UI should have a law school in Boise, dean says
LEWISTON – The University of Idaho College of Law should consider expanding to Boise to better serve students and take advantage of the legal resources there, Dean Don Burnett says.
Burnett told the state Board of Education on Thursday that the college does not want to move its entire operation from the university’s Moscow campus.
“The law school will not be uprooted and utterly transported to Boise,” Burnett told meeting at Lewis-Clark State College.
Burnett said the law school needs to consider expanding class offerings, growing enrollment and delivering legal education to a broader, statewide market.
During his briefing, Burnett outlined three options for the board to consider.
“Each proposal would enhance the law school,” he said. “The only thing that would hurt our students is to do nothing.”
The options are:
•Transferring most of the teaching responsibilities to Boise and expanding enrollment from 300 to 450 students. Under the so-called “Treasure Valley Relocation” alternative, all but 50 students would attend classes in Boise, while Moscow would maintain instruction on subjects deemed critical to the university’s land-grant mission, such as public lands, environment and natural resources.
•Establishing programs to place students in legal jobs in Boise during the third year. Called the “Moscow Plus” option, it would boost enrollment by 50 to 100 students, with only 50 of those attending classes in Boise.
•Establishing a separate but cooperative program in Boise for the entire three-year degree period. Called the “Phased-In Dual Location” option, it would increase enrollment to 500 students, with students evenly split between campuses in Boise and Moscow.
“These are scenarios that are under consideration. They are very much in the formative stages,” Burnett said Friday. “There also could be other scenarios developed in the coming months.”
Burnett said administrators from the law school and university, along with officials from the board and state bar association, will continue evaluating the proposals before presenting final recommendations to board members next year.
Burnett said there are significant hurdles to overcome, including costs. Potential revenue sources include higher student fees, diverting tuition revenue from increased enrollment, legislative appropriations and private fundraising.
“All of these will require an investment,” Burnett told the board.
Burnett said that by offering classes in Boise, the law school could attract a wider range of students unable or unwilling to live in Moscow. It also would allow students and faculty to take better advantage of the Idaho Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Boise also is home to about half of the state’s practicing attorneys, which supporters say could make it easier to hire faculty and find jobs for graduates.