Dean’s Welcome Law in a time of Covid!

This issue of Decanally Yours finds me addressing you not from my book-lined office nestled in the heart of Lismore’s sylvan campus, nor atop Building C’s 6th Floor with its magnificent views of Mount Warning; rather, I write to you from the small – but comfortable –study of my home, ‘Seadrift’, in beautiful Byron Bay, itself eerily quiet and utterly empty of tourists.

To engage in some understatement: what a year it has been! Suffice it to say, though, the School of Law & Justice (SLJ) has come through the pandemic in good order. Indeed, with flying colours. Of course, we were well positioned to do so, with over 80% of students — prepandemic — online, and all units and courses flexibly delivered. Even with that, I am astounded, astonished and amazed at how well we have segued to a fully virtual law school!

First and foremost, I applaud our superb students for making this potentially challenging transition so smooth; I know there were impediments, uncertainties and contingencies along the way, but you’d never know it from your unflagging commitment to the School and your indefatigable application to your studies, as well as your determination to just get on with it!

A special shout-out, additionally, to your student leaders: the hard-working presidents of SCULSS, SCULA and Law Club, and their Executives, for all their assistance and support throughout these ‘interesting times’, especially in acting as such effective conduits of communication between staff and students.

Second, a huge thank you to the SLJ Management Team, in particular Acting Deputy Dean, Mr Aidan Ricketts, who has worked tirelessly throughout the transition to ensure equity and fairness, as well as efficiency and efficacy for both students and staff in their teaching and learning.

Course Coordinators, Mr Geoff Manion and Mr Warwick Fisher are also thanked, as is Deputy Dean (Research), Professor John Page for guaranteeing that our seminar series — as well as other key research events — continued to run via zoom, skype and other digital delivery systems. And congratulations on the promotion to full professor, John; it’s very well deserved, and overdue!

Third, I want to thank our outstanding University Coucil, Senior Executive, and last but certainly not least Vice Chancellor, Professor Adam Shoemaker, for their managerial nous, transparent decision-making, consultative outreach and, above all, truly steadying hand — a Zen-like calm! – in what has been one of the most demanding — and absolutely unique — sessions, semesters or terms in my thirty year teaching career on four continents and five cities. Good on ya’, the SLJ is firmly behind all of you and here’s to SCU all the way!

And to my readers: stay safe, be well and enjoy Decanally Yours!

Huzzah for the SLJ, all my best and

Decanally yours, Bill

Professor William MacNeil The Honourable John Dowd Chair in Law Professor of Jurisprudence Dean and Head, School of Law & Justice Head of Lismore Campus Southern Cross University

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