Dean lends his ear to students

Forums with individual classes touch on many subjects

—By Lori Craig

In two lunchtime forums with students this week, Dean Robert K. Rasmussen fielded questions, criticisms and praise for the law school from first- and second-year students.

Noting that he’s been at USC Law for a little more than five months, Rasmussen told students he is hosting forums with each class to share his ideas and hear from students informally.

Dean Robert K. Rasmussen met this week with first- and second-year students

Asked by a student about his priorities, Rasmussen listed four areas he’d like to focus on.

“I want to hire more tenure-track faculty,” he said. “I don’t think expansion of the faculty means we’ll get rid of our adjuncts; the goal is to enrich our offerings to students.”

He plans to “stick to tradition” and hire faculty who have training in another discipline apart from law, be it economics, business, psychology or another subject, he said.

Dovetailing with that proposal is Rasmussen’s goal to build better relationships across the university. Programs with the USC schools of cinematic arts and communications, for example, would give law students a chance to mix with students from other disciplines — something every lawyer will have to do, Rasmussen said.

Third, Rasmussen said, his long-term plans include a new law school building, a suggestion that drew nods of agreement from students. Aside from the need for more space, a new building would help create a stronger USC Law community with more casual meeting areas and architecture that reflects the Southern California environment. A committee of faculty, staff and students is evaluating the current building to determine what will be needed in a new facility.

“We should have a facility that really matches how great we are as a community,” Rasmussen said.

As a final priority, Rasmussen said he wants to get more financial aid and scholarships for students.

Dean Rasmussen also delved into more specific issues with students, including the first-year curriculum, campus graduate student housing, and diversity in the faculty and student body. One first-year student said the chairs in the library “are the most comfortable chairs, ever.” Another bemoaned the quality of physical fitness facilities on the USC campus. Others praised the Admissions Office, Career Services Office and the quality of the faculty.

USC Law always is striving to provide the best education and environment for students, Rasmussen said, and he encourages students to get in touch with him or the appropriate department if they have suggestions.

The final two dean’s forums, with Graduate and International Programs students and 3Ls, are scheduled for Feb. 13 and 20, respectively.