Summary: The S.J. Quinney School of Law has just opened its new campus.
According to the National Law Journal, the University of Utah S.J. Quinney School of Law dedicated its new $62.5 million building on September 1. U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Governor Gary Herbert were present for the dedication. According to KUER.org, Hatch called it the most beautiful law school he has seen in all his years in the Senate.
Last year, the law school received a $2.2 million gift.
After two years of construction, the 155,000 square foot building opened to students in August.
Students at Boston University School of Law also enjoyed a facelift to their campus. The school recently finalized a renovation of its 17-story Law Tower.
In Utah, the new building replaces the previous campus. The old campus was completed in the 1960s, and, according to the American Bar Association accreditation team, had insufficient classroom and student space.
David Pershing, the president of the university, said, “This new, sustainable home for the S.J. Quinney College of Law is the embodiment of the exceptional and innovative education that will be offered within its walls. It will facilitate additional clinical programs, experiential learning, collaborative research and community engagement, while providing an impressive gateway to the U campus.”
Private donations provided most of the funding for the new building. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $4 million, and the Alternative Visions Fund of the Chicago Community Trust gave another $4.5 million. According to KUTV.com, the Alternative Visions fund helped make the facility energy efficient.
Read about the $4.5 million gift here.
Robert Adler, dean of the law school, said, “Legal education is increasingly moving in the direction of applied, hands-on learning. We have been a leader in that area for many years, but this new facility will allow us to build on that excellence with dedicated simulation training facilities, room for our service learning programs, and cutting edge technology for skills training.”
Adler was named dean of the law school in 2014.
The new campus meets LEED platinum status, which is the highest certification provided to environmentally sustainable efficient structures. Its energy costs should be reduced by 65 percent. The building includes solar power, water recycling, and elevators that implement regenerative motors to turn excess energy into electricity that can power other parts of the building.
Last year, Boston University opened a five-story Sumner M. Redstone building, which is next door to the tower.
Source: National Law Journal
Photo credit: law.utah.edu