More recent, less-publicized incidents have further shown students' concern over perceived gender and racial insensitivity.

In March, the Women's Law Association wrote to a visiting professor, charging that he repeatedly used sexist language in his lectures and in a textbook he authored. The professor responded with a sharp criticism of the group's claim, saying "this whole affair...reeks of McCarthyism."

And women law students say another setback came when it was revealed last month that the Law School administration had covered up an alleged rape case since December without taking the case beyond the school's private administrative process into the courts.

"If the charges are true, I would hate to see a good year marred by the administration being afraid to take a stand for women and bowing to fears of legal retaliation from the accused," says Lisa C. Ferrell, a representative to the Law School Council. "A lot of women are afraid of this."

Student Concerns

A survey conducted by the Law School student dean search committee last fall revealed that students' top concerns regarding the appointment of a new dean included insensitivity to gender issues and a lack of personal attention in academics.

Respondents attacked one of the law professors reportedly under consideration for the deanship. "The most strident criticism focused on [the professor's] lack of sensitivity to students and on his perceived sexist attitude in the classroom," read the committee's report. Another candidate was called insensitive to minority concerns.

The report also noted that students want the next dean to concentrate on academic concerns, such as reducing class size.

"Having smaller classes, especially for the first year; working with professors and having individual work recognized rather than having everything depend on one exam at the end of the year; and receiving more feedback are improvements that all students would like," says Ferrell.

And these requests have each been addressed in depth by the newly appointed dean despite the earlier criticisms of him. Clark says a main focus of his education reform will be an attempt to improve the quality of the school's training by increasing students' exposure to professors.

The poll's findings indicate students gave Clark mixed reviews. But in fact, Clark's receptiveness to the survey results is so far the most visible response to the student activism.