What is SLEC?

The Student Legal Education Committee (SLEC) is the co-branch of the University of Cincinnati Donald P. Klekamp College of Law’s student government, alongside the Student Bar Association (SBA). SLEC provides a mechanism for student participation in policy decisions affecting the College. Members of SLEC are assigned to the following committees: Admissions, Academic Policy, Campus Life and Wellness, Clinics, International and LLM Programs, Professional Identity, Research, Faculty, Development, and Library Technology, and Student Petitions. They may also form Ad Hoc Committees to study and report on problems affecting the student body; currently, this includes the CPD Committee, the Rule 9 Committee, and the AI Committee. 

Together with faculty and administration representatives on these committees, students discuss and vote upon issues, assign tasks, and attempt to arrive at decisions which represent an accommodation of diverse views. SLEC members are elected from and by the student body. Members of SLEC distribute, collect, and analyze the faculty evaluation forms completed at the end of every semester by the students. Vacancies on the committee are filled in the fall semester by 1L students and again by a SLEC-member election of two additional 1L students at the end of the spring semester.

SLEC Anonymous Question Form

Have a question for SLEC? SLEC Answers to Anonymous Questions. Submit questions using the following form: https://forms.gle/LBSzdVRHq5TTwW2S6

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How to join SLEC

Only 1L UC Law students may be elected to SLEC by their cohort vote in their first fall semester. Two additional 1L students are voted in by SLEC members at the end of the 1Ls spring semester.

SLEC Officers

• Chair: 

  • Leads SLEC by setting meeting agendas, facilitating discussions, and representing the student body in conversations with faculty and administration. 

  • Ensures committee coordination and that student perspectives are effectively communicated in institutional decision-making.

• Vice Chair:

  • Supports the Chair when needed and operates the SLEC website page. 

  • Helps coordinate committee activities and ensures projects and initiatives move forward between meetings.

• Secretary:

  • Maintains official records of SLEC, including meeting minutes, attendance, and documentation of decisions. 

  • Oversees communication of updates and ensures transparency with the student body.

• Election Commissioner:

  • Manages SBA and SLEC elections, including organizing nominations, overseeing voting procedures, and ensuring fair and transparent election processes.

• SBA Liaison:

  • Serves as the connection between SLEC and the Student Bar Association (SBA), facilitating communication, collaboration, and alignment on student initiatives and concerns.

SLEC Committees

Each committee discusses relevant policy updates, proposals, and student concerns during meetings and reports key developments to SLEC.

• Admissions Committee (3Ls):

  • Provides student input on admissions policies and initiatives, including recruitment strategies and applicant evaluation. 

  • Members help ensure the student perspective is considered in shaping incoming classes.

• Academic Policy Committee (APC):

  • Examines academic rules and policies such as grading, scheduling, curriculum adjustments and requirements, and academic standards. 

  • Discusses proposed changes and their impact on students.

• Campus Life and Wellness Committee:

  • Focuses on student well-being, campus climate, and quality of life. 

  • Addresses issues related to mental health, and overall student experience.

• Clinics Committee:

  • Oversees matters related to clinical education, including clinic offerings, enrollment policies, and experiential learning opportunities.

• International and LLM Programs Committee:

  • Addresses issues affecting international programs and LLM students, including academic integration, program development, and student support.

• Professional Identity Committee: 

  • Focuses on professional development and ethics, helping shape programming and policies that prepare students for legal careers and professional responsibilities.

• Research, Faculty, Development, and Library Technology Committee:

  • Engages with faculty initiatives, research priorities, and library resources. 

  • Reviews technology and development efforts that support academic success.

• Student Petitions Committee:

  • Reviews and makes decisions on individual student petitions related to academic policies, especially pertaining to academic integrity decisions.

Ad Hoc Committees:

• Career and Professional Development Committee:

  • Explores improvements to career services, employment outcomes, and professional development programming. 

  • Provides feedback on CPD events and student support resources.

• Rule 9 Committee:

  • Examines policies and opportunities related to Rule 9 student practice, including eligibility, participation, and practical training experiences.

• AI Committee:

  • Studies the impact of artificial intelligence on legal education, including classroom use, academic integrity, and preparation for evolving legal practice.