First Monday - August 4, 2003

In this issue:

• Justice Ginsburg to Focus on Constitutional Adjudication during Idaho Visit
• Renowned Philanthropist Creates Challenge Fund for Student Scholarships
• Private Giving Surpasses Half-Million Dollar Mark
• Northwest Institute Charts a New Direction in Mediation

Justice Ginsburg to Focus on Constitutional Adjudication during Idaho Visit

The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, slated to deliver the Sherman J. Bellwood Lecture in Moscow on September 18, 2003, has chosen the occasion to discuss two important dimensions of constitutional law. Her lecture, entitled "Looking Beyond Our Borders: The Value of a Comparative Perspective in Constitutional Adjudication," will be timely in light of growing interest in the relationship between American constitutional values and the principles embedded in international law and legal systems of other nations. In addition, during her Idaho visit, Justice Ginsburg will participate in a panel discussion at the College of Law on the topic, "Landmarks of Gender Jurisprudence: The Reed Case and Its Progeny." As Idahoans know, the case of Reed v. Reed, 404 U.S. 71 (1971), originated in our state and resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court decision defining the application of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to issues of gender discrimination. Justice Ginsburg, then a nationally known civil liberties lawyer, argued Reed in collaboration with Boise attorney Allen Derr.

Renowned Philanthropist Creates Challenge Fund for Student Scholarships

James E. Rogers, one of the nation's foremost philanthropists, has announced the creation of a recruiting scholarship program in academic year 2004-05 that will provide $7,000 per year for outstanding prospective law students who reside in Idaho or have other connections to the state. The Rogers scholarship, renewable during each student's second and third year in law school, will cover the approximate amount of tuition or fees charged to Idaho residents. Rogers, who resides in Las Vegas and at a ranch outside Pocatello, has authorized up to eight such recruiting scholarships plus an additional scholarship for each equivalent three-year recruiting scholarship raised by the College of Law from other private donors. Rogers made the announcement at a gathering of law school supporters at the home of attorney Ed Ahrens in Boise on July 17, 2003. Rogers lauded the school's strategic vision to become America's best small state law school. "I want to help you get there," said Rogers. "Scholarships will help you attract the best students who in turn will make your school attractive to the best faculty." The gathering also featured remarks by University of Idaho Interim President Gary Michael, who offered his help in raising money to meet the Rogers scholarship challenge and for other law school initiatives. Additional information about the scholarship challenge is available from Dean Burnett (dburnett@uidaho.edu).

Private Giving Surpasses Half-Million Dollar Mark

The University of Idaho Development Office has reported that the College of Law raised $580,309 in gifts and pledges during the fiscal year ending June, 2003. This amount is the highest figure attained by the College of Law in a year when giving totals were not elevated by single large gifts or bequests such as the Bellwood, Schimke and Ellis endowments. The private giving total included $239,205 donated by alumni and friends to the College of Law Annual Fund - far exceeding the previous record of $154,440 set in the 2002 fiscal year. The generosity of the law school's supporters will underwrite student financial aid, faculty research and professional development, the law library, technology, student professional skills programs, and other educational enrichments.

Northwest Institute Charts a New Direction in Mediation

The Seventh Annual Northwest Institute for Dispute Resolution, held in Moscow on May 19-23, 2003, attracted 85 participants including 53 lawyers, judges, and other dispute resolution professionals. This year's Institute, featuring speakers from Idaho, Washington, California, and New York, demonstrated that the College of Law and the legal profession in Idaho are at the leading edge of dispute resolution issues. For the first time, prosecutors, defense counsel, judges, and academics explored mediation in the criminal context. A program entitled "Mediating the Criminal Case" examined criminal mediation from a restorative justice perspective as well as the perspective of a traditional mediation model. This program, unique in the nation, was part of an array of Institute offerings that also included courses in family mediation, civil mediation, and advanced negotiation. Further information about the Institute can be obtained from Professor Maureen Laflin (mlaflin@uidaho.edu), Director of Clinical Programs at the College of Law.