September 23, 2020

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

I want to start by thanking all of you for your exceptional efforts over the past two weeks.  The rise in on-campus positive tests and consequent pause of in-person instruction wasn’t what any of us were hoping for.  But you’ve handled these changes with remarkable resilience and adaptability.  The Law School community has generally acted responsibly throughout this period, not only following the health and safety protocols that were prescribed at the start of the semester, but also observing appropriate safety measures – including wearing face coverings and physical distancing – while off campus.  We appreciate your efforts.

By now, you’ve probably seen the Chancellor’s message announcing the resumption of in-person instruction after Friday.   Classes that were in-person or hybrid at the start of the semester are cleared to resume that mode of instruction as soon as next week, though some classes may not resume in-person instruction immediately.  Instructors should be in touch with their students by Friday to let them know their plans.  Any instruction that was designated remote before the pause will remain remote. 

Please remember that access to the Law School building is generally limited to Law School students, faculty, and staff, or others with a business reason for being there.  Accordingly, we ask that you wear your Gargoyle lanyard when in the building. The library and other public spaces within the law building will be open starting Monday, though please make sure to wear face coverings and maintain physical distancing. 

We realize that the University’s decision regarding the resumption of classes does not comport with everyone’s preferences.  The reality, however, is that the likelihood of transmission within our classrooms and building – given the precautions that have been implemented and will remain in effect – are extremely low.  There remains no evidence of transmission in classrooms.  The increase in cases that we saw among students earlier this month was occurring through other means, particularly off-campus activities and in undergraduate dormitories.  There are, moreover, significant benefits to in-person instruction, as the University has recognized. 

You may consult the Law School’s COVID Student Updates page (including its FAQs) or the University’s Smart Restart site for more information.  As noted above, instructors will be reaching out regarding the mode of instruction for formerly in-person or hybrid classes. Students who do not hear from their instructor by mid-day Friday, or who have questions or concerns about the modality, may direct them to Lauren Devine (lauren.devine@wisc.edu). Student questions or concerns regarding non-course matters may be directed to Emily Kite (emily.kite@wisc.edu).

Thank you again for the exemplary way in which most of you have responded to the challenges we’ve already faced this semester.  There are sure to be more ahead, but I know that we are up to them.  We will get through this together!

Dean Dan

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