It is with great pleasure that I write to tell you that the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law reached an important milestone. The celebrations have begun! On January 30, 2003, the School of Law received an action letter from the American Bar Association Accreditation Committee. After twenty-two pages of fact finding, the Accreditation Committee concluded that "the University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, has established that it is in full compliance with the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools. Therefore, in accordance with Standard 103 and Rules 3 and 4 of the ABA Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools, the Accreditation Committee recommends to the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar that full ABA approval be granted to the University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law."

The Accreditation Committee made its positive findings of fact and its recommendation for full accreditation based on an extensive record. The Committee considered UDC-DCSL's October 15, 2001 application for full accreditation; our nine volume Self Study, Annual Questionnaire and other documents submitted in March of 2002; the sixty-eight page report submitted in July 2002, by the seven member Site Evaluation Team after its three day visit to the School of Law in April of 2002; the School of Law's corrections and update of the site report submitted in September of 2003; our thirty page "brief" submitted in December 2002, in response to committees questions posed in its November 2002 action letter; a further School of Law update letter submitted in January, 2003; and, letters of support submitted by Mayor Anthony Williams, D.C. Council Member Kevin Chavous (Chair of the Council's Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation) and Charles Ogletree, Chair of the UDC Board of Trustees. In addition, following an introductory presentation made by Site Evaluation Team Chair Professor H.G. Prince of Hastings School of Law, UDC President Pollard, DCSL Chairman Michael Rauh and I made a presentation and responded to questions posed by the Accreditation Committee at its January 23, 2003 meeting in Amelia Island, Florida.

Two steps remain. Our team, comprised of President Pollard, Michael Rauh and I will address the ABA's Council of the Section on Legal Education at its meeting June 6, 2003 in Miami Beach. We will be seeking the Council's approval of the Accreditation Committee's recommendation for full accreditation. The final approval must then be granted by the ABA House of Delegates at the Annual Meeting of the ABA in San Francisco, California, August 11, 2003.

The School of Law community, particularly faculty and administrators have worked tirelessly over the last four years to bring the School of Law into full ABA compliance. Hats off and many thanks for all of their hard work and commitment.

Meanwhile, we are champing at the bit to turn the page to the next chapter of our development. Next fall, we will begin a new strategic planning process focused on developing guidelines for our growth and development over the next five years. We will be inviting alumni and friends to participate, so watch your mail and email.

In closing, word of our outstanding clinical programs, our small, talented and diverse faculty and student body and our newly renovated handsome facilities is getting out. Our applicant pool is up 150% this year. If you know someone for whom our mission fits, send him or her to Vivian Canty (274-7336), the best admission director on the planet!

Enjoy this issue!

Shelley Broderick, Dean

Dean Broderick Shares Accreditation News with the School of Law Community