The Legal Studies Society is known for its mission in supporting Legal Studies undergraduate students with law-related interests and aspirations. Upon learning that the COVID-19 pandemic had pushed most learning, services, and clubs online, the Legal Studies Society decided to increase the number of initiatives they typically create and use the remote opportunity to host a variety of virtual events that would reach students across different time zones and regions.
From September 2020 to March 2021, the Legal Studies Society, consisting of eight executive team and four extended team members, hosted 24 virtual events that totalled between 500-600 attendees. They welcomed approximately 30 guest speakers from across Canada and beyond, including law school admissions representatives, alumni, legal professionals, graduate students, academics, and advisors. Their events and resources included law school information sessions, career networking nights, student/professor mixers, LSAT preparation events, general meetings, and Q&A panels for first year students. The Legal Studies Society is proud of the work they have done to cultivate a sense of community within the Department of Sociology and Legal Studies between students, faculty, and staff, despite the challenges posed to student groups by COVID-19.
Legal Studies Society President, Mackenzie Leclaire, explains that some of these challenges include barriers to collaborating in a remote environment and a lack of face-to-face interpersonal connection with the undergraduate student body. She shares, “one of the things I have loved most about being a student leader for the last two years has been developing relationships with students and professors through in-person events, meetings, and mentoring opportunities. When COVID-19 hit, I was anxious because virtually managing a Society was unknown territory for me. I’m amazed by my team’s organization, creativity, and collaborative efforts to help navigate students through their academic path and prepare them for their future endeavours all while being online. I’m also grateful for the faculty and staff who have supported our initiatives by helping us execute our plans, attending our events, and promoting our events to their students.”
Mackenzie says: “I believe that students’ mental health and wellbeing is of utmost importance. If we have contributed to students’ level of preparedness, feelings of ease about the future, and sense of connectedness with their peers through our events and resources, then we have achieved our ultimate goal.”
To learn more about the Legal Studies Society, visit their website, Facebook, or Instagram.