The American Bar Association notified George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School in early December that it is out of compliance for accreditation, related to concerns that the school does not have enough financial resources to successfully run the school.
The ABA’s financial concern for George Mason University stems from rapid growth of the student body at the law school. In 2021, the incoming first-year class grew by 76%, according to its Standard 509 Information Report released in 2021. That is compared to year 2020 reporting 149 first year students.
“The law school is confident that it has and will continue to have the financial resources and support from George Mason University necessary to sustain and grow a robust and highly acclaimed top 35 law school,” wrote Paul G. Allvin, vice president and chief brand officer of George Mason University, in an email to the ABA Journal. “The Scalia law school continues to grow both in enrollment and budgets, with sustained support from both the university and philanthropy.”
George Mason University’s claims of financial stability will be tested by sending a mandatory report to the ABA by June 28. If the school is deemed out of compliance, they must appear before the council in November, 2024.
