Dean of the Law School Michael Fitts will continue in his position until June 30, 2015, Penn President Amy Gutmann and Provost Vince Price announced in an e-mail Monday.
Fitts has served as Dean of Penn Law since 2000. He was scheduled to complete his second term as dean on June 30, 2012, but law school faculty, administrators and University trustees "are unanimous in their praise for Mike's accomplishments as Dean, and they join us in enthusiastically supporting the extension of his second term," according to the announcement.
The extension of Fitts' term "will maintain the School's momentum, through and beyond the closing of the campaign." School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rebecca Bushnell recently extended her term for similar reasons.
According to the announcement, during his time as dean, Fitts has increased Penn Law's endowment by 250 percent and garnered funds to improve the School's facilities — namely, the developing Golkin Hall on Sansom Street.
In addition to his role as Dean, Fitts is a professor of administrative law, election law, legislative process and regulated industries. Over the years, he has also written on topics of separation of powers and presidential power.
Prior to joining the Penn faculty in 1985, Fitts received an undergraduate degree at Harvard University and his law degree at Yale University School of Law. He also served in the Justice Department office, which acts as outside counsel to the White House.
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