Law students explore biodiversity in Caribbean

By Amanda Thompson

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Five law students had the opportunity for a unique jump-start to the semester: lying on the beach in the Virgin Islands.

From Jan. 11 to 18, Andrew Torrance, associate professor of law, and his students experienced biodiversity law first-hand. Students studied the islands’ problems with invasive species, coral reef degradation, overfishing, endangered species and more.

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KU students who visited Virgin Islands:

Erin Weekley

Kasey Burton

Jennifer Haaga

Annabel Filbert

Kate Miller

Before coming to the University in 2005, Torrance taught a similar biodiversity class for six years at Harvard. Torrance said that when he left Harvard the class left with him, and that he knew of no other similar course offered in the country. He said he had taken classes to the Virgin Islands since 2001, and said there was no better place to go.

“These islands are a microcosm of every biodiversity law that occurs,” Torrance said.

Torrance said many students who went on the trip were surprised that the trip was completely free.

“They’ll come and meet with me two or three times before they realize I’m serious,” Torrance said.

Sebastian Patti, a University alumnus and judge in Illinois, provided initial funding for the class.

Students attended a lecture period for two to three hours each day on the island.

Erin Weekley, Fairway law student, said each day began with breakfast on the veranda with a view of the ocean. Snorkeling, legislature events and other field trips were on the agenda, she said.

Torrance said he and his students had to be flexible in their schedules because of the phenomenon he called “Island Time.”

“9 o’clock doesn’t always mean 9, and an appointment isn’t always an appointment,” Torrance said. “We had to be ready to hike, dive or get dressed nicely to go to legislature meetings at a moment’s notice.”

Torrance said he had taken only law students on the trip, but said he hoped the class would eventually incorporate biology students, too. He said the collaboration between different students would be beneficial.

“You have to get the science right before you can get the law right,” Torrance said.

Weekley said she had heard very little about the class before she applied, but when she looked at the course description she decided to enroll.

“I’ve always had an interest in biodiversity,” Weekley said. “I admit the lure of the Virgin Islands in January was pretty strong.”

Students must submit an application to get into the class and must have taken a prerequisite environmental law course. Before the trip, which is always the week before the spring semester begins, students are required to read two textbooks. At the end of the semester, students will turn in a 30-page research paper on a specific aspect of biodiversity law they studied on the islands. Torrance said he had high hopes for what his students would learn.

“I hope that students come to understand the tremendous impact of other life forms on this planet to the survival of humanity and the vital role that law plays in ensuring that we all survive together,” Torrance said.

— — Edited by Casey Miles

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