Ontario law school gets new dean
ULV hopes changes will result in earning
national accreditation
Sunday, June 08, 2003 -
ONTARIO — The University of La Verne College of Law has named a new dean,
who administrators believe will be key in the school's continuing efforts to
gain American Bar Association approval.
Donald J. Dunn, who has served as a member of more than 40 ABA site
evaluation teams, took over as the law school's dean last week -- months before
the school plans to apply for national accreditation.
"I bring with me 30 years of experience with the ABA, a sound knowledge
of liberal education ... a commitment to the university and a desire to improve
the reputation of an already respected law school," he said.
Dunn's significant experience consulting with law schools applying for ABA
approval and extensive knowledge of the approval process will be an asset to the
school, said Richard McDowell, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs
at the University of La Verne.
Currently, the law school is California Bar-accredited, meaning graduates may
not qualify to take the bar examination in other states or meet the requirements
to practice law in other states. If the school obtains ABA approval that would
change, qualifying graduates to take the bar examination in all states and the
District of Columbia and making the school more appealing to high-caliber
students, Dunn said.
"It gives you 50-plus options of what to do with the rest of your
life," he said. National accreditation would likely increase the pool of
applicants from both within California and out of state, allowing the school to
increase both the quality and quantity of its students. The school hopes to
eventually increase the size of its student body to about 400 from about 200,
where it now stands, Dunn said.
The College of Law has sought ABA approval for several years, facing
challenges along the way. The school's application in 2001 was rejected, despite
hopes the new facility in Ontario and additional faculty would improve its
chances.
"We've been doing a lot of work for a long period of time,"
McDowell said.
Among the needed changes were adding faculty and making improvements to the
library.
Dunn said he believes the school is now ready for ABA approval, saying the
school will find out for sure when the association conducts a site visit in
October.
The search for a new dean began last spring, resulting in about 40
applicants. A university committee narrowed the group down to three, of which
Dunn became the unanimous favorite.
Dunn served for five years as the dean of the Western New England College
School of Law, and became associate dean for Library and Information Resources
at the school in 2001.
He will replace interim Dean H. Randall Rubin, who has served as acting dean
since July 2002.
A public reception for the new dean will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the law
school, 320 E. D St., Ontario. Information: (909) 460-2000.