What's in a name?

Law students and lawyers debated the degree name change at a recent LSS-sponsored event. (Bruce Bottomley Photo)

Do law students want change?

That seemed to be the message sent last week as students voted in a plebiscite sponsored by the Law Students Society about whether Dalhousie should consider changing the designation of its law degree from a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) to a Juris Doctor (JD). Almost 80 per cent of those who voted said they would prefer the JD designation, compared to only 10 per cent who said they preferred the LLB. Another 10 per cent did not express a preference. 307 students voted in the plebiscite, which represents 65.4 per cent of eligible voters.

Despite the strong result, the LSS is hesitant to interpret them as a mandate for the JD without further consultation with other key constituents, such as alumni.

“The LSS has a duty to uphold the interests of all its constituents, not simply the majority, however large,” said Gordon McGuire, president of LSS. “That being said, the results have made it known that this is an issue our students care about.”

Mr. McGuire plans to meet with the Dean and with Faculty Council in the next week to share the results and discuss their implications.