The Clemson Undergraduate Student Government’s judicial branch is trying to bring back a legal aid program. The service was created in the mid-1970s and offered students a free 30-minute session of legal advice with a local attorney. 
Unfortunately, the program ended a few years ago, but the interest in its services did not. James Swicegood, Student Body Attorney General, is now hoping to revive the program. 
“The Legal Aid Program served as an indispensable resource to the Clemson student body until it was recently discontinued a few years ago,” said Swicegood. “Upon discovering that the program had ended, I immediately knew that it was something that could be used by all members of our Clemson Tiger community.”
Interest in the program remains strong, with Swicegood personally receiving over a dozen requests for legal aid. The main point of contact for the legal program has historically been the Student Body President, a mantle now taken up by William Reinert. 
“Since the election…I received over 30 emails requesting the use of this service,” said Reinert.
Swicegood pitched the idea to the CUSG Senate in a recent meeting, which he says was met with overwhelming support. 
Senator Jacorie McCall is one of those senators enthusiastically supporting the program. 
“This is a golden opportunity to engage and empower students in… understanding the democratic process and the power of participating in making and creating a more perfect union,” said McCall. “In my opinion, this should be a priority of [Clemson’s] administration given the climate of heightened interest in social justice.”
In the program’s heyday, it was involved with a handful of local attorneys who offered their time as a way to give back to the Clemson community. They helped dozens of students every year with legal issues ranging from landlord conflicts to MIP charges. The judicial branch hopes to offer these services again in a few short months. 
“I truly look forward to the reestablishment of the program and believe that it will remove many financial barriers that keep students from obtaining legal representation through an attorney,” said Swicegood.