With the fall term past, and now part of the University of York’s illustrious 49 year history, numerous societies around campus have wasted little time seeking to expand their current memberships, and to organize events to engage the university’s greater student body in an academic year that will be free of Covid Regulations. Among these respective societies hoping to establish a wider presence spanning from Longboi’s dwelling outside Derwent to the lonesome straits of Langwith & Constantine College is the York Law Society.
Filling its schedule with the York Races, the President’s Welcome at Yates and numerous careers networking opportunities, tickets were quickly reserved by returning students whose zest for setting foot in Heslington for their second or final years was matched by first years swarming between every lecture hall from West to East Campus like they do at Flares and Salvos on a Thursday or Friday Night. But despite the white noise of amalgamated laughter transpiring over pints and glasses sparkling with Gordon’s or Prosecco, ensuring a good turnout at a venue appropriate for the nature of certain events hasn’t come without challenges. Challenges York Law Society Social Secretaries Millie Smith and Kayleigh Bonner, both in their final years of study, seek to address before the time comes for them to don their caps and gowns, and pass into a world beyond the idyllic confines of North Yorkshire. Yet, in seeking to accomplish their objectives, a new contract signed between the York Law Society and The Stonegate Group — a hospitality organization which owns several bars and restaurants in York and all over the United Kingdom — has helped remove several hurdles from the track.
“I feel this contract with Stonegate… has made it easier to organize things to have just one direct person to speak too. We just contact him and say we need a venue, this is the type of event we want to hold, and this is the rough amount of numbers.” said Smith.
“We… make commission back from what people spend on the night which is helpful because that then goes into funding other socials, things like netball and football, and other things the law society wants to undertake.” Kayleigh Bonner remarked.
But despite a more centralized communication process with venues and new avenues to increase, and raise much needed revenue to host events, the largest obstacle has been organizing socials consistent with the law society’s broader emphasis on accessibility.
“Being in York, there are many independent places. This unfortunately comes with a lot of difficulty as… most independent places are in listed buildings.” said Smith.
“We’ve had events in the past that may have been at smaller venues or listed venues which aren’t accessible to people with certain disabilities and additional needs. Initially, when we started looking at places, we focused on physical disabilities. But some issues that have been raised have had to do with sensory disorders — ensuring the music isn’t too loud, the lighting is suitable…” Bonner stated.
Still, even with increased awareness with respect to the plethora of health requirements and disabilities that hamper certain students more expressly than others, raising this need to accommodate has come with much reluctance among several venues around York.
“Another challenge we’ve had is venues not being particularly open to dietary needs. Being at University, there are a lot of people with dietary requirements and choices. It’s quite difficult to come across venues that will help us out.” Smith said. Nevertheless, the dynamic duo of Social Secretaries have not been left to their own devices to weather the mine field that can sometimes be student disabilities. One person who has proven instrumental to Bonner and Smith’s early success is the presence of Matthew Parkinson, the law society’s diversity chair. Parkinson’s experience and insights as a wheelchair user have proven essential in Bonner and Smith’s ability to execute plans for events.
“Its just even asking a question: Should we be aware of this? We’re looking at this venue, what would your take be?” Bonner said.
“I would say as an example, the Races Day we held. It was a question of being able to board the bus. Are they going to be able to get people in wheelchairs? When you get to the racecourse, is that accessible? Every event we hold, we want to make sure everyone can attend. Someone in a wheelchair or on crutches not being able to attend is not inclusive. Before we ever circulate ideas for events, we check with Matthew first.”
Despite Parkinson’s help manifesting as a pillar of strength for the York Law Society Committee, his position was something the law society was without up until the election of the new committee last winter.
“I’m really surprised his role didn’t exist before… It was a role we voted to add this year.” Kayleigh Bonner remarked, echoing a shock parallel to what she felt when she learned there was no diversity officer as recent as of less than twelve months ago. But with each passing season comes an opportunity for change. A change that comes with opportunity. An opportunity the law society has seized in its initiative to foster an inclusive and accessible environment.
Outside of the support from members on the LawSoc Committee, another element that has lent stability to Bonner and Smith’s roles as Social Secretaries is a friendship that first began during a law society netball event. Yet, despite their seamless chemistry, some might say this is a working relationship predicated on circumstances which seem more unlikely, especially from Bonner’s point of view.
“I’m a lone wolf. I prefer to do things myself because I know I can rely on myself to get the job done.” Bonner laughed, “So I think taking on a role which is a two person job has been quite interesting… Pushing myself out of my comfort zone and knowing there is someone there I can rely on and work is really helpful.”
Outside of her comfort zone, Bonner isn’t just comfortable, she appears to be thriving alongside her partner in crime which has translated into rave reviews with respect to their efforts at the York Races and the President’s Welcome.
“It [President’s Welcome] was the first thing we organized together… and our feedback was overwhelmingly positive… Blowing up 25 balloons in the space of half and hour was probably not the best idea. But seeing everyone enjoy it makes your hard work pay off.” Bonner recalled before she and Smith once again traded laughs. Laughter and results they endeavour to replicate as they seek expand the York Law Society’s accessibility initiative to not only those with disabilities, but to non-law society law students and non-law students. As a society known for its trademark events such as the Careers Dinner and the Fall Ball (Spring Ball this year), the York Law Society’s reputation as a society defined by its formal deposition is what often proved alienating to students of the aforementioned groups. Another barrier, a perception Bonner and Smith seek to change if not break down.
“Something we’re holding for the first time… is a Flares night on Thursdays. A lot of the sport societies have weekly socials on Wednesdays so we didn’t want to clash with that. We’re actually surprised at the amount of people that have agreed to go out with the law society. I think that has something to breaking down the formality of studying law… You can be dressing up and going to court on Thursday morning and let your hair down in the evening.” Bonner stated.
“Our flares Thursdays are open to everyone - you don’t have to be bound by law son - just make sure to keep an eye out on social media for upcoming flares nights.” Smith remarked.
“I think for us, what’s really important is… Making sure all years are represented as well. From first year right up to people who are doing a masters and PhD if they want to get involved, especially Senior Status.” said Bonner
While Bonner and Smith share the same objectives with respect to what they seek to accomplish as the Social Secretaries of the University of York Law Society, their paths once their tenure as LLB students comes to end appear to diverge. That said, their time in the law society still predominantly informs their professional goals despite how varied they might be.
“I’ve completed one vacation scheme but there’s no harm in applying for more. I’ll be looking to start a training contract in 2025, which means I’ll be taking a year out. During that time, I’ll be looking to travel. There are so many life lessons and when you’re in a career, you can’t get out, so I want to make the most of it now. I think my role as Social Secretary has made me more confident, and I’ve realized I have what it takes to do a lot things — to solo travel, to apply to firms I didn’t think I had a chance and make them a possibility.” said Smith.
“I don’t want to go down the traditional root of being a solicitor or a barrister. I want o use my law degree in a similar aspect and look at the more criminological side of things. I’m looking into working as a prison officer or working in the police. For me, law was always a focus on society and how people interact with the law within the study of the law itself… With my role on the committee, its that reassurance that its people I want to work with. In the end of the day, that’s what I enjoy doing. I enjoy supporting other people, and working with people to better themselves in life. Both the prison service and the police will be outlets to embrace that.” stated Bonner who once aspired to become a Criminal Defence Barrister, an objective she has not ruled out circling back to entirely, “I’m never going to say never. I might come back to it later in life.”
Poised to board different ships set to sail from the same harbour, one thing is evident: Bonner and Smith’s eagerness to understand and embrace different people and different ideas is what in turn feeds their tireless efforts to engender a law society which socializes between boundaries. Boundaries which become all the more illusory if not non-existent each time there is congregation between students regardless of disability; of whether they are a law or non-law student; of whether they are or are not part of the York Law Society or any other respective society; of their beliefs and values; and of what walk of life they may be in. From Longboi’s dwelling outside of Derwent to the lonesome straits of Constantine and Langwith College.
