Message from Dean Cahill on the Fall 2021 Semester
9/17/2021
Dear Brooklyn Law School Community,
We have learned of seven positive cases of COVID-19 among members of our community since my message two weeks ago on September 3. The NYC Department of Health and all known contacts have been notified. From now on, you can track all known cases of COVID-19 in our community by checking the “COVID-19 Test Reporting” tab on the Coronavirus Information page of the BLS website. Because that resource provides detailed information about known cases, I will no longer share information about individual positive cases in these community messages, but will only report any major trends or changes in policy.
To provide some very important context, while a handful of students have contracted COVID-19 this semester, they have not contracted it in class, nor have they transmitted it in class. So far this year, there has been no evidence of any transmission of COVID-19 from one person to another in our classrooms, or on campus more broadly.
I know many of us remain anxious about the risks of COVID, and news of multiple individual cases arising may only elevate that anxiety and the sense of a threat of exposure. But our experience so far has actually borne out the understanding that the risk of in-class transmission is low, and the few cases that have arisen have not led to serious illness. Minimizing (though not absolutely eliminating) cases, and avoiding serious cases, are what universal vaccination is meant to achieve, and we should recognize that such is probably the best we can expect with regard to COVID-19 as a general matter in our lives for the foreseeable future.
The administration is remaining vigilant and continuously evaluating whether our protocols are keeping our community sufficiently protected. If we become aware of any significant risk of transmission in our classes or on our campus, or come to believe that the general public-health situation in New York City or at Brooklyn Law School is changing, we will re-evaluate whether switching to remote classes is justified. However, currently, our experience indicates that vaccination, masking, and our ventilation system are protecting our students at school.
While we have managed to avoid transmission at school, we also all need to do our part to avoid exposure outside of school. Wear a mask indoors when among others. Avoid indoor settings where others are unmasked, may be unvaccinated, or both.
We have had only three full days of classes (and two Friday schedules) in the last two weeks. As we return to a more regular schedule next week, please remember the following:
- Do not come to school if you feel sick. As my September 3 message emphasized, you should not be concerned about whether absences will be excused. Your well-being, and that of others, should be your paramount concern.
- Wear a mask indoors at all times at BLS. Wearing it under your chin does not count. Your nose and mouth should be fully covered.
All best, be well, and thanks for doing your part to keep our community safe and healthy.
Sincerely yours,
Michael T. Cahill (he/him)
President, Joseph Crea Dean & Professor of Law
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
9/20/21: A student who was in class on Monday, September 13 has tested positive for COVID-19. The classes attended are Legal Research & Writing 11-12:25pm, Room 502; and Legal Profession 1:50-3:45, Room 604. That student is currently in quarantine. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
9/20/21: A student who was in class on Monday, September 13 and Tuesday, September 14 has tested positive for COVID-19. The Monday classes attended are Trust and Estates, 10:45a – 12:35p, Room 401; and Evidence 6:00p – 7:55 p.m., Room 501. The Tuesday classes attended are Admin Law, 10:45a – 12:35p, Room 503; and Current Issues in Con Law, 1:50p – 3:45p, Room 605. That student is in quarantine and has been off campus since Tuesday, September 14th. The New York City Department of Health has been notified and the case is being handled in accordance with CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
9/17/21: A student who was in class on Monday, September 13 and Tuesday, September 14 has tested positive for COVID-19. The Monday class attended was Prof. Caplow’s Criminal Law class in Room 501. The Tuesday classes attended were Prof. Ressler’s Civil Procedure class, 10:45a – 12:40p in room 501 and Profs. Kanwar and Du Bois’ joint Legal Writing & Research class, 2:10p - 3:35p in Room 502. 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
9/17/21: A student who was in class on Thursday, September 9 has tested positive for COVID-19. The Thursday attended classes are Prof. Godsoe’s Criminal Law Class, 10:45 – 12:40p in Room 601 and Prof. Schneider’s Civil Procedure Class, 1:50p – 3:45p, in Room 504. 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
9/16/21: A student who was in class on Monday, September 13 and Tuesday, September 14 has tested positive for COVID-19. The Monday classes attended were Legal Research and Writing, 11:00 – 12:25p, Rm 605 and Civil Procedure, 3:55 – 5:50p, Rm 401. The Tuesday attended classes were Criminal Law, 10:45 – 12:40p, Rm 504 and Torts, 1:50 – 3:45p, Rm 601. 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
9/16/21: A student who was in class on Monday, September 13; and Tuesday, September 14 has tested positive for COVID-19. The Monday classes attended here Civil Procedure, 10:45 – 12:50p, Rm 604 and Legal Research and Writing, 2:10 – 3:35p, Rm 502. The Tuesday classes attended were Criminal Law, 10:45 -12:40p, Rm 601 and Torts, 1:50 – 3:45p, Rm 601. 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
9/15/21: A student who was in class on Thursday, September 9 has tested positive for COVID-19. The classes attended were Evidence, 10:45 a.m. – 1235 p.m., Room 603 and Real Estate/Community Development Clinic Seminar, 4:00 p.m. – 5:50 p.m., Room 505. 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
9/13/21: A student who was in class on Thursday, September 9 has tested positive for COVID-19. The class attended was Legal Writing, 2:10 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., room 505. 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
9/8/21: A student who was in classes on Wednesday September 1, Thursday September 2 and Friday September 3 has tested positive for COVID-19. The Wednesday classes attended were Anti-Discrimination Law,10:45-12:35 p.m., Room 700 and Clinic Seminar, 3:55-5:50 p.m., Room 502. The Thursday class attended was Evidence, 10:45-12:40 p.m., Room 603. The Friday class attended was Clinic Seminar, 11:00-1:00 p.m., Room 20-19 in 111 Livingston. 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
8/26/21: A student who was in classes on Tuesday August 24 and Wednesday August 25 has tested positive for COVID-19. The Tuesday classes attended were Criminal Law,10:45-12:40 p.m., room 504 and Torts,1:50-3:45 p.m., room 401. The Wednesday classes attended were Legal Research and Writing, 11:00-12:25 p.m., room 605 and Civil Procedure, 3:44-5:50 p.m., room 401. 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
8/25/21: A student who was in class on Tuesday August 24 has tested positive for COVID-19. The classes attended were Criminal Law, 10:45-12:40 p.m., room 601 and Torts, 1:50-3:45 p.m., room 401. 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
8/24/21: A student who lives 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.
8/18/21: A student who was in the Subotnick Center (the 10th/11th floors) during Convocation on Monday Aug. 16, and in the Moot Courtroom for ISL on Tuesday Aug. 17, 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 CDC guidance and the Law School’s reopening plan.
8/6/21: On August 3, 2021 someone who worked at 205 State St. for the day on August 2, 2021 tested positive for COVID-19. That worker 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.
7/26/21: A student who lives 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.
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
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
Messages to Students and the BLS Community
Message from Dean Cahill on the Spring 2021 Semester
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.