Law Schools

What Happened At This Law School Tailgate?

Was there a cocktail of rowdiness and racism at an Alabama Law event?

By Kathryn Rubino on September 24, 2015 5:20 pm

EMAIL FROM DEAN MARK E. BRANDON — ALABAMA LAW

Dear Community,

Yesterday, I was informed that problems arose in connection with a tailgate jointly sponsored by the Student Bar Association and Students of the College of Commerce. As I understand it, the tailgate was held Saturday, on the quad, adjacent to the College of Business. The problems that arose were twofold.

  • The first was that the event was loud and disorderly, and required the intervention of security to maintain order.
  • The second was that access to the event was restricted to persons who could demonstrate that they were students at the Law School. This in and of itself is not problematic. What is problematic is that there was a perception among some law students who wished to attend that they were being singled out for special inquiry because of their race. Since hearing about the tailgate, I have done three things:
  • First, I have asked relevant decanal personnel to gather facts about the tailgate.
  • Second, to her credit, the President of the SBA has volunteered to offer an apology to each and all of the affected students.
  • Third, I commenced an immediate conversation with decanal personnel (no fewer than five deans are involved) to put effective procedures in place to ensure that a similar situation never happens again.

We are continuing to gather facts about the tailgate, and I shall not act definitively until I’m confident that I have all the material facts in hand. But, without prejudging the event in question, I want to make clear two sets of values that are central to who we area as an academic and professional community.

  • The first is that we embrace principles of diversity and inclusion. These principles derive not only from the Law School itself, but also from the University and the American Bar Association. We are, in short, committed to maintaining a cosmopolitan community that reflects many of the diverse characteristics of the people of our state, nation, and world. It is not enough that we attract persons to study law at Alabama. We are obliged to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that everyone, of whatever background, is fully able to participate in events that are sponsored by the Law School or by organizations affiliated with the Law School.
  • The second is that, as budding members of a noble profession, we must hold ourselves to high standards of private conduct and public decorum. Let me put a finer point on this. Abuse of alcohol and other substances – and the misbehavior that often results from excessive consumption of alcohol and other substances – are simply unacceptable. They can provide opportunities for internal discipline in (and, in egregious cases, exclusion from) the University and the School of Law. And they can impair not only one’s judgment but also one’s ability to sit for the bar exam.

We shall try to ensure that last week’s tailgate was an isolated, unfortunate event. If it proves not to be, we shall take appropriate steps to deal with those involved.

There is so much that is good and noble and worthy of us . Please make sure that your actions reflect those values. I stand ready to help in any way I can.

Respectfully, – Mark Brandon

******************************
Mark E. Brandon
Dean and Thomas E. McMillan
Professor of Law
University of Alabama School of Law
Box 870382
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (205)348-5117
Fax: (205)348-3917

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