Message from Vice Dean Todd Brown
Dear Students,
One week ago, we announced that the law school is implementing its distance learning contingency plan, consistent with the directives of Governor Cuomo, UB President Tripathi, and UB Provost Weber.
Additional guidance from SUNY indicates that students’ physical presence on campus or at placements offsite to meet any academic requirements, including clinics, externships, practicum and experiential classes or any other courses, is not required until further notice. Remote participation options or other accommodations such as alternative work assignments for these courses will be made available, as needed. Please contact law-clinic@buffalo.edu with any questions regarding experiential coursework. More details will follow.
To assist you with our transition to distance learning, several members of the faculty and staff will host distance learning orientation sessions via Zoom (https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting) for students this weekend. To save bandwidth and ensure space for everyone, we are breaking out the sessions as follows:
- Students with last names beginning with A-L - Saturday, March 21, at 10:00 a.m.
- Students with last names beginning with M-Z - Sunday, March 22, at 2:00 p.m.
Although these sessions are voluntary, we believe that they may be useful in addressing questions that many of you may have, including:
- The distance learning methods your professors may use;
- The effective use of distance learning technology;
- Meeting expectations (your professors’ and your own) in a distance learning framework;
- Where to report and obtain assistance concerning technological, personal, and course-related issues;
- Utilizing other student services (including career services and bar application processing) remotely;
- The impact of this transition on final exams.
Attending a Session Remotely.
Please note that we recommend attending through the link provided below or through the Zoom app. We may have visual references, which you will not be able to see if you dial in.
Accessing the meeting online. To access one of the sessions online, please use the following link: https://buffalolaw.zoom.us/j/889924326.
Accessing the meeting through the Zoom App. The Zoom App is available for download for your computer, phone, or tablet HERE (https://www.zoom.us/download#client_4meeting). If you are logging in through the Zoom App, please enter 889 924 326 when prompted for a Meeting ID.
Accessing the meeting by phone. To connect to one of the sessions by phone, please dial (646) 558-8656 and use Meeting ID 889 924 326 when prompted.
Getting Started with Zoom.
We will be using Zoom for this session because several faculty have indicated that they intend to use the platform, at least to some extent, to assist with distance learning in their courses.
If you are new to Zoom, the Getting Started resource page on the Zoom website answers most setup and other technical questions (including step-by-step instructions for different devices, system requirements for the app, and troubleshooting for common problems). You should also review our Quick Start Guide (http://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697) available on our COVID-19 Student Resources webpage.
Other Reminders.
In advance of the orientation sessions, please be aware of the resources available to provide new information as it becomes available. These resources include:
- law.buffalo.edu/covid-19-student-resources – The law school’s webpage for our students where you can find distance learning resources, updates, and other information to assist you throughout the spring semester.
- UB Alert (http://emergency.buffalo.edu/sign_up.html) – UB’s free service that delivers text messages and email messages to UB students, faculty, and staff.
- The UB Coronavirus Dashboard (https://www.buffalo.edu/coronavirus/dashboard.html) - The University’s website provides the latest guidance and updates from authoritative sources, including information regarding travel restrictions, the university’s housing and dining policies (including refunds for those leaving campus), and other helpful FAQs.
- SIP (the Student Information Portal) (https://web2.law.buffalo.edu/sip/) for updates and postings on law school events, activities, and announcements.
- Email - Check your email regularly as your professors and instructors will reach out to you with information specific to your courses.
If you have specific questions about the transition to distance learning or your personal situation, please feel free to reach out.
General questions. Please email any general questions about the academic continuity plan, law school policies, or other matters related to the transition to distance learning to law-student-questions@buffalo.edu.
Specific matters. If you need assistance with issues related to your specific issues or concerns, please contact Vice Dean for Student Affairs Bernadette Gargano at gargano@buffalo.edu to schedule a time for an appointment by phone.
You may also use a variety of other resources, including:
- Counseling Services - 716-645-2720
After-Hours Counseling - 716-645-2222 (Ask the UPD for the on-call counselor)
Crisis Services - 716-834-3131
Health Concerns - 716-829-3316 or your personal/family doctor
Sincerely,
S. Todd Brown
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs