Message from Dean Cahill on the Fall 2021 Semester
8/21/2021
Dear Brooklyn Law School Community,
I hope you share my excitement about the upcoming school year and the return of on-campus education and activities, even as we recognize the ongoing need for precautions and limitations to ensure our collective health and safety. As we near the start of classes on Monday, August 23, I write with the following updates and reminders.
Vaccination update
All faculty and staff teaching or working on campus will be fully vaccinated. I am pleased to report that over 98% of all students have submitted proof of vaccination. If you are among the very few who have not yet done so, please submit proof of vaccination as soon as possible so that you will be able to attend class.
Mask requirement
Because rates of transmission of COVID, as tracked by the CDC, remain high in our surrounding area, the requirement that masks be worn during classes and in all common areas — including, for example, library reading rooms — remains in place. You may remove your mask when you are alone in a study room or office. We recommend N95 or KN95 masks; if you wear a cloth mask, it should have multiple layers.
Because masks are required, food and drink are not allowed during class; any consumption of food or drink outside of class requires physical distancing or must occur outside, and as noted, you should remain masked at all times in all common areas unless you are eating and the space allows eating. The 4th floor dining area will be set up in a way that enables socially distanced eating.
Classes and class recording
All classes will be conducted in person unless your professor has explicitly told you that the class will be remote to start the semester. All courses include Zoom links in Canvas; do not interpret this to mean your class will be remote.
We are in the process of developing procedures to ensure the recording of classes for students unable to attend. Later in the semester, classrooms will be equipped with technology to facilitate recording more easily. Unfortunately, supply-chain delays have prevented us from installing such technology prior to the start of the school year, but we are making alternative recording plans in the interim. Most professors will be recording their classes on a personal device, then uploading to Panopto or Canvas.
Events
Given the current prevalence of COVID and of the Delta variant, in-person meetings and events are generally discouraged for the time being. Small gatherings, particularly of people already in the building on a given day to attend classes, are allowed, but as a general matter, organizational meetings and other gatherings should be held remotely wherever feasible. As a reminder, any meeting or event should be approved in advance by Michael Lacari, Director of Events. Faculty, staff, and leaders of student organizations can apply to set up a meeting and reserve a room by submitting a request here: https://blsconnect.brooklaw.edu/Pages/new-events-meetings.aspx. A list of attendees for each event or meeting must also be submitted to covidcoordinator@brooklaw.edu for contact tracing purposes.
Affirmation of health status
Submission of a health screening form will no longer be required each time you arrive on campus. However, be aware that by using your ID to access law school facilities, you are affirming that:
- You have not tested positive for COVID, and to your knowledge have not been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID, in the last 14 days; and
- You are not currently experiencing any symptoms of COVID.
Even without the entry screen, there may be some delays in moving through the building as we return to in-person operations, so please allow yourself as much time as possible when coming to the building, and please try to be patient with others.
Community conversations
We have scheduled a Zoom Town Hall meeting for all interested staff to discuss and answer questions about our reopening, including health and safety measures, for next Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. A similar Town Hall for students will be scheduled soon. Further details, and a link for next Wednesday’s Town Hall, will follow.
I look forward to seeing you on campus and to a safe and successful semester.
Sincerely yours,
Michael Cahill (he/him)
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
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.