After several attempts, the University of La Verne's Ontario-based Law School was finally accredited by the American Bar Association on Feb. 13. This prestigious approval makes the Law School the first to receive ABA accreditation in Inland Southern California, but this process is far from finished.

The question remaining now is whether or not the law school will become an asset to the University and to its community after $22 million has been invested into the institution. Ten years down the line will this school be looked upon as a great achievement or a big mistake?

There have been several accounts of colleges closing due to the lack of profit and interest, but with fingers crossed the law school seems to be directed toward success.

The 36-year-old law school will remain in a provisional status for the next two years, after which it will become eligible for obtaining full ABA approval. The law school will be unable to fund itself during its provisional period, but has intentions to scramble out of debt afterwards. However, during this time its students are guaranteed the same rights and privileges as students from fully approved schools.

The law school hopes to have a new world of opportunities on its plate. It anticipates an increase in the student population and plans to expand its target region to include potential law students outside of California. The school plans to expand its 255-student population to 425 students in the upcoming years, as well.

Since its move from the University's main campus to downtown Ontario in 2001, the law school has made an attempt every year to obtain ABA's prestigious accreditation.

After each failure, the University and city have invested more money into the University to improve its structure and curriculum.

Fifty-five percent of the school's graduates passed the bar on their first attempt, and have done 11.5 percent better than the combined average of first-time takers from other schools.

The ABA accreditation, which is held by 193 schools, will eventually bring nationwide recognition to ULV's Law School and will permit its graduates to take the bar exam in any state.

Previously, the law school had obtained accreditation from the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California and by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Subsequently, this limited its graduates to practice only within California, but the school still managed to have 35 of its alumni serve on the bench.

ULV president Stephen Morgan predicts that the Law School will succeed with the challenges it faces. Sixty-five percent of its graduates remain in the Inland Southern California region to practice law, and San Bernardino and Riverside County courts are experiencing a shortage in judicial officers.

The law school plans to increase its funds through an increase in enrollment as well as support from ULV and the city of Ontario. If all goes well, the law school may someday serve as an asset to the University and to its community.

Even though the law school has passed a great milestone, a single question arises: even if things do go as planned, when will it become an asset and when will the law school become financially independent?