COVID-19 Law School Update
To the Law School Community:
First, let me extend my appreciation and best wishes to all of you during a challenging time. As we continue to receive important updates from Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Public Health, and President Gabel on the University of Minnesota’s efforts to keep our students, staff, and faculty healthy and safe with the current COVID-19 public health concern, I am reaching out to update you on the Law School’s plans.
To be sure, there are no clear templates for what the world, our country, Minnesota, and legal education is facing right now; this is uncharted territory for everyone. We will need to pull together as a community with creativity, patience, and resilience. The Law School is set to begin online instruction starting this Wednesday, March 18th for a minimum of two weeks. While our leadership, faculty, and staff are working hard to explore and implement options, we are especially asking for flexibility and patience from everyone in our community as we make this transition. We do not expect it will be easy, but I am confident that everyone will navigate this extraordinary time with support for one another and an understanding of our shared goals in continuing the Law School’s important work. The University will reassess whether to resume in-person instruction, or extend online courses, and we will keep you informed as soon as those decisions are made.
While the Law School does vitally important work, none of it is technically deemed essential, and, as such, all faculty and staff will work remotely. This means that until further notice, employees should not be coming into Mondale Hall for work. Some of you may need to come in Monday or Tuesday to pick up materials you will need to work from home. This is acceptable. But if you come into the building, you must practice social distancing and your time should be limited.
University updates on found on the Safe Campus site and we continue to update the Law School’s Emergency Preparedness site with resources and information on options for remote learning and work.
Please continue to be safe, make healthy choices, and take care of each other (from afar). Be well. Wash your hands. Practice social distancing. As you do, you will also be helping countless others. We are all in this together!
In gratitude,
Garry W. Jenkins
Dean & William S. Pattee Professor of Law
University of Minnesota Law School
