Law students at Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law staged a walkout on Nov. 8 in support of an associate dean who resigned after other faculty nixed a move from a five- to a four-day class schedule.
Shaundra Lewis, associate dean of academic affairs, submitted her resignation as dean, but will remain a faculty member. In her resignation letter, she accused colleagues of trying to prevent re-accreditation of the law school. However, it was unclear what that meant.
In the letter, she said the most recent incident is about her push to make classes longer, but on four days of the week instead of five. Lewis said some faculty felt this would be detrimental to student learning.
In addition to desiring a four-day week, students are concerned about lack of change, and worried about the school’s low bar pass rate.
“Texas Southern University is aware of concerns held by a group of law students,” the school stated in a press release. “The administration is engaged in conversation with student leaders about those concerns and has put plans in place to ensure consistent engagement. Texas Southern does not comment on personnel matters.”
