Confident, informed students. Fair outcomes.
Building Legal Understanding for Students
The Student Legal Advocacy Network is a student-led organization focused on legal literacy, rights awareness, and understanding how campus policies and legal frameworks affect student life—through education, discussion, and professional insight.
WHY LEGAL LITERACY MATTERS
Campus policies and procedures can be confusing. Understanding them matters.
Universities have detailed rules, processes, and expectations that can feel overwhelming—especially when students encounter them for the first time. Many students are never formally taught how these systems work or what their rights and responsibilities are within them.
The Student Legal Advocacy Network exists to help students build legal literacy and awareness, so they are better prepared to navigate academic life, make informed decisions, and understand how institutional processes function.
Our focus is education, discussion, and awareness—not representation or legal advice.
Topics We Explore Through Educational Programming
Academic integrity and plagiarism policies
Student conduct processes and procedural frameworks
Title IX and interpersonal conduct policies (educational overview only)
Housing, residency, and campus life policies
Accessibility, accommodations, and student support systems
Student-Centered Learning
We focus on education that supports student growth, responsibility, and long-term academic success through discussion, workshops, and speaker events.
Educational Network
SLAN is a student-led organization supported by faculty advisors and legal professionals who participate in informational, non-advisory programming.
What we do
Education. Awareness. Real-World Legal Insight.
The Student Legal Advocacy Network focuses on legal literacy and understanding, helping students learn how legal and institutional systems work so they can make informed, responsible decisions throughout their academic and professional lives.
Our programming is educational in nature and does not provide legal advice or representation.
Understanding Policies & Procedures
We help students build general knowledge about how common campus policies and processes are structured, including academic integrity standards, conduct procedures, and institutional expectations.
How university policies are written and applied
Common terminology used in official communications
General rights and responsibilities within campus systems
How to read and understand policy documents
(Educational overview only — not case-specific guidance)
Communication & Professional Readiness
Through workshops and discussions, students learn how to communicate clearly, ask informed questions, and engage professionally within academic and institutional settings.
Understanding procedural language
Preparing thoughtful questions
Practicing professional communication
Ethical decision-making and accountability
(These skills are transferable well beyond campus life)
Educational Programming & Professional Exposure
SLAN hosts speaker events, panels, and discussions with legal professionals and faculty to provide real-world context around law, policy, and ethics.
Guest speakers from the legal profession
Legal literacy workshops and discussions
Faculty-supported educational events
Referrals to publicly available resources when appropriate
(SLAN does not intervene in disputes, hearings, or individual cases)
How it works
A clear, educational path to understanding law and campus processes
SLAN helps students learn how legal and institutional systems work through education, discussion, and professional insight. Our approach focuses on building understanding and confidence — not handling individual cases or providing legal advice.
What to Expect
SLAN programming includes scheduled events, workshops, and speaker sessions held throughout the academic term. Participation is open to students interested in learning more about law, policy, and institutional processes.
(SLAN does not provide individual case review, timelines, or emergency response.)
Step 1
Learn the Framework
Students engage with educational content that explains how common campus policies, legal concepts, and procedural frameworks are structured.
✔ How academic and conduct policies are organized
✔ Common terminology used in official communications
✔ General rights and responsibilities within institutional systems
Step 2
Engage in Discussion & Learning
Through workshops, speaker events, and faculty-supported discussions, students explore how legal principles apply in real-world and campus-related contexts.
✔ Educational discussions and Q&A sessions
✔ Guest speakers from the legal profession
✔ Ethical considerations and decision-making
Step 3
Build Confidence & Awareness
WStudents leave with greater clarity, awareness, and confidence in navigating academic life responsibly and understanding when to seek appropriate campus or external resources.
✔ Improved policy literacy
✔ Professional communication skills
✔ Awareness of available support systems
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
If you’re interested in learning more about SLAN’s mission, structure, or campus involvement, the questions below provide an overview of how the organization works.
Do you only work with certain schools?
SLAN chapters are student-led and campus-based. Programming is available at universities where a chapter has been formally established and approved. Additional campuses may be added over time as new chapters are launched.
Is there a cost for services?
SLAN does not provide services or charge fees. Participation in events and educational programming is generally free to students and depends on chapter activities and university guidelines.
Are you a law firm? Will I have an attorney?
No. SLAN is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. Our role is educational—focused on legal literacy, policy awareness, and understanding how legal and institutional systems work.
How can my campus get involved with SLAN?
SLAN grows through student-led chapters. Students interested in bringing SLAN to their campus can work with their university’s student organization office to establish a chapter and identify a faculty advisor. SLAN provides guidance and shared resources to support the launch process.
Who can start a SLAN chapter?
Any student in good academic standing who is interested in legal literacy, policy awareness, or leadership development may help start a chapter, subject to their university’s student organization requirements.
Do I have to be a pre-law or political science major to participate?
No. SLAN is open to students from all academic backgrounds. While many members are interested in law or public policy, the organization welcomes anyone interested in understanding how legal and institutional systems affect student life.
What does a SLAN chapter typically do on campus?
SLAN chapters host educational events such as guest speakers, workshops, and discussions focused on legal literacy, campus policies, and real-world legal topics. Activities are designed to complement academic learning and promote informed, responsible decision-making.
How does SLAN support new chapters?
SLAN provides shared guidance, sample programming ideas, and best practices to help chapters launch and grow. Each chapter remains independently operated and follows its university’s student organization policies.
Can SLAN chapters collaborate with other student organizations?
Yes. SLAN chapters are encouraged to collaborate with other academic, professional, or student organizations on educational programming that aligns with university guidelines and shared interests..
Is SLAN the right fit if I’m just starting to explore law?
Yes. SLAN is designed for students at all stages of interest—from those simply curious about law and policy to those planning future legal careers..
© 2026 Student Legal Advocacy Network. All rights reserved | St. Louis, Missouri
SLAN is a student-led organization committed to an inclusive, respectful learning environment and is open to all students