VERMILION, S.D. (KELO.com) The University of South Dakota Law School Task Force has recommended that the law school stay in Vermilion, but be beefed up with additional funding and scholarships.
One of the options had been to move the entire law school to Sioux Falls. Instead the recommendations call for satellite classes in the state's largest city.
Task Force Chairman, House Speaker Mark Mickelson (R) of Sioux Falls says the USD Law School needs $600,00 in additional funding or might have to close its doors.
"If we don't get additional funding from somewhere, the prospects of this law school being closed in 12 months are pretty high," Mickelson points out that the school is on the ABA watch list for low funding and for low Bar pass rates. The Task Force final report asks that half the $600,000 come from existing funds that already go to the University, but the other half would have to be new money provided by the Governor and the State Legislature.
Another pricey recommendation is 15 additional scholarships, but that money would not come from the taxpayers.
"We think that is going to cost around a million dollars a year and that's money that the law school and the foundation are going to have to go fund raise on." says Mickelson.
The final report will go to USD President James Abbott.
The 13-member Task Force held its final meeting Friday in Vermilion.