Diversity in Law School

Nondiscrimination Policy

It is the policy of Stetson University not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, age, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical characteristics, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law in its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, employment, or other school-administered programs. The policy is enforced by Stetson and, where applicable, federal laws such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. The university is an equal opportunity educational institution.

Inquiries regarding compliance with these statutes, and referrals to designated coordinators under the ADA/Section 504, Title IX, and the Age Discrimination Act, may be directed to the following contacts:

• DeLand and Celebration campuses:
  
  Director of Human Resources
  421 N. Woodland Blvd, Unit 8327
  DeLand, FL 32723
  Phone: 386.822.8710
• Gulfport and Tampa campuses:
  
  Associate Dean for Academics
  1401 61st Street South
  Gulfport, FL 33707
  Phone: 727.562.7809

Inquiries may also be made to:

Director of the Office for Civil Rights
US Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Phone: 1.800.421.3481
TDD: 877.521.2172

College of Law policy statement updated July 2006, and revised August 2008, March 2010, and June 2010; revised and adopted as university-wide policy statement by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees on June 6, 2011; updated July 20, 2011.

Student Organization Contact Information

The Lambda Legal Society provides a forum for exploring the legal issues faced by people identified as gay or lesbian. One of the goals of the Lambda Legal Society is to provide tools young attorneys need to deal with the increasing number of gay and lesbian clients that come to us seeking legal protection. Students need not identify with any particular sexual orientation to belong.

Faculty Advisors

Ellen Podgor
E-mail: epodgor@law.stetson.edu

Joe Morrissey
E-mail: jmorriss@law.stetson.edu

Darren Kettles
E-mail: dkettles@law.stetson.edu

Faculty Contact Information

Ellen S. Podgor
Associate Dean of Faculty Development & Electronic Education, Professor of Law
E-mail: epodgor@law.stetson.edu

Joseph F. Morrissey
Associate Professor of Law
E-mail: jmorriss@law.stetson.edu

Administrator Contact Information

Darren Kettles
Associate Director of Admissions
E-mail: dkettles@law.stetson.edu

Course Titles and/or Descriptions

Law and Sexual Orientation Seminar

(LAW 3675, offered once a year)

This course explores the rapidly expanding relationship between the law and sexual orientation, gender, and nonconformity. It examines various legal principles that have been or might be used to limit the ability of government and other institutions to disadvantage people because of their sexual orientation. The course looks at issues such as equal protection, privacy, and due process, and explores how courts have used these doctrines in consideration of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender individuals in critical aspects of their lives, such as employment, housing, and family relationships. Thus, the course addresses issues that will likely arise in virtually all law practices.

Domestic Partnership Benefits

Stetson University College of Law is committed to the equitable availability of family benefits and privileges among both married employees and those employees living in certified domestic partnerships. Therefore, employees living in certified domestic partnerships who meet applicable eligibility guidelines qualify for participation in health, dental, vision, and dependant life insurance programs, tuition waiver, Employee Assistance Program, and facility privileges such as pool and gym utilization. More information on these benefits can be obtained from the College of Law Human Resources Department.

Additional Information

"At Stetson University College of Law, we embrace all aspects of diversity. Located in beautiful Tampa Bay, Florida, Stetson offers a warm climate, outstanding legal opportunities, and a friendly, collegial atmosphere to begin your legal career.

"The Stetson Office of Admissions invests a large amount of effort recruiting diverse students, including candidates from the GLBT community. As the Assistant Director of Admissions and a member of the GLBT community myself, it was a big consideration for me when I originally accepted the administrator position for Stetson Law. I had to feel it was a 'good fit,' and it is a good fit. I am proud of my decision and the law school that I represent. I was also happy to learn of several openly gay and lesbian professors and administrators at Stetson who are advocates and approach complex issues affecting the GLBT community, both at the state and national levels. Clearly, Stetson is making strides attracting more members of this community. I have found Stetson to be a healthy place to work. A large GLBT community abounds in the St. Petersburg/Tampa/Gulfport area. I encourage you to explore Stetson Law to see if you might conclude the same findings.

"What I encountered further in my own research was a student body that was diverse, including a Lambda Legal Student Organization, with an active, growing contingency. Lambda is committed to raising awareness about the issues affecting the GLBT community inside the legal world and out and promoting community service on campus and the surrounding community. Stetson Law and Lambda both work to provide a safe and confidential place for GLBT students and allies through administrators, the faculty, and the student body."

—Darren Kettles, Associate Director of Admissions

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