In a move that has sparked widespread controversy, the University of Colorado Law School has reappointed Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss despite significant opposition from both faculty and students. Only 27 percent of the faculty supported her reappointment, with a staggering 90 percent of student group leaders also expressing their disapproval.

The decision seems to defy not only the wishes of the school’s stakeholders but also established norms and possibly accreditation standards. The American Bar Association (ABA) has specific guidelines against appointing deans over substantial faculty objections without clear justification, a rule that the university has not publicly addressed in their decision.

This reappointment comes on the heels of a tumultuous year where Professor Paul Campos sued the university for discrimination, a case that settled unfavorably for the school in 2024. The lawsuit revealed a pattern of alleged retaliation by Dean Inniss, which included removing Campos from a crucial committee post. Despite these controversies, the university chose to extend Inniss’s contract.

Faculty and students are not just concerned about the legal controversies. Under Dean Inniss’s tenure, the law school reportedly lost several non-white faculty members, contradicting her stated commitment to diversity. Moreover, the financial management of the school under her leadership has raised alarms. The school has been unable to fund raises for faculty and staff through its regular budget, resorting to using gift funds—an unsustainable practice that suggests deeper financial instability.

Critics argue that the decision to reappoint Dean Inniss sends a troubling message about the administration’s priorities and its disregard for faculty and student input. This decision could have lasting impacts on the school’s reputation and its ability to attract and retain top talent, at a time when financial and ethical challenges are already straining the institution.

As the university moves forward with Dean Inniss at the helm for another term, the campus community remains divided. With potential layoffs looming and ongoing dissatisfaction among key stakeholders, the future of Colorado Law hangs in the balance, prompting some to question the leadership’s vision for the school’s path forward.