An open letter to Dean Bernie Dobranski and Ave Maria Law School’s Board of Governors

This letter is in response to Mark Sargant's posts here and here.

An open letter to Dean Bernie Dobranski and Ave Maria Law School’s Board of Governors

Dear Dean Dobranski and Board of Governors: 

Ave Maria Law School opened with much fanfare and much promise.  This was to be a truly Catholic law school, drawing upon and integrating the great resources of our faith – the intellectual tradition, the liturgy, the moral teachings, the social teachings, etc – for the purpose of forming new lawyers (teaching) and applying universal truths to the legal and political questions of our time (scholarship). 

Less than a decade after its remarkable start, the dream lies tattered, crumbling from within, seemingly failing because of the inability live the Catholic faith - with its emphasis on love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and justice – within the community.  I am sure that there is some blame to share among faculty, administration, and the board for acrimony related to strained relations.  This does not trouble me much because that is just human nature.

The Association of Ave Maria Faculty (“AAMF”) has, however, leveled serious charges against the Dean and by implication the Board, which continues to support the Dean.  According to the AAMF:  “Since the vote of "no confidence" in Dean Dobranski in April 2006 over issues of faculty governance and academic freedom, he has used threats and retaliation to try to silence members of the faculty from voicing concerns about his leadership and that of Mr. Monaghan. A majority of the faculty whom the Dean believes to be disloyal to him have been punished financially and through manipulation of the promotion and tenure system. One tenured faculty member has been repeatedly threatened with termination based upon bizarre allegations. Junior faculty members have been threatened that their careers would be harmed if they associate with disfavored tenured faculty. We have also been informed that Dean Dobranski had instituted a system of monitoring our emails and computers, and student research assistants have been closely questioned about research projects of disfavored faculty members. All tenured faculty members have been removed from the Chairs of faculty committees, and such chairs are now in the control of the few faculty members whom the Dean believes to be loyal to him. Cumulatively, such intimidation and bullying has created an intolerable atmosphere of fear and contempt at our school.”   And, “[t]he Dean has pocketed ballots and stalked out of faculty meetings unilaterally declaring them adjourned.”

These allegations certainly are disturbing.  And, you know, in your hearts, the truth of the matter.  As leaders and stewards of an important Catholic law school, I ask you – I implore you – to meditate on the washing of the feet in Chapter 13 of John’s Gospel.  As leaders of this community, you are called upon to wash the feet of the faculty, alums, students, and other members of the law school community.  You are called to forgive and seek forgiveness.  In short, you are called to love and reconciliation. 

The hour is not too late for you to model for the legal and academic communities the essence of a Catholic Christian law school.  In fact, I would suggest you have a better, clearer opportunity to mirror Christ now than when you first began because the only path left open is through the cross.  It may not be what you had planned, but God works in mysterious ways.  Are you up for the challenge?  Can this be done with the current Dean?  I don’t know?  Dean Dobranski, are you willing to step aside as dean and humbly join the faculty, if that is what it takes to heal this broken community?  Dean and Board, to the extent that you have fallen short, are you now willing to treat the Faculty – as sharers in the law school’s governance – with respect and dignity?  Where you have acted inappropriately, are you willing to humbly ask forgiveness?  Where you feel you have been wronged, are you willing to forgive? 

As lawyers, we are called to participate in the healing of a broken world.  We are called to be Christ to our neighbor (lawyers no longer have the luxury to ask the follow-up, “Who is my neighbor?”)  I pray that as leaders of Ave Maria Law School you have the courage to be Christ, to manifest Christ’s servant leadership, at your broken school.

May God bless you and may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts,

Michael Scaperlanda

Edwards Family Chair in Law

Associate Dean for Research

University of

Oklahoma

College

of Law