For decades, the University of California San Diego has been interested in establishing a law school. The plan has been revived, and preliminary discussions to establish a partnership with California Western School of Law have commenced.
In January, faculty and administrators from both campuses formed a committee to explore the concept. Leaders of both institutions say that if a UC San Diego school of law were established it would be self-supporting and not involve any state or UC San Diego campus funds, at least initially.
Supporters of the partnership say it could advance research between the San Diego private law school and the La Jolla public university. Critics doubt the state really needs another law school, with five UC law schools already established. See this article for more pros and cons discussed about the possible merger.
One issue garnering the most attention is cost. The annual tuition for California Western is $38,400, which is slightly higher than UC’s law schools.Â
California Western’s Dean Steven Smith told the San Diego Union Tribune that there is no timeline, but hopes the joint committee will issue its recommendation by late spring.
Â
