University of Arizona Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law Dean

It's not often a group of college students can give a truthful answer to the question, ''What's your college dean like?'' If you're a current student at the University of Arizona Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, however, there's a good chance you know the answer quite well. Few deans are as visible and involved as Dean Paul Schiff Berman. He has been described as ''like a bull in a china shop - but with good manners''. He is well liked and very well respected on his campus. And did we mention he has big plans for that campus?

In October, 2010, he announced that the Tempe law school would be undergoing a transition an effort to eliminate its reliance on public funding. While that's not necessarily unheard of, it's his timeline that has everyone impressed. He plans to do this within five years. The reason is simple: state budgets fluctuate and are hardly reliable from year to year. In fact, ASU's law school has already taken a $2 million hit in the past two years alone.


By increasing the student body and raising tuition, it's Berman's belief he can offset that state budget and operate far more efficiently. These days, tuition at the college runs around $22,000 for state residents and about $35,000 for those students who live out of state. Currently, the school has around 200 students and within five years, it will easily accommodate 225. Further, the inclusion of a one year master of legal studies program for those in the legal sector, but don't practice law, should help with both the student count and the tuition.

Berman reminds the media and the student body that ASU Law is one of only three law schools in the state.

Interested in knowing just how confident Berman is? If a graduate of the law school does not find work within six months following his graduation, the school has a fellowship at the ready that will place these students with not for profit and government agencies. These programs come with a monthly stipend of around $2,500 per month and when a good match is discovered, it's not uncommon for the student to receive a permanent job offer.

Make no mistake, ASU Law has many good things working to its advantage and with the confidence of Dean Berman, the only way it can go is up. His confidence is contagious and it appears he indeed has the winning formula.

For more information on Dean Berman or the Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, visit the site at Law.ASU.edu