The possibility of erecting a juris doctorate program at
UCSD has always been just that — a possibility which, despite student support,
has never fully materialized.
Although such an implementation would broaden the narrow
focus of the university’s graduate opportunities, funds have always run too
short to realistically consider the prospect any time in the near future.
Recent talks with the California Western School of Law,
however, hint at bringing a legal-study program to UCSD’s science-oriented
campus.
According to officials from both schools, they are currently
considering partnership proposals that would support a joint program.
Though the alluring opportunity may win the hearts of
faculty and students — many of whom have long hoped for a more developed
legal-study program — campus officials should be cautious not to rush into a
hasty partnership with Cal Western. Doing so, especially without an extensive
plan to implement sweeping improvements to Cal Western’s currently mediocre
program, would significantly weaken the strength and prestige of UCSD’s
academic reputation.
It would be like jumping onto an already sinking ship.
Unlike the UC law schools, which are typically ranked among
the top 50 law programs in the nation (known as tier-one schools), according to
U.S. News and World Report, Cal Western consistently ranks among tier-four
schools (the bottom 50, out of the nearly 200 American Bar Association
accredited institutions nationwide).
Unless campus officials have a plan to boost its
disappointing ranking — a near impossible task given that jumping up in rank
requires overtaking other already well-established universities — UCSD would be
best to continue wishing for the day when it has the funds to found its own law school.
Otherwise it risks pouring money into an endeavor that would
not only dissappoint the UCSD community but the rest of the UC system as well.
And after that, there are no second chances.
Given these current circumstances, the prospect of a merger
with Cal Western is simply too dangerous.