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.
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.
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
To support our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, please consider making a gift to our Social Justice and Racial Equity Fund.
Contact Us:
715 O'Brian Hall, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1100
716-645-7889
law-dei-questions@buffalo.edu
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.
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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
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UB Counseling Services is offering groups and drop-in virtual outreach workshops to assist in providing support to students of color, international students and LGBTQIA+ students. They will also provide education and social justice advocacy for faculty, staff and students to change racism on-campus.
These Counseling Groups are for registered UB students. Students must complete a phone consultation with a UBCS counselor in order to participate in a group. Contact Counseling Services at 716-645-2720 for more information.
April 19, 2021 - George Floyd, Policing, and Race: A Conversation About the Trial of Derek Chauvin
A discussion on the ways in which law and race intersect in the trial of Derek Chauvin.
April 16, 2021 - Pathways to Equity in Legal Education and the Profession
This program brought together nearly a dozen educators, judges, practitioners, and activists to discuss ways in which students of color can be better prepared and supported during their journey to become licensed attorneys. The program was co-hosted by the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, City University of New York School of Law, St. John’s University School of Law, Syracuse University College of Law, and University at Buffalo School of Law.
August 12, 2020 - Defunding the Police: A Conversation
A panel conversation among leading criminal law scholars about the nationwide movement to defund the police. The discussion offered critical perspectives on the meaning of activist calls to defund the police, how defunding relates to abolitionist social movements, and crises in American policing that inform these movements. Panelists included experts on the intersections between criminal law and sociology, local government, disability theory, and anti-carceral social movements.
July 16, 2020 - UB Student Affairs Town Hall on Racial Injustice with University faculty, staff, students.
June 11, 2020 - George Floyd, Race and Policing
A faculty panel discussion featuring School of Law Professors Luis Chiesa, Athena Mutua and Anthony O’Rourke.