A Foundation in the Law: Celebrating 40 Years at Walter F. Mondale Hall

Competing Visions

For almost a decade, competing visions of various stakeholders shaped, slowed, and at times imperiled the new Law School building project. In 1965, the University proposed moving the law school to the St. Paul Campus. From 1971 to 1974, the university administration removed the project from capital requests to the legislature, while the legislature itself chose not to fund construction after approving the design. Minnesota Senator Jack Davis advocated in 1973 for a renovated Walter Library as the new home of the law school, requiring a year-long pause while a study of the proposal was completed. Cost was also a discussion point, and the budgetary proposals took place during a period of rapid economic inflation, which almost doubled the cost of the new building.