Officials discuss possibility of law school

By Chris Gibson
Skiff Staff

Chancellor Michael Ferrari confirmed Tuesday that he and officials from Texas Wesleyan University have discussed the possibility of TCU acquiring or joining with Texas Wesleyan University School of Law.

The addition of a law school would address specific issues outlined in the Commission on the Future of TCU released last semester.

The report called for a study on how a law degree would bring TCU increased visibility and improve its national academic reputation.

At Texas Wesleyan University’s request, Ferrari met with university president Harold Jeffcoat and law school dean I. Richard Gershon in early March to discuss future possibilities involving the law school.

“(Texas Wesleyan) did invite TCU, specifically me, to talk with them about the future of their law school,” Ferrari said. “No proposals were made; no offers were extended.

“They have shown some interest in (TCU), and we are glad to discuss those interests.”

Ferrari’s meeing with Texas Wesleyan marks TCU first attempt at aquiring a law school since 1900 when the university’s short lived law program ended in 1920.

Gershon said the law school is always looking at ways to improve its program.

“I want our law school to be as good as it can be,” Gershon said. “We did approach TCU to look at what partnerships made sense between the two universities. I think TCU is a wonderful school with great resources and great leaders.”

Ferrari said TCU’s involvement with Texas Wesleyan’s law school is in a preliminary phase. He said TCU is analyzing what has been discussed and is looking at what would be best for TCU.

“We are looking at all of our options right now,” Ferrari said. “There may be some desirability from starting a program from scratch.”

TCU is not the only Texas school involved in discussions about the possible acquisition of Texas Wesleyan’s law school.

Both the University of North Texas and Texas Tech University have also expressed interest in the law school. A recent bill introduced into the Texas Legislature by Dallas state representative Domingo Garcia relates to the establishment of a school of law at North Texas. Earlier this month at a Fort Worth Rotary Club meeting, Texas Tech Chancellor John T. Montford discussed his intentions to reach Texas Tech’s large student base in the Dallas /Fort Worth area.

Gershon said it would be easier for a private school such as TCU to make a transition but talks with any of the schools are at a preliminary stage.

“Obviously, both (Texas Tech) and (North Texas) are interested in having a presence in the (Dallas/Fort Worth area),” Gershon said. “Our law school is doing very well, and we feel we are a beneficial resource within the community. There have been a lot of possibilities discussed. I just want our law school to be as good as it can be, and I think that is what we are trying to accomplish.”

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law was established in 1989 and became part of the university in 1992. The school received full approval by the American Bar Association in 1999. Texas Wesleyan is the only law school in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that offers a part-time law curriculum on day or nighttime basis.

Chris Gibson