What can you do about it

What can you do about it?

if you are a law student:

1.    Organize If there is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender law student association, you should join it. Often these associations have a small membership and it will help if they show that there is a significant constituency of students for whom this is an important issue. Many of these associations are open to all LGBT students and their supporters. If there isn't such an association, think about starting one. Connect up with other LGBT law student associations in and around your area. Discuss what actions you can take in combination with each other.

2. Reach Out and Educate Increase support within your school, among your friends and other students. Contact other supportive student groups like other minority student groups and the women and the law association. Ask them for support in your effort to effect change.

3.  Be Informed Find out your school's position and response on this issue:

        - Is the school administration permitting the military to interview on campus? If so, are they aware of their responsibilities to take "ameliorative measures?" What response (if any) has the school administration given to the military request for on campus interviews (try and get a copy of the school's reply to the military's request letter)
        - What ameliorative measures are the law school administration planning to take? Demand a list of specific measures, with description and dates.
        - Is the Career or Placement Office informed of their responsibilities? Are they placing a "warning" on all pieces of information, bulletin board announcements, brochures and posters relating to the military or JAG?

        - If the military is allowed to interview on campus, when will they be there? Ask the Career or Placement Office to let you know as soon as possible the dates the military is expected to be on campus. Sign up for the interview slots immediately so you can discuss the Solomon Amendment with the interviewers. Encourage all your friends to do so.

4.  Take Action - Voice Your Objection: close to the days the military are scheduled to be on campus, write and send letters to the law school, university or general local newspapers voicing your objection. Ask others including other supportive student groups, the Dean and supportive faculty to do the same.
        - Monitor the Military Presence: Under the Solomon Amendment, the military can only insist on equal treatment. Make sure that they are not treated any better than other on-campus employers. They should not be given any preferences as to facilities, hours, or other accommodations including refreshments.
        - Use the Occasion to Raise Awareness: Distribute ribbons or badges for supportive students and faculty to wear. Organize a letter-writing campaign to your local Congressperson asking for the repeal of Solomon. Put the desk outside the office where the military is conducting interviews. Organize lunchtime discussion panels on issues concerning Sexual Orientation and the Law. Ask the administration (including the dean of students) to help fund outside speakers, including pizza and soft drinks. Have a "Teach-in" day. Invite the local press.

This is YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE

if you are a faculty member

1. Support and mentor your students in the actions they choose to take in countering Solomon. Be there for them in terms of dealing with the administration in seeking information and the resources for their activities.

2. Raise the issue at faculty meetings, asking the administration to account for the ameliorative measure they are undertaking and make suggestions on how they can be enhanced.

3. Encourage your colleagues to raise LGBT legal issues in their teaching, especially during the week the military is conducting on-campus interviews

4. Suggest to the dean that a faculty sub-committee be appointed to specifically deal with the Solomon issue, to make recommendations for amelioration, including educational events and funding and to monitor the facilities provided by the Careers or Placement Office. Suggest that the sub-committee include the student leaders of the LGBT law student association.

5. The Society of American Law Teachers has issued a Solomon questionnaire/survey. It is essential to know how schools are responding to Solomon. It is urgent that you forward the questionnaire/survey to your dean's office for completion. Follow up and make sure it is done and returned.

[Return to Solomon Home Page]

1. Organize	If there is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender law student association, you should join it. Often these associations have a small membership and it will help if they show that there is a significant constituency of students for whom this is an important issue. Many of these associations are open to all LGBT students and their supporters. If there isn't such an association, think about starting one. Connect up with other LGBT law student associations in and around your area. Discuss what actions you can take in combination with each other.
2. Reach Out and Educate	Increase support within your school, among your friends and other students. Contact other supportive student groups like other minority student groups and the women and the law association. Ask them for support in your effort to effect change.
3. Be Informed	Find out your school's position and response on this issue: - Is the school administration permitting the military to interview on campus? If so, are they aware of their responsibilities to take "ameliorative measures?" What response (if any) has the school administration given to the military request for on campus interviews (try and get a copy of the school's reply to the military's request letter) - What ameliorative measures are the law school administration planning to take? Demand a list of specific measures, with description and dates. - Is the Career or Placement Office informed of their responsibilities? Are they placing a "warning" on all pieces of information, bulletin board announcements, brochures and posters relating to the military or JAG? - If the military is allowed to interview on campus, when will they be there? Ask the Career or Placement Office to let you know as soon as possible the dates the military is expected to be on campus. Sign up for the interview slots immediately so you can discuss the Solomon Amendment with the interviewers. Encourage all your friends to do so.
4. Take Action	- Voice Your Objection: close to the days the military are scheduled to be on campus, write and send letters to the law school, university or general local newspapers voicing your objection. Ask others including other supportive student groups, the Dean and supportive faculty to do the same. - Monitor the Military Presence: Under the Solomon Amendment, the military can only insist on equal treatment. Make sure that they are not treated any better than other on-campus employers. They should not be given any preferences as to facilities, hours, or other accommodations including refreshments. - Use the Occasion to Raise Awareness: Distribute ribbons or badges for supportive students and faculty to wear. Organize a letter-writing campaign to your local Congressperson asking for the repeal of Solomon. Put the desk outside the office where the military is conducting interviews. Organize lunchtime discussion panels on issues concerning Sexual Orientation and the Law. Ask the administration (including the dean of students) to help fund outside speakers, including pizza and soft drinks. Have a "Teach-in" day. Invite the local press.