Student Wellbeing Policy

The wellbeing of our law students is of paramount importance to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. We encourage and support student wellbeing for the mind, body and spirit.

At the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, we are concerned about law students' personal wellbeing as well as their academic achievement. Law students are encouraged to develop healthy habits that will sustain them through the demands of law school and their legal careers. One of the keys to success in law school involves managing the volume of work and the stress associated with the workload. To manage stress students need to stay healthy by doing the following:

  • Making healthy food choices
    Law students talking together outside
  • Exercising regularly
  • Treating illness as it arises
  • Handling an emergency or injury right away
  • Seeking help whenever necessary

In particular, the faculty and administration recognizes that the stresses of law school may lead to drug and alcohol abuse and dependency and mental health issues. Early intervention is the key to avoiding or addressing such problems. Accordingly, any student struggling with any such issues is strongly encouraged to immediately seek help from one of the resources listed below.

Policy Implementation

Dean Barton laughing and talking with law student
The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University has established a Wellness Committee, which will work to implement the above Student Wellbeing Policy by creating toolkits for achieving wellbeing and by working with the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and University administrations to ensure that students have a safe, clean working environment and affordable healthy food choices. In addition, they will schedule regular programming to advance student wellbeing.

Resources

Students are always welcome to meet with the Dean of Students about any problems or concerns. Whether an issue is an academic or a personal concern that may adversely impact academics, the Dean of Students works with students to get the help they need and to develop strategies to manage problems.  All matters are kept strictly confidential so long as no threat of harm to self or another appears imminent.

Duquesne Kline School of Law Wellbeing Resources               

  • Mindfulness and Meditation Room
  • Wellness Tip of the Week in The Docket
  • Wellness Week including a CLE done in conjunction with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers PA – Mental Health IS Health
  • Therapy Dogs (monthly) and chair massages (during exams)
  • Dean of Students wellness hours in the student lounge twice per week to answer questions and offer support
  • Wellbeing Working Group that includes faculty, staff, and students
  • Student Support Team designed to identify at-risk 1L students and intervene to direct them to appropriate resources.
  • The syllabus template includes links to wellness resources
  • Mental Health First Aid training for staff and student leaders
  • Food pantry and clothing closet
  • Wellness Series for faculty, staff, and students addressing the five pillars of wellbeing: psychological flexibility, mindfulness, emotion regulation/distress tolerance, acceptance, and self-compassion.

Duquesne University Wellbeing Resources

  1. Center for Student Wellbeing                                                                                                                     
    1. Counseling and Wellbeing Center, 326 Gumberg Library, Phone: (412) 396-6204
    2. Health Services, 3rd Floor Gumberg Library, Phone: (412) 396-1650
    3. Sports and Recreation, 2nd Floor, Power Center, Phone: (412) 396-5050.

      Basketball/volleyball courts, Racquetball courts, Cardio equipment, Fitness studios, Weight room, Exercise classes. Towers Swimming Pool. McCloskey Field. Basketball/Street Hockey Court. Tennis Court.
  2. Oasis Wellness App, available to all students on campus  
  3. DU CARES, Assumption Hall, (412) 396-5834 - Drug and alcohol counseling and information.
  4. Disability Services, 305 and 309 Student Union, (412) 396-6658 – resources on receiving accommodations for disabilities
  5. Psychology Clinic, 227 Rockwell Hall, (412) 396-6562 – Affordable services provided by doctoral students in Duquesne University's clinical psychology program who are working under the supervision of licensed clinical faculty members and selected licensed adjunct faculty psychologists in the community.
  6. Group Therapy Workshop, Support, and Social Groups, 326 Gumberg Library, (412) 396-6204 -Duquesne University is offering virtual and in person support group meetings for all Duquesne students, faculty and staff to provide spaces where we can support each other, learn coping skills and gain insight as we all navigate stressful and uncertain cultural times:
    • LGBTQIA+ Support and Social Group
    • Student Study Skills Group
    • Meditation Practice for Challenging Times, Meditation Group for Students
    • The Well: Student Support Group
    • The Village: Where Duquesne Black and African American Students can Express their Emotional Needs and Receive Support
    • RISE (Offered through DU CARES) : Support group for student who have family, friends or loved ones battling substance use disorders or have lost loved ones to the disease                                
  7. Campus Ministry, located on the ground level of the Towers Living Learning Center, the Spiritan Campus Ministry Center (SCMC) houses a relaxing lounge area, a study room, a café and kitchen, and interfaith prayer and reflection room.  The University chapel holds masses every day.
  8. Brother Keating Initiative, helps food-insecure members of the campus community receive access to supportive services. The initiative’s comprehensive services address health and wellness and include meal vouchers and a campus food pantry.
  9. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, provides support services and coordinates community-wide events and programs to celebrate and acknowledge campus leaders and raise awareness about critical issues.
  10. Bias Education Response Team (BERT), a multidisciplinary team that educates the campus community, monitors and reports on trends, and responds to bias incidents through restorative practices.

Outside Wellbeing Resources 

American Bar Association wellbeing resources – the ABA offers wellbeing tips and links for law students.

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers – Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc. is a comprehensive assistance program designed to meet the unique needs of law students, lawyers, judges and their family members who are struggling with alcohol and drug related problems or with stress, anxiety, depression, gambling and other emotional and mental health issues. Lawyers' Confidential Helpline: 1 (888) 999-1941