Building of Our Future - U of S College of Law Building Expansion

Posted June 09, 2005


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 9, 2005
2005-06-05-LA

Building of Our Future - U of S College of Law Building Expansion

The College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan today announced an
ambitious capital fundraising campaign that will enable the College to
modernize and expand its physical premises. The total project is expected
to cost between $7.5 million and $8.0 million and is scheduled for opening
in time for the 2007-2008 academic year.

Capital required for the project has been partially secured by a unique
funding arrangement between three partners in legal education. Law College
Dean, Brent Cotter, Q.C., announced a leadership gift from the Law
Foundation of Saskatchewan that will match other contributions, up to $2.5
million. The University has also committed $2.5 million to the project,
provided that the College raises at least $2.5 million for the project.

"We are looking to our alumni, the legal profession and friends of the
College to pledge their support for this project and collectively contribute
at least $2.5 million", said Dean Cotter. "Every dollar pledged to Building
of Our Future will secure two more dollars for this project because of the
matching agreement with the Law Foundation and the U of S. We are confident
we can achieve our goal and with close to $1.3 million already committed, we
are over 50% of the way to our own $2.5 million goal.

Cotter acknowledged and thanked the leadership already shown by College of
Law supporters including: one of Saskatchewan's most prominent legal firms,
MacPherson, Leslie and Tyerman LLP which pledged $300,000. Other major gifts
include $75,000 from The Canadian Bar Association - Saskatchewan Branch and
a $600,000 gift from another donor. Cotter announced that faculty and staff
in the College of Law have given their full support to the College's
Building initiative and have collectively pledged over $150,000 to date.

When the College of Law moved into its present premises in 1967, the student
complement was less than 150. In the past 30 years, the College, originally
built to house a total law school community of 200, has been only modestly
renovated to try to cope with growing needs. The College of Law now boasts a
community of over 350 people and is delivering legal education in a
significantly overcrowded building; one that is no longer able to meet the
changing needs of legal education.

Renderings and floor plans were unveiled at the fundraising kick-off. The
expansion will allow for state-of-the-art classrooms with multi-media
capabilities, enhanced student support services, sufficient faculty and
administrative offices, improved student areas, including student lounge
space and offices for student organizations.

Dean Cotter continued by saying "all of these improvements will contribute
to an enhanced atmosphere for student learning and growth. The expanded
facility will enable us to alleviate overcrowding in faculty offices and
accommodate a growing faculty complement. We will also rebuild and relocate
the College's administrative offices to improve our services to the law
school community and improve our accessibility to the outside community."

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For more information contact:

W. Brent Cotter, Q.C.
Dean, College of Law
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-5910