Romney seeks to slow talks on law school

Governor Mitt Romney yesterday raised his first public objections to plans by the University of Massachusetts to acquire an unaccredited law school, complaining that an abruptly scheduled meeting next week to approve the deal will mean that the project would escape ''due diligence."

Romney, who has privately expressed his opposition to the plan in conversations with fellow Beacon Hill leaders but who has remained publicly uncommitted, also warned university officials that the proposed acquisition should not drain money from other university programs.

''Given the Commonwealth's fiscal situation, it is especially important that the law school not require additional state appropriations and not divert resources from other campuses," Romney wrote in a letter to UMass trustees late yesterday afternoon.

Romney's objections thrust him into the politically delicate question of whether the public university should acquire the Southern New England School of Law in Dartmouth. Massachusetts is one of six states that does not have a public law school. The proposal has pitted private law schools against the university and resulted in sharp divisions within the Legislature.

In his letter, the governor criticized a meeting of the UMass trustees, scheduled for Tuesday, pointing out that it takes place just days before Christmas and with only a few days' notice for the public. If the trustees approve the proposal, it would then face a review and a vote by the Board of Higher Education next year.

''It is inconsistent with a thoughtful and deliberative process to schedule an emergency session of the board four days before Christmas, when full participation by all members cannot reasonably be expected," Romney said in a letter to the trustees.

But Romney stopped just short of directly demanding that the board and its chairman -- James Karam, a leader in the drive to acquire the law school -- delay its meeting. The governor merely said he was disappointed in the decision to call what he said was an ''emergency session."

Karam, a Fall River businessman who sees a public law school as an economic benefit for southeast Massachusetts, said that Romney offered no explanation to delay Tuesday's meeting. He and other supporters insist that only $650,000 of public funds will be used to acquire the school and its nearly $10 million in assets and $2 million in cash reserves.

''Unless someone could give me some reason, I don't see what delaying another five weeks does," Karam said. ''There is not going to be any new information."

Late yesterday Karam also sent his fellow trustees a letter rebutting criticism raised by Romney and opponents of the acquisition plan. He insisted the university has studied the issue in depth. He also said he offered to meet with Romney to brief him on the proposal.

''I feel confident that an account of our due diligence process would allay the concerns expressed in today's letter," Karam told his colleagues on the board. ''I also want to convey our commitment to the principle that this law school can be brought to the highest levels of accreditation without any expenditure of state or university funds, with the exception of those funds generated by the law school itself."

Karam said he is confident that a majority of the trustees support the plan and feel they have enough information as to the financial implications of the law school merger into the UMass-Dartmouth campus.

''We have exhausted the question. Let's move it. That is the attitude of most of the board," Karam said.

The proposal has kicked up a storm, with several private law schools, led by the politically influential Suffolk University and the New England School of Law, lobbying heavily against the plan. The issue has also divided members of the Legislature, with the delegation from Southeastern Massachusetts working hard to get the plan approved.

But some powerful lawmakers, including House Ways and Means chairman John Rogers, have warned that the university could face sharp questions over its budget appropriation if the proposal is not brought before lawmakers for their approval. The trustees argue they have the sole authority to expand the university's programs, including creating a law school.

But some UMass board members opposed to the plan and other critics say the proponents, led by Karam and UMass president Jack Wilson, have for weeks conducted a high-pressure campaign to push the plan through without a full public debate. They contend that the university and the law school have used dubious facts to back up their proposal and have not conducted an independent review of the plan. Some board members said they have been denied access to supporting documents and reports.

''It's like a Russian tank division, just rushing forward and willing to take the casualties," said Larry Boyle, the most vocal opponent among the trustees, who accused Karam and university officials of conducting a Tammany Hall-style campaign. ''But there are many questions, accusations of misrepresentations," he said. ''What's the hurry? The school is going nowhere."

Karam denied that he and others were trying to rush the issue through. He said the university is aiming to acquire the law school in time to accept students next fall.

He said that because of the time pressures, the board has to act in the next week or so.

''It is my belief that we must move forward at this time in order to keep this process on track with respect to the Board of Higher Education's review procedures," he said. ''Given the BHE's publicly expressed intent to conduct a lengthy review process, I feel that there will be abundant opportunities for interested parties to weigh in after our board vote."

The Board of Higher Education, which meets next in February, is expected to take several months to review the proposal, according to its chairman, Stephen Tocco.