo Environmental Law Journal

Dear current and prospective journal members,
 
It is central to the mission of the Buffalo Environmental Law Journal to share legal perspectives that promote a healthier and safer future for our society. Today, there are many legal issues, such as systematic racism and bias in the criminal justice system, that jeopardize the well-being of Americans, particularly Black Americans.

The Buffalo Environmental Law Journal stands in solidarity with the Black Law Student Association in condemning the systemic racism, injustice, and police brutality that continues to run rampant in our country. 

Please read the statement and call to action released by the Black Law Student Association, and consider your own role in combating hate, bigotry, and bias whenever you see it.

Now is not the time to stay silent.  We stand firmly in solidarity with our colleagues in the Black Law Student Association.  
 
Sincerely,
Alexander Kaczmarek, Editor-in-Chief

  • OUTLaw

"OUTLaw stands with with the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) in condemning the systemic racism, injustice, and police brutality that continues to run rampant in our country. Please the statement and call to action released by BLSA, and think about what you can do to combat hate, bigotry, and bias whenever you see it.

In addition to the excellent funds included in the statement, please also consider donating to the Emergency Release Fund, which helps provide bail for medically vulnerable and LGBTQ individuals in pre-trial detention in New York City.

Now is not the time to stay silent.  We stand firmly in solidarity with our colleagues in BLSA."