Law School Kicks Off Semester in Carlisle and University Park

Carlisle, PA (August 29, 2006) – Last week, Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law kicked off the fall semester like none other before it. Not only are law students taking classes at the school’s original home in Carlisle, PA but also at its new location in University Park, marking the beginning of its operation as a unified two location law school. The introduction of the law school to the main campus is part of the University’s $100 million plan for new, completely interconnected law school facilities in Carlisle and University Park.

All students have access to the same curriculum, programmatic resources and student groups, regardless of location. First-year students are taught by on-site instructors at both locations and required to stay at their primary location for class instruction during the semester, while second and third-year students have the flexibility of taking classes at either location via advanced audiovisual telecommunications. Additionally, a daily shuttle service runs between the two sites allowing all students at either location to take advantage of programs being offered at the other.

Ryan Calef, a second-year law student residing in University Park, remarked, “The computer and video conference systems make it easy to take a class anywhere and interact with your classmates as if they were sitting right next to you."

“I am very impressed with the sophistication and ease of use of the new system,” commented Professor Larry Catá Backer, a University Park campus resident faculty member. He added, “There are times when I forget that half of my class is actually on screens and almost 100 miles away. And I know that the systems in place will only get better.”

Our new building in University Park will be the focal point at the East Park Avenue entrance to campus. In Carlisle, Trickett Hall will undergo extensive renovations and upgrades but remain the centerpiece of our construction project. We anticipate that construction on both campuses will begin by the fall of this year with expected occupancy during semester break in the 2008-2009 academic year. Please visit our Web site at www.dsl.psu.edu to view the architectural progress.

While new facilities are under construction, students, faculty and staff in Carlisle will occupy transitional space located at 1170 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA and those in University Park will occupy transitional space in the Beam Building on Park Avenue.