Student Legal Services is a division of Student Life and is a full-service law office. Our services are available to currently enrolled students at the University of Michigan.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Congratulations on making it through another semester. As finals wind down and many prepare to travel for the holiday break, remember to take a few minutes to double-check a few things. Every year we see people return to Ann Arbor to find a burst pipe situation waiting for them in their rental unit. DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR HEAT! Make sure you secure your house or apartment if no one will be there during the break. Let your landlord know your travel plans. Maintain the thermostat at a required level (check with your landlord or your lease) to avoid pipes freezing. Do a Mail Hold with the post office.
If you are traveling, check with the TSA as well as your airlines' rules for travel to avoid getting stopped with unauthorized items. Take extra precautions with credit cards, smart phones, and other electronic devices to prevent scams and other theft.
While our office is closed during the holiday break (December 25th to January 1st), you can still use our website to make an appointment request. For all appointment requests please use our Request an Appointment link. Or call our office and leave a message. During the break we will respond to requests as soon as we are able. Have a safe and wonderful break!
ELIGIBILITY NOTE: You must be a currently enrolled student at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan - Dearborn, or the University of Michigan - Flint, in order to qualify for and receive our services.
Confidentiality
All communications with our attorneys are confidential. We will not discuss your case with your parents, friends, spouses, or the University of Michigan, without your written consent.
Bats in the Belfry?
Every year we get some calls from student renters who want to know what to do if they have a bat in the house. Your first reaction might be to scream and run, or open all the doors and windows in hopes that it will fly out. But according to the Washtenaw County Health Department, letting it out is a bad idea. Instead, they recommend contacting them first.
https://www.washtenaw.org/1795/Rabies
The Washtenaw County Health Department recently identified a rabid bat and stresses the importance of getting accurate reporting data on bats.
“We were enjoying a longer stretch with no rabies-positive animals, but it’s not unusual for us to see some rabid bats in the county every year,” says Ailen Velazquez, MSc, MD, Washtenaw County Health Department epidemiology coordinator. “We often see more bat encounters in the summer and fall months, so we want to remind everyone to contact the Health Department if you find a bat in your home.”
Latest Scams
Keep an eye out for imposter scams, or scams where the scammer is pretending to be someone or some entity like the government or a private business. There have been an increasing number of scams arriving by email and text purporting to be a private business warning you of a scam or security breach.
Housing Resources for Students with Disabilities
Searching for off-campus housing can feel challenging, and if you are a student with a disability who may need housing accommodations, the process can seem even more daunting. If you have questions or would like assistance with the process, please contact Student Legal Services, Beyond the Diag, Services for Students with Disabilities or Michigan Housing.
You can also visit the dedicated off-campus housing search website, and use the personalized search tools to find options that match your needs.
STUDENT LEGAL SERVICES, BEYOND THE DIAG, SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND MICHIGAN HOUSING are working together to support students with housing accessibility needs. If you have any questions or concerns, or need assistance with accommodations for off campus housing please contact either:
Gayle Rosen, University of Michigan Student Legal Services Housing Attorney. [email protected] or 734.763.9920
Mark Simmonds, University of Michigan Beyond the Diag, Program Manager. [email protected] or 734.764.7420
If you have any questions or concerns, or need assistance with accommodations for campus housing please contact either:
Dr. Oluwaferanmi Okanlami, Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services at the University of Michigan, Director. [email protected] or 734.763.3000
Rick Gibson, Michigan Housing, Director. [email protected] or 734.764.7401
Ashley Albright, Housing Information Office, Housing Accommodations Coordinator. [email protected] or 734.763.3164
Leasing Scams!
There has been an uptick in leasing scams. Please be careful before signing a lease, a sublease, or sending any rent, deposits, or other fees in relation to a lease. If you are unsure about the validity of a proposed lease, please contact us before signing the lease or sending any funds.
FAKE JOB AND INTERNSHIPS WARNING!
The University of Michigan, as well as schools around the country are seeing an increase in fake job and internships targeted at students. Scammers, posing as faculty and staff, are contacting students with impesonated email credentials and making offers for jobs and internships that do not exist. If you receive any email offer claiming to come from UM faculty, staff or administration, do not repsond or provide any personal information. Instead, report it to the UM Internet Technology Services (ITS) at https://its.umich.edu/help.
https://safecomputing.umich.edu/security-alerts/beware-phishing-emails-targeting-students
Contact Us
Call us during our office hours for more information. No legal advice will be given over the telephone or via e-mail.
Mailing Address:
University of Michigan -
Student Legal Services
Division of Student Life
715 N. University Ave., Suite 202
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1605
General Information Only (we do not give legal advice over the Phone or via Email. Please do not send documents via FAX or Email. To make an appointment use the Request an Appointment link above):
Telephone: 734.763.9920
Fax: 734.936.0844
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed for Lunch: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
To participate in our Outreach Survey, please go here.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is of a general nature and should be not intended to be used as legal advice. Please make an appointment with Student Legal Services to discuss your legal matters