University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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ExamSoft For the S|iiin i: looo sc-niL-sk-r. iIk- Law Sclii ' i.l p,innipjk l m a piloi program F. amSoli, solluaic thai allows studeius to take essay exalll on laptop computers. Students in four first year classes and three upper level courses were permitted to use ExamSoft for the Spiing 2000 semester. Beginning Fall 2000, all students will be allowed to use E.xamSoft for all in-school essay exams. A $30 annual fee will be charged for each student who downloads the software. Krislie Diemer listens as an Esum , ; demonstration takes place in the luu mIwiI courtroom. The Flood On Sunday, Feb. 6, a high-pressure chilled water valve failed in the penthouse of the Law School and water poured through the ceiling onto the desks and computers in offices on the third floor. The water then came through the second floor ceiling, raining on administid tive equipment, desks, files and other impor tant materi als. The flooding caused varying damage throughout the sec ond, third and fourth floors. Left unchecked, the results could have been catastrophic, destroying research woik notes and other valuable information stored on sensitive computers in the building. UT student John Owen, associate editor of the Texas Law Review, was working in the building the morning ot Feb. 6 and noticed water running under hallway doors He quickly reported the incident, and UT administrators and staff responded to the problem immediately. For the following days and months, a disaster recovery effort was enacted until everything was back to normal. 10 — The Year 2000

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Ihe Year 2000 — 9

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On October 4. 1999. Dean Michael Sharlot announced that he had delivered a letter of resig- nation from the deanship to President Lany Faulkner and Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson. , Sharlot. who has been dean of the law school for more than jfive years, announced that he had grown weary of trying to I overcome the effects of Hopwood but would remain with the school as a teacher. i Sharlot said he considers his greatest accomplishment at the law school to be the improvement of the cuiriculum and being able to implement a small class experience for every first-year student. The small class experience creates a closer bond between student and faculty, requires students to participate more than in traditional classes of 120 students and allows us to require them to do some writing which is then critiqued by the faculty member. Shalot said. -I m fr ore than 100 candidates were considered for the I 1% ■ deanship, and the list was narrowed to a trio of ; I % I finalists in April 2000. On May 23. 2000, j ▼ .A. William C. Powers. Jr. was named the 12th dean ■ I in the UT Law School ' s 1 17-yeai- history. An expert on per- N I sonal injury law. Powers advises legislators on lawsuit reform. J lectures around the world and consults for a Houston law firm. J At UT, he ' s among the university ' s elite Academy of Distinguished Teachers, who are recognized for teaching j excellence. I Powers says his highest priority is to make both the student body and faculty more diverse. He ' s viewed as a visionary iikI a leader who can unify students, faculty, staff and alumni. Powers will take over Sept. 1, 2000 when Shariot steps down. The Year 2()()0 — 11