USD law school should offer classes in Sioux Falls, task force says

South Dakota’s only public law school should stay in Vermillion but offer classes in Sioux Falls, according to recommendation by a University of South Dakota task force.

The USD Law School Task Force on Friday endorsed a plan to keep the law school on the Vermillion campus and lease space in Sioux Falls for specialized classes and additional certificate programs.

“The location (was) determined not to be the primary factor in the issues with the law school,” said Rep. Mark Mickelson, R-Sioux Falls, chair of the task force.

Mickelson, per the recommendation of consultant Mike Spivey, said the school needs to focus more on scholarships as well as broadening and modernizing curriculum.

The 13-member group also recommended asking for $600,000 in new state funding for the law school, and coming up with a plan to create more scholarships for both South Dakota and out-of-state students.

More:Moving a law school to a bigger city? Idaho did it.

The group's recommendations now move to USD President Jim Abbott, who will determine next steps for the law school’s future.

The university formed the task force this spring to look at whether a move to Sioux Falls would bolster enrollment. Spivey told task force members the move to a new Sioux Falls facility wouldn’t help.

“I see no evidence that building a shiny, sparkling palace in Sioux Falls will increase the applicant pool relative to the cost of building,” Spivey told task force members Friday.

The group opted not to include a recommendation for renovations to the existing law school building. Mickelson said he’d rather see the money go toward scholarships.

While most task force members agreed on the dual-location option for the law school, there was disagreement as to whether the move solves the school’s enrollment issues.

“We’re not doing what we need to for our J.D. (Juris Doctorate) students, and I think they should be taken care of first before we try to expand and do other offerings,” said Christine Hutton, a law professor.

Attorney Mark Meierhenry, who voiced strong support for moving the entire school to Sioux Falls, expressed concern with Spivey’s emphasis on increasing certificate programs.

“I see this law school purpose not as a trade school, and we’ve been talking a lot of trade school talk,” Meierhenry said, adding he’d rather see the school focus on its reputation and on training future leaders.

Law school Dean Tom Geu said he supports the task force recommendations for the future of the school. He sees it as a starting point to resolve issues facing the university.

“A recommendation like this is likely to make everybody mostly happy but a little unhappy,” Geu said.

Students prior to the meeting Friday expressed strong opposition to splitting classes between two locations, but following Friday’s meeting, student Bert Bucher said he’s glad to see the task force’s report take steps to address scholarships and enrollment.

Bucher, a Plankinton native who plans to practice law in Yankton after he graduates next spring, said his main concern is keeping tuition competitive for prospective students. He’s excited to hear the committee recommend increasing scholarship options.

“If implemented, it will only help the law school,” Bucher said.