Massachusetts panels OKs state's first public law school

FromThe Boston Globe: The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education has cleared the way for the University of Massachusettsto open the state’s first public law school. Under the plan, UMass Dartmouth will acquire Southern New England School of Law, a private institution that is donating its campus and assets to the state. DECEMBER 2009...from The Boston Globe: The University of Massachusetts board of trustees has approved a plan to open the state’s first public law school. Under the proposal, UMass Dartmouth would acquire Southern New England School of Law, a tiny private institution nearby that is donating its campus and assets to the state. The state’s Board of Higher Education is scheduled to vote on the proposal in February.

NOVEMBER 2009...from The Boston Globe: A University of Massachusetts board of trustees committee has approved UMass-Dartmouth’s proposal to acquire the private Southern New England School of Law. If the proposal wins final approval, it would become the state’s first public law school.

OCTOBER 2009...from The Boston Globe: Massachusetts State Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill says the University of Massachusetts cannot afford to take over the private Southern New England School of Law to launch what would be the state’s first public law school. Massachusetts has eight other private law schools and doesn’t need a public school, Cahill says, especially given the dire economic times. UMass officials have revived a plan that calls for its Dartmouth campus to acquire the 28-year-old law school, which is not accredited by the American Bar Association. The state Board of Higher Education rejected A similar plan four years ago. Massachusetts is one of just six states without a public law school.