Column

From the Dean

“I have heard enormous praise from our students about how their professors have adapted and how learning has continued.”

—Erwin Chemerinsky

We’re in This Together

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones doing as well as possible under these difficult circumstances.

The past several weeks are unlike anything any of us ever has experienced, or hopefully ever will experience again. We are all dealing with anxieties from a new disease and stresses from the dislocation of our daily lives. We have transitioned to an entirely online form of education, seen the Law School and the campus closed, and been ordered to “shelter in place.”

Yet, with stunning success Berkeley Law has remained operational and classes have continued uninterrupted. I have heard enormous praise from our students about how their professors have adapted and how learning has continued.

On Monday, March 9, the campus announced that all instruction would be by distance learning starting the next day, and on Tuesday we successfully transitioned to Zoom, a web-based conferencing service. More than words can express, I am grateful to everyone for their patience and tremendous efforts to make this work.

The Law School continues to operate, even after it and the campus were closed on Monday, March 16. In addition to classes, there have been regular meetings and events. Faculty continue to hold office hours, albeit by Zoom. We are looking to increase our online community events. This is a time when we most need the support of each other, and yet this is much more difficult when we are kept separate.

Our Pro Bono Program office provides opportunities for our students and faculty to do pro bono work, especially on the many issues arising as a result of the coronavirus. It is a reflection of our public mission that so many students and faculty are eager to do this.

I have been so grateful to be part of this wonderful, supportive community at this strange and scary time. None of us ever will forget this spring, but I expect that among the things we will remember most are the resilience of this community and the unfailing kindness and compassion of our students, staff, and faculty.

Never before has the phrase “take care” seemed more important. Never before has the phrase “we’re all in this together” seemed more apt. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if I or the Law School administration can be of assistance in any way.

Warm regards,