Friday, November 30, 2012
Building new law schools....
Law schools are facing real challenges right now-- but still, new schools are opening, just as applications are dropping nationally. I suppose that I should be outraged by this, but I find it hard to get into much of a lather. It might be that the new schools provide a new model of legal education-- lower cost, more directed towards a practical focus, and relatively modest in their aspirations. In other words, it might be that one advantage of being new is the freedom to be something different.
I have a little info on two new schools-- at Belmont (in Nashville) and the University of North Texas (which will be in Dallas).
Last year, I spoke at Belmont, which at the moment is accredited by the state of Tennessee, but does not have national accreditation. That's its new home under construction in the photo above. I found it to be a fascinating place: The student were focused and practical, the professors were an intriguing mix (it was there that I got the privilege of some time talking to one of those profs, former AG Alberto Gonzales), and there was a certain groundedness to the place that was hard not to like. The students want to be Tennessee lawyers-- prosecutors and public defenders and family law litigators. It seemed to me that they were getting a good education for that (just as I think my own students, and those at Baylor, are getting great training for that kind of work).
UNT is not so far down the line; it will accept its first class of students in 2014. It does have strong local support in Dallas, and the weight of the state of Texas behind it. I know some people involved in the effort, and respect them greatly.
Here's the rub: If some of these new schools succeed, it may hasten the demise of some older schools that have failed to thrive of late. Is that a bad thing?
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A great "thing" for architecture! - With tremendous opprtunities for sustainability, energy conservation, the pyschology of space, etc. . .
Intriguing to learn part of Belmont's mission statement has attracted students wishing to be "Tennessee lawyers." Hard not to like a new learning institution rising from and Tennessee soil and soon to educate its native sons and daughters.
Although they should have considered the design team commissioned for St. Thomas's recent building expansion (or me...) - Belmont's landscape design team will be challenged to nestle the new building to its surroundings. . .
Whether the 'Ivy Halls' of prestigeous law schools or contemporary spaces expressed within classic design elements as at UST Law, the 'spiritual' energy of administration, faculty, staff, students and the supporting cast need be nurtured, challenged and continually evolving to succeed - should it be any other way. . .
In my profession, I am able to conduct the design and construction team(s), leaving an essense of their efforts imbued within that which we have created and built. When 'Ribbons are Cut,' spaces become even more 'alive' challenging all who enter to transform and sustain the space as live sculpture.
Live, as long as all are affirmed, nurtured and continually challenged. . . That is "a good thing."
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Intriguing to learn part of Belmont's mission statement has attracted students wishing to be "Tennessee lawyers." Hard not to like a new learning institution rising from and Tennessee soil and soon to educate its native sons and daughters.
Although they should have considered the design team commissioned for St. Thomas's recent building expansion (or me...) - Belmont's landscape design team will be challenged to nestle the new building to its surroundings. . .
Whether the 'Ivy Halls' of prestigeous law schools or contemporary spaces expressed within classic design elements as at UST Law, the 'spiritual' energy of administration, faculty, staff, students and the supporting cast need be nurtured, challenged and continually evolving to succeed - should it be any other way. . .
In my profession, I am able to conduct the design and construction team(s), leaving an essense of their efforts imbued within that which we have created and built. When 'Ribbons are Cut,' spaces become even more 'alive' challenging all who enter to transform and sustain the space as live sculpture.
Live, as long as all are affirmed, nurtured and continually challenged. . . That is "a good thing."
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