Mslaw has been much in the news lately. Ordinarily many of us might think of that as a good thing. That seems not to be the case this time. Sadly, that seems not to be the case.
Have you seen the press release: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20118.htm
The opening sentence tells it all:
"A conference to plan the prosecution of President Bush and other high administration officials for war crimes will be held September 13-14 at the Massachusetts School of Law at Andover ."
Which prompts me to begin this blog - it's time for us to find a collective voice. It's time to make known our thoughts and feelings. It's time to make known our hopes and aspirations for the school and for our fellow graduates. It's time to voice our concerns that the school is becoming a laughingstock in the community. It's time to make known that we object to the Dean's use of what we built as his launchpad for his increasingly intemperate political rants.
We built MSL. Our money and our time built MSL. Our dedication and success as students and then as attorneys in the many communities of the Commonwealth built what is MSL. We have worked long and hard to build successful practices and good reputations. That's what built MSL.
The dedication of a committed and energetic faculty built MSL. There are more than two thousand of us now; some who have worked for almost 20 years to build and keep our credibility among our clients and our colleagues. We've built solid reputations in the Courts and the Bar.
Now it seems that the Dean is dismantling what we have done. He forgets who he serves. He has long used the resources that we created for his own personal agenda. It's time that we give voice, publicly, to our concerns.
It's time that we let the Trustees know what many of us have been discussing for a long time. The school seems to have long since lost its way. Perhaps the leadership is too steeped in its self-generated press clippings.
If you wish to weigh in, to express your thoughts or concerns, offer a suggestion, criticism, a comment, perhaps directed at those who lead the school, maybe this space will have some use and purpose.
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About Me
- discuss01
- As a graduate of the program in the 90's, and an interested observer, I wonder why, after 20 years, the school has not established the respect that its faculty and graduates deserve within the legal community.
24 comments:
It isn't bad enough that our school is the laughing stock in the courts.... now i'll never get a job! LAF '03
Are you kidding me, did the dean truly make these ridiculous statements. He now wants to lynch the president and his cabinet. It is no wonder our school has the poor reputation it does. I can only hope that this is the last straw the Dean is finally removed from office. By the way, removal from office Dean is the correct punishment for the President if any, not a hanging!
The Dean's personal pursuits have little to do with MSL students or the betterment of the school. His press release served to misinform the public about MSL's true mission, and unfortunately has worked to undermine the hard won accomplishments of it's students.
We thank you Dean for your vision and the opportunity it created, but it's time for the Trustees to consider new leadership.
Dean Velvel has a history of tilting against windmills. Remember the ABA accreditation lawsuits? However, I think the trustees should seriously consider whether a dean who enjoys casting himself as the lead player in the theater of the absurd has the time or energy needed to grow the school and increase its standing.
Since Larry has hand-picked the trustees from his list of friends from Michigan and elsewhere, it's hard for me to see them removing the person who gave them the job.
This should be interesting.
FYI, This was my recent letter to Dean Velvel - not that I think It will make any impact. I never heard back from him.
Dear Dean Velvel,
You have made an important impact on the diversity of the legal system in Massachusetts. I appreciate that The Massachusetts School of Law at Andover was established to provide a legal education to those of us not usually afforded the opportunity. Many of us worked very hard to achieve the career and life success that this opportunity allowed, only to be shot in the back like this by our own law school.
I was distressed and embarrassed this morning to see the article on Newsmax.com that appears at the end of this note. Please know that, in no way do your personal and clearly politically motivated actions represent all, or most likely, even many MSL alumni.
In this article you asserted that President Bush and other administration officials must be tried and hanged, for war crimes -- apparently leaving little room for finding them not guilty. While the subject of war crimes may be worth examining, at MSL I was taught to seek justice not be a vigilante. I was taught to examine an issue from all sides and seek the truth. That does not appear to be what you have in mind for your conference in September.
Until today I was proud to be a MSL graduate. Now, I am really not sure. I am disappointed.
Respectfully,
MariElizabeth (McKeon ) Norris, Esq.
MSL January, 2000
MA Bar June 2000
I am sorry to see that all but one of the comments (and the main post) on this blog do not identify the writer. This is a subject that requires honesty and writers should not stay anonymous.
I disagree with the Dean's position in this matter. He does take on such causes and it is to be expected of him. However, this position reflects poorly on the reputation of MSL and should be separated from the activities of MSL. The Dean's lack of understanding of this may well be cause to have him removed.
Dean Velvel's strong opinions and drive helped to create MSL, and I applaud him for that, but I have always felt that the abilities to get a school started are not the same ones necessary to make the school better and sustaining as time goes by. I think MSL deserves some fresh management.
Edward H. Adamsky, Esq.
MSL 1992
www.adamskylaw.com
I love MSL and acknowledge that without the Dean MSL would not exist. That being said, what got us to where we are at may no longer be what we need to get to the next level of acceptance, although that supposes the faculty wants to get there from here. MSL is a highly insular institution in an us against the world mode. I don't see the board moving against the Dean because of a few discontented alums. It would have to be a tidal wave of protest causing losses in endowments to get that sort of attention.
I'm so glad to have received the email about this blog. Something has to be done to preserve MSL's name. As a 3L, Dean Velvel's actions are worrying myself and many of my friends that finding jobs after graduation will be extremely difficult.
I know that there is a "student trustee" appointed every year that is supposed to discuss the students issues with the trustees. I'm not sure how effective he/she could be, but maybe thats an avenue we should look into, to getting the message to the trustees that we've had enough of Dean Velvel abusing the schools name for his own agendas.
I really think we should either get an active student/alumni organization going. The only way we can be taken seriously is with strong numbers.
No big surprise here for MSL Students. The truth is MSL has operated as a One Man Shop for quite some time.
And Yes- it's demoralizing for hard working students, dedicated teachers and staff, to have little power or voice to effect positive and badly needed internal change,
And Yes- we absolutely are injured by the school's adversarial environment, and worry about its declining reputation and finding employment.
But I'm thinking there's a guiding light here at the Crossroads.
The question before the Board of Trustees is simple- do you allow MSL to continue to limp along as a Closed Shop, or it is time for a course correction, time for MSL to build on its diverse and multiple strengths and become a well respected academic legal institution.
Students will tell you this is not a big fix- Some visionary leadership, management truly open to an exchange of ideas, a bit of tweaking of the curriculum and academic support, and a solid strategy for growing the school's reputation ... that, and a good coffee machine, and we are on our way.
As I wrote a friend - How ironic is seems to be working on an argument against a life sentence in prison and trying to relate it to the death penalty when applied to a juvenile, and receiving an email about concerns several alumnus are having with Dean Velvel's call for a hanging of the President and his Cabinet... Still trying to find out if all this is really true, what the hell is going on? Did I join the Billy the kid's School of law? Am i to receive a rope and a U.S. Marshal star after graduation so I may go around and enforce the law? In that case, the paper will no longer be due at all, right? I should grow a mustache and buy a horse...
I am still trying to fathom the possibility that a very respected and intelligent professional such as Dean Velvel would, in his zealous efforts to express personal criticism of our leaders, take matters onto such a realm of absurdity that perhaps only Virgil may conceive to encounter.
It is a sad day when a leader is lost in his quest for justice and tramples that which he is vowed to protect in the first place.
Catiline's spirit has gone beyond the walls of Rome...?
These are the same people who oppose harsh treatment of prisoners with links to terrorist factions who pose a direct threat to America. Shameful.
It is past the time when the Alumni will get involved again with the institution and help reshape its vision. It would only benefit everyone.
Larry should be encouraged to pursue his dream as laid out in his statements since, I believe, war crimes may have been committed by Buch and his cronies. However, I agree with Ed Adamsky, and am extremely disappointed that he is using OUR fine school as his stage. Larry, go for it but leave us alone to pursue our careers with dignity and pride. DO NOT drag us unwilling participants into your personal endeavors. We have sustained enough under your leadership. Enough is enough.
Larry, I hope you have a good conference but I hope the school doesn't pay the bill, financially or otherwise. Go make a name for yourself, whatever that name may be, but we are not all on your bandwagon.
Ernie Hyde
Class of 1992
May I suggest that you folks who are expressing opposition to Dean Velvel's proposed symposium take a moment to actually think about the object of your concern? We have an administration that is responsible for the invasion of a sovereign nation resulting in the deaths of over 3500 men and women; that has summarily disregarded the Constitutional right of habeas corpus; and that is directly responsible for preventing meaningful legislation on global warming and health care to American citizens. To my mind, it is the responsibility of American citizens to actively oppose these blatant attacks on American democracy. I see no diminution of MSL's status by allowing the Dean's discussion of these issues. Quite the opposite: I am proud to have a degree from an institution that asserts the basic ideals of our society.
The problem is not that the dean seeks to hold President Bush and his cabinet responsible for their actions. The problem is that he advocates their hangings.
Although I have only just completed my first year at MSL, one moment stands out. Professor Coyne gave a speech to the students in the Old Courtroom regarding the accomplishments of the trial teams at MSL. He was so proud. His pride exuded from him. He stated,"Perhaps we will look back on these achievements and consider this to be the Golden Age of MSL, but I believe this to be only the tip of the iceberg of how far we can go." I really believe that to be the case, but not if Dean Velvel is at the helm. I have read his blog on many occasions and, to be quite honest, I have felt he has made other ridiculous statements. If MSL is to be taken seriously, it needs to be led by an individual without a personal agenda.
What is apparent is that Dean Velvell does not want to lead the school other than so he can be called Dean Velvell. He places his personal agenda and his notoriety ahead of the school’s best interest. In order to give his statements greater weight the Trustees somehow permit him to call himself Dean in his writings even though his personal statements and agenda have nothing to do with MSLAW and hurt it. At a minimum, they should no longer permit his personal views to be distributed with Dean in front of his name or bear any mention of the law school. If some other internet wacko had called for the president’s hanging, it wouldn’t even make the news. It became news because it was irresponsible and foolish for him to call for hangings as the steward of what many believe to be a respectable law school despite his recent efforts.
Why does this latest episode shock us? Look what is going on at the school. Professors who teach trial techniques, that are not admitted in Massachusetts and have not stepped foot in a court room. Full time faculty, demanding to be called Professor but are working on their JD at the school. The problem starts with Velvel. But, is he going to leave? Better yet who will replace him. I do not think it will be the usual suspects. Dean Vietzke that is what I see. Let's face facts the school is more concerned with an 1864 Civil War Battle than keeping Appeals Court Judges as faculty. Dean Velvel is kicking each of us in the arse day by day.
As I am soon to take the July Bar, my world is framed by ’spotting the issues” and determining "the rights and liabilities of the parties". So I can not help but wonder if there is in fact a valid Breach of Contract claim here. It may be argued that the Administration is in breach, if not due to its lack of leadership in providing a sound legal education, than certainly, in breach of a promise which we relied upon to our detriment.
One might also argue claims in Agency law, as the Dean acts on behalf of the Principal (Board of Trustees), if not with their expressed consent, than by ratifying the Dean’s conduct and words. (Do I spot Breach of Fudiciary Duty in the face of possible Self-Dealing?)
As a proud 2008 graduate, it is my hope that the Board of Trustees, will act decisively on the now known critical issues facing MSL students, and indeed MSL’s future.
While Lawrence Velvel is free to state his political opinions, his doing so on behalf of MSL is wrong. If you go to his blog you will note that there is the standard MSL blurb. This is deeply concerning to me as an alum. I do not want the name MSL to conjure up the image of a Dean on the loose. As students and alum who are concerned with the Dean's representations and opinions a collective effort needs to be undertaken to remove Dean from his position. There is certainly one candidate for Dean that I am sure we all agree upon. Perhaps a collective letter to the Board of Trustees is the place to start. Thoughts?
Kate, I must be out of the loop....which candidate for dean are you referencing?
MariElizabeth Norris
Is this blog still active?
I am passing posters for MSL's 20th Anniversary party and wonder why there is no new vision statment for the school, two decades on. Isn't this the time for such a thing? Or shall we just dance the night away?
As a 3L discovering how high the walls are around MSL, I too wonder how, 20 years on, we have not gotten off the ground.
Are there any other open forums to discuss Mass. School of Law? Many alumni I know are completely disillusioned with the school and will have nothing to do with it. I would like to see this change. The alumni need to become a force for change at MSL. How can we do that? Who will lead this fight? Most of us probably don't have the time or real desire to do so, but it is important for our future and those who follow us.
I spent a year at MSL (02). I was at the top of the class and was able to transfer out. 7 years later, I feel like that transfer was the best move I've ever made for my career.
I loved MSL, was SBA President and all but when I saw the school didn't do much to put their students in job and integrate them to be part of the community (but instead rebel against a national consensus on legal education), it was disturbing. BTW, the thing isn't its lack of ABA accreditation. Rather, it's the way the school is operated. See SNESL for example - not ABA accredited but they do very good things there. I wish all the current students at MSL all the best. Pains me how they promise the world, take all the money, and don't have all their students' best interest at heart.
Andre (attended 02)
Anonymous said...
I'm full of sh*t is what he or she should have said.
No one was ever SBA President as a freshman and no SBA president ever transfered out. Please comparing our school to SNESL... We may have our faults but it's not because serious people,faculty and students working together, aren't doing their best to be the best. Save the scurrilous attacks on our institution for those you know or come out of the closet and tell us who you really are because you shouldn't pretend to speak for MSL students and alums.
Although I do not agree with everything that the school officials do and I always voiced my opinion while I was there.
But I doubt the motivation behind this whole public outburst. Is it because the school challenges and threats to humiliate the republicans?
Are you a republican? if so, you are bias.
Probably, you were one of those who had to kiss the professors' asses in order to get the few A(s) that they give out to friends and families.
Did they strike a nerve this time? Don't you know what they were all about when you were mingling with them?
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