14
F E ATURE
A Thorough and Thoughtful Response
Stetson Law’s most recent example of innovation and resilience
has come during the COVID-19 pandemic. To assure students
safety, many policies, procedures, and physical adjustments
were made to comply with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) mandates. Students were able to choose
between attending classes in person, remotely, or a combination
of both for this academic year. Approximately 75 percent of the
incoming first-year class opted to pursue in-person instruction
for most of their classes.
Dean Michèle Alexandre said, “This academic year is going to
be unlike any other … we are confident our students will still
experience the same rigorous legal education whether their
classes are remote or in person.”
Continuing to Evolve
In spite of the pandemic, Stetson Law continues to evolve.
The school now offers a concentration in Business Law that is
designed to hone skills and knowledge for those interested in
pursuing careers in business law, including a strong focus on
corporate and commercial law, tax law, and related fields.
True to Stetson Law’s history and reputation, this concentration
offers an intense experiential curriculum. To help students
develop real-world skills, this includes opportunities in
bankruptcy, intellectual property, and documents of the deal, to
name a few. Students receive close mentoring from members of
the faculty and can utilize the College’s partnerships with various
financial, cybersecurity and other companies to further sharpen
proficiencies and build relationships.
Diversity and Inclusion Taken to the Next Level
Beyond education, Stetson Law has taken great strides to become
an even more inviting and compassionate institution, one with a
constant eye on maintaining and promoting human dignity. Three
recent examples illustrate Stetson Law’s commitment.
Stetson University College of Law received the 2020 Higher
Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversityfocused
publication in higher education. Stetson Law was one of
only two law schools to receive the national award in 2020.
In a natural progression of the efforts that led to the HEED
award, in October 2020, Stetson Law faculty voted to approve
an Antiracism Resolution, declaring their commitment to
“dismantling all forms of oppressive power dynamics and
challenging any assumptions that diminish human dignity,
including those that rely on racist assumptions.” The resolution
grew out of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s and
faculty’s concern about the national unrest that unfolded
throughout the summer of 2020.
At the state level, Stetson Law joined the 11 other law schools
in Florida to respond to long-standing and recent acts of
racist violence. The deans formed the Florida Law Schools’
Consortium for Racial Justice (FLSCRJ). This collective will
leverage the strengths and educational roles of every law school
in the state to assist community organizations fighting for racial
justice and policy reform throughout Florida.
Consistently Moving Forward
Stetson University College of Law has never been one to rest on
past achievements. The school is on a constant path forward.
From its humble beginnings in DeLand, Stetson Law has
survived the Great Depression and World War II, and now
continues to thrive and grow during a worldwide pandemic.
Through it all, the school has carried on its commitment to its
students. Stetson Law will continue to build on and enhance
its reputation as an innovator. After all, that is ingrained in the
school’s personality.
The 1996 Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition winning team. Stetson Law
has now won the competition 25 times in 38 years.
The August 2020 new student orientation adhered to safety guidelines, including physical distancing and face masks.