Billionaire’s donation continues to benefit Dal law students

Students say it only took a few months for Schulich’s name to be put on the law building. (Photo by: Meaghan Philpott)

There's a trend in Canadian universities - to follow the Schulich.

Seymour Schulich is a billionaire businessman who has contributed millions to Canadian universities. His name is on York University's School of Business in Toronto, the schools of medicine and dentistry at the University of Western Ontario in London, the University of Calgary's School of Engineering and McGill's Library of Science and Engineering and School of Music in Montréal.

Last fall, Dalhousie's law school got the perks of the Schulich brand when $20 million was dropped at its doorstep. Schulich's name now rides high in big golden letters on the school's building.

Third-year student Glen Kruger, from Calgary, had never been to the East Coast when he applied to Dal. He enrolled because of the formerly named Dalhousie Law School's reputation.

Kruger does not mind that the school is now named after a corporate donor. The university is named after its original benefactor, Lord Dalhousie, he notes. "This is not a new thing."

Renaming the school caused some concerns with students at first, Kruger says. One issue is that Schulich made his fortune in the mining and energy sectors - and now his name is attached to a school that offers a prestigious environmental law program.

But Schulich offers more than his reputation to the faculty of law. He makes one strict requirement - half of the money he donates must go directly to students. In coming years, law students will collect $10 million in scholarships and bursaries. The number of awards can change annually, but the school says that most awards are between $12,000 and $15,000. This year, 25 students received funding and, next year, 41 students will.

The money is needed. Dal's three-year bachelor of law program costs almost $13,000 per year. And students say the law school's bursary program is poorly designed to favour only those in debt. Schulich's donations, however, are given to a wider range of students who meet two of three criteria: academic achievement, community service or financial need.

Kruger says Schulich's choice to leave a legacy through his wealth is a smart one. "Obviously you want education to be as accessible as possible and you don't want financial barriers in place for students who legitimately would be excellent lawyers."

Classmate Victoria Novak has attended two "Schulich schools" - she studied music and political science at McGill. In September 2005, it was announced that Schulich gave his largest contribution yet to the music faculty at his alma mater. Two days later, she says, the school was renamed.

Novak says renaming Dal's law school did not bother her, because she has seen the positive impacts of Schulich's money and reputation at McGill.

"There are worst ways (Schulich) could spend his money," Novak says. His influence "is not affecting our curriculum and the quality of our facilities improved."

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