All UMass Amherst students who have paid the Student Activities Trust Fund (SATF) Fee or the Graduate Senate Tax are eligible for services from the SLSO. Registered student organizations and student trust-funded agencies are also eligible for our services. Legal ethics restrict us from advising or representing one student organization against another.

We assist student clients and student groups in a wide range of matters. Please call us at 545-1995 to arrange an appointment to discuss your legal questions.

How can SLSO help Students and Student Groups? Individual students, student groups and student governance organizations amy be concerned about university rules, regulations and policies which impact their actions or activities. Also, students may be concerned about their individual or group liablity for certain occurrences. The Student Legal Services Office can advise students and student groups about:
Individual and Group Liability for:

• Negligence
• Alcohol related injuries
• Rape and Sexual Assault
• Sport Injuries
• Off-campus events
• Destruction of Property

Consequences of Political Actions, Protests, Demonstrations, Takeovers:

• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Civil Right Laws
• Search and Seizure Laws
• Due Process of Law
• Freedom of Assembly
• Freedom of Association
• Right to petition for Redress of Grievances

Students Involved in Media Organizations May Have Concerns About:

• Freedom of Speech and Cencorship
• Academic Editorial Freedom
• Individual and Group Defamation
• Invasion of Privacy
• Intellectual Property

Student Governace Organizations May Need:

• Legal Supprt to SGA and GSS
• Counsel to Student Attorney General
• Counsel to Student Judiciary
• Counsel to Student Trustee
• Policy and Legislative Advocacy
• Interpretation of Trustee Policies

Student-funded Agencies May Need Advice

• Government Ethics Issues
• State and Federal Lobbying, campaign and Tax Laws