In Something of a Trend, University of Delaware Ditches Plans for Law School

The University of Delaware has put plans for a law school on hold after a feasibility study projected a $165 million operating deficit during its first 10 years.

The study also said the university needed to fund the school with $100 million in capital expenditures, the National Law Journal reports.

University spokeswoman Andrea Boyle said plans for the law school were being dropped at this time because of two reasons: the projected deficit and a difficult environment for fund-raising.

The NLJ says at least 11 colleges were discussing new law schools in 2008, but many have abandoned or delayed plans. Three, however, have opened: Concordia University in Boise, Idaho; the University of California, Irvine School of Law; and Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law in Knoxville, Tenn.

Two others will be opening soon: Belmont University College of Law in Nashville, Tenn., opening in the fall; and the Judge Paul Pressler School of Law in Shreveport, La., opening as early as 2012.