Vol. 147 | November - December 2024

Dear Colleagues,

With the holiday season in full swing and the new year rapidly approaching, I find myself reflecting on the things I am grateful for and what lies ahead in 2025.  

I want to express my gratitude to both you, our members, and to the NACUA professional team for making our community the unique space that it is today. When I think of NACUA, I think of members’ generosity with their knowledge and time, and how tirelessly you work to serve your institutions. The willingness to collaborate, contribute to colleagues, and the sense of camaraderie I have found in the NACUA community has been a true gift. The work our members do every day makes a real difference—both to the institutions you serve and to society. 

I would like to extend a special note of gratitude to the members who have volunteered to serve in leadership roles. Without the service of members on committees, editorial boards, and the NACUA Board of Directors, we would not be able to provide the NACUA programming and resources that members rely on. For that, we are incredibly grateful. Read More

In Memoriam...

It is with sadness that NACUA shares the passing of NACUA member and founder of Journal of College and University Law, William A. Kaplin. 

William A. Kaplin, former professor of law at the Catholic University of America, passed away on October 21, 2024.

During his esteemed legal and academic career, he founded and was the first editor of the Journal of College and University Law (JCUL). In addition to publishing the first edition of The Law of Higher Education in 1978, he served multiple terms on the Editorial Board for JCUL, and was a member of the Committee of Publications. He was a pioneer in the analysis of what now is the enormous jurisprudence of higher education law. In recognition of his many contributions to higher education law, JCUL will be publishing a special issue in tribute to William Kaplin. 

His service to the association was extensive. In recognition of his incredible contributions, he was presented with the Fellows of the Association Award in 1990, and in 2018 he was named a Life Member of the Association. Full Obituary

It is with sadness that NACUA shares the passing of former NACUA President John A. Beach. 

John A. Beach, formerly of Bond, Schoeneck & King, passed away on October 22, 2024, at the age of 92. He led a distinguished legal career and served as Chairman of the firm's Executive Committee. During his tenure, he played an instrumental part in building the firm's Albany office. He began his legal career at the firm in 1957 and remained with them for 41 years until his retirement.

He served as legal counsel to Syracuse University and was appointed the Interim Dean of Syracuse University's College of Law for 1973-1974. He acted as legal counsel for Albany Medical College, where he was also appointed Interim President and CEO of the Albany Medical Center. He wrote numerous articles and was published in both the Journal of College and University Law, and the Syracuse Law Review. In addition to his tenure as board president, he also served terms as Chair of the NACUA West Negotiating Team (1994-1995) and as member of NACUA's Committee of Information Services (1994-1995).

In recognition of his extraordinary service and contributions to the association, he was presented with the Distinguished Service Award in 1991, and in 1998 he was named a Life Member of the Association. Full Obituary

Please send In Memoriam notices to Deborah Kim at dk@nacua.org.

Association Collaboration

What's New @ NACUA

2024-2025 Upcoming Events

NACUA online courses give participants in-depth coverage of important issues in the practice of higher education law. Courses feature pre-recorded modules taught by leading higher education law experts, extensive course materials, and self-assessments. To enroll and learn more, click the course links.

• The Fundamentals of FERPA
• Conducting Effective Internal Investigations
• Title IX Coordinator Training
• Lawyers New to Higher Education
• Achieving and Maintaining an Accessible Campus: A Guide to Higher Education Disability Law and Accommodations

NACUA has new institutional members, new member representatives, and members with new positions. Learn More

View these jobs and more at the NACUA Career Center:

• Associate General Counsel, Loyola Marymount  University, Los Angeles, CA
• Vice President for Policy, Compliance, and Government Relations, College of Southern Maryland, La Plata, MD
• Unit Legal Advisor & Associate General Counsel, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
• Civil Rights and Title IX Investigator, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
• Law Fellow, NACUA, Washington, DC