Supports

The LSS recognizes that law school can be challenging both academically and mentally. It is important to take breaks from your studies to take care of your mental and physical health. Check out some of our favourite supports and services available to Queen’s Law students!

Equity Committee 

The Committee is a branch of the LSS and is comprised of students from all years. Co-chaired by the Equity and Diversity Commissioners, it serves as a brainstorming group to help recognize issues and develop solutions to overcome them. Committee members volunteer their time to organize events that tackle the complex diversity issues we face as law students.

Positive Space 

Positive Space is a university-wide program that aims to improve the celebration of sexual diversity on campus. The Faculty of Law has its own Positive Space Manager who serves as a liaison between the Equity Committee and the University’s Positive Space Steering Committee. A number of events will take place throughout the year in order to further this initiative, in addition to bi-weekly socials.

Part of the Program’s initiative is offering Positive Space training to Queen’s students. This simple two-hour session provides a basic understanding of LGBTQ+ issues to people who might have had less experience with the subject. Training sessions are offered for free to all Queen’s Law students.

Visit our Facebook page! 

Education and Equity Services 

Education & Equity is often the first point of contact for students seeking help for illness, disability, family or personal crisis or absences due to religious observance. The Equity and Academic Success Coordinator, liaises with Queen’s Student Wellness Services and the Exams Office to ensure that disability-based and language-based accommodations are provided for eligible students.

The “Happiness Project,” is a program that facilitates confidential peer matching of law students facing similar mental health or physical health challenges for mutual personal support and reinforcement of positive coping strategies. 

• Services include:
  • making referrals for exam, test or classroom accommodations
  • liaising with professors
  • bringing requests to the academic standing and policies committee for extensions or deferrals
  • providing short-term supportive counseling, information and referrals
  • helping to expedite medical referrals, as appropriate
  • administering laptop loans
  • emergency financial assistance (up to $100) and limited funding for special projects, seminars and workshops related to equity and diversity issues
  • coordination with the LSS Education Equity Committee on projects enhancing diversity and equity outreach and support
  • course subject material and professors’ expectations
  • adjusting to law school and/or its culture, and getting involved
  • best practices for studying, writing outlines and exams

Academic Assistance Program 

The Academic Assistance Program is coordinated by the Equity and Academic Success Coordinator. It is a free and confidential tutoring/ mentoring program with upper-year students. This service is available to ALL law students (no requirements; just ask). Tutors can help with questions/ confusion about: substantive law, adjusting to law school, how to get involved, how to study/ write outlines, how to write exams etc.

Learn more here! 

Contact law.accommodations@queensu.ca

Discrimination & Harassment in the Legal Education Setting

In September of 2017, the Law Society presented a session for our first-year students on discrimination and harassment.

You can review it by clicking here. 

Indigenous Recruitment & Support 

Queen’s Faculty of Law is committed to increasing Aboriginal representation within the legal profession and supporting the Aboriginal students who choose Queen’s.

Queen’s is situated on traditional Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory: to acknowledge this traditional territory is to recognize history that predates the earliest European colonies, and its significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived, and continue to live, upon it.

Meet our Indigenous Recruitment & Support Coordinator: Stacia Loft

I am Stacia Loft, Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity at Queen’s Law. As a senior leader at the law school, I serve as your advocate to ensure that students from equity seeking groups and communities are equipped for success at all stages of this transformative learning experience. I ensure that Queen’s Law is an inclusive learning environment, and provide both cultural and academic support to students, particularly Indigenous, racialized, and marginalized people.

You can contact me here.

Click here to learn more about indigenous initiatives and supports available at Queen’s Law and across the university!

Helpful Links 

Mental Health, Accessibility and Wellness

• Student Wellness Services
• Queen’s Accessibility Services
• Queen’s Accessibility Hub
• Queen’s Mental Health Services
• Queen’s University Health Promotion

English Language Support
• International Centre
• The School of English
• The Writing Centre
• Limestone City School of English

Queen’s University Links
• University Advisor on Equity
• Queen’s Human Rights Office
• Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre
• The Ban Righ Centre
• The Writing Centre
• Index of Senate Policies
• University Equity Office “Customer Service – Accessibility Feedback” Form
• University Sexual Assault Support and Response Protocol

Other Helpful Resources:

Queen’s Human Rights Office: Multicultural Calendar

Human Rights in Legal Training, Inclusion and Professionalism (September 4, 2015)