At the time of its opening, the Faculty of Law already had 178 students with the following details: 118 people in Level I, 28 people in Level II and 32 people as listening students. Those accepted in Level II were those who came from other universities (state and private) who were already in that level. The large number of listening students is an indicator of how much public attention is paid to higher education, especially in Semarang. Spontaneous assistance came from legal scholars, both from the District Attorney’s Office, District Courts and Advocates who were willing to become teaching staff. Some of them even did not want to be paid an honorarium. This proves a high enthusiasm to dedicate themselves to the field of higher education. Considering that the initiators of the establishment of the university did not have the pretensions to be able to provide perfect higher education, they have made several contacts with the leaders of Gadjah Mada University, namely Prof. Dr. Sardjito and Prof. Drs. Notonagoro, SH. Communication was also established with the Head of the Faculty of Law at Gadjah Mada State University, then held by Prof. A. Soehardi, SH, and also with the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia, Prof. Djoko Soetono. He, aware that the founders of the university were his former students, was very sympathetic to the idea of ​​establishing a Faculty of Law in Semarang, but was unable to provide much assistance. Nevertheless, this moral encouragement strengthened his spirit to continue the struggle.

On the occasion of the 3rd Anniversary of Semarang University, held on January 9, 1960, the President of the Republic of Indonesia granted the University of Semarang a new name: Diponegoro University, which remained a private university.

In line with the government’s policy at the time to establish state universities in each province, the (private) Diponegoro University was personally inspected by the Head of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, Prof. Dr. Soegiyono Djoenoet Poesponegoro, to consider the possibility of making Diponegoro University (private) a State University. Finally, with Government Regulation Number 7 of 1961, Diponegoro State University (Undip) was established with faculties originating from Diponegoro University (private). The Faculty of Law, which is the oldest faculty at this university, was made the Faculty of Law and Public Knowledge. This merger was carried out because the Ministry of Education, Teaching and Culture at that time prohibited the establishment of a separate State Administration Academy. Thus, the Faculty of Law and Public Knowledge consisted of two parts, namely: the Legal Section and the Socio-Political Section. In its later development, based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education No. 116 of 1968 dated December 2, 1968, effective January 1, 1969, the Social and Political Section was made the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences. Since that date, the name of the Faculty of Law and Public Knowledge was changed to the Faculty of Law[3].