Reminder Regarding Campus Access & COVID-19 Testing Requirements
To access the BLS campus and library during Summer 2021, all students, faculty, staff, and non-BLS Feil Hall residents must submit: (1) the COVID Commitment Form, and (2) upload proof of vaccination OR the results of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test to the COVID-19 Test Result Form on the BLS Connect Portal. The test results must be from a PCR test conducted within seven days of the submission. Please upload your proof of vaccination card to the COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Form. If anyone has any questions regarding the uploading of vaccination cards, please contact covidcoordinator@brooklaw.edu.
Once test results have been processed and ID cards have been reactivated, individuals must complete the Covid Screening App prior to accessing campus buildings.
Current students, faculty, staff, and non-BLS Feil Hall residents who do not submit the COVID Commitment Form and the results of a negative COVID test will not be allowed access to 250 Joralemon Street, 111 Livingston Street, Feil Hall, and the Clinton Residences.
The identification cards of current and incoming students who do not comply will not be activated to enable entry to the BLS academic buildings or to reserve seats in the library and student lounge for study. In addition, students will not be able to attend in-person class sessions.
Please note that the Law School‘s buildings are otherwise closed except to faculty who are teaching in-person classes, students taking in-person classes on campus this Spring, students and faculty using the library for research or study with seat reservation, and essential employees.
If you have any questions, please contact covidcoordinator@brooklaw.edu.
COVID-19 Vaccination New York State Update
As of April 6, 2021, all people ages 16 and up who live, work, or go to school in New York State are eligible to schedule appointments for COVID-19 Vaccinations.
The following links will be helpful to schedule your appointment:
You can also make an appointment by calling the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).
Please note that until further notice, BLS requires all those who are vaccinated to continue to adhere to the COVID-19 safety precautions that have been put in place to protect our community – including testing, mask wearing, hand sanitizing, social distancing, and to quarantine when necessary.
The proof of vaccination should be uploaded here: COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Form.
Quarantine Requirements for Individuals Exposed to COVID-19
Consistent with recent CDC and NY State guidance, asymptomatic individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to quarantine during the first three months after full vaccination, if the following criteria are met:
- Are fully vaccinated (more than two weeks following receipt of the second dose in a two-dose series, or than two weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine); AND
- Are within three months following receipt of the last dose in the series; AND
- Have remained asymptomatic since last COVID-19 exposure.
Individuals who do not meet all three of the above criteria and who have been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 10 days after exposure. To return to campus, a negative PCR COVID-19 test must be submitted to the COVID-19 Test Result Form.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for 14 days and submit a negative PCR COVID test prior to entering campus. For asymptomatic individuals who continue to test positive after the 14-day quarantine, medical documentation may be submitted verifying that the individual no longer has COVID-19 and has fulfilled the quarantine requirement.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must report their status to the COVID Coordinator and upload their test results immediately to the COVID-19 Test Result Form. Anyone who feels sick should not come to campus or to work.
Required Positive COVID-19 Test Reporting
5/4/21: A student who was present at 250 Joralemon St. on April 27 has tested positive for COVID-19. That student is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
4/26/21: A student who was present at 250 Joralemon St. on April 22 and 23 has tested positive for COVID-19. That student is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
4/12/21: One staff member who was working at 250 Joralemon St. on April 2 has tested positive for COVID-19. That staff member is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
4/9/21: Two students who live on campus in Feil Hall have tested positive for COVID-19. The students are now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
4/6/21: One student who lives on campus in Feil Hall has tested positive for COVID-19. That student is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
4/1/21: One staff member who was working at 250 Joralemon St. on March 31, April 1 and April 2 has tested positive for COVID-19. That staff member is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
3/31/21: One student who lives on campus in Feil Hall has tested positive for COVID-19. That student is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
3/29/21: One student who was in class at 250 Joralemon St. on March 24, 2021 has tested positive for COVID-19. The class members have been notified. That student is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
3/18/21: One student who lives on campus in Feil Hall has tested positive for COVID-19. That student is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
2/26/21: One student who lives on campus in Feil Hall and attends a class at the Law School has tested positive for COVID-19. That student is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
1/28/21: One student who lives on campus in Feil Hall has tested positive for COVID-19. That student is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
1/12/21: One staff member who was working at 250 Joralemon St. on Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 has tested positive for COVID-19. That staff member is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
1/12/21: One staff member who was working at 250 Joralemon St. on Jan. 6, Jan. 7, and Jan. 8 has tested positive for COVID-19. That staff member is now in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
1/7/21: One student who lives on campus in Feil Hall has tested positive for COVID-19. That student has left Feil Hall and is now in quarantine elsewhere. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
12/3/20: One student who lives on campus in Feil Hall has tested positive for COVID-19. That student is now in quarantine, as is another student known to have been in contact with that student. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
11/9/2020: A student who lives on campus in Feil Hall has tested positive for COVID-19. That student is now in quarantine, as are two other students known to have been in contact with that student. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with the Law School’s reopening plan.
9/24/2020: One student tested positive. The student is taking all classes remotely, lives off campus, and is elsewhere.
New York State Travel Advisory
As you make plans to travel, please factor into your plans New York State’s Travel Advisory. While no longer required, New York State Department of Health still recommends quarantine after domestic travel as an added precaution.
Mandatory quarantine remains in effect for international travelers. International travelers must either quarantine for a full 10 days after returning from travel or quarantine for a full seven days with a negative PCR test three to five days after returning from travel. The negative test result should be uploaded to the COVID-19 Test Result Form. This requirement applies to all international travelers, whether they were tested before boarding, recovered from a previous COVID infection, or are fully vaccinated.
All travelers must continue to fill out the NY Traveler Health Form. Individuals should continue strict adherence to all safety guidelines to stop the spread. These guidelines were updated as of April 1, 2021.
These guidelines are subject to change by NY State. If you are traveling outside of NY State it is your responsibility to check the latest requirements. Visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact the COVID Coordinator at covidcoordinator@brooklaw.edu or Stephanie Vullo at stephanie.vullo@brooklaw.edu.
Information on COVID-19 and Resources
The Brooklyn Law School Reopening Plan: Operating during the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis
New York City Health & Hospitals COVID-19 Testing Sites
Get the Latest News on the Outbreak
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York State Department of Health
New York State residents: Schedule a FREE appointment with a mental health professional. Call 1-844-863-9314
NYS Novel Coronavirus Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
Message from Dean Cahill on the Spring 2021 Semester
Important information about the Law School’s continuing efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
BLS Community Connect Newsletters
Alumni
Remote Career AdvisorsBrooklyn Law School Remote Career Advisors is a group of alums who are serving as remote mentors, coaches, or sounding boards for our students.
Give to the Student Support FundThe Student Support Fund will help our students meet the unexpected new challenges, both personal and educational, that many have experienced from the sudden, severe, and ongoing changes around us by providing:
- Assistance for partial or total loss of income
- Resources for remote learning
- Support for childcare issues or health concerns
- Physical or mental health support for themselves or their loved ones
- Significant disruption in living arrangements
- Other unforeseen emergencies
2020 Messages to Students and the BLS Community
Message from Dean Cahill: COVID-19 and the Brooklyn Law School Community
Update from Dean Cahill on Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order
Update from Dean Michael T. Cahill on COVID-19 Response: March 16
Update from Dean Michael T. Cahill on COVID-19 Response Planning: March 11
Update from Dean Michael T. Cahill on COVID-19 Response Planning: March 9
Update from Dean Michael T. Cahill on COVID-19 Response Planning: March 6
Message to the Brooklyn Law School Community from Dean Michael T. Cahill
Update Regarding the October 2020 Bar Examination
Letter to Court of Appeals from Faculty of New York State Law Schools
Dean Cahill Joins New York Law School Deans to Urge State Leaders to Adopt Diploma Privilege
Letter from New York Law Deans to Chief Judge DiFiore on July 2020 Bar Exam
Letter from New York Law Deans to Chief Judge DiFiore on July 2020 Bar Exam
Externship Fieldwork Requirement: COVID-19 Adjustment
Message to the Brooklyn Law School Community: Access to Library Resources and Facilities
Brooklyn Law School Externship Program: COVID-19 Update from Professor Jodi Balsam
Message to Externship Students from Professor Jodi Balsam, Director, Externship Programs
Three Important Ways to Slow the Spread
- Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you.
- Avoid crowds. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
Requests for Student Support Fund/Federal Cares Act are Now Available
As of April 14, 2021, there is no Student Support funding available. Students will be notified should additional Student Support funds become available in the future.