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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
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ACADEMICS
Law school fined for improper admission
DALTON KINGERY news@kansan.com
Last month, the American Bar Association imposed several sanctions on the University of Kansas School of Law. The sanctions, described in a Dec. 19 ABA press release, include a public censure and a $50,000 penalty.
The sanctions were announced after the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar's accreditation committee determined the School of Law had violated its standards for approval. The violation was admitting two students into a new Masters
of Law (LLM) program before receiving or seeking the ABA's approval for the establishment of the new program.
The law school has since put in place new procedures to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.
Mazza
"We now have procedures put in place so, as soon as the law school considers any curriculum change, an approval process is triggered," said
Stephen Mazza, dean of the School of Law. "The ABA never questioned the quality of the program."
The Accreditation Committee determined that the school did not clarify to the ABA its exact intentions.
Story summary
Of the two students admitted to the program, one student has since been awarded their degree. The other student remains in the program. In the sanction, the ABA points out the school put both students at "significant risk" by admitting them to a program that had yet to be granted acquiescence, and described the school's failure to seek the ABA's approval
School of Law formally disciplined by American Bar Association
Admitted two students into degree program before having degree program approved
Discipline will take the form of public censure and $50,000 fine
before making the curriculum change as grossly negligent.
"Mistakes happen," said Mark Savoy, a third-year law student from Overland Park. "The important thing is that once the mistake was out in the open,
the law school really owned it and took responsibility... my overall perspective of the law school remains the same."
Edited by Jack Feigh
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CAMPUS
University names new director of state relations
MCKENNA HARFORD news@kansan.com
Lindsey Douglas has been hired as the new director of state relations for the University. In this position, Douglas will advocate for the University's priorities at the state government level. She will replace Kathy Damron, who will continue working as a consultant for the transition period.
the Health Education Initiative.
"In rural areas of Kansas many doctors are retiring and there are not enough doctors
information is provided in a quick manner so that they may be fully informed in making decisions." Douglas said. "My job is to provide that informa-
"Knowing how to protect dollars and advocate for them is something I learned at KDOT and can continue at KU."
This session, Douglas will focus on restoring more than $13 million in budget cuts made in the previous session and passing the Health Education Initiative, which will allow for a new building at KU Medical Center to train more doctors each year and provide health care to people across Kansas.
Douglas thinks it's important to emphasize the impact of the University's priorities for people across the state, especially
LINDSEY DOUGLAS Director of state relations
to replace them," Douglas said. "We want to train doctors to stay in Kansas and provide a critical need in the future."
In order to accomplish these goals, Douglas will have to work closely with members of the Kansas Senate, House of Representatives, the Board of Regents and the Brownback Administration.
"Legislators appreciate when-
tion and to assist them with constituent questions and requests"
She will work with Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Tim Caboni to provide this information.
"Ultimately we have a responsibility for communication and outreach, as well as state relations," Caboni said. "We can marry the two, with
Previously, Douglas worked at the Kansas Department of Transportation where she played a key role in passing the T-WORKS legislation that funded statewide transportation construction by keeping contact with the legislators. Caboni feels that this experience and her relationships make Douglas particularly suited to her position.
in person and broad public messages, to make messages that are tightly integrated in a way that few others can."
"Lindsey had remarkable experience in the Department of Transportation with moving legislature through and pre existing contacts, which are incredibly valuable," Caboni said.
Story summary
"Knowing how to protect dollars and advocate for them
Douglas also feels that her work with KDOT will help her in her new position.
University hires Lindsey Douglas as the new director of state relations
Her focus this session will be on restoring budget cuts and the Health Education Initiative
She will work with Timothy Caboni to tailor messages for the public and for legislators.
Has previous experience at KDOT that will transfer to her position at the University
Her relationships with the legislators are valuable, and they helped get her the position
is something I learned at KDOT and can continue at KU" Douglas said.
Douglas is excited to start the session by getting to work with her former colleagues that work in legislature and starting to work as a liaison.
"The newness and getting to
learn what KU is doing is exciting," Douglas said. "I had a great KDOT family and I'm excited to become a part of the KU family."
Edited by Casey Hutchins