Having two homes is the dream of most Americans, and it now looks like the Dickinson School of Law is moving toward that same dream.

Penn State administrators are discussing a way to create a dual-campus system, with University Park serving as the main campus for the law school and some specialized courses being taught in Carlisle.

The benefits of any move to University Park are obvious. The resources available are far more numerous than Dickinson's current site. The law field is moving in directions that are requiring more training than ever before. For example, those studying corporate or securities law need to have an intimate knowledge of accounting standards, as well as business structures. One can easily see how much work has gone into Enron and Martha Stewart. A closer connection to the Smeal College of Business would definitely help a law student.

According to some publications, Dickinson is not even a top-tier law school. Penn State prides itself in being among the best colleges in the country, but its law school does not match up to other top universities.

This is another reason why a move to University Park would be helpful. Attracting the best faculty and research dollars is easier to do in University Park than in Carlisle, and this, in addition to the added resources available, should help the school gain in prominence.

The proposed split of the law school is also a good compromise for the different interests. People in Carlisle did not want to see their law school leave and have nothing in return. Meanwhile, officials at University Park saw an opportunity to improve Dickinson and decided to take steps toward that effort.

There is also little room for expansion in Carlisle. With more people attending universities and the increased competition, expansion is a must, and it can be done at University Park. The tentative plan would also include the teaching of some government classes at the current Dickinson campus. This makes sense because Carlisle is not too far from Harrisburg. Students could take what they learned in the classroom and see it in action in the state capital or even apply it with an internship or co-op.

Nothing proposed is definite, but when two sides compromise, sometimes the ultimate objective can be lost in the decision. Officials from University Park and Carlisle should be applauded for at least creating a decision that works toward the betterment of Dickinson.