Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do we need another campaign now?

A: The last campaign improved the physical plant and gave us the finest buildings and grounds in the legal academy. That was a necessary investment for an institution whose facilities had long lagged its stature and which offered inferior surroundings to top students with more choices.

Our next step is to preserve the power of the Virginia experience. That means investing in people and putting student financial aid first.

Q: Why is student financial aid your top priority?

A: Because our endowment is insufficient to meet student need. It used to be that everyone who came to Virginia received a scholarship in the form of low tuition. Not anymore.

Today, under its financial self sufficiency agreement with the University, the Law School gets nothing from the Commonwealth and is entirely dependent on tuition revenue and private support. Higher tuition has drastically increased demand for financial aid.

We have to be affordable and fair to students who are already carrying substantial loan indebtedness. To do that we must raise substantial money for scholarships and grants.

Q: How will this change the Law School?

A: It will secure the Virginia experience for future students.

Record levels of unrestricted funds are currently being soaked up by financial aid. These are the same dollars that a vital institution ordinarily devotes to programmatic enhancements, student activities, and intellectual life.

If we can build an endowment floor under financial aid in this campaign, the Law School will continue to thrive.

Q: Is there a place for me in this campaign?

A: Yes. Student financial aid is our greatest need, but faculty support, public interest fellowships, and unrestricted gifts that finance dozens of student organizations, journals, visitors, and academic conferences are essential.

Everyone can help.