Last Updated:7:45 PM EST 4/22/08 Section: News

Bain

Goodwin

Bowers

St. John Fisher College is getting a big present, and it's not from the Wegmans family.

New York State Senator Joe Robach announced that $2.25 million in aid is going to be set aside in the state budget so that the College may explore the idea of opening a law school in downtown Rochester.

"The first step in any program plan is to secure some level of financing to show a level of commitment and support," President Donald Bain said. "This then allows the College to take the case to private donors. At this time, we have not approached any private donors, but that step can now be explored, given Senator Robach's $2.25 million commitment."

In an interview with the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper, Robach stated that Fisher officials had told him that another seven to nine million dollars will need to be raised in order for the law school to become a reality.

The concept of a law school has been tossed around for several years, according to Pre-Law adviser and political science professor Jim Bowers. While the capital being provided by the state is a generous first step, there is still much to be done.

"Once a final decision is reached to move forward in creating a law school, the next logical step would be to establish a Task Force to begin a more detailed exploration of the concept," Bain said.

Bain outlined what would need to be done, including: creating a specific business plan and timeline, pursuing fundraising opportunities, finding the best location for the school, gaining an understanding of accreditation requirements and finding a dean.

An important factor would be to try to make the school function under the same mission as the rest of the College.

"If I had some involvement I would advocate for the school to be built on a clear foundation of Fisher's historical mission of providing young men and women with an educational opportunity that without Fisher, they wouldn't have been able to act upon," Bowers said. "By going downtown, it is showing a strong sign to how Fisher as an institution is trying to be Rochester's College. Fisher ought to take the lead in creating a law school with a unique mission."

As for alumni and students, the prospect of a Fisher law school is an exciting one.

"I think it's fantastic," Fisher alum and current law student at Valtaraiso University Rob Goodwin said. "Rochester is a perfect community to have a law school especially with having the four colleges in the area with a lot of college students who probably want to stay in the area. They already have local ties in western New York, so they probably want to stick around. I think it's long overdue and a great thing for St. John Fisher."

"Everyone will gain from a St. John Fisher Law School. The students have yet another graduate program to benefit from," Anthony Laduca, a Fisher alum and co-owner of Laduca & Laduca, a law firm in Rochester, said. "St. John Fisher is rapidly transforming from a college offering superior undergraduate studies to a nationally recognized institution of undergraduate and graduate programs.

"The law school will instill an even greater sense of pride in the community and also with the St. John Fisher students, staff and alum."

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