The Day the University of Washington Decided It Needed a Law School
Regents endorsed a law department, began the search for a dean, and ordered gymnasium plans capped at $15,000—all in one afternoon.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The regents of the state university yesterday afternoon decided to establish a law school, having secured the indorsement of the State Bar Association in the project. The whole board was present.
At a previous meeting of the regents a resolution covering the matter was introduced and laid over until a conference could be had with the State Bar Association. The latter has now indorsed the project, and a committee consisting of E. L. Hughes, P. T. Post, David Bailey and Joseph Shippen was present to confer with the regents. After a general discussion it was decided to establish a law school and to use proper precaution in the selection of a first-class man for dean of the college, the first work to be preliminary in preparing the way for a thoroughly equipped college.
At the invitation of the chancellor, F. G. Plummer of Tacoma, who has had large experience in gymnasium construction, appeared before the board and gave his views as to a suitable gymnasium for the university. The question was fully discussed, and the board instructed Architect Charles W. Saunders to prepare plans and specifications for a gymnasium, not to exceed $15,000 in cost.
The board adjourned until today at 11 a.m., when it will meet the State Bar Association committee to enter further into the details of the proposed law college.
“After a general discussion it was decided to establish a law school and to use proper precaution in the selection of a first-class man for dean of the college.”
The regents’ vote put UW on the path to a professional law school that still trains the region’s lawyers and judges. The gymnasium line item is a reminder that public universities are built through budgets, committees, and architects as much as through grand visions.
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