Mission, Vision & Assessment
Student Legal Services supports student success by providing accessible legal services, preventative programming, referrals and educational opportunities. The department evaluates its work through student outcomes, outreach, training and the continued development of services that reflect student needs.
Mission & Vision
Mission
The Department of Student Legal Services promotes each student's learning experience by providing excellent legal services and preventative programming.
Vision
The Department of Student Legal Services will be recognized as an exceptional legal service provider among campus and legal communities. Student Legal Services seeks to enrich the personal development of students by providing outstanding, cost-effective and highly accessible legal services and preventative programming that adapt to meet student needs.
Student Success Outcomes
Student Legal Services evaluates how legal services and preventative programming support students' ability to remain focused on their academic goals and continue their education at Texas Tech.
Help Students Focus on Their Studies
Outcome
Provide services that enable students to focus on their studies.
Assessment
Identify and report the legal issues that most affect a student's ability to focus on academic responsibilities.
Strategies
- Provide services that reflect the legal needs of Texas Tech students.
- Provide legal representation in areas that create significant stress for students.
- Refer students to appropriate on-campus and off-campus resources when needed.
- Adapt programming to reflect changing student needs.
Support Student Retention
Outcome
Provide services that enable students to remain enrolled at Texas Tech University.
Assessment
Identify and report the effect of legal counseling and services on student retention.
Strategies
- Provide services that reflect the legal needs of Texas Tech students.
- Provide legal representation in areas that create significant stress for students.
- Refer students to appropriate on-campus and off-campus resources when needed.
- Adapt programming to reflect changing student needs.
Student Training & Development
Provide Training Opportunities
Outcome
Provide meaningful training opportunities for Texas Tech law students and undergraduate students working with Student Legal Services.
Assessment
Evaluate learning outcomes for Student Legal Services law clerks, externs and student assistants.
Strategies
- Provide student employment and experiential learning opportunities.
- Use entry and exit assessments to evaluate student learning and professional development.
- Provide opportunities for law clerks to observe legal processes, client intake and formal legal proceedings.
- Continue participation in the Texas Tech University School of Law externship program.
Outreach & Engagement
Student Legal Services extends its work beyond individual consultations by providing preventative education, campus outreach and partnerships that help students better understand common legal issues.
Provide Legal Learning Opportunities
Outcome
Provide learning opportunities for students regarding legal matters that may affect their university experience.
Assessment
Track and evaluate outreach services provided to Texas Tech students.
Strategies
- Participate in orientation and other student transition programs when appropriate.
- Provide presentations, workshops and preventative legal education for students.
- Use campus communication channels to increase awareness of Student Legal Services.
- Develop programming in response to common and emerging student legal concerns.
Strengthen Campus & Community Awareness
Outcome
Increase awareness of Student Legal Services programs and services within the Texas Tech and Lubbock communities.
Assessment
Track partnerships, presentations and other engagement activities involving campus and community organizations.
Strategies
- Maintain professional engagement with relevant legal organizations.
- Participate in campus committees, task forces or community organizations when appropriate.
- Build relationships with university departments that regularly refer students for legal assistance.
- Partner with campus offices to provide preventative programming and student education.
Increase Campus Referrals
Outcome
Increase the number of students who connect with Student Legal Services through referrals from campus departments and organizations.
Assessment
Track the number of students who report learning about Student Legal Services through another campus office or organization.
Strategies
- Conduct regular outreach to university departments and student-serving organizations.
- Partner with other departments on preventative legal programming.
- Maintain clear referral pathways for common student legal concerns.
Service & Resource Development
Align Services With Student Needs
Outcome
Tailor services and attorney expertise toward legal areas that have a significant effect on student success and retention.
Assessment
Identify legal issues that most affect student retention and evaluate whether staff expertise and department resources align with those areas.
Strategies
- Provide continuing legal education in areas that have significant impact on students.
- Seek cost-effective professional development opportunities.
- Develop staff expertise in key legal areas that align with student needs.
- Use assessment data to evaluate services, programming and resource allocation.
Assessment and planning are ongoing. Student Legal Services may update specific measures, targets, technology and implementation methods over time as student needs, university priorities and legal practice evolve.
Student Legal Services
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Address
Student Union Building Rm. 202 Lubbock, TX 79409-1017 -
Phone
806.742.3289 -
Email
studentlegalservices@ttu.edu