Bill Text: TX SR554 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Recognizing the St. Mary's University School of Law online juris doctor degree program.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-11 - Reported enrolled [SR554 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SR554-Enrolled.html
 
 
 
 
 
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 554
         WHEREAS, The online juris doctor program at St. Mary's
  University School of Law in San Antonio has earned the
  distinction of being the first fully online law degree program
  that has been accredited by the American Bar Association; and
 
         WHEREAS, St. Mary's University School of Law dates back to
  1927, when the San Antonio School of Law was founded by the local
  bar association as a part-time institution that met at night;
  shortly thereafter, St. Mary's offered to make it into a
  university law school with full-time faculty and a stronger
  curriculum, and in 1934, the law school acquired its current name
  and its Catholic and Marianist mission; and
 
         WHEREAS, In summer 2020, an ad hoc committee made up of
  full-time tenured, tenure-track, and clinical faculty was formed
  at the direction of Dean Patricia Roberts to explore the
  viability of an online program, and on January 15, 2021, the
  school applied for acquiescence from the ABA to change its
  part-time residential program to a completely distance education
  program consisting of synchronous and asynchronous online
  instruction; and
 
         WHEREAS, In an effort to make a legal education more
  accessible, particularly for those who are typically
  underrepresented, the St. Mary's online juris doctor program was
  designated as a part-time program so that students could attend
  law school without having to forfeit their employment; they will
  have access to the same opportunities and resources as full-time
  students, without the costs usually associated with relocation
  and long commutes; the fall 2022 online cohort consists of 27
  inaugural students who were matriculated from a lengthy list of
  797 applicants, and together they represent 9 different states
  and 20 undergraduate universities; St. Mary's benefits from the
  leadership of its president, Tom Mengler, and its provost and
  executive vice president for academic affairs, Jason Pierce, and
  the law school is led by Dean Roberts and associate deans Ramona
  Lampley, Colin Marks, and Zoe Niesel; and
 
         WHEREAS, For nine decades, St. Mary's University School of
  Law has diligently prepared generations of attorneys with the
  highest standards of skill, knowledge, and professionalism, and
  its online juris doctor program is a testament to its ongoing
  commitment to excellence and innovation; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, hereby commend the online juris doctor program at
  St. Mary's University School of Law and extend to all those
  associated with the program sincere best wishes for continued
  success; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for the law school as an expression of high regard from
  the Texas Senate.
 
  Menéndez
 
 
Alvarado Hancock Nichols
 
Bettencourt Hinojosa Parker
 
Birdwell Huffman Paxton
 
Blanco Hughes Perry
 
Campbell Johnson Schwertner
 
Creighton King Sparks
 
Eckhardt Kolkhorst Springer
 
Flores LaMantia West
 
Gutierrez Middleton Whitmire
 
Hall Miles Zaffirini
 
  Patrick, President of the Senate
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 11, 2023.
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
feedback