SU Law Center expansion at work

Over the years, the Southern University Law Center has witnessed an overall steady increase in the number of persons enrolling into the program. Though already one of the nation’s top law centers, A.A. Lenoir Hall has recently undergone some changes, which, may hopefully place it in the first tier of top law schools in the nation.
A.A. Lenoir Hall, which was in established in 1947, has been under renovations for the last 360 days. Though recently completed, plans for renovations date back to 1998. The new additions, which left a $4.1 million hole in the center’s budget, are located in the building’s north wing and include three new classrooms, new faculty offices and lounges, seminar rooms, faculty/staff restrooms and student restrooms.
All classrooms are equipped with the latest technology such as smart boards and drop-down screens, which are manageable via a podium located in front of the classroom. The two classrooms located on the first floor seat up to 64 students, while the one on the top floor seats up to 54 students.  There are also hopes of constructing a parking garage behind Lenoir and Higgins Hall that will allow parking for 600 to 800 cars. Chancellor Freddie Pitcher Jr., who has been chancellor for approximately six years, hopes the garage will provide more safety to students and influence a better flow of traffic. Administration in the law center is hoping to make a proposal to the board in October about the parking garage. All renovations were financed through federal Title III funds accumulated over a period of time. No state funds were used during the renovating process.
The additional classrooms were needed to allow a more flexible scheduling of classes because of the number of students enrolled into the program. Pitcher credits a recently-implemented program for the rise in enrollment, which increased from 390 in 2003 and 467 last term to nearly 600 students currently. The evening division program allows students to attend classes mid-evening, not only morning and night.
Pitcher hopes for continued success for the law center. Pitcher, a former judge, said that renovations were past due.