Alumni Board letter to AMSOL Board of Governors

Monday, April 10, 2006
Dear Members of the Ave Maria School of Law Board of Governors:

The splendor of truth shines forth in all the works of the Creator and, in a special way, in man, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26). Truth enlightens man's intelligence and shapes his freedom, leading him to know and love the Lord.
–Pope John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor

Having dedicated ourselves to the conscientious exercise of the moral values taught and reinforced within our legal education at the Ave Maria School of Law, we remain devoted to speaking and defending truth. As the Holy Father wrote, “Truth enlightens man's intelligence...”
Mindful of the sterling illustration of moral conviction demonstrated by our patron saint, Thomas More, we embrace the momentous responsibility that befalls us, and we do so with clear consciences, but troubled hearts. As the duly elected representatives of the graduate community of the Ave Maria School of Law, our officially constituted Alumni Association maintains a fiduciary duty to act on behalf of and in the best interests of our fellow alumni and our beloved Alma Mater.

It is in our capacity as members of the Board of Directors of this Association that we write to you today. In keeping with the finest traditions of the legal profession, this Alumni Association must act to ensure that the long-silenced voices of our respected students, revered faculty, and loyal fellow graduates are now heard.

While we recognize and acknowledge the contributions Dean Bernard Dobranski has made to our law school, we can no longer express faith and trust in this Dean’s ability to effectively lead and properly direct the Ave Maria School of Law. Recognizing the escalating leadership crisis that has enveloped the law school community, we must register our grave concern, growing distrust, and lack of confidence in the Dean’s communications, actions, and omissions as set forth in the following Bill of Particulars.

In light of recent leadership failures, as well as the absolute exigency of formal action, and for the reasons set forth in the Bill of Particulars, the Board of Directors of the Ave Maria School of Law Alumni Association communicates the official confirmation of our vote of “No Confidence” in Dean Bernard Dobranski. In taking this action, we call on you, the Board of Governors, to request his resignation or remove him without delay.

This Association also urges the Board to immediately begin the process of securing a new Dean and President who will enjoy the support, confidence, and commitment of students, faculty, staff, and alumni that the present Dean and President no longer commands.

We call on the Ave Maria School of Law Board of Governors to exercise your fiduciary duty to this academic institution and invite the Dean and President to resign or remove him immediately and secure his interim replacement with a majority vote of the Ave Maria School of Law faculty members and in consultation with this body as soon as possible, but no later than Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. We further call upon you to terminate the feasibility study related to relocating our law school to Florida, either permanently, or at the very least, temporarily until a new Dean, who commands the respect and confidence of students, faculty, and alumni, as well as prospective students, has been seated in accordance with the standards set forth by the American Bar Association.

We respectfully request that such actions be completed at once to return stability to the Ave Maria School of Law community, and to ensure that alumni do not feel compelled to pursue other channels to voice their concerns.

Respectfully submitted,
Ave Maria School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors