Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At the School of Law, we foster a vibrant and dynamic community culture of inclusion that inspires and supports students to become leaders in the field of law and engages faculty, staff, and students to know better, do better, and lead by the best example. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion works to ensure all members of our law school community feel valued and supported. It’s not just caring for the whole person. It’s caring for every person by embracing and celebrating the rich identities—racial, ethnic, spiritual, income level, gender identity, and sexual orientation, among others—that are a part of our community.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion supports students and upholds the law school’s mission by prioritizing the following:
LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Project
In Spring 2024, the School of Law partnered with the Equality Institute to better support the LGBTQIA+ individuals in our community. The Equality Institute analyzed the law school’s existing DEI strategy and its programs, policies, processes, and partnerships. They talked with current and former law school faculty, staff, and students. They also met with several university staff members. In the Fall of 2024, the Equality Institute provided several recommendations. You can track progress on the inclusion project goals here.
Reporting Discrimination or Sexual Misconduct
The School of Law encourages anyone who experiences discrimination or sexual misconduct to submit a report so that the University may take appropriate steps to promptly stop, prevent, and remedy any substantiated violation. The University recognizes the privacy and sensitivity of such reports, and only shares information internally on a need-to-know basis when necessary to effectively respond to the report. The University also understands that for various reasons an affected party may prefer to report anonymously or to share only limited information. If you have experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct, please submit a report through the Office of Equity and Compliance.
Loyola's Land Acknowledgment Statement
Loyola University Chicago has a deepened awareness of and respect for the people and history that long preceded us on the lands where our campuses now sit. We are grateful and humbled to share with the community the University’s approved Land Acknowledgement Statement (LAS):
The Loyola University Chicago community acknowledges its location on the ancestral homelands of the Council of the Three Fires (the Ojibwa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi tribes) and a place of trade with other tribes, including the Ho-Chunk, Miami, Menominee, Sauk, and Meskwaki. We recognize that descendants of these and other North American tribes continue to live and work on this land with us. We recognize the tragic legacy of colonization, genocide, and oppression that still impacts Native American lives today. As a Jesuit university, we affirm our commitment to issues of social responsibility and justice. We further recognize our responsibility to understand, teach, and respect the past and present realities of local Native Americans and their continued connection to this land.
The LAS is a formal statement recognizing Indigenous People as immemorial stewards of the land on which our campuses are located. The LAS pays respect to the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional lands. The intent is not just to acknowledge this bond but also to deepen awareness of our connection to history and our current understanding of our place, roles, and responsibilities given that history. This acknowledgment may be painful, but it is an important development within our efforts to move Loyola in the direction of greater inclusivity, deeper anti-racist action, and commitment to stewardship of our planet.
At the School of Law, we foster a vibrant and dynamic community culture of inclusion that inspires and supports students to become leaders in the field of law and engages faculty, staff, and students to know better, do better, and lead by the best example. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion works to ensure all members of our law school community feel valued and supported. It’s not just caring for the whole person. It’s caring for every person by embracing and celebrating the rich identities—racial, ethnic, spiritual, income level, gender identity, and sexual orientation, among others—that are a part of our community.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion supports students and upholds the law school’s mission by prioritizing the following:
LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Project
In Spring 2024, the School of Law partnered with the Equality Institute to better support the LGBTQIA+ individuals in our community. The Equality Institute analyzed the law school’s existing DEI strategy and its programs, policies, processes, and partnerships. They talked with current and former law school faculty, staff, and students. They also met with several university staff members. In the Fall of 2024, the Equality Institute provided several recommendations. You can track progress on the inclusion project goals here.
Reporting Discrimination or Sexual Misconduct
The School of Law encourages anyone who experiences discrimination or sexual misconduct to submit a report so that the University may take appropriate steps to promptly stop, prevent, and remedy any substantiated violation. The University recognizes the privacy and sensitivity of such reports, and only shares information internally on a need-to-know basis when necessary to effectively respond to the report. The University also understands that for various reasons an affected party may prefer to report anonymously or to share only limited information. If you have experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct, please submit a report through the Office of Equity and Compliance.
Loyola's Land Acknowledgment Statement
Loyola University Chicago has a deepened awareness of and respect for the people and history that long preceded us on the lands where our campuses now sit. We are grateful and humbled to share with the community the University’s approved Land Acknowledgement Statement (LAS):
The Loyola University Chicago community acknowledges its location on the ancestral homelands of the Council of the Three Fires (the Ojibwa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi tribes) and a place of trade with other tribes, including the Ho-Chunk, Miami, Menominee, Sauk, and Meskwaki. We recognize that descendants of these and other North American tribes continue to live and work on this land with us. We recognize the tragic legacy of colonization, genocide, and oppression that still impacts Native American lives today. As a Jesuit university, we affirm our commitment to issues of social responsibility and justice. We further recognize our responsibility to understand, teach, and respect the past and present realities of local Native Americans and their continued connection to this land.
The LAS is a formal statement recognizing Indigenous People as immemorial stewards of the land on which our campuses are located. The LAS pays respect to the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional lands. The intent is not just to acknowledge this bond but also to deepen awareness of our connection to history and our current understanding of our place, roles, and responsibilities given that history. This acknowledgment may be painful, but it is an important development within our efforts to move Loyola in the direction of greater inclusivity, deeper anti-racist action, and commitment to stewardship of our planet.