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Summary: Although many law schools have cut tuition in hopes of increasing their enrollment, the University of Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law plans to hike tuition costs.
The University of Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law is ranked as one of the top 100 law schools by U.S. News and World Report. A rarity in today’s economy, the law school’s graduates are in demand in their local markets, and the school boasts a good pass rate on the state’s bar exam. However, ReviewJournal.com reports there is a deficit in the school’s budget that could be traumatic to the future of the school.
The school has suffered from reduced enrollment, as have law schools around the nation. At one time, the law school could count on 150 students enrolling every year. However, now the school has from 110-115 enrolling annually. This means there is a $3 million gap in the school’s budget.
The University of Nevada Board of Regents asked the state for $1.5 million to help the school cope with the loss of tuition. To make up for the remaining $1.5 million, tuition hikes, cost cutting, and philanthropy and news programs will be implemented.
The school faces steep competition for the funds from the state, as the medical school at UNLV is also in need of some cash. Daniel Hamilton, dean of the law school, said, “The law school is really one of the great success stories in the history of Nevada higher education. It’s very hard to build and relatively easy to lose if you don’t work very heard with a real focus on maintaining that quality.”
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The school has also sought approval from the board for a new program, a master’s in gaming law and regulation. Should the program gain the board’s approval, the school plans to recruit internationally. Speaking of the program, Dean Hamilton said, “We have the greatest expertise in gaming law in the world, and we have demand both domestically and internationally from people who want to know more and more about gaming law. That’s a natural fit for this great law school to become the center for gaming law instruction in the country.” Another program is planned for development with UNLV’s College of Hotel Administration.
Boyd is also set to host its first education conference, which is the Gaming Law Conference. The conference, held from Wednesday through Friday, will focus on regulating land-based casinos.
The school has also announced that tuition will increase by four percent during each of the next two academic years. It’s the first increase students have seen in four years. A hiring freeze has also been implemented, as well as phased-out faculty retirements and possible voluntary faculty buyouts.
Unless the school receives some financial assistance, it may be forced to lighten its admission requirements, which will lower the school’s bar passage rate and may ultimately damage the school’s reputation.
Luckily, the funding request was approved by the regents. The school must now seek philanthropic and legislative support.
The Republic adds that Chancellor Dan Klaich of the University of Nevada said it would be catastrophic if the regents did not assist the school during a time when schools nationwide have suffered an enrollment decrease. President Don Snyder, UNLV’s Acting President, said afterward he was grateful for the funding.
The law school opened in 1998, and ranks 83 in the 2014 edition of U.S. News and World Report.
Photo credit: web.unlv.edu boyd
