HLS Review Committees Make Initial Suggestions

More library space, changes in the clinical program and new student housing are among the recommendations already suggested by subcommittees undertaking the first internal review of the Law School in 25 years, Law School officials said this week.

Dean James Vorenberg '49, whose successor will direct the capital fund drive that will likely pay for the improvements suggested by the internal review, said the four subcommittees investigating various Law School programs--facilities, education, and financial aid--are almost ready to present their reports to a steering committee of the faculty. The steering committee will later report to the full faculty, which will give final approval to the plans.

"We made a lot of progress this summer," Vorenberg said this week. "The steering committee will probably present its final recommendations before the end of this year."

According to Bussey Professor of Law and Associate Dean Frank E. A. Sander, one subcommittee has already drawn up recommendations for the school's clinical program. He said the suggestions include, "creating additional fieldwork centers," "establishing a research institute," and the "possible expansion of legal services to non-indigent people."

Sander, who co-chairs the steering committee, also reported that another subcommittee has recommended giving more financial aid in the form of grants instead of loans.

"Some peole feel we are too focused on giving loans and not enough on giving grants," Sander said.

Sander added that recommendations for more library space, new student housing and renovation of existing dorms have also been made.

But according to Fairchild Professor of Law Andrew L. Kaufman '51, who also co-chairs the Steering Committee, the faculty still needs to discuss the options and decide which are most important.

"The next step is kind of a double step," Kaufman said. "They're going to be discussing each one in the faculty. The steering committee is going to listen to the faculty discussion and digest the preliminary reports."

Because the committees are at different points in their research, Law School officials said some have still not made their recommendations and are still discussing various plan.

"Each committee is still at the point of trying to identify the special needs in their area," Administrative Dean A. Simone Reagor said, adding that the committees "are all at a somewhat different pace. We still haven't discussed all the options."

Because a capital fund drive will draw heavily on alumni funding, Vorenberg said he appointed a committee this summer "made up of distinguished alumni from around the country" to help guide the fundraising effort.

"We want to know, `if there were a fund drive, how would they react to these fund-raising ideas?'" Reagor said.