by Damien Alarcon
Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor
University of La Verne President Stephen Morgan, Ontario Mayor Gary Ovitt and other officials gathered Tuesday at Ontario City Hall to announce that the College of Law will relocate from the main campus to a new site in downtown Ontario.
The College of Law will move to 320 East D Street, just north of City Hall.
The relocation will serve as a stepping stone in preparation for application for the American Bar Association (ABA) approval. With approval, the College of Law would become the first ABA-approved law school in the Inland Valley.
“If we are successful in gaining approval from the ABA, I believe it lifts the entire University to a new plateau of excellence,” said Dr. Morgan. “It does a great deal to enhance our reputation as an educational institution.”
Of those present at this week’s press conference were Dr. Morgan, Executive Vice President Philip Hawkey and Ontario Mayor Gary Ovitt.
Construction for the new building, which will be 60,000 square feet, will begin immediately and is anticipated to be completed in January 2001. Future expansion could increase the building size to 120,000 square feet.
Under the proposed contract, the Redevelopment Agency is expected to spend about $1.3 million for repair of the building’s roof and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The University is expected to spend an additional $4 million for the remainder of the improvements.
The new College of Law will house classrooms, administrative offices, a library and mock courtrooms.
Currently, there are 200 students who attend the ULV College of Law. Enrollment is expected to more than double at the new school.
According to Dr. Morgan, the Hoover building, the current home of the College of Law, will more than likely be used for additional classroom space and administrative offices to accommodate the growing student body.
As for the city of Ontario, the agreement will boost activity for local businesses.
“Students and faculty are going to be here from early in the morning until late at night and there will be nearby services available for them,” Ontario City Manager Greg Devereaux said. “To have the first ABA-accredited law school in the entire Inland Empire, Riverside and San Bernardino County is no small feat, and we would want that to happen in our city.”
Dr. Morgan said, “This is a win-win situation for the city and for the University.”
