Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Jun 11/01) - The Akitsiraq Law School has selected 16 students, but has yet to secure space for classes or housing.
Even though rental housing is limited in Iqaluit, law school director Andrejs Berzins wouldn't call the housing shortfall an oversight.
"We're keeping our fingers crossed and doing everything to find housing. Students may have to live in less than ideal quarters," Berzins said.
Akitsiraq is the first Inuit-only law school. Graduates are expected to work in areas pertaining to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement upon graduation. The four-year degree program is accredited with the University of Victoria.
School is scheduled to start Sept. 4. Of the 16 students chosen from among 108 applicants, seven are from Iqaluit, another seven are from the communities and two are from outside Nunavut.
The class may grow by two September, pending additional sponsorship.
Berzins said government assistance is being sought to help find housing.
A home for the school is another obstacle.
"The main building of Arctic College does not have room so we're looking at a couple of sites to rent or have donated in the downtown core. We want to be close to the law library at the courthouse," he said.
Eight faculty members for the first year have been hired.
The students have until June 15 to accept their placements. A number of the applicants have been placed on a waiting list, should any of the first-round admissions decline to attend.
"Very good people are disappointed and we really want to encourage them to continue with their eduction," Berzins said.
