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

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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

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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
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 11, 2023.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate