EDUCATION

More change for USD law school as dean steps down

Megan Raposa
Argus Leader
USD Law School Dean Tom Geu

The University of South Dakota School of Law will soon have a new leader.

Dean Thomas Geu will step down after about seven years leading the university's law program, according to a press release from the school sent Tuesday. 

Geu's decision to step down comes in the midst of big changes for the law school, which in recent years has seen dwindling enrollment. In May, the university began discussing a potential move from Vermillion to Sioux Falls as a way to increase enrollment and address budget problems.

“Tom has faced a challenging period of time at the law school, with law enrollments falling nationwide,” USD President Jim Abbott said. “We are grateful for his leadership as we have worked to put the law school on a firm foundation for the future.”

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Last year, Abbott convened a task force to study the move and the group ultimately recommended holding classes in Sioux Falls while keeping the main law school on the Vermillion campus and raising additional money for scholarships. Lawmakers earlier this year approved an extra $300,000 per year for the scholarships as a result. 

A nationwide search for a new dean will be conducted, Abbott said. Geu plans to return to the law school faculty once a new dean is named.