Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1920 [PAGE 20]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[July 17,

session," which will appear next fall. T h e Law Bulletin extends the influence of the law faculty and furnishes a connecting link between the College of Law, the practising lawyer, and the legislator, whereby each keeps in better touch with the other. V. IMPORTANCE OF THE COLLEGE OF LAW AT THIS TIME. Especially at this time it is important to keep the law school in good working order for the sake of those who have entered military service. Some of them will soon be returning more or less disabled. N o vocation will be found more suitable for many of these disabled soldiers than the legal profession. T h e law requires far less manual dexterity than engineering, agriculture, or medicine; and even before the war is over the law schools will be called upon to take care of our returning soldiers. Shortly after the war closes, it is obvious that the law schools will all receive a very large increase in attendance, composed partly of their previous students who had not yet completed their law course; and in part of those who have entered but who postponed their law study and entered military service instead. T h e law schools are thus storing up a reserve of attendance which will come upon them as a flood after the war. N o one in subsequent life will have a greater influence in moulding public opinion and in guiding the affairs of the state than the law students. Law schools should, therefore, keep going with a view to these demands even if they are cut down to only a few students. Among recognized law schools the University of Montana is the only one of which I have heard which proposes to discontinue its sessions next year. If the standard law schools should discontinue operations, this would play directly into the hands of the inferior commercialized night law schools, which already are preparing a majority, perhaps three-fourths, of the lawyers of this State. It is submitted that the University of Illinois should have the courage and foresight to keep its facilities intact and to utilize its splendid equipment during the war, both for the sake of law students and for the constructive and critical study of the local law of this State. Next year is a legislative year and a constitutional convention also seems likely. Important demands will doubtless be made upon the law school faculty outside of their regular duties, if they have any time to spare. It is submitted that the Law School is rendering substantial service to the State, both inside and outside the University; that it is an important liberalizing and constructive influence, and that through the law school the University has its greatest opportunity to contribute to the reform and betterment of our legal institutions, which are crying for public spirited and expert attention. Respectfully submitted,

H. W. BALLANTINE

Dean of the College of

Law

This report was received for record.