Law school dean resigns; future of school uncertain

by Jaclyn Roco
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Kenneth Held, dean of the College of Law in Ontario, announced last week that he will step down from his position to resume the role of a professor for the law school.

Held, one of the main supporters of the law school's controversial pursuit for American Bar Association accreditation, joined the university in 1981.

Under his leadership, the law school was relocated to a large facility in Ontario, instead of its prior position in the Hoover Building on the main campus.

Held also helped plan and fund the law school to be able to meet ABA requirements. He said that a successful application would mean having a bigger library, more students and advanced facilities.

Although the 2001 application for ABA approval failed, the law school's faculty and administration are determined to reapply. The target date for reapplication is fall of 2003. Reapplication has so far been challenged by faculty, who believe that the millions of dollars spent for such a purpose, is a poor use of funds.

Held has assented to remain dean until a new candidate is found.

To help facilitate a search for a new candidate, president Stephen Morgan and Provost Richard McDowell have hired Scott Brice, former Dean of he University of Southern California Law School.