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Utah Senate approves study of UVU night-and-weekend law school after debate over scope
Summary
The Senate passed SJR 8 authorizing a feasibility study for a night-and-weekend law program centered at Utah Valley University, with supporters citing shortages of attorneys for local government and opponents urging a broader, non‑outcome‑determinative study.
The Utah Senate on Monday approved Senate Joint Resolution 8 to fund a feasibility study for a proposed night-and-weekend law school centered at Utah Valley University.
Sponsor Senator Brammer told colleagues the idea responds to staffing shortfalls for prosecutors and defenders at the local level and to pressure from population growth and legal-market shifts. "We're having a hard time staffing ... a lot of the cities are contacting us with trouble staffing their local prosecutor and defense positions," Brammer said during floor remarks.
Supporters argued a night-and-weekend program would let working professionals — police, court staff and others — remain employed while earning credentials, and cited UVU's central location and available facilities near Thanksgiving Point. Brammer said the University of Utah would be a partner in accreditation and teaching support.
Opponents and cautious senators pressed two principal concerns: that the study appears outcome‑determinative by naming a single host institution, and that the bill expands UVU's mission toward graduate-professional education without first considering statewide alternatives. Senator McKay said lawmakers should avoid "setting an outcome" for the study and urged a broader examination of which institution would best serve the state. Senator McCall and others similarly asked why the study was focused on one university rather than assessing multiple campuses across Utah.
Brammer said the night-and-weekend design makes UVU a practical option because faculty could be drawn from nearby law schools and because of proximity to job markets. "We're focusing on backfilling into these more government positions," he said, adding UVU had agreed to study feasibility even without state appropriation.
After questions and debate, Brammer moved passage. The clerk reported the measure passed on the floor and will be sent to the House for consideration.
Next steps: SJR 8 now proceeds to the House; sponsors said the feasibility study will examine demand, accreditation needs and faculty availability before any degree program is created.
