UNIVERSITY NEWS Valpo Law

[SpaceRaider]

nothing really new on the MT front but a mention of Valpo here, excerpt:

...Not welcoming a new class this year is Valparaiso Law School. The northwest Indiana institution announced in November 2017 that it was suspending admissions and looking for a new way forward in light of declining applications and revenues. The law school has since started discussions with Middle Tennessee State University.

Last year, Valparaiso, still under sanction from the American Bar Association’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, admitted an academically strong class but also an exceptionally small one at just 28 students.

An estimated 104 second- and third-year students are returning to Valparaiso this semester, according to interim dean David Cleveland. About 12 students have transferred out, most of them from the 2017 incoming class.

Neither Notre Dame nor IU Maurer had any transfer applications from current Valparaiso law students. However, IU McKinney received several and the Indianapolis school is expecting to enroll about six transfer students from Valparaiso, according to IU McKinney vice dean Michael Pitts.

In addition to fewer students, Valparaiso Law School has a leaner faculty roster. Most recently, two professors — David Herzig, who taught tax law, and Geneva Brown, who taught criminal law — left the school and returned to private practice. Their positions are not being filled at this time, Cleveland said.

The law school now lists 15 full-time faculty on its website. Five more, including former dean Andrea Lyon, are identified as senior research faculty.

As the university continues exploring strategic alternatives, Cleveland said the day-to-day operations and classes are continuing at the law school. The courses, professional services and clinics are all available.....

 

[SpaceRaider]

Lengthy article in the student paper, Sidelines:

PROPOSED LAW SCHOOL TRANSFER: CAN A FAILED INDIANA LAW SCHOOL SUCCEED IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE?

 

[MTLynn]

MTSU, Valparaiso Boards OK agreement to transfer law school to Murfreesboro

The governing boards of Middle Tennessee State University and Valparaiso University have endorsed the transfer of Valparaiso’s law school to the Murfreesboro campus, leaders from both institutions announced Wednesday.

MTSU’s Board of Trustees approved an agreement outlining the transfer, as well as a recommendation to create a College of Law and establish a Juris Doctor degree, at a special meeting Wednesday. The vote followed approval of the document last week by Valparaiso’s Board of Directors.

The proposal now goes to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for consideration.

“This would be the only accredited, public law school in the region, and would provide access to a legal education to many residents of Tennessee who cannot relocate to attend school elsewhere or afford a private law school,” said MTSU Board Chairman Stephen Smith after the vote.

“This proposal would be transformational for our university,” Smith said. “It would be of great benefit to students who want a more affordable and accredited legal education near Nashville, the seventh-fastest growing region in the U.S.”

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said the agreement approved by trustees “sets out the conditions under which the transfer of the law school will occur.”

“It makes clear that we are not purchasing the law school or its assets, although we will reimburse Valparaiso for some expenses that it will incur on our behalf during the transfer period,” he said. “It also makes clear that the transfer is contingent upon receiving approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the acquiescence of the American Bar Association to the transfer of assets and change of control of the law school to MTSU.”

McPhee said MTSU went through “an extensive due diligence process” that included two separate feasibility studies confirming the need for an accredited, public law school in the Middle Tennessee region; visits by MTSU senior staff to Valparaiso to meet with university and law school administrators, faculty and staff; and meetings with ABA staff regarding continuation of its accreditation of the law school during and after the transfer.

“We have been in discussions with Valparaiso University since November of 2017, and I tell you this because I want to make clear that we have gone to great lengths to assure that this opportunity is in the best interests of MTSU, the city of Murfreesboro, and the citizens of Middle Tennessee,” McPhee said. “This has been a very deliberate undertaking and one that I feel confident is both academically and fiscally sound.”

Middle Tennessee residents are farther from an accredited, public law school than residents of any other of the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S., said Peter Cunningham, MTSU’s vice provost for academic programs.

“This proposal would create the only public, accredited law school in Middle Tennessee,” Cunningham said. “It would also be well positioned to serve Central and Western Kentucky, and Northern Alabama.”

“Simply put, much of the area between Tuscaloosa to Louisville, and Memphis to Knoxville, is not served by an accredited, public law school,” he said.

Valparaiso, a private university that shares the name of the northern Indiana town where it is located, sought a new home for the law school as part of a strategic restructuring. Founded in 1879, Valparaiso’s School of Law has a long and distinguished history of public service and a demonstrated commitment to diversity.

“I’m pleased that the Valparaiso University Board of Directors and the board of Middle Tennessee State University have voted in favor of the Educational Collaboration Agreement,” said Valparaiso Board Chair Frederick G. Kraegel. “This is an important step forward in the review process, which now moves to approval from the accrediting bodies.

“I’m confident this agreement will continue the great legacy of Valparaiso University Law School and serve an area of the country without an accredited, public law school,” he said after his board’s approval. “I am grateful for the teams from both institutions who have worked in concert to shepherd this agreement to adoption and appreciate their hard work and dedication.”

Valparaiso President Mark Heckler also praised the work of the “dedicated teams from Valparaiso and MTSU that have worked diligently during many months” to ready the proposal.

“I am truly grateful for their work, along with the continued dedication of the Valparaiso Law School faculty and staff, who we hope will have the opportunity to continue their good work together,” Heckler said.

“Throughout this arduous process, our goal has remained clear — to ensure the proud legacy, values, and core ethos of Valparaiso University Law School remain in place for future generations.”

 

[SpaceRaider]

MTSU, Valparaiso Boards OK agreement to transfer law school to Murfreesboro

The governing boards of Middle Tennessee State University and Valparaiso University have endorsed the transfer of Valparaiso’s law school to the Murfreesboro campus, leaders from both institutions announced Wednesday.

MTSU’s Board of Trustees approved an agreement outlining the transfer, as well as a recommendation to create a College of Law and establish a Juris Doctor degree, at a special meeting Wednesday. The vote followed approval of the document last week by Valparaiso’s Board of Directors.

The proposal now goes to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for consideration.

“This would be the only accredited, public law school in the region, and would provide access to a legal education to many residents of Tennessee who cannot relocate to attend school elsewhere or afford a private law school,” said MTSU Board Chairman Stephen Smith after the vote.

“This proposal would be transformational for our university,” Smith said. “It would be of great benefit to students who want a more affordable and accredited legal education near Nashville, the seventh-fastest growing region in the U.S.”

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said the agreement approved by trustees “sets out the conditions under which the transfer of the law school will occur.”

“It makes clear that we are not purchasing the law school or its assets, although we will reimburse Valparaiso for some expenses that it will incur on our behalf during the transfer period,” he said. “It also makes clear that the transfer is contingent upon receiving approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the acquiescence of the American Bar Association to the transfer of assets and change of control of the law school to MTSU.”

McPhee said MTSU went through “an extensive due diligence process” that included two separate feasibility studies confirming the need for an accredited, public law school in the Middle Tennessee region; visits by MTSU senior staff to Valparaiso to meet with university and law school administrators, faculty and staff; and meetings with ABA staff regarding continuation of its accreditation of the law school during and after the transfer.

“We have been in discussions with Valparaiso University since November of 2017, and I tell you this because I want to make clear that we have gone to great lengths to assure that this opportunity is in the best interests of MTSU, the city of Murfreesboro, and the citizens of Middle Tennessee,” McPhee said. “This has been a very deliberate undertaking and one that I feel confident is both academically and fiscally sound.”

Middle Tennessee residents are farther from an accredited, public law school than residents of any other of the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S., said Peter Cunningham, MTSU’s vice provost for academic programs.

“This proposal would create the only public, accredited law school in Middle Tennessee,” Cunningham said. “It would also be well positioned to serve Central and Western Kentucky, and Northern Alabama.”

“Simply put, much of the area between Tuscaloosa to Louisville, and Memphis to Knoxville, is not served by an accredited, public law school,” he said.

Valparaiso, a private university that shares the name of the northern Indiana town where it is located, sought a new home for the law school as part of a strategic restructuring. Founded in 1879, Valparaiso’s School of Law has a long and distinguished history of public service and a demonstrated commitment to diversity.

“I’m pleased that the Valparaiso University Board of Directors and the board of Middle Tennessee State University have voted in favor of the Educational Collaboration Agreement,” said Valparaiso Board Chair Frederick G. Kraegel. “This is an important step forward in the review process, which now moves to approval from the accrediting bodies.

“I’m confident this agreement will continue the great legacy of Valparaiso University Law School and serve an area of the country without an accredited, public law school,” he said after his board’s approval. “I am grateful for the teams from both institutions who have worked in concert to shepherd this agreement to adoption and appreciate their hard work and dedication.”

Valparaiso President Mark Heckler also praised the work of the “dedicated teams from Valparaiso and MTSU that have worked diligently during many months” to ready the proposal.

“I am truly grateful for their work, along with the continued dedication of the Valparaiso Law School faculty and staff, who we hope will have the opportunity to continue their good work together,” Heckler said.

“Throughout this arduous process, our goal has remained clear — to ensure the proud legacy, values, and core ethos of Valparaiso University Law School remain in place for future generations.”

Let's hope we don't hear anything out of the tsu clowns trying to dredge Geier up again. The state gave them money to buy Nashville School of Law and couldn't get it done and tsu pocketed the state money, so F'em.

 

[mtfblue]

A professional school on campus, this is what everyone has been waiting for.

 

[Noogaraider1]

GREAT news.

 

[TrueBlue147]

This is great news! Hopefully, it goes through. I would like to see the mechatronics engineering major grow into a full blow engineering school as well.

 

[subkyle]

I am stoked for this. I feel like this could have positive impacts that we aren’t even thinking about right now. People’s perceptions of MT will change a bit. I could even see some slight benefits on the athletic front. It’ll be great to produce lawyers here!

 

[SpaceRaider]

nashvillepublicradio.org

Next Step: Convince The State To Allow New Law School

The Middle Tennessee State University board unanimously approved plans Wednesday to transfer Indiana-based Valparaiso University’s law school to its Murfreesboro campus. The school’s leadership says the move makes sense for its mission and the region’s needs.

But before the transfer can officially occur, MTSU has to convince the state the law school is actually necessary. It’s now moving forward to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and Valparaiso’s accreditor, the American Bar Association, for final review.

They will determine whether the school is necessary in Middle Tennessee, given that three other law schools already exist in the region. But, those schools are all private, says MTSU Provost Mark Brynes, and the region needs a public law school option.

“With a population that’s growing rapidly we think there’s going to be plenty of demand for this,” said Brynes. “We’ve had two feasibility studies done on this program. Do we really need this program? The answer is in our view a resounding yes.”

Despite MTSU’s analysis, THEC says it has hired an outside consultant to conduct a feasibility study with a research firm that specializes in the higher education industry. The commission says it expects to release results on Oct. 15.

Thus far, THEC says, there is “no precedent to a proposal of this nature” in Tennessee.

Valparaiso Law School announced last fall that it would no longer be admitting new students, after only 29 students enrolled in the institution. It said it would begin looking for merger options.

This proposal, more specifically, is for Valparaiso University to gift MTSU its law school’s curriculum infrastructure, American Bar Association accredited J.D. program and around 18 faculty members.

MTSU plans to reimburse the institution for interim expenses, such as faculty salaries, while the transfer is being settled.

Brynes says the deal helps MTSU fulfill its long-term expansion plans more cheaply.

“One of the reasons this is such an outstanding opportunity for us is we’re not starting from scratch. We’re taking a J.D. program that’s in existence and doing well and simply moving it from Indiana to TN,” he said.

MTSU plans to house the law school in its Miller Education Center, though it says it may spend up to around $3.5 million this year for renovations or added space.

 

[AustinLewis]

I hope THEC doesn't take the "'no precedent to a proposal of this nature' in Tennessee as a means to deny MT this opportunity to add a much needed professional degree.

The "three law schools in the region" is true, but is also a bit of an oversimplification of the situation. I'm pretty sure that alumni of Nashville School of Law cannot practice law outside the state of Tennessee since the program lacks ABA accreditation.

 

[SpaceRaider]

I hope THEC doesn't take the "'no precedent to a proposal of this nature' in Tennessee as a means to deny MT this opportunity to add a much needed professional degree.

The "three law schools in the region" is true, but is also a bit of an oversimplification of the situation. I'm pretty sure that alumni of Nashville School of Law cannot practice law outside the state of Tennessee since the program lacks ABA accreditation.

Actually that 'no precedent' quote attributed to the THEC is such bulls***.

IIRC, the MT foundation was fully prepared to buy the Nashville School of Law when tsu and its supporters stepped in and prevented the sale through their discrimination suit (Geier). Then the state of TN gave tsu several million dollars more than what MT and the NSL had agreed to for the purchase, for tsu to buy the law school, but that deal never happened and tsu pocketed the appropriated money and spent it for other purposes. So there two separate previous instances where this was attempted.

 

[SpaceRaider]

ABAJournal.com:

2 schools seek approval to move Valpo Law to Middle Tennessee

 

[SpaceRaider]

Chicago Tribune:

VU, Middle Tennessee trustees endorse law school transfer