Comments on: Defending Alabama http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2007/04/defending_alaba.html The Law, the Universe, and Everything Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:31:00 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Nate Former-Arkansas-Dweller Oman http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2007/04/defending_alaba.html/comment-page-1#comment-54520 Nate Former-Arkansas-Dweller Oman Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:51:57 +0000 http://www.solove.org/archives/2007/04/defending-alabama.html#comment-54520 I largely agree with Scott on this one. I also think that Dan's point about educational bragging in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, etc. is spot on. Indeed, to the extent that Alabama's bump in the rankings gives the Dean a chance to talk to the local newspaper about how education in the state is -- and should be -- something for local citizens to take pride in, it is a strong point in favor of U.S. News rather than against it in my book. I largely agree with Scott on this one. I also think that Dan’s point about educational bragging in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, etc. is spot on. Indeed, to the extent that Alabama’s bump in the rankings gives the Dean a chance to talk to the local newspaper about how education in the state is — and should be — something for local citizens to take pride in, it is a strong point in favor of U.S. News rather than against it in my book.

]]> By: Scott Moss http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2007/04/defending_alaba.html/comment-page-1#comment-54519 Scott Moss Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:26:18 +0000 http://www.solove.org/archives/2007/04/defending-alabama.html#comment-54519 A good and fair defense of Dean Randall. I'd also go further: I don't fault any dean whose school got a rankings boost for using those rankings to trumpet his or her school. As profs, we envision ourselves as fair, neutral commenters on law and (to an extent) legal academia -- but that's not the job of a dean. The job of a dean is to pursue the best interests of his or her school, and that includes helping boost its reputation, which publicizing good rankings certainly can help do. I suppose the danger for a dean bragging about rankings is that next year s/he may have to explain an 8-place drop in rank, but that's uncommon enough that, were I a dean whose school jumped in the rankings, I'd go brag. I'd be failing to pursue the interests of my school if I didn't. A good and fair defense of Dean Randall. I’d also go further: I don’t fault any dean whose school got a rankings boost for using those rankings to trumpet his or her school. As profs, we envision ourselves as fair, neutral commenters on law and (to an extent) legal academia — but that’s not the job of a dean. The job of a dean is to pursue the best interests of his or her school, and that includes helping boost its reputation, which publicizing good rankings certainly can help do.

I suppose the danger for a dean bragging about rankings is that next year s/he may have to explain an 8-place drop in rank, but that’s uncommon enough that, were I a dean whose school jumped in the rankings, I’d go brag. I’d be failing to pursue the interests of my school if I didn’t.

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