“Schools are replete with curriculum reform that have crashed and burned,” Kagan said, but “these committees will be investigative and fact-finding.”

Kagan also spoke about the importance of international law classes and funding for international students as well as study abroad opportunities.

“You can’t deal with only American law—the world is too interconnected,” she said, noting that 70 percent of law students have never taken a class in international or comparative law.

Kagan also focused on the importance of public service. She praised an HLS program that gives grants to students who do work in the public sector over the summer and said she would expand the program to meet demand.

She told students—many of whom have complained that HLS doesn’t encourage public service work—that “if you point the finger of blame at the Law School, you won’t have taken advantage of your opportunities.”

Students expressed guarded optimism for the future of the school as outlined in Kagan’s speech.

“I’m psyched about the physical changes, but I hope that Dean Kagan is as committed to the academic changes she discussed as well. There are a lot of things that need big scary changes, like the first year law [program] where the legal writing is too compartmentalized,” HLS first-year Jennifer Carter said.

“I’m happy she discussed financial help for international opportunities,” said masters student Tuvan Yalim, “because it seems like that is something that is limited.”

Although she acknowledged the many problems of student life at the law school, Kagan wrapped up her speech on an positive note.

“It really bothers me that some students don’t like it here,” Kagan said. “I want you all to love this place as much as I do . . . and I want this to be a great year.”

—Staff writer Lauren A. E. Schuker can be reached at schuker@fas.harvard.edu.