ABA: Legis mandate partly to blame for FAMU law woes

Are some problems at the FAMU law school rooted in unrealistic enrollment goals set by the Legislature? Yes, some faculty members have concluded, according to the American Bar Association site team report that was the basis for this story in today's St. Petersburg Times.

"The Self-Study makes clear that one of the factors driving the admissions decisions is the legislative mandate that the Law School reach an enrollment of 750," the report says. "The faculty and administration believe that this would not be in the best interest of the Law School and report that they intend to see if a lower enrollment target of 650 students might be acceptable to the Legislature."

Are some problems at the FAMU law school rooted in unrealistic enrollment goals set by the Legislature? Yes, some faculty members have concluded, according to the American Bar Association site team report that was the basis for this story in today's St. Petersburg Times.

"The Self-Study makes clear that one of the factors driving the admissions decisions is the legislative mandate that the Law School reach an enrollment of 750," the report says. "The faculty and administration believe that this would not be in the best interest of the Law School and report that they intend to see if a lower enrollment target of 650 students might be acceptable to the Legislature."

The self-study describes the challenges that come when many law students don't have academic credentials "as strong as would be desirable," and recounts efforts faculty have made to respond to low bar passage rates, including a tougher grading curve and increased attrition. "The Report is candid about the clumsy and ill conceived manner in which the latter two steps were taken, leading to widespread student complaints," the site team wrote.

The report includes a ton of interesting information that couldn't be squeezed into the Times story. To see it in full, click here. To read FAMU's response to the ABA report, click here. And to read more about the accreditation process, click here.

- Ron Matus, state K-12 education reporter

Comments

[Dwayne]

I think it's inevitable... They will lose their ABA-status. Don't push the blame on the legislature. They failed to meet national standards - Plain and simple.

Yep, when it comes to FAMU it is always "someone else's" fault!

I think they should turn that fledgling Law School into a Charter School if they lose their ABA-status. The state of Florida aleady has a ton of crappy attorneys that are being produced at Nova, St. Thomas, and Barry.

Are the ABA's "national standards" all really related to the quality of student education, or other irrelevant factors?

OMG, FAM is blaming someone else! Numbers are irrelevant for FAM. The school should be closed down.

Who cares what a washed up Swedish rock group has to say. Last time I heard "dancing queen" it was 1979. ABA shouldn't comment on FAMU.

Mark my words - they will turn the law school over to UCF in the next legislative session if they don't have their act together. John Hitt and crew would have the plan humming.

Blame someone else. Never heard this one before. They run it. They hire themselves. They hire their own family and friends to run the place. But its someone elses fault.

Someone please take FAM off the welfare rolls please.

[Harrison]

FAMU all around is a disaster. Stop wasting my tax dollars on that Community College!

Read FAMU's response to ABA. The cover letter and the sample scholarship letters are so poorly written as to be almost unreadable. The response begins with many technical corrections to the report which include grammar! Later, the report makes several grammar mistakes of its own.

If it were me, I would have had a different tone in responding to the ABA overlords.

Holy COW! The state of Florida dropped $25 million on FAMU Law just last year, and half of their students didn't even pass the bar.

[Omega83]

Though I am no fan of Ronda Storms, while a Hillsborough Commissioner, she questioned Tampa's bid for the FAMU Law School by commenting that "we need to be more concerned that these people can actually pass the bar."

Though her intent was to call into question the academic and legal standards of the school itself, that she used the phrase "these people" left her open to be labeled a bigot.

It appears, in hindsight, Ms. Storms was correct.

If the Law School goes down it's society that will suffer. Florida already has a subpar education system. FAMU is a cheap alternative to alot of students who otherwise couldn't go to law school. This will produce a more educated population and better the workforce. The school has made it's mistakes, but this isn't about the school it's about a better society. I'm glad the Law School is at FAMU, but if it has to go to another University so be it as long as it continues to give opportunity. Instead of kicking the school while it's down why not help it get back on the right track.

11:28

The law schools at the University of Florida and Florida State University are in the top tier of schools nationwide. I would argue that that hardly makes them "subpar."

Stetson and Miami are not far behind themselves.

There are certain standards any institution teaching the practice of law must adhere to. These standards are recognized nationally. To not attain nor follow them is a disservice not only to the students, but to the taxpayers funding the school.

The Florida Bar requires members to have attained a degree from an accredited school. Right now, a FAMU degree is worth only the paper it's printed on.

FAMU needs to get its act together, or close up shop.

FAMU shot themselves in the foot. The administration was mired in neoptism and failed to hire qualified professors, choosing the likes of Victoria Dawson over more qualified law professors. The previous deans made no attempt to recruit the best and brightest among African-American undergrads. Funny thing- FIU managed to find some smart Hispanics. There are many qualified African Americans who would love to attend FAMU law (just like many choose to go to Howard)because of its significant role in the African American Experience. However, the administration, faculty and staff was subpar. FAMU's Pharmacy school just got another 100% passage rate. 1 out of 5 Black Pharmacists in the nation attended FAMU. The Nursing school never drops below 90% on the boards. FAMU COL's previous administration was just lazy and had no plan to meet the requirements of the Fla. Leg.

They want time to "get back on track"!!! Ha - when were they ever on the right track????

By the way, has anyone noticed the lack of reporting on this issue in the Tallahassee Mullet Wrapper aka Tallahassee Democrat? or is that cr*p?

[David]

FAMU HAS FAMU TO BLAME- THE FORMER PRESIDENT DRAWS A $180,000 SALARY FOR RESEARCH AND HAS DONT NOTHING BUT DRAW THE $$.
THE DEAN(S) ARE CROONIES-WHO FOLLOW NO LEAD.
THE SCHOOL WILL GO TO UCF WITHIN 3 YEARS-CERTAIN-THE REASON IT WAS BUILD IN ORLANDO--WEATHERALL DID NOT WANT IT IN TALL.

[Prayful Student]

FAMU will make it through. I have faith in God, and that is what gives me patience with FAMU's leaders. It will work out.