STATE COLLEGE -- The proposed merger of The Dickinson School of Law with Penn State University is ?on track? and should begin as scheduled on July 1, Penn State officials said yesterday.
State Education Secretary Eugene Hickok has formally approved the merger, clearing an important hurdle in the transition process, Penn State President Graham Spanier said.
Meanwhile, a high-speed communications link that will connect the law school in Carlisle with the university will be installed next month. That will greatly enhance the resources available to Dickinson students, faculty and staff.
The law school will become officially known as The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University on July 1. It will take three years to complete the merger.
During the transition, Penn State Board of Trustees President H. Jesse Arnelle and two of Penn State's senior administrators will join the law school's board to assist with the administration of the school. The Dickinson board will remain in place until July 2000, when its members then will serve in only an advisory capacity and the school will be completely taken over by Penn State.
Dickinson Law School Dean Peter Glenn is expected to continue to be in charge of the school's day-to-day operations.
