Affinity and Inclusion Funding Awards Archive

Fall photo

2019-2020

Below is a recap of funding provided by the Dean of Students office to support diversity and inclusion initiatives during the 2019-2020 academic year. 

UC Law Students of Color Event

Funds from this request were used to connect the University of Chicago law students of color early in the academic year in order
to foster community among underrepresented populations within the Law School and to build bridges across student
organizations.

Career Advice for Students with Disabilities

Funds from this request were used for a lunch talk and day of career advising with two accomplished
attorneys with disabilities. The attorneys spoke about their careers, the challenges they’ve faced, and the strategies and resources that have helped them along the way. The attorneys also held individual career advising sessions with law students and undergraduates interested in law careers.

Journal Recruitment Reception for Students of Diverse Backgrounds

Funds from this award were used to facilitate a collaborative journal recruitment effort between the three academic journals and student affinity groups including BLSA, LLSA, APALSA, NALSA, SWANA, SALSA, Outlaw, and First Generation Professionals.

LSA D&I Impact Initiative

Funds from this award were used for a dinner event with UChicago Law students and community partners from the South Side of Chicago.  This dinner served to connect the Law School to the greater community and have a chance to listen to and learn from community members.

2018-2019

Below is a recap of funding provided by the Dean of Students office to support diversity and inclusion initiatives during the 2018-2019 academic year. 

Common Book Initiative

This funding award distributed 200 free copies of the book, The Best We Could Do during a Coffee Mess event in February 2019. This initiative also involved four faculty-led discussion groups with eight faculty that students could sign up for. The book touched on issues of immigration and refugees. 

Changing Table (Gender Neutral Restroom)

Funds from this request were used to add changing tables to law school gender neutral bathrooms. This funding was awarded during Winter 2019 and provides all genders access to a changing station, in addition to the one already in the nursing station.

Prayer Rugs for Affinity Group (MLSA)

Funds from this award were used to order prayer rugs for members of the Student Affinity Organization, Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA). 

Joint Lunch Discussion (iTrek & Pal-Trek)

Funds from this award were used to provide lunch for 60 UChicago Law students who took two spring break trips to Israel and the Palestinian territories. The purpose of this lunch talk collaboration was to facilitate a join debrief between student groups to discuss their experiences. 

Spanish for Legal Practice Workshop

This funding award provided resources for a workshop on legal Spanish in spring quarter. This funding request was aimed at students interested in expanding their Spanish skills into topics necessary for working with Spanish-speaking clients and organizations. The workshop met on Thursdays over lunch and regularly had 15-20 students in attendance.

Ramadan Sponsorship (Iftar)

This funding award provided meals for members the Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA) during the spring quarter. This sponsorship included supporting student attendees from various parts of the UChicago campus community, many of which were faculty, staff and student attendees. 

National Affinity Group Leadership Retreat

Funding from this request allowed a student from the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) to attend an annual leadership retreat in Atlanta, Georgia. Funds used from this award covered flight and local travel for the student attendee.