Outlaws Newsletter January 2007Greetings from The University of Michigan Law School Outlaws, and welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! This is our chance to tell you more about the past semester’s events. We hope that you, in turn, will tell us what you’ve been doing over the last few months. We want to be sure to keep channels of communication open with our alumni. You can reach us any time (
here) .
At the start of the semester, we decided on a new theme: “Reaching Out.” This captures our priorities for the year – to reach out to our new members, to the law school community and the world at large and to raise awareness about issues important to us.
I hope you enjoy the update.
Jennifer Carney,
Outlaws Prospective Students and Alumni Chair
Reaching Out, Welcoming 1LsStarting law school is an overwhelming experience. Knowing this, Outlaws takes special care to watch out and care for incoming 1Ls. Over the summer, upper class students in Ann Arbor coordinated a Meet and Greet event for the incoming Outlaw summer starters. As the weeks of the semester dwindled, 3L Outlaw Kyle hosted an exam prep Q&A over coffee. When grades were posted, Outlaws provided 1Ls with a collection of stories with the general theme of “how I feel about grades” from a variety of upper class students. Outlaws Secretary Robert (3L) collected and posted the opinions (http://www.umoutlaws.org/grades.html). The stories range from the casual and witty to the philosophical. It was a hit with the entire school. 1L Representative Stacy coordinated an exam prep panel and a job/career panel. Upper class Outlaws helped 1Ls with one-on-one resume critiquing as the fall semester progressed.
Reaching Out, Connecting with OthersExecutive board members prioritized connections and outreach to other student groups this semester. Later in the semester, at the annual date auction fundraiser for the Black Law Students Alliance, dates with two Outlaws obtained the two highest bids at the auction. Outlaws member Tim (3L) was one of two emcees for the event, and Outlaws sponsored several members to attend the auction.
We also connected with the Women Law Student Association by sponsoring a team in their trivial pursuit tournament fundraiser. The tournament raised money to purchase evidence collection kits for rape victims, who would otherwise be required by law in Michigan to purchase their own kits.
Outlaws also purchased tickets for the Women Law Student Jenny Runkles award banquet, and Outlaws member Foz (2L) won the prestigious Jenny Runkles Award for service to the law school community (the third consecutive Outlaws member to win this award).
Reaching Out, Raising AwarenessOne of our core tasks as an LGBT student organization is to get issues important to our members in front of the law school community. To coincide with JAG’s on-campus recruiting, Outlaws member Denise (3L) led a very informative and engaging discussion about her experiences with the military’s “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy. As we all know, this is an issue that is very near and dear to all of our hearts, so it was particularly effective for our fellow law students to hear about this policy from one of our own. Denise led this important discussion with passion and a wonderful sense of humor. We had just over 50 people attend, including many new faces. 1L Mary, our Political Action Chair, supplied helpful background reading and letters to Senators and Representatives ready and waiting to be signed. In the spirit of “Reaching Out,” Social Chair Jordan (1L) grabbed a handful of the letters, ran to an ACLU meeting being conducted a few rooms over, and had more signed there. Between Mary & Jordan, we had over two dozens letters signed by the end of the meeting.
On National Coming Out Day, Outlaws staffed an information station table in Hutchins Hall. Many students and faculty stopped by to pick up buttons of support, education/outreach pamphlets, and to view a documentary on coming out experiences. Dean Caminker and Professor Frier were among those stopping by to pick up a ribbon and say hello.
Later in the semester, a group of 15 Outlaws walked in AIDS Walk Michigan, raising over $400 for HIV/AIDS awareness, education, prevention and treatment. Money raised will be distributed to area HIV/AIDS service organizations.
Reaching Out, Sharing IdeasThe Outlaws listserv is a great way for Outlaws members to share news, upcoming events, and thoughts on current controversies. Indeed, this semester, Outlaws discussions included a debate about our response to the military “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and JAG recruiting on campus, as well as a discussion about the pros and cons of gay marriage and civil unions. Secretary Robert posted these timely conversations on the webpage so others could see and comment (
here) and (
here).
Robert also convinced a two enterprising 1Ls (Stacy and Ryan) to start blogging on the website, so that prospective students, alums, and faculty have a glimpse into the world and thoughts of our fantastic Outlaws members. Check it out (
here).
Reaching Out, Broadening Legal HorizonsOutlaws also succeeded in finding opportunities for members to augment their legal education. The law school sponsored a group of Outlaws to attend the Lavender Law conference and job fair in Washington DC this fall. The event, coordinated by the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association, is a knowledge-building and networking extravaganza. Attendees were treated to sessions on HIV/AIDS law, transgender protection, marriage and civil unions, adoption law, employment discrimination, and more. Over 125 firms and organizations attended, all to recruit GLBT law students. UMLS Outlaws also connected with students from our peer law schools to share information and coordinate on pertinent issues. Once again this year, with the generous support of UMLS, Outlaws is sponsoring two teams to attend and compete in the National Sexual Orientation Moot Court at UCLA.
Reaching Out, Having Fun Of course, we hosted many social events, too. From the casual (and early evening) women’s potluck to the more lively nights out to the Nectarine Ballroom, these social events were a way for students to connect with and support each other. Our inaugural mentor/mentee brunch set the stage in the fall and was a huge success. Basement groups chair (and incoming Outlaws co-chair) Foz and 1L Representative Stacy planned the event. Upper class mentors were paired with 1L mentees early in the fall semester, and the brunch was a chance to get together, ask or answer questions, and eat all sorts of fabulous home-cooked brunch food.
Members Kyle (3L) and Stacy (1L) hosted an Outlaws Thanksgiving in November. Many Outlaws and allies attended, in addition to our faculty guest of honor and her children. The hostesses presented a fabulous turkey and mashed potatoes, and other Outlaws brought along stuffing, salads, desserts, and beverages.
Campus Liason Andrew (2L) helped Outlaws “Reach Out” by coordinating a mixer for queer graduate students with the University Office of LGBT Affairs. Outlaws hosted the event in the Lawyer’s Club, and one Outlaws member reported that over 50 students attended to mingle, network, and munch on h’ors devours. Outlaws also coordinated a social night out at a local bar with BGLAM (Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians, and Allies in Medicine -- the medical students GLBT organization), and a night out with the GLBT group at Wayne State Law School.
Reaching Out, Supporting Future OutlawsAs usual, one of our greatest sources of financial support came from the Nannes Challenge. The program encourages graduating 3L students to pledge a contribution to the school for the upcoming three years. Funds pledged are matched by alum John Nannes, and directed to individual student groups. This year (as in the past), 3Ls pledged generously with Outlaws in mind; contributions to Outlaws were among the highest of any student group and accounted for a significant portion of our funding. This type of alumni support is the reason Outlaws is able to continue “Reaching Out” during the school year.
Reaching Out, To YOU!That’s it, folks. Again, we would love to hear from our alumni. Please feel free to contact us (
here). We’re always looking for comments, ideas, speakers, and any other contributions. We’re looking forward to another amazing semester, and hope that you can be a part of it.
