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
- Revamp Academic Programming and Student Success
- Increase Diversity Amongst our Student Body, Faculty, Staff and Administration
- Promote and Advocate for Diversity, Equity and Belonging
- 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.
-----------
* 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
Asian Law Students Association (ALSA)
The Asian Law Students Association (ALSA) supports students of Asian descent, facilitates Asian law students’ interaction in the Law School community and provides a forum for discussions on legal issues concerning Asians. ALSA hosts regular academic and social events of Asian interest for its members. The organization also hosts events to provide Asian students with a support network of resources to help and provide significant guidance in acing their career path in the legal fraternity.
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is a professional, nationally affiliated organization of black law students dedicated to improving opportunities and diversity in legal education. The School of Law BLSA Chapter's goal is to articulate and promote the educational, professional, political and social needs of our black law students while also giving back to our communities.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (DEI Council)
The DEI Council promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among law students, as well as transparency within the administration and its procedures at the School of Law. The DEI Council aims to ensure all diverse law students not only have a presence within the law school community, but to ensure that students truly feel a part of the law school community where their voices are valued and where they can receive the support necessary to succeed.
First-Generation Law Students Association (FGLSA)
First-Generation Law Students Association (FGLSA) offers support to students who identify as first-generation law students. This includes law students who are the first in their family to attend college or first to attend professional school. We strive to provide a safe and inclusive community for UB Law students who lack access to generational knowledge of the legal field. We aim to facilitate discussions surrounding common questions first-generation students may have through workshops and events designed and led by our fellow FGLSA peers. More than anything, FGLSA aims to show you, a first-generation law student, that there are others who have felt the same things you are feeling and found success in law school. We are a community dedicated to support each other in life and career.
Italian-American Law Students Association (IALSA)
The Italian-American Law Students Association (IALSA) seeks to enhance student engagement, celebrate the rich heritage of Italian-American contributions to law, arts, and social progress, while zealously promoting continued excellence in legal studies.
Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA)
The Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA) exists to provide Jewish educational, cultural, social, and spiritual programs and resources for the students and community of the School of Law with the goal of creating an awareness of and fostering Jewish life at the law school.
Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA)
The Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) is committed to increasing diversity and representation in the legal profession. Membership is open to law students of all backgrounds. LALSA is dedicated to the academic and social well-being of its membership. Efforts towards this goal include fostering and maintaining a supportive school environment our members, sharing the Latin culture with partnering with the local legal and Latin community, and hosting various events and opportunities for the academic and social enrichment of our membership.
Law Students with Disabilities and Neurodivergencies (LSDN)
LSDN is dedicated to the education of neurotypical individuals and supporting those who have visible and invisible disabilities. This organization serves to be a safe place to discuss how to be the best student (and lawyer) you can be while managing your neurodivergencies and disabilities. It can be difficult to know when to disclose a disability, or how to disclose. And so, our organization strives to help law students navigate the workforce and classroom by creating a community of both lawyers and students who have both invisible and visible disabilities.
Military Law and Veterans Association (MLVA)
The Military Law and Veterans Association (MLVA) is a student-led organization that provides a forum for discussion on important military, veteran affairs, and national security issues. MLVA hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including guest lectures, workshops, and networking events. These events bring together students, faculty, and military experts to share their perspectives and insights on a wide range of topics. The organization provides students with the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, network with professionals, and develop their own knowledge and skills.
Native and Indigenous Law Student Association (NILSA)
NILSA seeks to support and provide community to all Indigenous law students across Turtle Island and beyond throughout their law school and legal careers. NILSA's primary goal is to provide academic support, professional opportunities, and social events to all Indigenous and allied students, faculty, and staff interested in issues affecting Indigenous communities. NILSA also works to promote law school discussions and study of Federal Indian Law, Tribal Law, and traditional forms of governance. NILSA hopes to recruit Indigenous students to the law school and provide continuous systems of support to those students.
Non-Traditional Law Students Association (NTLSA)
The Non-Traditional Law Students Association (NTLSA) strives to show that there is more than one way to go about your law school career and serve as a support group for self-defined non-traditional law students.
OUTLaw
OUTLaw promotes a positive atmosphere at the School of Law for LGBT students and their allies. Our primary objective is to educate our colleagues about the legal issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity. OUTLaw sponsors activities, panels, social events and service projects that build a network for members and supporters of the LGBT legal community.