Husson University Ends Pursuit for Law Degree
by
Heather Megill
Husson University board members have recently announced their decision to discontinue the law school. This decision was made just one month after Husson President Robert Clark agreed to discuss future plans of the law school after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court denied Husson’s proposal to have law students sit for the Maine bar exam.
Clark and Husson Dean of Law Michael Mullane appreciate the efforts put forth by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
“We are grateful to the Supreme Judicial Court for their careful review of our petition, and, we have decided at this time not to pursue a law degree,” Clark stated in a press release.
This is the second time Husson University has been denied this request. Back in October 2007, Husson University made their first attempt at allowing their law graduates to sit for the Maine State Bar Exam. The court denied the petition, citing three different reasons for their decision. Husson University had not yet opened the law school, making it difficult to determine the quality of the academic courses offered. There were also concerns from the Maine State Board of Education, which included evaluating student performance, electronic media dependency, and the requirements for leadership and faculty members. Husson University had not yet had the opportunity to resolve these concerns. Lastly, due to the lack of a tenure system at the university, the law school could not be accredited by the American Bar Association.
The court noted that this time around, Husson managed to begin fulfilling the necessary requirements by hiring two full time professors and one part time professor, all of whom taught at other law schools in Maine as well as Harvard.
Despite ending it’s pursuit of the law school, the University will still offer degrees through the School of Business in both Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies.
Dean Michael Mullane will not be without a job as a recent announcement was made by President Clark regarding Mullane. “Provost Coy-Ogan and I are pleased to announce that Michael Mullane has been appointed to serve as Dean of Graduate Studies,” Clark stated in a press release. “…he will oversee the graduate council and work collaboratively with the academic deans on graduate and first professional doctoral degree programs.” Mullane’s duties will not stop at that, however. His job will also entail overseeing special projects for Husson in addition to his teaching responsibilities.
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