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 are working over the summer to adapt 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 encouraged to use Blackboard or TWEN for course management and they will communicate directly with their students during the summer with specific details regarding delivery methods for their courses.

Although the University has adjusted the academic calendar for undergraduate and graduate programs, the SLU LAW academic calendar has not changed. Fall 2020 semester classes will begin on August 17, and classes will end prior to Thanksgiving break. Students will not be expected to return in person after classes end, and any exam or instruction administered after Thanksgiving will be done remotely (building access for the post-Thanksgiving time period will be decided later in the semester). The law school academic calendar can be found here.

• 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 may deliver 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.
• Please note: 1L sections are assigned and students cannot select their course schedules.

• For upper-division students, faculty will communicate about how their courses will be delivered. If a student would like to discuss their individual circumstances for a course, they should contact the professor.
• For first-year students, the Admissions Office will be contacting you in late June to collect more information on your preferred modality. We ask that you notify the Admission’s Office of your intentions by July 6, 2020.

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 VIII.

Yes. Students will be able to defer their admission and any scholarship assistance awarded directly from SLU LAW to our Fall 2021 entering class. Deferment requests need to be submitted via email by July 6, 2020 to Dean Kolnik.

SLU LAW is currently working to maximize the opportunity for classes to be held in-person this fall. While 1L Orientation will be delivered online, classes will begin on August 17, and we encourage all students to arrive/return to and be settled in St. Louis by August 10.

All students will be expected to participate in classes at the times they are offered. Some class start/end times have been adjusted slightly from the schedule published in the spring to allow for staggered physical presence in the building’s common spaces, stairwells, and elevators. Any changes to class times are reflected on the Fall 2020 course schedule.

Currently, we anticipate that 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.  At this time, all emergency relief grants are expended.  We are hopeful that future university fundraising efforts will include additional relief funds for law students.  We will communicate with you via your SLU email address to identify students in need if those opportunities arise.  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 and disinfecting wipes will be placed throughout the building and regularly restocked, to be used in addition to regular sanitation by housekeeping personnel.
• Building Hours - Scott Hall remains open from 6:00 am - Midnight, seven days per week, only to SLU students, staff and faculty. Your University ID is required to access Scott Hall.
• Movement Throughout the Building -
  • The Fall 2020 course schedule has been adjusted slightly from the usual time blocks to stagger the start/end times of some classes to limit traffic in the common areas of the building
  • 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. 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, or traveling through the building, including in the elevators and stairwells.
• Masks - Masks are required to be worn by everyone in the building while in class, in common areas, and around other people. 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 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 water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)

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. SLU LAW administrators are researching possibilities and experimenting with platforms in order to bring students the extracurricular events and programs that typically saturate our academic calendar. We are also seeking input from and collaborating with students, the University, and other law schools to create resources. In the coming weeks, there will be more information available to students about upcoming opportunities and a toolkit about how to facilitate your own programs. 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.