By Kent Kuran (2L)
During his introductory speech to Faculty Council, Dean Iacobucci stressed three main themes: the articling crisis, the law school at a crossroads, and new fundraising priorities.
First, on the articling crisis – whether “perceived or real” – Iacobucci said the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) was in a “difficult position” and that “this is something we can all be a part of.” But he was not necessarily supportive of new developments, such as the province-wide Law Practice Program (LPP) or the “Lakehead model of folding articling into third year.” He had previously expressed reservations about whether experiential and practical learning would be the best method of teaching, but agreed with the importance of developing “creative problem-solvers.”
Rather, Iacobucci is more in favour of continuing with U of T Law’s theoretical emphasis. “Our academic approach is what defines us. But how we deliver that approach is what we can have a discussion on,” explained Iacobucci, adding that the law school should “not be seen as seeing ourselves ‘above the fray.’”
The LPP’s practical and experiential character are regarded by some as opposing the highly academic and theoretical nature of existing legal education. Some have even wondered if the LPP would evolve into a fourth year of law school, which incumbent schools would try and incorporate into their current degree programs. Alternatively, the introduction of the LPP could see a shift more towards the current systems in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, with their longer bar professional training course programs.
Next, Iacobucci spoke of taking better advantage of U of T Law’s position. The Faculty, he said, is an “institution as a cross roads – hubs of all of these intersections.” It is a hub within the university, with cross appointments, it has members of the global legal academy, through the visiting program, and it is also an important meeting place, between the academy and the profession, explained Iacobucci. He asked how the school could take advantage of “being in one of the great universities, our geographic location, and our proximity to the judiciary, just down the road, and the legislature, just across the street.” And more importantly “what is our place in this global legal academy?”
Lastly, Iacobucci laid out his vision for the law school’s next fundraising campaign. Building on his previous commitment that accessibility would be his prime concern, Iacobucci wants the advancement priority to “transition from the building to student financial aid.”
As such, Iacobucci wants to focus on making law school more affordable to those from all backgrounds, especially as applications are plummeting province-wide. “We are not the institution we see ourselves to be – from all walks of life – and once you leave this school we want to give you the opportunities to go out and do that – change the world.”
The new vision for student aid comes as demand for U of T Law has waned as tuition fees continue to climb ever higher. Applications are still well below the 2010 peak and much lower than peer schools, with many worrying how the school’s significantly higher fees are affecting diversity and accessibility. Iacobucci sees endowment revenue as a means to mitigate lower net tuition income (fees minus aid).
Given the building campaign only just ended, Iacobucci was sensitive to how potential donors may respond. “It is something we have to be careful with in our timing,” said Iacobucci. “But, there are also opportunities to appeal to certain and individual supporters.”
As he put it, “There is no better spokespeople for student financial aid than students themselves.”
