School of Law Student Affairs
We provide guidance, resources, and programming throughout your legal education. We are a central hub for advising, student organizations, events, and wellness initiatives.
We ensure that law students are supported
Works with other offices on campus and throughout the law school to support you not only academically, but in all areas of student life including career placement, wellness, financial aid, and accessibility services.
The Office of Student Affairs assists law students by:
- Hosting student events such as 1L and summer orientation, graduation, wellness events and other programming
- Overseeing Student Organizations
- Working with the university’s Office of Student Disabilities Services and providing accommodations for students with disabilities
- Meeting one-on-one with students to discuss and assist with student needs
Law Student Resources
Through a partnership with the University’s Department of Psychology, we are able to house an In-House Wellness Counselor dedicated to providing free counseling sessions to law students. To schedule an appointment, please email lawschoolwellness@olemiss.edu or call 662-915-7385 and state that you are a law student wanting to schedule an appointment with the in-house counselor.
Navigating the rigor of law school is tough. As you face new challenges in the classroom, you are also adjusting balancing your personal life, forming new relationships, and planning for your future. While this path is difficult, you are not alone.
It is often said that academic success comes at a price. The pressures of assignments, exams, and extracurricular activities can lead to burnout, negatively affecting physical and mental health. However, this does not mean students should compromise their well-being for better grades. Students can enjoy improved academic performance while maintaining their health by taking charge of self-care.
The Office of Student Affairs at the School of Law has resources and partnerships in place to ensure that your well-being is just as important as your coursework.
Wellness Initiatives
Each semester the law school sponsors a Wellness Challenge to encourage students to engage in more wellness activities. It is a friendly competition that includes rewards for the top three finishers. Please email Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Brittany Barbee at bebarbee@olemiss.edu for more details.
The Mississippi Bar is committed to advancing the well-being of its members as well as current law students through the provision of resources dedicated to wellness. Please visit their Health and Wellness webpage for more information.
The law school celebrates World Mental Health Day the week of October 10th by providing activities, panels, and more to uplift the importance of mental health both generally and in the legal profession. Be on the lookout for more information regarding this programming at the beginning of the fall semester.
The School of Law provides students with various programming activities throughout the year to assist their professional development. The school year begins with first-year law student orientation and culminates with graduation in May. Scheduled assemblies and programs throughout the year include guests to speak on various topics, service and outreach opportunities, and social events.
1L Orientation
Each August, first-year law students participate in new student orientation.
Awards Day
The school recognizes student leadership and achievements each April with an Awards Day ceremony.
Commencement
Commencement at Ole Miss is another unique feature of our great university, and each school has different ceremonies to celebrate its graduates. J.D. and LL.M. graduates are recognized each May.
The University of Mississippi School of Law’s Code
Governing Student Academic and Nonacademic Conduct
(Effective May 30, 2023)
The primary purposes of the Code are to inspire high standards of conduct, encourage professional and academic integrity, and protect the Law School community. Enrollment in the Law School constitutes a student’s pledge that they will conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of the Code.
If you need to report a violation of the Code, please email Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Antonia Eliason with a detailed description of the incident, including (1) the place, (2) the approximate time, (3) any names of third parties who may have also witnessed the incident, (4) any evidence of the violation, and (5) if applicable, the name of the course and instructor in which the violation took place.
The University of Mississippi School of Law welcomes your concerns, suggestions, comments or complaints. We want to know your thoughts on the law school experience, the academic environment, or other matters important to you. Most importantly, we also want you to know where to submit your concerns about academic dishonesty, sexual harassment, and other kinds of misconduct.
You should always feel free to voice your concerns face-to-face with any of the administrators. Even without an appointment, you may drop in and talk with Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Ben Cooper (Room 3087) or Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Brittany Barbee (Room 2066). They want to hear your concerns.
You will find below several specific options:
- Comment, Concern, and Complaint Form
- Law Code Violation Form
- Standards of Conduct Violation
- ABA Standards
- Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Other Forms of Misconduct
- Concerns Relating to Disabilities
Comment, Concern, and Complaint Form
If you have a comment, concern, or complaint about any matter at the School of Law, you may fill out the Comment/Concern Form, which will go to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. The deans will proceed expeditiously, they will keep the matter as confidential as possible, and they will periodically update the complainant on the status of the matter.
ABA Standards
The American Bar Association serves as the accrediting body for all law schools. The University of Mississippi School of Law strives for conscientious compliance with the ABA Accreditation Standards. If you have a concern regarding the School of Law’s program of legal education or compliance with the ABA Standards, please then fill out the Comment/Concern Form. In your submission, please mention the specific Standard at issue.
Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Other Forms of Misconduct
As a member of the University community, you have the right to a working, living, and learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and other forms of misconduct.
Prohibited conduct includes:
- Use of force or violence.
- Interference with freedom of movement.
- Harassment or abuse.
- Intentional infliction of severe emotional distress or harm.
- Use of fighting words (words that actually intend to provoke an immediate violent reaction).
- Obscene, lewd, or lascivious conduct, including communications by electronic or other means, with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass another person.
- Defamation (a false statement that harms the reputation of another person).
- Discrimination based upon race, color, gender or sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or genetic information.
- Prohibited discrimination includes speech or conduct that denies a person access to resources and opportunities; interferes with a person’s work, learning, or living environment; or deprives a person of some other protected interest.
- Sexual misconduct, including sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and non-consensual sexual conduct (including unwelcome sexual advances). Note that a person incapacitated by drugs, alcohol, illness, or sleep cannot give consent.
- Retaliation against a person filing a complaint or assisting in an investigation.
If you have been sexually assaulted, we encourage you to seek immediate medical attention and to contact the University Police Department at 662-915-4911.
If you have a complaint concerning discrimination or concerning sexual misconduct, you should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance:
662-915-7735
If you have a complaint concerning prohibited conduct and that conduct constitutes a crime, you should contact the University Police Department at 662-915-4911 (emergency) or 662-915-7234 (non-emergency).
If you have a complaint concerning prohibited conduct committed by a law student or other member of the law school community, you should contact Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Antonia Eliason (aeliason@olemiss.edu) or Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Brittany Barbee (bebarbee@olemiss.edu). Or you may fill out the Comment/Concern Form.
Concerns Relating to Disabilities
The School of Law is committed to ensuring equal access to a quality education for qualified students with disabilities by providing reasonable academic accommodations that support University standards and academic integrity. The law school’s Assistant Dean for Student Affairs is the liaison with the University’s Office of Student Disabilities Services, which verifies disability status and supervises the process of providing accommodations. Please contact Assistant Dean Brittany Barbee (bebarbee@olemiss.edu), if you believe you need an accommodation for a disability or if you have concerns about equal access for students with disabilities.
Law School Policy for Students with Disabilities
Campus-wide resources
Not only are there resources at the Law School, but you also have access to resources throughout the university.
University Health Services
Created to serve students, faculty, and staff at the University of Mississippi, University Health Services is dedicated to meeting the health care needs of our community.
University Counseling Center
At the University Counseling Center (UCC), you will find a team of dedicated professionals who strive to offer the best care possible in an atmosphere of acceptance and respect.
Office of Student Disability Services
We lead the university in its commitment to recognize disability as a valued aspect of diversity, to embrace access as a matter of social justice, and to design more welcoming and inclusive environments.
Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement
We connect people with opportunities and resources so they may engage the world and pursue their dreams.
Get Involved with Student Organizations
All registered student organizations are eligible for assistance, including funds, documentation, media coverage, promotion and webspace. To register your organization, please make an appointment with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Use The ForUM to create and update your organization’s information. Non-registered students groups will not be given priority and, in some cases, might not be eligible for the same advantages as registered student groups. Registration allows the law school to:
- Promote the diverse activities of its students
- Enable student organizations to communicate with members and non-members.
If your organization needs assistance with:
- Funding: Apply to either the Student Bar Association or the Associated Student Body.
- Using the law school’s facilities: Contact the Dean’s Suite.
- Reserving a room: Use the event submission form.
- Having photographs made of a special event: Contact the Office of Communications.
- Sending out a general invitation to the law school community or university campus or in any way promote an upcoming event: Contact the Office of Communications.
If you would like to start a law school organization, please contact the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. If your organization is not registered on The ForUM, visit its registration page.
Please pay special attention to the “What You Will Need” section. Organization webmasters will need to read and follow the instructions at the campus organizations website. Following this process, the president of the organization should come by the Student Affairs office.
Meet the Team
Brittany Barbee
- Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Rose Maten
- Program Coordinator