A law student with some insecurity about his choice of school, career, or about his job prospects will generally seek the counsel of a dean or professor - but occasionally will choose the op-ed page. University of Cincinnati law student Brian Dursch ("UC law students seek improvement," June 29) seeks assurance that his school is giving him good value for his tuition dollar. Here is what assurance his school can and cannot provide for him:

• UC Law cannot assure him that all the professors who were there when he started will be there when he graduates. The faculty is a very talented group, graduates of the nation's best law schools with rich experience as practitioners. Some leave for reasons related to family, geography or career, most with great reluctance. Those who leave will be replaced with outstanding teachers and scholars, as UC Law is a very attractive place for faculty.

• UC Law cannot assure him a job. Our placement operation has been reorganized and strengthened with three professional staff members, all lawyers where before the office had none. The new director is a former hiring partner at one of Cincinnati's largest and most prestigious law firms. In a tough economy, our placement numbers are comparable with last year's.

• UC Law cannot assure him that he will pass the bar, although UC has led the state every year (except last year) since 1992. Last year's results were atypical, but the administration is reviewing the results by subject area to identify any curricular weaknesses.

• UC Law cannot assure him that it will dramatically rise or fall in the rankings. While the top-tier terminology has been scrapped by the most prominent ranking service in favor of the term "Top 100 Schools," UC Law finds itself ranked solidly in the middle of this "Top 100," where it has been ranked for the past decade. The college's objective measures would place it in the top 40 but the reputation scores lag behind, presenting an opportunity to boost the overall rank. The administration recognizes that it has a marketing challenge and is working with the University to address it.

• Finally, UC Law cannot assure him that tuition will not increase. Every public law school in the country is experiencing severe funding problems as states struggle to balance their budgets with huge cuts to higher education.

UC Law can assure Dursch that it will provide a first-rate legal education at a market-sensitive price, with outstanding prospects for passing the bar and landing a job, as well as support through our Center for Professional Development and an active and extensive alumni network. The rest he will have to do on his own.

Jim Schoenfeld, Assistant Dean, UC College of Law