With the relationship between Penn State and the Dickinson School of Law being called into question, some law school students are concerned with the possible change in the school's name affiliation with the university.
The future of the law school's affiliation with Penn State was discussed at September's Board of Trustees meeting after months of talks regarding a possible dual-campus plan fizzled.
Penn State issued a statement saying the two schools are interested in ending the seven-year relationship, which would allow an affiliation to form between the Dickinson School of Law and the Dickinson College.
Second-year law student Rich Giglio said most students did not choose Dickinson School of Law to be Dickinson College students. "Many people have made a lot of sacrifices to get here and pay a lot of money to be here," he said. "Then you get here and you might not be getting what you bargained for."
Giglio added the main concern is centered on losing the reputation Penn State has throughout the world.
Board of Governors chairman LeRoy Zimmerman said students are reacting prematurely to the issue.
He added that it is too early to think about the law school disengaging with Penn State because the board still has to decide if there is a compelling interest to join with Dickinson College. "Penn State cannot unilaterally make the decision to disengage with us; in final analysis any action would have to be approved by the board," he said.
Second-year student Jennifer Beidel said she came to the law school with the assumption she would receive a Penn State degree. "Nobody here feels negatively about Dickinson College, but when choosing between the two, we want Penn State," she said.
Law school spokeswoman Kelly Jones said current students would graduate with a Penn State law degree.
"It's pretty speculative to say students won't get what they came for because we don't know what will happen and, as of now, it is still Penn State's," she said.
Beidel said much of the concern students have stems from how other law institutions view the school. "We will get a good education from Dickinson, but the student perception is that Penn State will help make the law school move up in the rankings where it should be," she said. "Our concern is that Penn State will offer a degree that is well-known. Penn State is known, but outside of Pennsylvania, Dickinson is not."
Giglio said when looking for work after law school, the school's ranking has a lot to do with finding a job. "When getting jobs out of law school, big-name recognition is important," he said.
Jones said although some students may prefer Penn State, Dickinson College is still a top-notch institution. "We believe that Dickinson College can afford to offer similar educational opportunities that students get at Penn State," she said.
However, Beidel said many students have realized that the school needs new facilities to compete with other law institutions in the country.
"We are getting a good education here, but ... having up-to-date facilities and technology affects the perception that top schools have of us," she said.
Giglio said he believes the law school's Board of Governors has been a roadblock in enhancing the school's quality. "They seem to be more concerned with keeping the people in the Carlisle community at peace than making sure students and the school are the best it can be," he said.
Giglio said many students wanted the campus moved to University Park because it would have provided more inter-curricular opportunities and joint degrees. "Students are stuck in a crossfire and all we can do is sit back and let decisions be made for the rest of our lives," he said.
Zimmerman said the Board of Governors did not make the decision to meet with Dickinson College. "People are getting agitated without need at this time," he said. "It continues to be Penn State's [law school], it will be today, tomorrow and into the near future." Other board members would not comment and law school dean Philip McConnaughay could not be reached for comment.
