College of Law prepares for fall opening

By: Adriana Oliva/ Contributing Writer

The College of Law will officially open its doors to law students in the fall of 2002, almost two years after Gov. Jeb Bush signed the bill establishing the college.

Classes range from Legal Skills and Values I to constitutional law. The law program will focus primarily on international and comparative law.

The administration has also been working on some of the other details for the college. Faculty and staff are currently being hired and a small number of students have already been admitted. Faculty and staff are also currently working on future plans such as community service projects.

The curriculum for the first year is set. There will be 31 hours of required courses.

Along with such classes as Torts and Contracts, students will be required to take Introduction to International and Comparative Law.

“FIU is one of the only law schools that requires the Introduction to International and Comparative Law course in the first year,” College of Law Dean Leonard Strickman said.

Aside from the curriculum, College of Law students will have to participate in other tasks. These include clinical programs, which are being planned around the community so students can get some hands-on experience. Service projects for upper division students are also being designed.

Of 19 admission offers sent to students, five students have already enrolled and made a deposit on tuition fees. Strickman is optimistic that there will be a good number of students in the fall.

“There is a mission to reach out to strong students,” Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Services Michelle Mason said. “The law program will probably be staying small for about three or four years, basically until they move into their own facilities. ”

As far as the faculty and staff are concerned, eight professors have been hired.

“Two out of the eight have a good deal of law school teaching,” Strickman said.

Four of those professors have won best teacher awards. The college still has to hire two more.

The college will use the Green Library as its base of operations. Classes will be held mainly on the first, third and fourth floors.

There have been three recruitment open houses and there will be two more to come.

“Our doors are open for any students who might be interested.” Mason said.

Currently, the College of Law is not accredited. But Mason is hopeful that the two-year accreditation process will take place by the summer of 2004. If the college is accredited, students will be able to take their bar exams in 2005.

The admissions deadline is June 1. Some basic requirements include a bachelor’s degree, as well as taking the LSAT and an overall good performance in college. Graduates will be taught to practice in any area of law.

Expectations at the College of Law are very good. “I’m very optimistic about getting off to a good start,” Strickman said.