Background for the Rosenblatt’s Deans Database
At the five year point in my deanship folks asked me specifically how long I planned to stay in the position and generally how long deans served. To answer this question I began the Rosenblatt’s Deans Database (RDD) and with the help of our IT Department constructed a simple database showing when deans arrived and left. Over the next few years these data fields became populated and a picture of a law dean’s tenure emerged. As the RDD became well-known folks started requesting that I add additional fields to provide more information about law deans. These helpful suggestions resulted in adding data fields for gender, ethnicity, law school attended, previous position, post dean position, incoming deans, departing deans, interim deanships, length of tenure, as well as administrative information about law deans and their law schools. IT enhancements simplified the data input process. Media interest in the RDD expanded and it became used in research and articles. The RDD has matured to the point where it has sufficient data accumulated to provide insights and data comparisons. The data displays are always real time and current. The RDD was at the point where it needed a permanent home supported by an organization that was resourced and well known and offered access to the public as well as to the legal community. AALS reached out to me and offered to host and maintain the RDD which I accepted. I am pleased with the future prospects of the RDD under the AALS umbrella.
Jim Rosenblatt
Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law
Mississippi College School of Law
Founder of the Rosenblatt’s Deans Database