Bill to create UNT law school in Dallas awaits Perry's signature
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2009
Jason Embry
Planning is under way to open what is expected to be the region’s only public law school.
If Gov. Rick Perry signs authorizing legislation, the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law would open in fall 2011 with 75 to 100 students.
The law school would be based downtown at The Universities Center at Dallas. Tuition, curriculum and other details won’t be set until after a dean is chosen, said Cynthia Hall, UNT director of system and external relations.
Officials are awaiting Perry’s review of the bill before moving forward on the dean search, she said. Perry spokesman Katherine Cesinger said the governor wouldn’t comment until he reads the bill.
UNT System officials wanted to establish the school at the old Municipal Building downtown, but they did not get the requested $40 million for renovations. Instead, they received $5 million for startup costs, Hall said.
Officials hope additional money will become available within two years, the typical time frame in which the Legislature issues tuition-backed bonds — the planned method to raise the $40 million.
The Metroplex is the nation’s largest metropolitan area without a public law school, UNT officials said. The area has two private law schools, Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in Fort Worth. The closest public law school is at the University of Texas at Austin.
State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, filed bills to fund and set up the school. Dallas pledged $16 million to help renovate the five-story Municipal Building.
Dallas sought the law school because the students and professors would add vitality to downtown and spin off a need for restaurants, retailers and housing, city officials said. Enrollment should eventually reach 750, Hall said. Supporters also noted that a public law school could offer lower tuition.
But Raymund Paredes, state commissioner of higher education, has said providing more financial aid to college students and more money for community and state colleges should be higher priorities than adding a law school.
He also said the Metroplex has plenty of lawyers.