ACS Named Student Chapter of the Year

The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy at the University of Virginia School of Law has been named student chapter of the year.

The national American Constitution Society presents the annual award to the chapter that has shown the greatest strength in meeting the society’s mission and goals. The organization lauded UVA Law’s chapter for initiatives on issues such as immigration, equality, the First Amendment and criminal justice. Other topics have been in response to the Trump administration’s policies, such as the travel ban and the intersection of LGBT and religious rights. 

“I am proud of the work of the organization and our chapter, and look forward to seeing ACS and the progressive community at UVA Law continue to grow stronger,” outgoing chapter President Ryan Snow ’18 said.

The society also cited the chapter for facilitating connections in the UVA Law community and co-sponsoring a faculty panel to discuss issues surrounding August’s white nationalist rallies.

“For many 1Ls, this was their first weekend in town and first experience as UVA Law students and Charlottesville residents,” Snow said. “This was devastating but also created an opportunity to more directly address the important racial justice and other issues facing our nation, community and law school.”

He said the chapter has prioritized collaborating with affinity groups and other progressive student organizations in co-sponsoring and co-promoting events on legal and policy issues, as well as social events such as an annual Law For Progress barbecue mixer. Additionally, the chapter began a local partnership with Spread The Vote and The Haven, a Charlottesville day shelter, to help residents get IDs.

The chapter also received the Programming Award, given to ACS chapters that have conducted at least 20 substantive and compelling events during the school year.

Going forward, Snow said the chapter will focus on partnering with like-minded student groups to create unified action networks, as well as examine the law’s effects on social privilege.

“This honor recognizes the extraordinary efforts on the part of UVA students to energize ACS here at the Law School,” said Professor Richard Schragger, the chapter’s faculty adviser. “ACS is doing exciting things: bringing speakers to the Law Grounds, engaging students and faculty, and enriching the intellectual, academic and policy conversation. Once again, UVA students are displaying their leadership, here and nationally.”

The chapter will be honored at the ACS National Convention in June in Washington, D.C.