The James E. Rogers College of Law has announced its campaign to raise money for a new building and renovation project to help expand the school.

The $18 million renovation project for the College of Law will be called the Law Commons and will include a new building, new Law Library and additional computer and multimedia space.

The campaign for the Law Commons has already raised $12 million, and the remaining $6 million is expected to come from private donors.

Nancy Stanley, assistant director of development and public relations for the

College of Law, said the college has considered the overdue renovation for a long time.

"Our student population has remained stable over the years," Stanley said. "Thirty to 40 years ago, law students used to just receive lectures; now they need places to meet in small groups and need areas to learn trial skills."

Lance Broberg, a third-year law student who is on the building committee for the Law Commons, has experienced firsthand the problems the College of Law has had with space. He said he feels this renovation will bring nothing but positive changes for the school.

"I am looking forward to seeing where this is going," Broberg said. "I can see lots of far-reaching effects from this."

Stanley said the Law Commons, which is due to break ground in 2008, will probably be located where the parking lot is on the north side of the current building.

Stanley said through the renovation project, the College of Law plans to update the library, provide more computer resources and increase its largest venue for speakers, which now holds 180 people.

"We need to prioritize our space needs," Stanley said. "The students don't have an adequate place to study or lounge. We are far enough away from campus there isn't anywhere convenient to go."

The College of Law is located at the northwest corner of East Speedway Boulevard and North Mountain Avenue across from the main campus.

Stanley said $6 million of the $12 million already been committed for the renovation project has come from the university and the rest has come from private donors.

The namesake of the College of Law, James E. Rogers, pledged $4 million toward the renovation project.

"We are now looking for smaller donations from alumni and people in the law community," Stanley said.

Broberg said although this is his last year at the UA, he is glad these changes are being made for the students.

"My goal is to create an atmosphere people want to stick around in," Broberg said.

Vicki Fleischer, assistant dean of external relations at the College of Law, said the school has recognized the need for this renovation and is glad to be able to make these changes for the students.

"The new facility is part of the whole law complex with the library fitting in by bringing in new technology," Fleischer said. "Students could use better study space."

Fleischer said for the additional $6 million needed to meet the campaign goal, the school will rely primarily on people in the legal profession.

"We are just hoping we can break ground on time so we can move in and enjoy our new facilities," Fleischer said.