The University is following guidance from the CDC, New York State and New York City. We will continue to communicate with you every step of the way.
Quick Facts for Fall 2020
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You must have a negative COVID-19 nasal swab test on file in order to enter the law school building. The date of your test must be within two weeks of the first day you plan to enter the building.
An additional test will be required if you develop COVID-like symptoms or have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19.
To help ensure security, we recommend you submit your COVID test through the YU Dropbox (instructions here).
If you would rather send your test by email, please send to CSLCovidTest@yu.edu if you are an upperclass or LL.M. student, and to CSLCovidTest1L@yu.edu if you are an incoming 1L student. Please send from your YU Cardozo account only, but note that we cannot guarantee its security if sent by email.
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No student or faculty member will be required to attend class in-person. All classes will be offered online and exams will be administered online during the academic year. Exams and courses will be graded according to our usual policies.
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Certain classes may have an on-campus option. Please check with the registrar for more information. LL.M. students are required to coordinate their hybrid learning plans with the Office of Graduate & International programs. Please contact Dean Myteberi at Myteberi@yu.edu.
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All clinics are operating with different protocols. Directors of each clinic and field clinic will contact their classes with details.
Information for Incoming 1L Students
1L students who opt to join an in-person class are asked to notify the law school of their decision before July 31. Students wishing to be in-person for the start of the semester must make plans to have nasal swab COVID-19 testing done in time to send the results to the email address below no later than August 15 (rapid tests will not be accepted). The date of your test must be within two weeks of the first day you plan to enter the building. Your Cardozo ID will only be validated after we have received your COVID-19 test results.
COVID-19 test results should be emailed here: CSLcovidtest1L@yu.edu (for May and Fall 1Ls only)
Information for All Students
Self-Quarantine: Students coming from certain states will be required to sign documents affirming they have self-quarantined for two weeks prior to entering the building on the first day of class. Please see the New York State travel advisories for more information.
COVID-19 Testing:
- Members of the Cardozo Community must obtain a nasal swab test prior to entering the building at the beginning of the semester (rapid tests will not be accepted). The date of your test must be within two weeks of the first day you plan to enter the building.
- An additional test will be required if you develop COVID-like symptoms or have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19. Tests must be nasal swab tests. Rapid tests will not be accepted.
- COVID-19 test results should be emailed here: CSLcovidtest@yu.edu (2L, 3L and LL.M. students only. 1Ls, please see above)
Remote Student Support and Office Hours: The offices of Student Services, Career Services, Registrar and Student Finance will be working remotely during their regular business hours. Please see here for additional information.
Law Library Services for Students: The law library will continue to provide students with resources and information via email at lawref@yu.edu, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please see here for additional information.
Suggestions for Students Working from Home: Please see here for some helpful suggestions from Francesca Acocella, Director of Student Services.
A Message from the Office Diversity and Inclusion: As a law school, there are important ways that we can come together during this time. Learn more here.
Additional Resources:
- Protecting Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus
- Yeshiva University Counseling Center (Cardozo students can set up remote sessions)
Daily Health Screenings for Students and Staff
Class times and seat assignments have been staggered to reduce congestion at the Fifth Avenue entrance. We will begin by using only this entrance. Six-foot markers will be placed on Fifth Avenue. No visitors will be allowed in the building other than faculty, staff and students attending classes or with reserved study space (this policy may change as time goes on).
To enter the building, each person must have submitted a negative COVID-19 test and complete a daily symptom monitoring checklist, including the following:
- Prior to entering the building for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak, all employees (faculty and staff) and students must obtain a nasal swab COVID test (rapid tests will not be accepted).
- Each employee and student who is cleared to return to campus must conduct symptom monitoring every day before entering the building. Monitoring will be done either with a University approved app, which we will make available for your smartphone (or, if you do not have a smartphone, by filling out a paper form that will be available at the security desk).
- A member of the security staff or other personnel will take each person’s temperature at the building entrance, using a contact-less thermometer. Those with a temperature below 100 F will be allowed to enter the building. Those with a temperature at or above 100 F will be asked to leave, told to consult their medical provider for next steps and report those next steps to Human Resources (employees) or the Dean of Students (students). Anyone sent home will not be permitted to return to the building until cleared by Human Resources (employees) or the Dean of Students (students).
The Cardozo Compact
Achieving a return to in-person classes will require a commitment by all members of our campus community to abide by our health and safety protocols. At the heart of this commitment is the tenet that each member of our community is responsible for protecting others in addition to themselves.
Each student will have to sign and abide by the Cardozo Compact, which will require compliance with our health and safety protocols. Any student who violates our Compact will be asked to leave the building and may be subject to disciplinary action, which may include being barred from our buildings for the duration of the pandemic or even suspension or dismissal from the school for serious infractions.
- Masks are required
- Social distancing of six feet or more must be maintained at all times unless impossible
- Comply with room limitations, distance markers and directional signs
- Practice good hand-washing hygiene
- Avoid informal group gatherings in the building
On-Campus Safety Protocols
Travel Advisories: Every community member returning to campus from outside of the New York area should be aware of the most current New York State travel advisories, which may mandate quarantine restrictions for those arriving from high-incidence areas. Students planning to participate in in-person classes or activities on campus will need to incorporate these mandatory quarantine periods into their plans.
Enhanced Cleaning: An enhanced building cleaning regimen will be implemented for on campus, including more frequent disinfectant cleaning of high-touch surfaces and common areas. Hand sanitizing stations will continue to be available.
Use of Library Facilities: Effective March 13, 2020, the Cardozo Law School and Law Library are closed to all visitors and guests other than current Yeshiva University and Cardozo Law students and faculty. Cardozo and other YU alumni, students enrolled in other law schools, and other library pass holders are no longer permitted to enter the Law School building or use the Library. This policy may be revisited as public health concerns dictate. See here for additional information.
Remote Student Support and Office Hours: The offices of Student Services, Career Services, Registrar and Student Finance will be working remotely during their regular business hours. Please see here for additional information.
Upgraded heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems: The University has taken steps to reduce the likelihood of the HVAC system spreading COVID-19 on the Cardozo campus, installing higher level air filters and opening vents to allow more outside air to enter the building.
Occupancy Limits and other logistics: There will be occupancy limit signs on the doors to each classroom, restroom and elevator.
Spring 2020 Information
- COVID-19 Field Placement Policy
- Grading Policy for the Spring 2020 Semester (Updated May 2020)
- Message from Yeshiva University President Ari Berman re COVID-19 Update (Updated March 25)