Dear WCL students:
Welcome.
Starting law school (or starting a new year of law school) is exciting, but it can also be daunting, confusing, and anxiety-producing even in the best of times … and with the ongoing pandemic, the readjustment to in-person (masked) learning, and all that’s happening on the local, national, and world stage, we’re pretty sure everyone will agree that these aren’t the best of times.
We wanted to be sure that with all of these stressors in your lives, you have easy access to information about the many places on campus where you can get the support you need. Below you will find contact information and hours for: COVID testing, academic support offices, career counseling services, mental health and wellness counseling at WCL, mental health and wellness services at AU, disability accommodation services, financial support, immigration services, diversity and inclusion services, student affinity groups, and the AU system for reporting discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct.
Please know, too, that the WCL administration and your faculty are here to assist you. If you can’t find the support you need on the list below, reach out to one of your professors or one of us, and we’ll do our very best to respond to your concerns or direct you to someone who can.
COVID testing
- Testing is available via vending machine located outside the Pence Law Library. You must have a smartphone to obtain a test.
Private Appointment Room
- Private room within the Pence Law Library for virtual counseling appointments, medical appointments, or interviews. Available to WCL students to reserve in 50-minute increments. Bookings cannot be made consecutively, and this room is NOT a study space.
- Hours of service: M-F 8:00am - 6:00pm
- How to access: Book a reservation at this link. You will receive a confirmation email with a code for the key box. Please do not share this code.
Academic Support
- Academic Advising
- What we do: Academic planning, course selection advising, degree audit, progress to graduation.
- Hours of service: M-F 10:00am - 4:00pm; after hours by appointment.
- How to reach us: Book an appointment online or email academicadvising@wcl.american.edu.
- Office of Academic Excellence
- What we do: Academic skills development and bar exam readiness.
- Hours of service: M-Th 9:00am-5:00pm; Friday and after hours by appointment.
- How to reach us: Visit www.bookwithoae.com.
- Office of the Registrar
- Office of Student Affairs
- What we do: Personal (nonprofessional) counseling; pep talks; personal and/or family issues; issues with faculty, staff, or students; ADA accommodations; student organization and SBA liaison; Commencement planning.
- Hours of service: M-F 9:00am - 5:00pm; after hours by appointment.
- How to reach us: Email studentaffairs@wcl.american.edu.
Career Counseling
- Office of Career and Professional Development
- What we do: Review job application materials, plan career strategy, conduct mock interviews, teach job search skills, provide information about opportunities, organize on campus interviews and career fairs, and support all of your professional goals.
- Hours of service: 8:00am - 8:00pm (virtual only at this time; in-person hours to be added soon).
- How to reach us: Make an appointment with any counselor via CareerLink: https://law-american-csm.symplicity.com/. You can also email careerdevelopment@wcl.american.edu for questions about CareerLink or other assistance.
- How to get information about jobs and career events: Weekly OCPD Connect from careerdevelopment@american.edu.
WCL Mental Health and Wellness Counseling
- Office of Student Affairs
- What we do: Personal (nonprofessional) counseling; pep talks; personal and/or family issues; issues with faculty, staff, or students; ADA accommodations.
- Hours of service: M-F 9:00am - 5:00pm; after hours by appointment.
- How to reach us: Email studentaffairs@wcl.american.edu.
- Talkspace
- All WCL JD students have FREE access to Talkspace, an online therapy service that connects users to a dedicated, licensed therapist via private messaging and live video from a secure, HIPAA-compliant digital platform. talkspace.com/wcl
- Disclaimer: American University does not directly or indirectly endorse Talkspace. Moreover, American University does not warrant or represent as to the quality, confidentiality or other features of Talkspace. American University expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any liabilities that may arise with regard to use of Talkspace and its services. All students are encouraged to exercise their own judgment when evaluating Talkspace and its services.
AU Mental Health and Wellness Counseling
- AU Counseling Center
- What we do: brief individual therapy (6-8 sessions per academic year), unlimited group therapy, community referral assistance, and consultation.
- How to set up a session: Call 202-885-3500.
- AU Fall 2021 Virtual Groups
- AU LifeWorks
- What we do: Culturally informed, solution-focused support for students located in the United States and abroad.
- How to reach us: Download "MySSP" app; available on all platforms.
- AU ProtoCall
- What we do: 24/7 crisis support for all students, faculty, staff, and parents; talk to a licensed clinician for support and get information on community referrals.
- How to reach us: Call 202-885-7979.
- AU Q.P.R. Training:
- What we do: Question, Persuade, Refer is an interactive hour-long training program that equips individuals with skills to help students who are expressing suicidal thinking; training is available for faculty, staff, and student leaders.
- How to reach us: If interested in a QPR training, contact Dr. Jacquelin Darby at?jdarby@american.edu. Please give at least three weeks notice when you are submitting a request.
- You@American
- What we do: Free web-based resource center that provides information about other resources available at AU.
- How to reach us: Create an account at https://you.american.edu.
Disability Accommodation Services
- AU Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC)
- Office of Student Affairs
- What we do: Once accommodations are confirmed by ASAC, we walk through steps for proper implementation.
- Hours of service: M-F 9:00am - 5:00pm; after hours by appointment.
- How to set up a meeting: Email studentaffairs@wcl.american.edu.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
- Office of Financial Aid
- What we do: counseling on smart student loan borrowing and maximizing institutional aid; resources on budgeting and loan repayment; emergency funds (limited and with specific eligibility criteria); restricted scholarships.
- Hours of service: M-W 9:00am - 5:00pm; Thursday, Friday and after hours by appointment only.
- How to reach us: Emailfinaid@wcl.american.edu.
Immigration Services
- ISSS
- WCL’s AU Dream Initiative
- What we do: Free immigration legal services to AU students and their family members; services range from consultations to full representation on a variety of immigration applications, including asylum, family petitions, DACA, TPS, applications for victims of crimes or violence, and deportation proceedings in immigration court. (Please note that we do not help with OPT, F, or J visas.)
- Hours of service: M-F 9:00am - 5:00pm.
- How to reach us: Email AUDream@wcl.american.edu or drop into AU Dream’s confidential virtual office hours any Wednesday from 12:00 - 1:30pm for a 15-minute chat and to schedule a future consultation.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Services
- Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Affinity Relations
- What we do: Institutional equity and policy development, educational programming, diversity and inclusion collaborative initiatives, and affinity organization support.
- Hours of service: M-F 9:00am - 5:00pm.
- How to reach us: email taylorl@wcl.american.edu.
WCL Student Affinity Groups
AU Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Reporting System
- Please submit to the AU Office of Equity & Title IX any report, complaint, or concern regarding discrimination, harassment, bias or sexual misconduct.
- The University will maintain the confidentiality of information shared throughout the complaint process. In the limited instances where disclosures must be made by the University, disclosures will be limited to those persons necessary to proceed in the fact-finding process or to otherwise address the complaint. Additionally, AU complies fully with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), which protects the confidentiality of student education records, including academic and non-academic records. A copy of the University’s Policy on Confidentiality of Student Records can be found here: https://www.american.edu/policies/students/upload/confidentiality-of-student-records-policy.pdf
- If you have additional questions or concerns, or wish to set up an appointment to meet with the Office of Equity and Title IX, you may email equityoffice@american.edu or call 202-885-8080.
Again, please let one of us or one of your professors know if you need additional or different help or support. We’re committed to your wellbeing and to supporting you while you’re part of the WCL community and as you begin your legal careers.
All our very best,
Ann Chernicoff, Senior Assistant Dean
Llezlie Green, Associate Dean for Experiential Education
David Jaffe, Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Daniela Kraiem, Assistant Dean for Career and Professional Development
Hilary Lappin, Registrar
Heather Hughes, Senior Associate Dean
Ezra Rosser, Associate Dean of the Part-time and Evening Division
Lisa Taylor, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Affinity Relations
Joni Wiredu, Senior Director of Academic Excellence
