Dear Students,
I am writing in follow up to President Jarrell’s message today. As previously announced, law school classes will be held in person beginning the week of January 24. We look forward to seeing you.
There are a few changes to the safety protocols that we are implementing because of the Omicron variant.
Face Coverings. UMB is tightening up on the KN95 requirement. In addition to wearing KN95 masks during classroom sessions, beginning immediately, KN95s must be worn at all times while in the building except when removing masks briefly to eat or drink. The law school has acquired additional masks, which are available for pick up in the Office of Student Affairs. UMB has continued the face-covering exception for faculty while they are teaching in classrooms as long as they are ten feet away from the nearest student.
Test Kits. We expect to receive from UMB a sufficient quantity of rapid tests to hand out two tests to each student. We will hand out the test kits to 1D, 1E, and 2E students in classes during the week of January 24. Upper-class students may pick up a box in the Office of Student Affairs. UMB is not implementing a regular test requirement. The purpose of the distribution is to give students tests to keep at home in case they are needed.
Eating and Drinking in the Law Building. For the next few weeks, while the number of cases in the surrounding community is expected to be at high levels, we ask you to be especially careful about eating or drinking with others without masks. Accordingly, we need you to keep appropriate distancing in the Comcast dining area and the lounge areas. We will continue to have Westminster Hall open between 11 and 2 each weekday as an additional lunch location.
Procedure for Reporting Covid exposures, positive tests, or symptoms. UMB has posted a guide (https://www.umaryland.edu/coronavirus/hotline/guide) with detailed information about various scenarios relating to Covid. Also on the UMB website is a form to report positive test results or high-risk exposures. While the Hotline is still active, UMB no longer recommends that you start with a call to the Hotline.
Going forward, the procedure if you test positive, have possible Covid symptoms, or are exposed to an individual who tests positive is as follows:
- Fill out the online form. COVID-19 Report Form (umaryland.edu).
- Based on your responses to the questions on the form, you and Dean Gontrum will receive an automated recommendation that may include a self isolation/quarantine period and testing.
- If you have any questions about the recommendation or you prefer to call or email regarding your situation in lieu of filling out the form, contact Dean Gontrum. bgontrum@law.umaryland.edu. She will provide follow-up assistance regarding when you can return to classes; with contacting your faculty members; and in connecting you with medical professionals if necessary.
Staff Teleworking. UMB has requested that schools and administrative units utilize teleworking to the extent possible during the next few weeks. We will continue to provide student services as usual, but you can expect that more of those services will be provided remotely at the start of the semester.
Contingency Planning. One benefit of changing the reporting procedure is to allow for greater monitoring of overall trends of absences at the school level. We are anticipating the possibility of increased absences of faculty, staff, and students for Covid related reasons, including quarantine situations involving day care centers, primary schools, and close contacts. The procedure for accommodating classroom absences will be the same as the fall: classroom recordings, liberal attendance policies, and individualized makeup plans to be worked out with faculty and deans. Should we encounter an absenteeism rate that substantially impacts instruction, we may need to pivot temporarily to online instruction in a particular class or classes. In that case, the entire class would meet online for a specific period.
While we were hoping for an uneventful spring semester, it is obvious that the Covid situation continues to give us unexpected challenges. Please continue to reach out to the administration, to your faculty, and to SBA leadership if you have questions or concerns.
Donald B. Tobin
Dean and Professor of Law