Student Services Office
The Student Services Office, which houses the Advising Center, is responsible for personal and academic advising and advisement to all Southwestern students. The office provides academic advisement on a variety of matters, as well as special advisement and support to students experiencing academic challenges (see list below). In addition, requests related to academic and administrative matters are handled by the office, as well as special programs for transfer and visiting students. Students may also be referred to BisonCares (Southwestern's off-campus counseling resource) or Southwestern's on-campus Academic Success Program after meeting with the office staff.
Contact the Student Services Office if you need:
Academic Advising regarding:
| Assistance with:
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The Student Services Office also works collaboratively with faculty, Academic Success, and various other departments to address student needs. Additionally, the office sponsors academic advising programs such as Table Days and other events to promote student well-being and is actively involved in developing other programs and activities to enhance student life on campus.
Advising Center
From academic planning to individualized advising, the staff of the Advising Center is here to assist with problems in order to help students have successful academic careers. We highly encourage you to visit the Advising Center and take advantage of this valuable resource.
To schedule an appointment with an academic advisor, please visit the Student Services Office Portal page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- FAQS: Attendance
Can I attend an in-person class remotely?
You will need to check your professors' syllabi to see if they have a “Participation via Zoom Policy” in their course syllabus. If they do, please contact them and ask if you can attend remotely. If they do not have remote availability, then you may ask them for a lecture recording. Please note that if you do attend remotely you are not permitted to log in on Qwickly.
I'm sick or experiencing an emergency. Can my absence by excused?
We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing an emergency. Unfortunately, we cannot excuse your absence. Per Southwestern's Attendance Policy, students are allowed to miss 20% of classes. This amounts to about three weeks of classes depending on the course. Should you exceed the 20% limit, you may appeal Administrative Withdrawal from the course with the Student Services Office.
I need to miss class due to a religious observance. What should I do?
Please contact the Student Services Office at studentservices@swlaw.edu. You will also need to reach out to your professors directly and notify them of your absence(s).
- FAQS: Exams
I have two exams on the same day at different times. Can I reschedule my exam?
Pursuant to the Southwestern Examination Policy, approval of exam date/time change requests is only permissible under extraordinary circumstances or when two exams overlap on the same date/time.
I have two exams on the same day at the same time. Can I reschedule my exam?
Yes. Please fill out the Special Exam Administration form and submit it to studentservices@swlaw.edu. You can find the form in the Documents section below. Please submit the form at least four weeks prior to your exam.
I have to travel on the date of my exam. Can I reschedule it?
Since the exam schedule is posted in advance of the semester, students are expected to adjust their schedules accordingly to be able to take their exam as scheduled. As such, please provide a statement regarding the purpose of the travel and a travel itinerary that shows when the travel arrangements were purchased. To submit a request, please complete the Special Exam Administration form and submit it tostudentservices@swlaw.edu. You can find the form in the Documents section below.
- FAQs: Miscellaneous
Can I take more or less units than I'm allowed?
Students can request an overload or underload of one unit once during their law school enrollment. To request an over or underload please complete the Student Action Report form and send it to studentservices@swlaw.edu. You can find the Student Action Report form in the Documents section below. Please make sure to include a list of all classes you are intending to take.
I'm thinking about taking a Leave of Absence. What should I do?
Please schedule an appointment with one of our academic advisors. They will walk you through the Leave of Absence process and help you determine the best course of action.
I have a disability. How can I request an accommodation?
Please complete the accommodations intake form. Once we receive the form, we will schedule a meeting to discuss the accommodation process and answer any questions you may have.
I found a discrepancy in my moral character application. What should I do?
Please schedule an appointment with one of our academic advisors. They will help you determine the best course of action.
How can I request a Letter of Standing?
Please fill out the Letter of Standing Request form and submit it to studentservices@swlaw.edu. You can find the form in the Documents section below. Please allow up to 5 business days for us to process your form.
Can the Student Services Office complete my PTLS form?
Please fill out the Letter of Standing Request form and submit it to studentservices@swlaw.edu. You can find the form in the Documents section below. Please allow up to 5 business days for us to process your form.
Accessibility Accommodations
The office is also responsible for accessibility accommodations for students with disabilities. Students must contact the Student Services Office as early as possible to discuss requests for special accommodations. The office also makes recommendations for awards and scholarships.
Office Hours:
- Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Friday (remote), 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Other times by appointment
Current Students may find detailed information and forms on the Portal (log-in required).