Fundamental Commitments

The University of Maine School of Law strives to be a diverse community committed to equity in legal education and the legal profession. The University of Maine School of Law definition of diversity is inclusive of, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, gender expression, sexual orientation, transgender status, socioeconomic status, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, and veteran status.

We also recognize the positive value that increasing diversity brings to the University of Maine School of Law by creating a community with wide-ranging experiences and viewpoints that benefit everyone. We further affirm the myriad contributions people of color and other diverse groups have made to the University of Maine School of Law in all areas, including academics, leadership, and a commitment to social justice.

We acknowledge that historical patterns and practices within the legal profession, the government, and academic institutions have often fallen short of these ideals and reinforced systemic inequities. We acknowledge that many faculty and students have benefited and continue to benefit from structures that unjustly disadvantage others, and that even when striving to be inclusive we must not be complacent – and complicit – with respect to these systems of injustice.

Consistent with our mission of legal education, all members of our community are expected to be self-reflective on the inequities that exist within the legal system and our role in eradicating injustices in our legal system. We commit to listening to and supporting those members of our community who suffer at the hands of unjust systems.

We commit to identifying the oppression that permeates the law and the justice system, to examining methods for dismantling it and taking accountable action to make a measurable difference. The University of Maine School of Law reaffirms the commitment of its faculty, staff, and students to this work. We also acknowledge the unequal burden that people of color and other historically marginalized communities currently bear in carrying out this commitment and will strive to share that burden going forward.

The University of Maine School of Law therefore actively commits to being an inclusive and antiracist community by supporting the expression of ideas. We also advocate for the adoption of laws and policies that reduce racial and other inequities in our society.