Author: dp105

Dear Akron Law students, faculty, and staff,

In order to implement President Miller’s recent announcement regarding campus operations during the COVID-19 outbreak, the School of Law is taking the following steps:

• All courses will be taught in online format through the end of the spring semester.  Final exams will be administered on a take-home basis during the revised exam period (May 7-15).  While the exact format and timing of exams will differ by course, students should assume for now that their exams will take place at the date and time provided in the revised exam schedule, which is posted on Brightspace.  We will work with faculty to plan and administer exams as fairly and efficiently as possible.  More information will follow.

• Beginning Wednesday, March 18^th, building access will be limited to essential personnel and activities only.  Students, faculty, and most administrators and staff will not have access to the building absent a compelling reason.  If you have any items you need to retrieve from the building to facilitate your working or studying remotely, please retrieve them no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17^th.  You will need your swipe card or key to access the building after 5:00 pm today (Monday, March 16^th).  After 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17^th, swipe cards will not work and access will be limited to essential personnel.  If you think you have a compelling reason to access the building after Tuesday, March 17^th, please send an email to Dean Janoski-Haehlen (ejanoskihaehlen@uakron.edu), Assistant Dean Bobbs (bobbs@uakron.edu), and me (cpeters1@uakron.edu) explaining when you would need building access and the reason for the access.

• Class registration will open on Monday, March 30^th at noon.  The mandatory advising session will be made available on Brightspace.

• Faculty, administrators, and staff will continue to be available for students during this period.  Students should not hesitate to contact the appropriate person to request a meeting by phone or Webex.  Faculty email addresses are here, adjunct faculty emails are here, administrators’ emails are here, and staff emails are here.

We also have received questions from students scheduled to graduate in May.  We understand your concern about whether the commencement ceremony will take place as scheduled on May 17^th.  As of now, the University has not decided whether any of the commencement ceremonies will go forward as planned.  (That is a University decision, not a School of Law decision.)  It remains possible that our commencement will go forward on May 17^th, or that it could be rescheduled for a later date.  We will let you know as soon as we have any additional relevant information.

I know these ongoing events have added more stress to what is already a stressful time of the semester.  While the circumstances are hardly ideal, we have a plan in place that will allow every student to finish the semester and (where applicable) graduate and sit for the bar on time.  We are committed to our students’ success and to giving our students the support they will need to achieve it.

We also are committed to the health and safety of every member of the Akron Law family.  Please monitor the University’s COVID-19 updates page and carefully follow expert recommendations regarding hygiene and social distancing, which can be found on the Ohio Department of Health website.

Stay well,

CJP

Christopher J. (C.J.) Peters │ Dean

C. Blake McDowell, Jr. Professor
The University of Akron School of Law                                 

C. Blake McDowell Law Center │ Akron, OH 44325-2901

t: 330.972.7343 │ f: 330.972.7337 │ cpeters1@uakron.edu

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE │ PROVEN SUCCESS │ PROUDLY AKRON

UA has a variety of support and resources available on our campus for students who may need some assistance in the coming weeks. 

Recognize signs of distress — Signs of distress include fear, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness, and voiced concerns of panic or worry. If you are concerned about a Zip, please encourage them to seek resources and support. A starting point is the Help-A-Zip Referral program as well as the Counseling and Testing Center.

Food  — Students needing access to food can utilize the Campus Cupboard program. Students may request a bag of items [to be picked up in Simmons Hall] through the Zips Care Package program web form online.

If finances are deeply impacted, some students may become newly eligible for government support, such as SNAP, if their jobs are affected. Assistance is available to help guide students through the application process. 

Emergency Aid — For those facing unexpected loss of wages during this time or in need of emergency financial assistance, guidance and resources may be available through the Student Emergency Financial Assistance [SEFA] program. Students are encouraged to complete a Help-A-Zip Referral online. 

• Help-A-Zip Referral Form
• Campus Cupboard

Community Support: 

The Salvation Army of Summit County is a support partner for our University of Akron students. 

• Students needing food access can receive a daily, hot meal between 12pm-12:45 at 190 S. Maple St Akron, OH 44302. 
• In addition, UA students can request access to a bag of food items each week by calling 330-762-8481. 
• Please let them know you are an enrolled UA student seeking support.  Per the regular protocol, may be asked to provide your UA ID and/or a current class schedule. 

Students who are worried about utility shut-off notices are encouraged to review provider websites, as many have suspended shutting off service during this time.  If you are concerned, the Salvation Army may be able to assist you with calls to providers such as utilities or landlords. You are encouraged to call 330-762-8481. Please let the desk know that you are a UA student seeking support. 

2-1-1 Summit County Resource Database can be access by going to www.211summit.org or by phone at 330-376-6660. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

• Questions such as food pantries, medical access, utilities, and more can be answered through this call center, powered by the United Way of Summit County. 
• Important information can be found here: http://www.211summit.org/Resources.aspx

The United Way of Summit County will continue to provide free, confidential financial coaching for UA students during this time.  You are encouraged to schedule an appointment with UAs liaison from United Way, Tory Longwill, via the online scheduling system or through an email to uazipassist@uakron.edu 

• During this time, appointments are being held through a video-call feature and more openings [other than Wednesdays] may be available by emailing uazipassist@uakron.edu 
• Schedule here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14441658&calendarID=2277201

Unemployment information is available through the Department of Job and Family Services. If you are currently laid off, due to COVID-19, you are highly encouraged to review the Q/A found here: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm. Many local businesses such as Acme, GOJO, and Meijer are hiring immediately.  We encourage you to visit Handshake [https://uakron.joinhandshake.com/login] and other online search engines for companies looking to fill pivotal openings. 

If you are concerned about the ability to access your courses due to COVID-19, please complete a Help-A-Zip Referral – Emergency Assistance.  A member of the ZipAssist team can provide direction and resources.  Please be detailed in your questions or concerns. Website: www.uakron.edu/referral 

Local internet providers are offering short-term deals or free access.  Companies such as Comcast and Spectrum released information recently about this discounted access. https://www.xfinity.com/student and https://mobile.spectrum.com/support/article/360040980371/coronavirus-covid19-update

All:

The Fall 2020 Mandatory Advising Session video and schedule are now available on the Law Student Resources Brightspace page.

The video contains important information, including but not limited to:

• Dates to make up classes missed between March 10 and March 20.
• Final Exams – we will provide additional information when we have the exam schedule finalized
• Fall classes and registration requirements – note the changes to the GWR requirement and when you are required to take ALR
• Deadlines to apply for December 2020 and May 2021 graduation
• Ohio Bar Application Deadlines
• Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) dates
• Pro Bono Requirements

You are responsible for reviewing the video and complying with all deadlines and requirements included in the video.

Attention New York Bar Applicants: Please be aware that the change to online classes for the remainder of the semester may affect compliance with NY Rule 520.3(c)(6) on distance education: http://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/520rules10.htm#3. We will seek a programmatic waiver but please keep this in mind if you plan to take the NY bar and want to register for online classes.

Please send any questions to lawstudentaffairs@uakron.edu

Dear Akron Law students, faculty, and staff,

In order to implement President Miller’s recent announcement regarding campus operations during the COVID-19 outbreak, the School of Law is taking the following steps:

• All courses will be taught in online format through the end of the spring semester.  Final exams will be administered on a take-home basis during the revised exam period (May 7-15).  While the exact format and timing of exams will differ by course, students should assume for now that their exams will take place at the date and time provided in the revised exam schedule, which is posted on Brightspace.  We will work with faculty to plan and administer exams as fairly and efficiently as possible.  More information will follow.

• Beginning Wednesday, March 18^th, building access will be limited to essential personnel and activities only.  Students, faculty, and most administrators and staff will not have access to the building absent a compelling reason.  If you have any items you need to retrieve from the building to facilitate your working or studying remotely, please retrieve them no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17^th.  You will need your swipe card or key to access the building after 5:00 pm today (Monday, March 16^th).  After 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17^th, swipe cards will not work and access will be limited to essential personnel.  If you think you have a compelling reason to access the building after Tuesday, March 17^th, please send an email to Dean Janoski-Haehlen (ejanoskihaehlen@uakron.edu), Assistant Dean Bobbs (bobbs@uakron.edu), and me (cpeters1@uakron.edu) explaining when you would need building access and the reason for the access.

• Class registration will open on Monday, March 30^th at noon.  The mandatory advising session will be made available on Brightspace.

• Faculty, administrators, and staff will continue to be available for students during this period.  Students should not hesitate to contact the appropriate person to request a meeting by phone or Webex.  Faculty email addresses are here, adjunct faculty emails are here, administrators’ emails are here, and staff emails are here.

We also have received questions from students scheduled to graduate in May.  We understand your concern about whether the commencement ceremony will take place as scheduled on May 17^th.  As of now, the University has not decided whether any of the commencement ceremonies will go forward as planned.  (That is a University decision, not a School of Law decision.)  It remains possible that our commencement will go forward on May 17^th, or that it could be rescheduled for a later date.  We will let you know as soon as we have any additional relevant information.

I know these ongoing events have added more stress to what is already a stressful time of the semester.  While the circumstances are hardly ideal, we have a plan in place that will allow every student to finish the semester and (where applicable) graduate and sit for the bar on time.  We are committed to our students’ success and to giving our students the support they will need to achieve it.

We also are committed to the health and safety of every member of the Akron Law family.  Please monitor the University’s COVID-19 updates page and carefully follow expert recommendations regarding hygiene and social distancing, which can be found on the Ohio Department of Health website.

Stay well,

CJP

Christopher J. (C.J.) Peters │ Dean

C. Blake McDowell, Jr. Professor
The University of Akron School of Law                                 

C. Blake McDowell Law Center │ Akron, OH 44325-2901

t: 330.972.7343 │ f: 330.972.7337 │ cpeters1@uakron.edu

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE │ PROVEN SUCCESS │ PROUDLY AKRON

All:

The Fall 2020 Mandatory Advising Session video and schedule are now available on the Law Student Resources Brightspace page.

The video contains important information, including but not limited to:

• Dates to make up classes missed between March 10 and March 20.
• Final Exams – we will provide additional information when we have the exam schedule finalized
• Fall classes and registration requirements – note the changes to the GWR requirement and when you are required to take ALR
• Deadlines to apply for December 2020 and May 2021 graduation
• Ohio Bar Application Deadlines
• Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) dates
• Pro Bono Requirements

You are responsible for reviewing the video and complying with all deadlines and requirements included in the video.

Attention New York Bar Applicants: Please be aware that the change to online classes for the remainder of the semester may affect compliance with NY Rule 520.3(c)(6) on distance education: http://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/520rules10.htm#3. We will seek a programmatic waiver but please keep this in mind if you plan to take the NY bar and want to register for online classes.

Please send any questions to lawstudentaffairs@uakron.edu