1. THE ABA SITE VISIT: THE STUDENT SECTION
ABA Site Evaluation Workshop
October 15, 2016
Stephanie Giggetts

2. WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Admissions, including Readmission and Transfers
Diversity
Bar Passage
Character & Fitness
Student Loans
Student Support Services
Employment Outcomes
Disability Accommodations
Required Disclosures
Student Complaints

3. WHERE TO START? Chapter 5: Admissions and Student Services
Chapter 3: Program of Legal Education, Standards 309 and 316
Chapter 2: Organization and Administration, Standard 207
Site Evaluation Questionnaire-Questions 57-75
Site Report Template-Questions 57-75

4. SITE VISITORS-WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE VISIT
Attend Site Evaluation Workshop
Review Conduct Memo
Review Site Evaluation Questionnaire
Review Annual Questionnaires
Draft Report Using Site Report Template and Identify Missing Information Needed On-Site
Arrange Meetings with Key Personnel and Confirm Areas of Responsibility
Director of Admissions/Chair of Admissions Committee
Director of Student Affairs
Director of Financial Aid
Director of Career Services
Registrar
Develop a Schedule for the Visit
Identify Areas of Concern for First Team Meeting

5. SITE VISITORS: WHAT TO DO DURING THE VISIT
Interview Admissions Director and Chair of Admissions Committee
Confirm Goals, Process, and Resources
Confirm Information on Recruitment Process
Review Charts
Review Scholarship Offers
Interview Dean of Students
Review Student Services Provided Including Academic Advising and Counseling, Accommodations, and Staffing
Interview Director of Financial Aid
Confirm Staffing, Services and Counseling
Interview Director of Career Services
Confirm Staffing, Services Provided (including to part-time students), Employment Tracking
Interview Registrar
Review Student Records (including transcripts)
Prepare Closing Comments for Meeting with Dean and President

6. ADMISSIONS-KEY ITEMS Admissions and First Year Class Profiles
Chart
Note Major Changes in Enrollment, Quality, Admits
Minority Admissions and First Year Class Profile
Note major changes in class diversity
Bachelor’s Degree Required
Exceptions
Official Transcript
Admission Test other than LSAT
Readmission
Credit for Prior Law Study

7. DIVERSITY Standard 205: Non-discrimination.
Standard 206: Diversity and Inclusion.
Site Report Template Question 58.
Does the Law School on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability:
use admission policies or take other action to preclude admission of applicants or retention of students.
foster and maintain equality of opportunity for students without discrimination or segregation.
Quote the Non-discrimination Policy Applicable to Students and Student Admission.

8. USE OF ADMISSIONS TEST Required under Standard 503.
Council could take Action to change or eliminate Interpretation
Advising Schools not to rely on Interpretation
Report on use of test other than LSAT.

9. ADMISSIONS-DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW
Charts.
Managing Director’s Office will provide charts to site team.
School and site inspector should confirm it is accurate and up-to-date.
Admission Files.
Review admits, denies, readmits (15).
Are GPA and LSAT in line with admission policies?
Confirm bachelor’s degree and copy of transcript.
Confirm statement for readmission.
Review credit for prior law study.
Any admission without LSAT?
Nondiscrimination Policy.

10. BAR PASSAGE-KEY ITEMS First Time Bar Passage Reporting
Chart.
Observe trends.
If Standard 316 [bar passage standard] is not satisfied by first-time results, must report ultimate data and include chart (Contact Managing Director’s Office).
Information on academic support and bar preparation programs.
Assessment of success.

11. CHARACTER AND FITNESS
Standard 504 Requires a Law School to Include the Following Statement:
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Statement Must Appear in Application and On Website.
Additional Notice Required After Matriculation.

12. STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM Standard 507. Student Loan Programs.
Describe the Student Financial Aid Program (Both Grants And Loans) at the Law School.
Describe the Steps Taken by the Law School to Minimize Student Loan Defaults.
Must Include Entrance and Exit Counseling.
For Law Schools Not Affiliated With a University, Provide the Three Most Recently Published Annual Cohort Default Rates and Report on Any Non-compliance With Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

13. STUDENT SERVICES Standard 508: Student Support Services.
Provide Details on:
Maintenance of accurate student records.
Academic advising and counseling (See also Standard 309) .
Financial aid and debt counseling.
Career counseling.
Report on the Provision of Student Services to other than Full-time Students.
Get Feedback on Student Services at Student Meeting and Include in Report.

14. EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES Describe employment outcomes.
If the percentage of graduates who are unemployed seeking on the Employment Summary Report for any of the past three years is greater than 20%, and/or the percentage of graduates whose employment status is unknown is greater than 15%, discuss how the Law School has addressed or is addressing the issue.

15. DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Standard Reasonable Accommodation for Qualified Individuals with Disabilities.
Describe How the Law School Assesses and Handles Requests for Reasonable Accommodations.
Note Where the Policies and Procedures are Published.
As to Facilities Issues, see Standard 702(b).

16. REQUIRED DISCLOSURES Standard 509, Required Disclosures.
See Guidance Memo on Standard 509
Does the Law School have a link on its home page titled “ABA Required Disclosures?”
Is the Employment Summary Report published in the manner and time frame specified?
Law schools must post their current and past two years’ Employment Summary Reports. The most recent three years’ data must be posted by April 15.
Is the Standard 509 Report published in the manner and for the time frame specified?
A report for the most recent year must be posted by December 15 of the year.
If the Law School makes public disclosure of its status as a law school approved by the Council, see the Guidance Memo on Standard 509(e), Regarding Accreditation Status.

17. FREQUENT DISCLOSURE ISSUES
Conditional scholarship retention data. Must not only be published, but the same data must be provided to applicants offered such scholarships at the time the scholarship offer is extended. Confirm that is done. If no conditional scholarships are offered, say so.
Transfer of credit. Policy must be disclosed, including statement of criteria and list of articulation agreements. If none, say so.

18. STUDENT COMPLAINTS
Standard Student Complaints Implicating Compliance with the Standards.
Describe the Law School’s Policy and Indicate Where it is Published.
Does Policy Address Procedures for Filing and Addressing Complaints, any Appeal Rights and Timeliness?
Review Record of Complaints, if any, and Policy as to Retention, including Resolution.
Must keep records for Most Recent Period of Accreditation.

19. STUDENT MEETING
Obtain Students Opinions on Availability and Satisfaction with Services Provided
Accommodations
Academic Advising
Debt Counseling
Career Services
Complaint Process
Diversity and Inclusion

20. SITE VISITORS: WHAT TO DO AFTER THE VISIT
Make post-visit contacts for any missing information after conferring with chair.
Draft and finalize your section of the report using the Site Report Template.
Submit your section of the report by the deadline.
Report facts and observations, not conclusions or opinions.
Keep the report confidential.
Respond promptly to internal review questions.
Compete the Survey for Site Team Members.
Destroy all materials after receipt of Decision Letter.

21. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES-WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE VISIT
Attend Site Evaluation Workshop
Complete Student Section of Site Evaluation Questionnaire
Review Site Report Template and Instructions
Review Conduct Memo
Prepare List of Key Contacts
Assemble Information
Hardcopy or Electronic

22. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES-WHAT TO DO DURING THE VISIT
Have Files Ready for Review and Decide if they will be Provided in Hardcopy or Electronically.
Admissions-Admission Files
Student Affairs-Accommodation Files
Career Services-Employment Files
Registrar-Student Files, Transcripts
Financial Aid-Scholarship Letters, Entrance and Exit Interview Files
Clear Schedules for (or provide information on availability of) Key Administrators and Committee Chairs.

23. ADMISSIONS-KEY ITEMS Admissions and First Year Class Profiles
Chart
Address Major Changes in Enrollment, Quality, Admits
Minority Admissions and First Year Class Profile
Address major changes in class diversity
Bachelor’s Degree Required
Exceptions
Official Transcript
Admission Test other than LSAT
Readmission
Credit for Prior Law Study

24. DIVERSITY Standard 205: Non-discrimination.
Standard 206: Diversity and Inclusion.
Site Report Template Question 64.
Does the Law School on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability:
use admission policies or take other action to preclude admission of applicants or retention of students.
foster and maintain equality of opportunity for students without discrimination or segregation.
Quote the Non-discrimination Policy Applicable to Students and Student Admission.

25. USE OF ADMISSIONS TEST Required under Standard 503.
Council could take action to change or eliminate Interpretation
Advising Schools not to rely on Interpretation
Report on use of test other than LSAT.

26. ADMISSIONS-DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW
Charts.
Managing Director’s Office will provide charts to site team.
School and site inspector should confirm it is accurate and up-to-date.
Admission Files.
Provide access to admits, denies, readmits (15).
Are GPA and LSAT in line with admission policies?
Should include evidence of bachelor’s degree and copy of transcript.
Should include statement for readmission.
Credit for prior law study-Does it meet Standard 505?
Any admission without LSAT?
Nondiscrimination Policy.

27. BAR PASSAGE-KEY ITEMS First Time Bar Passage Reporting
Chart.
Observe trends.
If Standard 316 [bar passage standard] is not satisfied by first-time results, must report ultimate data and include chart (Contact Managing Director’s Office).
Information on academic support and bar preparation programs.
Assessment of success.

28. CHARACTER AND FITNESS
Standard 504 Requires a Law School to Include the Following Statement:
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Statement Must Appear in Application and On Website.
Additional Notice Required After Matriculation.

29. STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM Standard 507. Student Loan Programs.
Describe the Student Financial Aid Program (Both Grants And Loans) at the Law School.
Describe the Steps Taken by the Law School to Minimize Student Loan Defaults.
Must Include Entrance and Exit Counseling.
For Law Schools Not Affiliated With a University, Provide the Three Most Recently Published Annual Cohort Default Rates and Report on Any Non-compliance With Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

30. STUDENT SERVICES Standard 508: Student Support Services.
Provide Details on:
Maintenance of accurate student records.
Academic advising and counseling (See also Standard 309) .
Financial aid and debt counseling.
Career counseling.
Demonstrate Provision of Student Services to other than Full-time Students.

31. EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES Provide link to outcomes.
If the percentage of graduates who are unemployed seeking on the Employment Summary Report for any of the past three years is greater than 20%, and/or the percentage of graduates whose employment status is unknown is greater than 15%, discuss how the Law School has addressed or is addressing the issue.

32. DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Standard Reasonable Accommodation for Qualified Individuals with Disabilities.
Describe How the Law School Assesses and Handles Requests for Reasonable Accommodations.
Note Where the Policies and Procedures are Published.
As to Facilities Issues, see Standard 702(b).

33. REQUIRED DISCLOSURES Standard 509, Required Disclosures.
See Guidance Memo on Standard 509
Does the Law School have a link on its home page titled “ABA Required Disclosures?”
Is the Employment Summary Report published in the manner and time frame specified?
Law schools must post their current and past two years’ Employment Summary Reports. The most recent three years’ data must be posted by April 15.
Is the Standard 509 Report published in the manner and for the time frame specified?
A report for the most recent year must be posted by December 15 of the year.
If the Law School makes public disclosure of its status as a law school approved by the Council, see the Guidance Memo on Standard 509(e), Regarding Accreditation Status.

34. FREQUENT DISCLOSURE ISSUES
Conditional scholarship retention data. Must not only be published, but the same data must be provided to applicants offered such scholarships at the time the scholarship offer is extended. If no conditional scholarships are offered, say so.
Transfer of credit. Policy must be disclosed, including statement of criteria and list of articulation agreements. If none, say so.

35. STUDENT COMPLAINTS
Standard Student Complaints Implicating Compliance with the Standards.
Describe the Law School’s Policy and Indicate Where it is Published.
Does Policy Address Procedures for Filing and Addressing Complaints, any Appeal Rights and Timeliness?
Review Record of Complaints, if any, and Policy as to Retention, including Resolution.
Must keep for Most Recent Period of Accreditation.

36. STUDENT MEETING Pick time when students will be available.
Provide sufficient notice of place and time of meeting.

37. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES: WHAT TO DO AFTER THE VISIT
Respond Promptly to any Post-Visit Inquiries.
Review Site Report Carefully and Prepare an Appropriate Response.
Review Decision Letter Carefully and Provide any Additional Information Requested to Establish Compliance with the Standards.