Why KU Law?



Diversity

KU Law values diversity in its student body and believes that the intentional creation of a diverse learning environment is essential to achieving the university's educational mission. The university fosters a multicultural environment in which the dignity and rights of the individual are respected.

To build a diverse community, the university considers, in addition to academic credentials, the following criteria for student admission decisions, scholarship recognition, and program participation. While each factor is significant, no one factor will be considered determinative in the decision process:

  • Bilingual or multilingual abilities
  • Cultural background
  • Ethnicity
  • Evidence of commitment to diversity
  • Evidence of leadership skills
  • First generation college student
  • Geographic diversity
  • Financial, social, family, physical or educational hardships
  • Previous career before pursuing higher education
  • Race
  • Service to community
  • Socio-economic status
  • Urban/rural background
  • Other unique contributions

Student Organizations

The following student organizations at KU Law provide support and assistance to their members, promote cultural awareness in the law school and in the legal profession and serve as vehicles for law school and community involvement. They often partner in planning service and social activities throughout the year. Members also collaborate in their efforts to recruit and mentor new students.

Membership in each of these organizations is open to all students. Contact information is available by clicking on the links below.

Activities

The following list highlights some of the activities in which student organizations participate.

  • Diversity in Law Banquet
    ALSA, BLSA, HALSA and NALSA collaborate in planning and hosting this event, which celebrates the ways in which diversity enriches KU Law. The event affords students an opportunity to share ethnic and cultural differences with the KU Law community, including alumni and local firms.
  • Diversity Law Lunch
    The Office of Admissions sponsors this event to provide prospective students with an opportunity to meet KU Law alumni and current students.
  • Pub Night
    A live auction and variety show with faculty and student participants highlights this event. Hosted by WIL, Pub Night raises funds for local charities that provide support and assistance to women and children.
  • Thanksgiving Food Drive
    The entire student body actively supports this annual food drive sponsored by BLSA. First-year small sections compete to contribute the most items. Faculty members support the cause by exchanging "passes" in class for a canned food donation. Items collected provide Thanksgiving meals for hundreds of families in the Lawrence community.
  • Thurgood Marshall Law Day
    BLSA reaches out to the youth of the community to provide them with cultivating and enriching discussions on contemporary law topics and diversity in the profession.

Achievements

KU Law students from diverse backgrounds are serving the community, earning national honors and winning leadership roles in organizations beyond Green Hall.

  • In 2008, a law student became the first University of Kansas student to serve as a Native American Congressional Intern through the Udall Foundation.
  • A pair of law students represented KU at the Ms. JD Leadership Summit, at which a national association of women law students was founded.
  • A KU Law student is the current president of the National Native American Law Students Association, whose KU chapter staged a drive that provided toys to Native American children across the community.
  • The Nontraditionals in Law Association collected business clothing for working Lawrence residents who can't otherwise afford it.
  • In 2007, KU Law was ranked 2nd in increasing minority enrollment according to National Jurist Magazine.
  • The KU Black Faculty and Staff Council (BFSC) chose the School of Law to receive its 2007 BFSC Unit Award for the recruitment of faculty and staff members who enhance the diversity of the KU Law community. To date, only three other university units have been recognized by the BFSC with this award.

Resources