Within minutes of Steel’s post pleading to move the UB Law School downtown, law student, Anna Falicov, sent me a resolution drafted from her fellow students. The resolution demands that the university start looking into moving the Law School downtown. Ironic? No. When the students are tired of being land-locked on a former swamp, it’s only a matter of time before there is a call to action. With the recent reports that the Law School is facing tough competition, and the ranking is being affected, there could be no better time than now to reevaluate the school’s future. From Anna Falicov:
“At this point it is the students who are concerned… we just presented a resolution (see below) to the Student Body. The timing coincides with the UB 2020 Forum taking place today on the Amherst Campus. We’re hoping to sit down with our new dean, officials, etc. We want to raise our ranking and feel that a move downtown would benefit the school. We’re going to be facing increased competition, and our ranking has already dropped. This is an opportunity to do something different. We need to draw from a larger distance. Many students won’t settle for a campus located in ‘no man’s land’… especially when other cities have law schools located in urban fabric. Funding needs to be allocated for this move. Our law school administration should be lobbying for this move. The subway is cheap and with some good planning the schools can be interconnected. The law students want to be downtown. The transportation already exists between South Campus and the Medical Campus. The Metro Rail makes a number of locations viable for the school. It is clear that our vision is not on the table. Now we want to talk to the UB alumni and the State… the State has an interest in UB coming downtown. The Law School would take relatively money, unlike the Medical Campus.”
Majority Rules:
“Last Thursday, law students at the University at Buffalo were posed with a question: if the law school were to be re-located, where should it go? A resounding 73 % said downtown Buffalo would be the ideal place for them to attend school, live and work.”
Check out the resolution:
UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO LAW SCHOOL DOWNTOWN RESOLUTION
WHEREAS the UB 2020 plan requires a massive expansion of the University at Buffalo, necessitating a relocation of various schools and departments within the university.
WHEREAS the students of the University at Buffalo Law School desire active participation in decisions made about the future location of the law school, as well as other student amenities such as housing, transportation, and safety.
WHEREAS creating a modern and well-sited campus will attract a wider range of students and new faculty to the University at Buffalo Law School, thereby raising the profile of the school and impacting how the school is ranked among other law schools.
WHEREAS affordable housing, safety, and access to goods and services play a prominent role in the quality of life for law students.
WHEREAS connection with the larger community enhances the educational experience for students through clinical opportunities, internships, externships, community services, as well as other networking opportunities.
WHEREAS the university and the community in which it is situated have a reciprocal relationship, each benefiting from and drawing upon the resources of the other.
WHEREAS the University at Buffalo has committed to achieving “climate neutrality.” The law school recognizes that a large proportion of carbon emissions are the result of students commuting to the North Campus and supports endeavors for greener transportation as well as denser land uses requiring less travel.
WHEREAS the UB 2020 “one university, three campuses” plan necessitates connecting the North, South, and Downtown campus with an adequate transportation network. A negotiated agreement with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to make transportation easy and affordable will maintain and facilitate interdisciplinary work and dual degree programs.
WHEREAS the State of New York has supported and will continue to support, through the use of state monies, the growth of the University at Buffalo within the city limits.
WHEREAS locating the University at Buffalo Law School in downtown Buffalo, as defined as South of North Street, East of Niagara Street, North of Lake Erie, West of Michigan Avenue and within walking distance of an NFTA Metro station, will satisfy all of the above commitments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO LAW SCHOOL to support the re-location of the campus to a downtown Buffalo.
Support for Buffalo Rising comes from:
Support for Buffalo Rising comes from: