Virtual school
Tulane will not have a fall semester. What happens when a school can't meet?
The solution for the moment is to have schools that take in the refugees (and there are many schools doing this) not charge tuition if the student has paid Tulane for the term. The law schools are being extremely generous, offering housing, books, and help of all kinds.
Even before Tulane put up a white flag tonight, its law students were working away at finding places for themselves. Interestingly, despite the obvious problems in holding classes at Tulane the Tulane LS dean was reluctant to release 1Ls and 2Ls to other schools. (This idea of “releasing” students for visits at other schools was new to me, but I suppose the idea is that you need permission to visit.) The interests of the students (very focused at getting on with their schooling) and the administration (very focused on figuring out how to keep the school afloat — so to speak) were not aligned.
As of tonight it's clear that Tulane's law students will all be at other schools for the term. What happens to Tulane? It has a blog and a website, thanks to Eric Muller. Stetson and Georgia State are offering an asychronous web course in international criminal law to Tulane students, thanks to Ellen Podgor.
For the next term, it might be prudent for Tulane to take its online presence very seriously. If there are online Tulane courses with Tulane students who are physically at other schools, the school can retain its coherence as an institution. The faculty can meet from all over the country. The law review can put out its editions. Everything can go on. Online.
It's a true test of the virtual law school.
Comments
Got something to say?