Institution and Accreditation

2.1 Institutional Identity and Degrees Offered

A.    The School is incorporated in California as The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law, a nonprofit, public benefit corporation recognized as tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service and California Franchise Tax Board. Its website URL is:  www.collegesoflaw.edu/. Its Student Gateway (“Gateway”) URL is:  https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/.  It operates two campuses:

                        Santa Barbara campus                                        Ventura campus (headquarters)

                        20 E. Victoria St.                                                 4475 Market St.

                        Santa Barbara, CA 93101                                  Ventura, CA 93003

                        (805) 979-9860                                                    (805) 765-9300

B.    The School offers two educational degree programs, as described in this Catalog:

                        Juris Doctor (J.D.), a part-time evening program with onsite classes, offered at both campuses

                        Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.), a part-time online program

C.     The School is an affiliate of TCS Education System (TCSES), a charitable, tax-exempt entity identified under I.R.S. regulations as a Type II supporting organization because it supports its affiliates, including the School, in the advancement and achievement of their missions. TCSES maintains its offices at 350 N. Orleans St., 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654; its telephone number is (312) 379-1699.

2.2 Mission and Vision Statements

A.    Mission

        The mission of The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law is to prepare leaders, for law and law-related professions, through graduate-level legal education that emphasizes academic excellence and accessibility.  The Colleges seek to develop well-prepared graduates capable of integrating knowledge of legal theory, practical skills, and professional values. (Adopted by Board of Trustees, November 28, 2012.)

B.    Vision

        The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law will be an accredited, professionally recognized institution of legal education with student-centered outcomes that emphasize the pursuit of excellence in legal fundamentals and preparation for professional practice. (Adopted by Board of Trustees, November 28, 2012.)

 2.3 Accreditation and Bar Eligibility

        A.   Accrediting Authority 

        The School is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California as a single institution with two campuses. In keeping with our mission to offer excellent yet accessible legal education, the School has neither sought, nor presently expects to obtain, accreditation from the American Bar Association. The School is in the multi-phase process of seeking accreditation by the regional accrediting organization, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In that regard, this statement has been provided by WASC:

        The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law has applied for Eligibility from the Senior College Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. WASC has reviewed the application and determined that the Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law is eligible to proceed with an application for Candidacy for Accreditation. A determination of Eligibility is not a formal status with the Accrediting Commission, nor does it ensure eventual accreditation; it is a preliminary finding that the institution is potentially accreditable and can proceed within four years of its Eligibility determination to be reviewed for Candidacy status with the Accrediting Commission. Questions about Eligibility may be directed to the institution or to WASC at wascsr@wascsenior.org or (510) 748-9001.

B.     J.D. Program Information

        Students who attend the Juris Doctor program, other than students admitted as “special students,” are not required by the State Bar to sit for the First Year Law Students’ Examination. J.D. graduates are eligible to sit for the California Bar Exam and, upon passing the exam and meeting the State Bar’s other admission requirements, eligible to practice law in California. The following language is provided by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California:

        Study at, or graduation from the Colleges of Law may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be admitted to practice law in jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to seek admission to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admission requirements.

C.     M.L.S. Program Information

        The following language is provided by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California:

        Except as provided in rule 4.30 of the Admissions Rules (Legal Education in a foreign state or country), completion of a professional law degree program at this law school other than for the Juris Doctor degree does not qualify a student to take the California Bar Examination or satisfy the requirements for admission to practice law in California. It may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or to satisfy requirements for admission to the practice of law in any other jurisdiction. A student intending to seek admission to practice law should contact the admitting authority in the jurisdictions where the student intends to qualify to sit for the bar examination or to be admitted to practice for information regarding their legal education requirements. 

2.4 Governing Boards, Administration, and Faculty

A.    General Provisions

        The School is governed by the Board of Trustees and the Fiduciary Council, which approves strategic goals and final budgets set by the Board. The Board has delegated authority for daily operations of the School to the President, its Chief Executive Officer.

B.     Fiduciary Council members for the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year include:

C.     Board of Trustees members for the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year include:       

D.    Administrative Staff includes:

E.     Faculty members committed to teach in the 2014-2015 Academic Year are listed below. Others who have taught recently and who may teach in upcoming terms are listed on the School’s website.

1.     Full-time Faculty (law degrees/school/graduation years)

        Heather Georgakis, J.D., UCLA ‘78 (also Dean)

        Stephen Underwood, J.D., Santa Clara ‘74 (Faculty Chair)

        Craig Smith, J.D., UC Hastings ‘76 (Program Director/Chair, Master of Legal Studies Program)

2.     Adjunct Faculty (law degrees/school/graduation years)

3.     Adjunct Faculty - Academic Advisors (law degrees/school/graduation years)

        Katherine Vining, J.D., Colleges of Law ‘12

        Kata Kim, J.D., Colleges of Law ‘10 

2.5 Administration Office

A.    General Provisions

        Unless the context otherwise makes clear, the term Administration Office denotes the Administration Office at the campus where the student is principally enrolled (J.D. students at the campus they attend, M.L.S. students at the Santa Barbara campus.) Students should contact the Administration Office for information about the School’s curriculum and policies, to make appointments with the Dean, to inquire about Veterans’ benefits, to make tuition payments, and to attend to other matters referred to in this Catalog.

B.     Administration Office Hours (Closed on holidays.)

                                                               Santa Barbara Hours           Ventura Hours

        Monday through Thursday          9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.          9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

        Friday                                             10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.        Closed                                                   

Emergency messages cannot be relayed after 6:30 p.m. on class nights or on weekends and holidays, as the Office is closed.

C.     Transcripts and Student File Reviews

1.     A student may review his or her student file during regular Administrative Office hours upon presenting a photo I.D, and may submit, for inclusion in the file, a written statement setting forth the student’s response to information contained in the file.

2.     Students should contact the Office to periodically review their academic records.  Requests for official copies of transcripts must be in writing.  A charge of $15.00 will be made for each such transcript requested.

D.    Requests for Administrative or Faculty Action

        All requests for action by the Administration or Faculty must be made in writing, dated and signed by the student, and submitted to the Administration Office. Submissions must clearly state what action the student requests. Submissions must fulfill any applicable requirements set forth elsewhere in this Catalog (for example, as applicable to requests for disability accommodation, petitions for change of grade or probation, etc.) Where a form is available for the purpose sought by the student, the form should be used. Inquiries not set forth in writing will be treated as casual inquiries; students should assume that casual inquiries will not be acted upon by the School, administrative staff, or faculty.

2.6 Facilities  

A.    Parking Regulations

1.     At the Ventura campus, the parking lot is for use by students only while attending classes or otherwise participating in campus activity. Under no circumstances is overnight parking allowed.

2.     At the Santa Barbara campus, the parking lot is restricted to staff ONLY at all times.  On-street parking and a city parking lot are available for students.  The Santa Barbara campus can be reached by a variety of alternative means including bicycle, bus, shuttle, or by foot.  A student intending to take SBMTD to and from campus for class may submit a bus pass reimbursement request to the Administration Office.

B.     Facilities Regulations

        Smoking is prohibited in the School’s buildings.  Smoking outside is permitted in designated areas only.  Eating or drinking (except water in non-spill-able bottles) is prohibited in the classroom.  Water is prohibited during examinations. Outside doors at the Santa Barbara campus may not be propped open.

C.     Campus Visitors

        Campus facilities are open for use only by enrolled students and invited guests of the School.  With prior permission of the administration, an adult guest may accompany an enrolled student to a class session. However, to enhance the educational experience of all students and to promote safety, the facilities are not open to minor children and pets.