I’m reaching out to update you on Fordham Law’s response to the coronavirus threat as events have been unfolding rapidly. I want to assure you that there are no confirmed or suspected cases of the virus at the Law School or the University.
I also want to acknowledge that these are stressful times and I understand you may have concerns about your health and safety. Please be assured that I am devoting my time to working with the University and Law School administration to protect our community and to address your concerns. The university is continually updating this page with information and resources on the coronavirus and we wish to provide all Fordham Law community members with the latest updates in support of our collective effort to keep everyone healthy and safe.
For now, the following is what we are recommending, but as this situation unfolds, we will all need to be measured and flexible in our continued response to developments.
- At this time, businesses, public transport, places of employment and institutions of learning – with the exception of those directly impacted by confirmed coronavirus exposure – remain open and are functioning. The Law School is still in session and classes are continuing. If you are concerned about attending class due to a specific risk factor for yourself or someone in your immediate household, please contact Assistant Dean Kimathi Gordon Somers ([email protected]) to discuss accommodations that can be made.
- Please follow the prevention practices detailed in this University communication. If you have had contact with anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus or if you have been in a region that the Centers for Disease Control has identified as particularly impacted, you must contact Assistant Dean Darin Neely ([email protected]) and may not enter the building or campus without specific approval.
- Any student experiencing symptoms (which may be similar to the flu or common cold, and may include fever and coughing) should call (rather than visit) University Health Services (UHS) immediately at (212) 636-7160.
- Due to growing concerns about international travel, all Law School-sponsored student international travel is suspended for the remainder of the semester. This includes travel organized through competition programs, centers and institutes, classes, and public service programs. We are hoping that Fordham Law’s summer programs abroad will continue, but we are monitoring the situation closely. Student trips within the country are being determined on a case-by-case basis. If you are scheduled to attend one of these trips you should discuss the travel status with your trip’s organizer.
- The facilities staff is undertaking additional steps to provide for the safety of our building, including increased cleaning generally as well as a particular focus on surfaces that are frequently touched, such as knobs, push bars on doors, classroom desktops, elevator buttons, and other surfaces. The cleaning solution used has been certified as appropriate for dealing with the coronavirus. Additional hand sanitizer stations have been placed around the building.