Courses will be delivered using a variety of methods to accommodate students and faculty who can attend in person and those who attend remotely. SLU LAW faculty adapted their courses to deliver a high-quality experience both for students participating in-person and for those participating remotely and to remain flexible as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. The faculty are using their experiences from the spring and student feedback, in tandem with the latest research on effective teaching strategies, to prepare a rich learning experience. To help create a more uniform experience for students, faculty are using Blackboard or TWEN for course management and and have communicated directly with their students with specific details regarding delivery methods for their courses.

SLU LAW will hold classes on Labor Day - Monday, September 7. Although the University has scheduled a one day Fall Break on Tuesday, October 20, SLU LAW will hold classes that day as well. Because classes will be held on September 7 and October 20, SLU LAW will end Fall 2020 semester classes earlier than originally planned and the last day of classes will be Friday, November 20. Since all Fall 2020 semester final exams will be held remotely, students are not expected to return to campus in person after November 20. The final exam period (Tuesday, December 1 through Monday, December 14) is not being changed, so students will have an extended reading period before final exams begin. The law school academic calendar can be found here and is updated accordingly.

• Legal education is a transformative experience. One of the hallmarks of a legal education is the opportunity to discuss, learn from each other, and engage. While the traditional in-person experience is preferable, we recognize that during this time, some students may need to engage remotely for a variety of reasons. For the Fall 2020 semester, students will be able to make the decision about their preferred modality.
• Some faculty are delivering their entire course in a remote format. Please refer to the Fall 2020 course schedule and the syllabi for your courses. If you have questions, contact your professor directly.

Students must not attend classes in person if they are ill, are experiencing any potential COVID-19 symptoms, that cannot be  attributed to any other known condition, or are in quarantine, but students should participate synchronously in classes online if they feel well enough to do so. 

Yes. SLU has selected the self-screening app #CampusClear. This app will allow you to quickly report your health status before coming to campus.

The purpose of this daily self-screen is to create a culture of awareness, education and social responsibility. It is not diagnostic and does not capture private, patient health information.

Student Health will have access to self-screening information reports to reach out and further screen students, staff and faculty who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Such reports can be helpful in identifying a potential outbreak on campus.

Again, anyone experiencing symptoms should call the Student Health Center immediately, in addition to filling out the form. If you are symptomatic, stay home and do not come to campus.

Submissions will be handled in a confidential manner.

The Student Health Center can be reached at 314-977-2323 or shc@slu.edu. 

The University has established detailed guidelines and protocols when students test positive for COVID-19 and for students who believe they have been in contact with an individual who has tested positive.  The law school is following these guidelines and protocols.  The guidelines and answers to many questions can be found in the SLU COVID-19 Safeguard FAQs on the University website.  This information is updated regularly and some information is specifically listed below:

• An exposure to COVID-19 requires having been in a close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for longer than 15 minutes, at a physical distance of less than 6 feet, and with neither party wearing a mask.  Just being in a classroom or passing in a common area with another individual who is symptomatic or has tested positive for COVID-19 does not necessarily constitute a close contact meaning you must isolate or quarantine.  The University through the Student Health Center is conducting contact tracing for any individual who tests positive.  The University contact tracing teams will identify close contacts and inform those individuals of the need to isolate or quarantine.  The team will only contact individuals who may have been in close contact per the above guidelines and will not disclose the identity of any individual who tests positive.  
• The primary risk of transmission is through respiratory droplets. The collective use of masks and social distancing greatly reduces this risk.  If public health safeguards are being followed, it is unlikely that classroom contact with a student who has tested positive will be considered an exposure or a close contact.   
• Any individual who tests positive for, has an exposure to, or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should contact the University Student Health Center (314-977-2323 or shc@slu.edu) to ensure that the Student Health Center provides information about how to isolate or quarantine, that contact tracing can be initiated, and other resources and information can be provided.  Testing through the Student Health Center is available for students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.  Any individual experiencing symptoms should stay home and remain away from campus.  

All students are encouraged to communicate with their professors  to discuss their individual circumstances for a course, if neccesary.

SLU LAW will not require students to provide specific information or documentation about their reasoning for participating remotely. Any student who would like to discuss barriers to participation or challenges they are experiencing, should contact Dean Baris or Dean Morse. The Student Services Office will work to connect students with the appropriate resources (accessibility, financial aid, diversity and inclusion, etc.).

Yes. Upper division students interested in taking a voluntary leave of absence should contact Dean Baris. Leaves of absence will be approved in compliance with the Leave of Absence policy found in the SLU LAW Student Handbook, Chapter 9, Sec IX.

Currently, both clinics and field placements will remain available. Exactly as is happening in law practice right now, some or all of the client work (and accompanying supervision) is likely to be accomplished remotely with a greater emphasis on remote work skills and ethical implications. In addition, most clinic and field placement classroom components are likely to occur through a mixture of in-person and remote instruction. While we do not anticipate any effect on simulation course content or course goals, the methods for course delivery, student performance, and assessment are likely to be updated.

The American Bar Association Standards require that law students regularly attend classes in order to meet each course’s learning outcomes. Attendance is thus required, but there is not a uniform attendance policy for all SLU LAW courses to allow for variations appropriate to each course’s learning outcomes. How faculty members implement their attendance policy may vary for individual courses, so please refer to your syllabi for detailed information. As always, please speak with your professor or the Student Services Office if you have questions or concerns.

We understand your financial circumstances may have changed recently. You can review your current financial aid eligibility for the 2020-2021 school year under the mySLU’s student tab by clicking “Financial Aid Awards.”  Law tuition for the 2020-2021 school year is a flat rate of $43,600 for full-time students(12 or more hours per semester) and $31,800 for part-time students(8-11 hours per semester).  If you need to apply for financial aid or explore options further, visit the financial services site for more information or reach out to Jessica Seavers to discuss your individual needs.

The federal government allows students to borrow federal student loans to cover these types of education-related costs. The cost of a computer or internet service is not included in the standard cost of attendance budget, but you can request that it be added as a one-time expense so you are eligible to borrow a federal loan for these costs (note that certain documentation is required). If you need assistance in determining your eligibility for federal loans or how to apply, please contact Jessica Seavers in the SLU LAW Financial Services Office.

• Our goal is to have as many safe opportunities for students to be in the building as is recommended by public health and University guidelines. SLU LAW leaders and public health professionals surveyed and analyzed the building space to establish safety measures and protocols, including maximum classroom and common space capacity.
• Additional hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the building and regularly restocked. Additional sanitation by housekeeping personnel will be conducted. Please do no move or take cleaning supplies from classrooms or other spaces.. 
• Building Hours -  SLU LAW students, faculty and staff can access Scott Hall  from 6:00 am - Midnight, seven days per week. Your University ID is required to access Scott Hall. The building is closed to the public.
• Movement Throughout the Building -
  • Students should read and follow the signage throughout the building regarding safeguards and procedures. 
  • Classrooms, study rooms, and common areas are available for student use and will be marked accordingly and furniture will be moved to comply with social distancing guidelines provided by public health experts. Tables, desks, and chairs should not be moved in and out of or around any rooms or common areas.
  • Elevators will hold a maximum of four individuals at a time, and those individuals should remain in the corners of the elevator. To reduce people gathering by the elevators, those who are able are encouraged to use the stairwells to access the classrooms/office floors and to leave the building. The two internal (closed) stairwells will be designated to be used for only one direction (up or down).
• Gatherings - Students should avoid gathering in large groups and should stay at least 6 feet away from others while in class, common areas, restrooms, accessing your locker, or traveling through the building, including in the elevators and stairwells.
• Masks - Masks are required to be worn by every individual in Scott Hall while in class, in common areas, and around other people. Additional information and the University's mask policy can be found here. If you cannot wear a mask due to a health condition or disability, contact Heather Stout, Accessibility and Wellness Coordinator.
• General Guidelines - All occupants of the building are required to comply with social distancing and hygiene guidelines from the University and public health officials, including:
  • stay home when you are sick
  • avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
  • wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose; if soap and warm water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer by rubbing into your hands for 20 seconds and letting the sanitizer completely dry before touching anything

Food is not permitted to be eaten in in-person classrooms during class meeting times. Outside of in-person class time, students can eat in the building only in the common areas on the 11 and 12 floors, in the pavilion,  and in the back row of classrooms when they are not being used. When eating or drinking you must keep at least 6 feet distance from others. 

An integral part of law school is the student life experience. Participation in student organizations, social activities, and other SLU LAW programming allows students to supplement their academic experience, build their networks, and enhance their overall enjoyment and wellness. SLU LAW is dedicated to reimagining the ways that these things can occur within a model of instruction where students are both in-person and remote. Please contact Dean Morse with any questions, or ideas.

While our goal is to be fully in-person for the spring semester, we are closely monitoring the status of the pandemic. SLU LAW administration will make decisions in accordance with public health and University guidelines as we move closer to the end of the calendar year.

All students, faculty and staff will be required to complete SLU's Campus Commitment outlining expectations for returning to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find it here.