University Park, Pa. -- Penn State's Board of Trustees today (Jan. 21) approved a memorandum of understanding with its Dickinson School of Law that will provide for the extensive renovation and expansion of the law school's Carlisle campus and expansion of the law degree program to the University Park campus.
The University has committed $10 million toward the estimated $40 million renovation and expansion of Trickett Hall in Carlisle. The governor has pledged matching funds for the project up to $25 million, with the remaining funds to come from fund raising.
Upgrades to the Carlisle campus are included in the revised five-year capital plan presented to the board today for approval.
"Our plan is for two high-quality interactive campuses designed, administered and supported financially in a manner intended to strengthen the heritage and educational programs of the law school," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier. "This is a positive development in our efforts to provide the highest quality of legal education."
"In my view, the new agreement presents us with an historic opportunity to create the most innovative, attractive and meaningful legal education program in the United States," said Dean Phil McConnaughay. "I look forward to working together to implement this opportunity in a way that is consistent with the student-centered values of Penn State University and The Dickinson School of Law."
The agreement also calls for the operational control of the law school to reside with the University and the board of trustees as of Aug. 1, 2005.