OCU’s School of Law is “going forward” with their new location at 800 N. Harvey Ave in downtown Oklahoma City.
Law students began classes this semester at the new school.
The move was decided upon in 2012 so the law students could be in the vicinity of the Oklahoma City courthouse and law firms, but the school was able to actually move in December.
The motto for the move is “going forward,” and students, faculty and staff seem to agree the move was a step in the right direction, said Sean McDivitt, third year law student.
“It’s definitely a step up,” McDivitt said. “We all feel like we have room to grow, and definitely feel like we’re going forward.”
Some work still needs to be done to complete the building’s renovations, but all of the major construction was finished in time for spring classes.
The school is using all five of the building’s levels, said Valerie Couch, dean of the school of law.
The first level is the lower level of library called “The Learning Commons.” It includes a café, a technical area, collaboration rooms, and lockers for students. The second level is the quiet upper level of the library. The third level is all the administrative offices and clinics. The fourth level is the faculty’s offices. The fifth level is the classrooms and the courtroom.
“There are so many spaces to study and the library is fantastic,” Couch said. “This space works out much better than Sarkey’s Law Center for us because we are all under one roof, which is making a huge difference.”
The move went as planned, and law officials will host events and tours of the building March 23-28 to show the new space to the campus community. Law officials will notify the campus community of the schedule via campuswide email.
“We are very happy and grateful to be here,” Couch said. “I think it is important to place students in a vibrant community and this is right where they need to be.”
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