Since 2014, Loyola University Chicago School of Law’s student volunteer organization, SUFEO (Stand Up for Each Other!), has helped K-12 students facing suspension, bullying, or exclusion from school. However, as schools went virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic, SUFEO’s focus expanded to help students experiencing remote learning difficulties.
SUFEO’s mission appeals to law students interested in a variety of practice areas. This year, the organization recruited 40 new 1L and 2L members, a significant portion of Loyola’s law school population. These law students volunteer to help K-12 students and parents through a hotline and virtual meetings.
Due to COVID instructional adaptation, the organization is receiving an increasing number of calls requesting help for students with disabilities and students facing discipline. Teachers, students, and parents are stressed, and SUFEO works to understand these stressors and help all parties involved reach an outcome in the student’s best interest.
“From a management standpoint, it has been really difficult,” says Civitas ChildLaw Clinic staff attorney and SUFEO adviser Jackie Ross, on the challenges of providing support to virtual learners.
Despite the challenges, their hard work has impacted lives, shown by these 2019-2020 SUFEO statistics:
- 6 students were found eligible for special education for the first time
- 4 students’ expulsion proceedings were dismissed, allowing them to remain in school
- 4 students were placed in new schools that better meet their needs
- 4 students returned to school who had been improperly kept out for weeks
- 3 out of 4 students won their suspension appeals
- 1 student’s disorderly conduct citation was dismissed
Already this school year, SUFEO is making a difference. Five new clients have started in new, more appropriate schools. Four new clients have started in an effective research-based literacy program for children with dyslexia. Five new clients’ remote learning plans were revised to better meet their needs. Three complaints have been filed alleging race-based or disability-based discrimination, and one of these cases is in mediation to help the student feel safe and able to learn in school. This summer, a SUFEO student successfully negotiated a compensatory education award of thousands of dollars to help a high school student get caught up in math.
While the increased demand for SUFEO’s services indicates significant inequity in the school system, the volunteers are glad to positively impact students’ lives.
“It’s unfortunate that it takes having an advocate to achieve creative problem solving,” Ross says, “If I didn’t have a team of 15 students who are already directly representing students, we couldn’t get this done. The beauty of SUFEO and these students is that through their involvement, everyone comes to table and can discuss these things.”
