The dean of the Dickinson School of Law of Penn State is recommending that its governing board move the school to University Park within five years, citing a need to expand, The (Carlisle) Sentinel reported yesterday.

The Sentinel obtained the information from a confidential memo written by Dickinson Dean Phil McConnaughay in preparation for a meeting of the school's trustees on Nov. 21 and 22.

Penn State officials acknowledged the existence of the plan yesterday. However, university spokesman Bill Mahon emphasized that the decision to bring the law school to main campus ultimately lies with the Dickinson Board of Governors, which will hear the plan at next week's meeting.

If the board approves the proposal, Penn State would aid with the relocation.

"We would certainly provide the facilities if needed," Mahon said.

McConnaughay released a prepared statement yesterday in response to the newspaper report, saying he would not immediately comment on the confidential memo.

"It is not appropriate for me to comment about its contents until after university officials and the board have had the opportunity to deliberate and set policy in the best interests of the law school and its students, graduates, faculty and staff," he said in the statement.

One of the main factors in the decision to possibly move the law school, Mahon said, is the school's landlocked location. Residential housing and streets surround the school -- which is composed of one main building -- and potential for physical expansion is minimal, he said.

The existing campus also lacks adequate classrooms, faculty offices, library space, student areas, courtrooms, an auditorium and electrical power to support basic programs and technology, McConnaughay said in the memo.

"It's been a concern of Dickinson's for many years," Mahon said.

Another factor would be the benefits the law school would receive by being on the University Park campus, which would allow for collaboration between various facilities, Mahon said.

Mahon said the university's current budget problems are not cause for concern, especially for a project that is slated for several years down the line. He also cited the university's construction of residence halls as another example of the Penn State's ability to build during tough financial times.

LeRoy S. Zimmerman, chairman of the Dickinson board of trustees, did not return a telephone call seeking comment yesterday.

Founded in 1834, Dickinson is Pennsylvania's oldest law school. It was initially a department of Dickinson College, a private, liberal arts college in Carlisle, but become independent from the college in 1890. The law school merged with Penn State in 2000.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.