Penn State Board of Trustees Approves Two Campus Plan

Carlisle, PA (January 21, 2005) — The Penn State University Board of Trustees unanimously approved on Friday, January 21 the memorandum of understanding negotiated between the Law School’s Board of Governors and University officials pertaining to the establishment of a two campus Dickinson School of Law. The memorandum preserves the merger between Penn State and The Dickinson School of Law and provides for the extensive renovation and expansion of the Law School's Carlisle campus and expansion of the law degree program to the University Park campus.

The University has committed $10 million toward the estimated $40 million renovation and expansion of Trickett Hall in Carlisle. The governor has pledged matching funds for the project up to $25 million, with the remaining funds to come from fund raising.

"Our plan is for two high-quality interactive campuses designed, administered and supported financially in a manner intended to strengthen the heritage and educational programs of the law school," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier. "This is a positive development in our efforts to provide the highest quality of legal education."

The Law School's Board of Governors previously approved the memorandum of understanding at its meeting on January 15.

“In my view, the new agreement presents us with an historic opportunity to create the most innovative, attractive and meaningful legal education program in the United States,” said Dean Phil McConnaughay. “Our two campuses will operate as a single entity such that the success of the Law School will depend on the success of each campus.

“I look forward to working together to implement this opportunity in a way that is consistent with the student-centered values of Penn State University and The Dickinson School of Law.”