From the Dean - COVID Protocols - Feb. 10

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
 
Several of you have asked whether the Law School plans to change its safety protocols now that the governor has dropped the statewide mask mandate for businesses.  I write tonight to try to address your questions.
 
It has been, and continues to be, the goal of Albany Law School to provide a safe and robust in-person learning and working experience. For now, while the transmission and hospital rates in Albany County remain high, safety concerns require us to continue our strict protocols, including masking, limited activities, and surveillance testing.  
 
At the same time, we are constantly monitoring the public health situation, in consultation with public health experts, to determine whether and when we can make changes that allow for more robust in-person activities.  
 
We will continue to be in touch, and will let you know if and when it is deemed safe to make changes to our protocols.
 
We recognize that individuals have strong, sometimes opposing views, on how best to handle the Covid pandemic at Albany Law School.  Many of you would make different judgments were you responsible for the community.  I know that is frustrating.  To the extent it matters, I want to assure you that I and the rest of the leadership team at the law school care deeply about you, your professors, and your staff.  We are making the best judgments we can to ensure our community remains safe and our school remains open for in-person learning.  We are deeply grateful for your continued cooperation.
 
My best,

Alicia Ouellette