43rd National Conference on Law & Higher Ed Welcomes Attendees In-Person
Many Stetson Law alumni probably remember Professor Peter Lake as their torts teacher. Over the decades, though, his expertise in higher education law has put him at the helm of one of the most important conferences for professionals working at colleges and universities.
In March of 2022, the 43rd Annual National Conference on Law & Higher Education very much felt like a homecoming. The event took place at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. The weather was glorious, and attendees were reconnecting with one another after years of not being able to meet in person due to the pandemic. The event’s 2020 edition, in fact, was held just days before travel was shut down worldwide in efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19. Nearly 200 people, including students and speakers, attended.
“I believe that the people in this room are the people that are going to be the change agents.”
Stetson Law Professor Peter Lake
“To me this is a huge family reunion,” Lake, who is the Charles A. Dana Chair and Director of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law & Policy at Stetson Law, said in his opening remarks. “I can’t tell you how thrilled my staff and I are to come back and host you.”
Preparing for the “edupocalypse”
Naturally, the pandemic and other current events that directly affect higher education were at the center of conversation at the event, which ran from March 2-March 7, from campus safety and student mental health to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
In talking about the higher education’s economic, political, and cultural challenges, Lake referred to the current state of affairs as the “edupocalypse,” telling those gathered that this is a unique, transformative point in time for higher ed. It’s a time when educators’ role as “keepers of the flame of truth” is being challenged thanks to the media climate, he said, when litigation has arisen in the wake of Covid-19 mitigation policies, and higher education is being criticized for everything from diversity efforts to rising tuition costs. In the face of these challenges, Lake said he is optimistic that higher education leaders like those in the room will succeed in overcoming them.
“I believe in this industry and I believe that we will meet whatever challenges come ahead,” he said. “I believe that the people in this room are the people that are going to be the change agents.”
A gathering of thought leaders
Attendees comprised a mix of industry professionals from a broad range of university departments, including public safety, Title IX, student affairs, university leadership, and, of course, legal professionals. Among keynote speakers were author Jules Coleman, whose talk was titled “The Uncertain Future of Higher Education is Here Now” (Coleman was also the 2022 William Reece Smith Distinguished Lecturer at Stetson Law’s Annual Inns of Court Event in February) and John Dunkle, senior advisor at the Jed Foundation, whose presentation was titled “College Student Mental Health: The Need for Bold Action to Unravel a ‘Gordian Knot’ for Higher Education.”
As in previous years, the gathering aimed to bring together thought leaders with the aim of developing policies to ensure success for colleges and universities. Sometimes, conversations that have taken place at the event have led directly to federal law reform. The theme in 2022 was “The Great Strategic Reclamation of Higher Education.”
“It is our mission to enhance higher education, to make our institutions stronger and most importantly, to make sure that we’re educating students in as powerful a way as possible,” said Stetson University Provost Noel Painter, whose remarks kicked off the event. “This conference and Peter’s leadership of this conference is exactly aligned with the mission of this institution.”
Learn more about the Annual Conference on Law & Higher Education.
Post date: March 10, 2022
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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