BU's Plans For Law School

BU's Plans For Law School

By Jessica Light

Binghamton University hopes to hand out law degrees.

Action News learns how BU is making its case to add a law school.

Binghamton University's President believes the next logical step for BU is to open a law school.

"What we're doing is building on the strengths and the excellence that exists at this university, says BU President Lois DeFleur.

She's talking with the Governor, who would have to sign off on the plan.

"Governor Spitzer is really an education governor and he has shown that through many of his act, his actions. I've you know talked to them about the need for additional, affordable opportunities to get a first rate legal education," says DeFleur.

Spitzer was in Binghamton Wednesday, pushing his plan to revitalize Upstate.

He says this project could be key for the area.

"I think we need more lawyers in this community. Its obviously I've spoke to Lois about this. This is something that could be wonderfully important for the city. It could help revitalize the city," says Spitzer.

While the project is just beginning, there's already talk of where to locate the law school.

Either on the Vestal campus, or the new Downtown center.

"The need to get more students downtown, more professional schools certainly would help. We will look at the finances. We will look to see if that's an investment we can make in the near term and I will have a very serious conversation about it," says Spitzer.

Bringing a law school to Binghamton University is a complicated process.

The University's already working with the American Bar Association to meet its requirements.

DeFleur says there is no time line in place.

If the law school is approved, it could open within 5 years.

SUNY Buffalo is the only college in the SUNY system that has a law school.

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