The law school strives to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment in which all of our students can thrive, and where everyone is treated with respect. We are continuously improving our programming and services, and welcome students’ feedback.
Feedback
Law students have many opportunities to provide feedback about their experiences with the law school’s programming and our community.
Students can drop by to speak to a law school professor or administrator, send an email, speak with the Dean during the Dean’s drop in hours, and speak with their GLSA and SLS representatives.
As a matter of course, every class conducts student evaluations at the end of the term. These are read by the administration and the relevant faculty member and are a direct way for students to make specific comments about the classroom experience.
At the end of each year, J.D. and graduate students are asked to complete separate Student Experience surveys which ask several questions about the law school experience. The results of these surveys are looked at very closely, and we report a summary of the JD survey results to Faculty Council every Fall. We regularly distribute two other surveys to J.D. and graduate students: one that looks at the diversity and inclusivity at the law school, and another about mental health and substance use.
Concerns
The law school is a small community that is oriented towards the student experience. We address concerns on an ad hoc basis as soon as they arise.
Not every issue may rise to the level of a formal complaint, and we encourage students to feel free to express concerns on a more casual basis.
Where the issue involves the interaction between members of our community, we encourage students to raise the relevant issues in a respectful manner directly with the parties involved. However, if for any reason, this is not feasible, or if an effort has been made and has not been successful, the administration will get involved.
Students who would like to bring a concern to the attention of the law school administration can pursue multiple avenues, including contacting:
- The Dean
- The Assistant Deans or Associate Deans of the J.D. program or Graduate program, as appropriate
- The student services staff, e.g. Student Programs Coordinator; Manager, Indigenous Initiatives; Manager, Academic/Personal Counselling and Wellness; GPLLM Coordinator; or Graduate Program Coordinator
- SLS and GLSA representatives and the SLS Equity Officers
Such concerns could involve, for example, an aspect of the program, a law school policy, or the conduct of a faculty, staff member or another student.
Formal complaints
- Students can submit a formal complaint by writing an email to the Associate Dean, Students or the Associate Dean, Graduate Program, who will reply as soon as possible to acknowledge receipt of the complaint.
- The Associate Dean may request to meet with the student to obtain more information about the situation.
- Once all of the information has been gathered, the Associate Dean will forward the complaint to the appropriate person or department at the law school, and will follow up to ensure that all necessary action has been taken.
- At the conclusion of the process, the Associate Dean will contact the student to let them know that the issue has been resolved.
Decisions of the Associate Dean may be appealed to the Appeals Committee. The law school’s Appeals Policy is here.
Students may also want to bring complaints to the central University through its policies and procedures. Complaints brought to the University are not handled by the Faculty of Law.
Anonymity
Students can always request that their concerns remain anonymous. While the Faculty is confident that matters will always be dealt with fairly and professionally, we can make sure that names are not disclosed when students prefer anonymity.
It is important to note that formal complaints cannot be made anonymously.
Disclosures about sexual violence/harassment and racial discrimination
Students who wish to make a disclosure about experiences related to sexual violence/harassment and/or racist behaviour are encouraged to speak directly to the central University’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre and the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office. In cases where students choose to make disclosures to the law school’s administration related to these issues, the law school will consult with the relevant office before taking any action. These consultations are not formal complaints, and we are not required to give the complainant’s name during these consultations.
