Tuesday
26Jan2010
Live blog of State of the School
by 
Eagleionline Staff Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 10:50AM
Eagleionline Staff Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 10:50AM 
On Wednesday, January 27, Dean Garvey will make his yearly address to the school in EW 120. Dean Garvey will speak on changes at the Law School in the last year, as well as “new initiatives under way for the upcoming year.” He and other Deans will be available for questions as part of the proceeding. Even if you are unable to attend, you can submit questions to Eagleionline.com as comments to this posting or by emailing the staff. Staff of Eagleionline.com will be liveblogging throughout the event by posting comments to this story. Look in the comments section below for updates on the State of the School.
Reader Comments (53)
Question: What is the status of the Light the World fundraising initiative and what portion of that fundraising will be allocated for BC Law? What will be done with it and by when?
Question: Can we please have Sen. Scott Brown as the commencement speaker this year?
QUESTION: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, CAN WE GET AN ADDITIONAL GODDDAMN MICROWAVE IN THE CAF. I'LL BUY IT FOR $40 MYSELF.
RELATED QUESTION: How is it far that student orgs and charities have to give a cut of proceeds to the mafia-esque BOC food services for events we do in the yellow room? They charge ridiculous prices and shake-down student groups whenever they don't go through them.
It is heartwarming to see from the graphic accompanying this story that, after 25 years, MS Paint is still alive and well.
Question: Can we please have someone other than Sen. Scott Brown as our graduation speaker?
Sorry other 3L, he'll be busy driving his pickup truck around Washington and railroading progress.
Dean Garvey just announced that he recently read his first Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice. We may be getting comparisons of BCLS to Elizabeth Bennett.
The economy is in the mind of the law school just like that of the Bennett family. I don't know about you, but I am excited about this state of the school.
The faculty and staff took no salary increments and did not ask for any increases this past year as they thought a better use of the funds would financial aid.
Shared commitment by students and faculty towards the needs of the community. Students have done a lot of pro bono work for those in need.
Last year the school hired 5 people on the tenure track: Albert, Barrozo, Lyons, Rabb, and Dan Kanstroom. The school recently also hired a new tax scholar and is looking for another hire in the business law area.
Supposedly 90% of 1Ls got their choice of 1L electives.
Every 3L who wants to do a clinic is now supposed to be able to and the school is getting ready to announce a new joint degree with Tufts in Urban Design.
The school is seeking to continue to bolster its practical-skills curriculum.
All 3Ls who put in for a clinic for this semester, and hadn't yet done one, were able to get a slot in some clinic or other. Pretty cool.
The school is increasing its summer course offerings and potentially allowing students to graduate a semester early.
Minority applications up 5%... the Dean cited the economy as one reason (in addition to active efforts)...
Minority applicants are up drastically at the law school and the new position for Dean West should help faciltate a further increase in diversity.
This summer, there will be a pilot summer school program. That seems like a pretty big step... the Dean mentioned Administrative Law as an option this summer.
The school is going to change the admissions model with more of a focus on past work experience.
Minority apps are up %15 - not 5%.
Here comes the "The Economy is Horrible, and Many Lawyers Have Lost Their Jobs" speech.
Firms of 700 or more hired 40% fewer summers according to Dean Garvey discussions with NALP.
Government likely to hire large numbers of individuals, including attorneys, as it seeks to institute new regulations in various sectors including the financial services area.
The Dean is pointing out some subfields in which hires, jobs have at least stayed static: IP, estate planning, etc.