| "Believe It!" was the rallying cry of the Houston Rockets as they battled their way to a world championship more than two decades ago. Today, I'm borrowing that catchphrase to bring you the good news that the Law Center's decades-long quest for a new facility is coming closer to reality. "Believe It!"
The New Building Campaign was launched last year to raise $10 million in seed money. Backed by a group of Cornerstone Club donors pledging $250,000 or more, this generosity would demonstrate support for construction of a state-of-the-art facility to replace our nearly 50-year-old building. At the recent GALA, we announced pledges and gifts of more than $4 million from early donors at many different levels towards our phase one goal of $10 million by the end of this year. President Khator told the GALA audience that the new Law Center building would be UH's number one priority for facilities funding at the next Texas legislative session.
The Building Campaign timeline is part of a three phased fundraising model. The $10 million goal is to demonstrate alumni support in advance of President Khator's request for support from the state legislature. Phase two of the plan seeks state funding via tuition revenue bonds or other programs. After the legislature's approval of funding, phase three seeks approval from the UH Board of Regents, while making a final philanthropic push to close any funding gap for the new structure during construction.
A site for the new building near the current Law Center is close to being finalized, and preliminary renderings are under way. The building will be structured as a true, cross-disciplinary center for legal education and scholarship with modern technology and flexible space to enhance the educational experience of students and faculty; each classroom will be a portal to the world, and every faculty office will be a production studio.
The benefits of a new facility are unquestioned in recruiting faculty and students. Even though our mothers may have told us not to judge a book by its cover, we all know that many individuals do judge appearances when they determine what school to attend or where to teach. We need a new learning facility to remain competitive. A new law school building should improve our national and international rankings. U.S. News & World Report rankings for several law schools with new facilities have significantly increased after groundbreaking on new buildings.
The new facility also will include additional space for expansion of our clinical outreach to the community while improved facilities and enhanced technological capabilities will provide opportunities for greater interaction at the local, national and international level. Modern space for judicial proceedings would also serve local and regional courts, giving students valuable insight into the justice system.
A world class institution in a world class city requires a world class building! A new facility will reflect who we are and enhance our standing as a top tier law school. With your help, a new Law Center will happen. Believe It!
Leonard M. Baynes
Dean & Professor of Law
University of Houston Law Center |
