LLS Student FAQs

LLS welcomed new students to campus for in-person Orientation activities beginnging on Saturday, August 13. Fall 2022 instruction will begin in-person on Monday, August 22. LLS Registrar’s academic calendar section.

In-person instruction resumed for the Fall 2022 Semester begins on Monday, August 22, 2022.

All exams for the Spring 2021 semester will be open-book, take-home,unproctored exams
, except for exams in courses in the Online Tax LLM Program,which will be proctored online, as they have been since the program began in Fall2019. (Those courses have section numbers beginning with “OB.”) We need toprepare for the circumstance that any return to campus will limit in-persongatherings to small groups of people who are on campus for short periods of time,while physically distanced and wearing masks. Those limits preclude administeringproctored exams on campus, which require a far greater density of people, oncampus for a longer period of time. We cannot assume we will be able to administerexams safely on campus this spring. We also recognize students’ concerns abouttaking their exams from home, disruptions and distractions beyond their control, andvarious details of remote proctoring. As a result, our faculty has voted to extendthrough Spring 2021 the suspension of the policy requiring closed-book, in-person,proctored exams for all “bar exam” courses. Instead, exams will be open-book,take-home, and unproctored, as they will be in the fall. The length of the exam andtime allowed for the exam will be determined for each course by the professor,

Fall 2022 semester exams are expected to be primarily in-person, subject to evolving public health regulations. Exams for students in the online Graduate Tax Program will take exams virtually as usual.

Student Accessibility Services, in the Office of Student Affairs, is continuing to work in support of our current and prospective students. Please visit the Student Accessibility webpage or email accessibility@lls.edu.

The William M. Rains Library is open. The library's hours are available online. Many of the William M. Rains Library’s collections and services are accessible online. Librarians are available for research or reference assistance. A special digital library is available. Additionally, students have access to CALI (Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction) for supplementary class materials, including a full list of lessons. Please visit the Library's COVID-19 Resources page for more information.

Librarians are available for research or reference assistance. Students may contact reference@lls.edu with any questions or set up a virtual research appointment. Please visit the Library's COVID-19 Resources page for further details. 

Please visit the law school Registrar’s section.

Thanks to the generosity of Richard Stack '73 and The Hugh & Hazel Darling Foundation, the AccessLex Institute, the DSBA, ESBA, and entire student body, the Loyola Law School Board of Governors, as well as alumni, staff, faculty, and friends of Loyola Law School, the LMU Loyola Law School Student Emergency Fund provides emergency relief for currently enrolled students who are experiencing unexpected hardships as a result of COVID-19. Students who are suddenly unable to pay for basic necessities such as food, medical care, and housing, or who are faced with unanticipated costs as a result of shifting to a virtual learning environment, may apply for a grant of up to $500.

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LLS Campus Operations has implemented new sanitation measures on campus, including but not limited to the following:

• All high-touch areas (including elevator buttons, main door entrances, etc.) are cleaned with EPA-approved disinfectants three times per day.
• Housekeeping will continue to dust, remove trash, and clean the floor, door handles and light switches in personal offices. Cleaning supplies will be provided to departments for faculty and staff to regularly self-clean and sanitize their personal work spaces. 
• Water fountains are disinfected three times per day. All fountains are filtered, have been maintained within the past year, and are primarily used as refill stations. All water fountains will have hand sanitizer nearby.
• Ventilation filters are  replaced every 3-4 months in line with guidance from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). In consultation with an industry leading HVAC contractor with specific expertise, we have upgraded all LLS HVAC systems. We have doubled the filter change intervals to four times per year, and we have upgraded all filters to the MERV 13 standard. We have increased air circulation and the percentage of outside air to the maximum possible range (18-20%).
• Classrooms are cleaned between courses, and deep cleaned every night.
• Public study areas are deep cleaned every night.

Sonia’s Café is open for weekday operations. Starting on Monday, August 22, it will be open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Fridays.

Internal meetings and events are now generally permitted, and events with external guests have also resumed. Please make event reservations with Information & Support Services for the fall semester using the 25Live Scheduling Portal.  

Students deciding to relocate to Los Angeles should carefully consider how COVID-19 may impact their decision on when or whether to renew an existing lease or rent a new apartment. LLS Student Affairs recommends that students carefully review and negotiate their lease terms. Many rental agreements/leases may not provide prorated charges or the ability to cancel/terminate early. We encourage students to engage their landlords related to COVID-19 circumstances. Some questions to ask and understand are:

• Can you rent for a shorter term (10 months) or month-to-month?
• What will you owe if you must terminate the lease early?
• What If move out for summer, can you sublet, terminate early? How?  
• Are you allowed to add roommates to your lease?

Law school administrators are in close communication with local and regional health authorities, as well as colleagues at the Westchester campus, to ensure we can welcome students back to campus safely and securely, and no decision is made without consulting public health officials.

We look forward to welcoming members of the LLS community back to campus for the start of fall semester classes on Monday, August 22. As we remain nimble and responsive to quickly changing circumstances, we will share updates about our plans and preparations for the fall semester. 

Fall classes will begin on campus on August 16. As has been previously announced for students and faculty/staff, proof of COVID vaccination is required for the fall semester absent a vaccination exemption based on qualifying medical or religious reasons. To upload your COVID-19 vaccination record at Vax LMU, simply click on the upload button below on your phone, snap a photo of your vaccination card once you're in the app and submit. If you need help uploading your vaccination card, you may contact Human Resources (310.338.2723, hr@lmu.edu) for staff, or the LLS Office of Student Affairs (213.736.8151, studentaffairs@lls.edu) for students.

The law school continues to refine comprehensive strategies for infection control ahead and is addressing every facet of campus life. In all instances, we will follow directives from public health authorities. LLS is undertaking precautions that include:

Masking protocol:

Current public health protocols require that everyone wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status, unless you are alone in a private office with the door closed. We urge all LLS community members to comply on campus, and to take precautions off campus as well for your own well-being and for the safety of our community. Masking outdoors, while not required if you are vaccinated (or unvaccinated and maintaining 6 feet of physical distance from others), will model cautious, community protecting behavior for students. Masking consistently will also help reduce the risk of stigma for unvaccinated community members who must mask outdoors when they cannot maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others, or for any individuals in our community who would prefer to stay masked.

We understand many of you are concerned about tools for enforcing mask protocols. We are determining the enforcement mechanism and anticipate sharing that before the start of classes.

Contact Tracing:

LMU’s COVID-19 Support Team oversees contact investigation and communication with individuals who test positive or are exposed to others who test positive for COVID. Consistent with L.A. County’s Exposure Management Plan for Higher Education, in the event of a positive case, the LMU Support Team (trained by Johns Hopkins University) immediately initiates contact investigation and provides instructions for home isolation (and quarantine for those exposed), and also notifies the individuals when they have been cleared to return to campus. 

The Support Team also provides a list of all individuals exposed to the positive case to the L.A. County Department of Public Health within one business day. These individuals are also notified that L.A. County Department of Public Health will contact them directly, through the LACDPH Case and Contact Investigation Program. 

If you test positive for COVID, please contact the COVID Support Team at COVIDSupportTeam@lmu.edu or 310-568-6868, and stay home until cleared by the COVID Support Team.

Air Filtration:

In consultation with an industry leading HVAC contractor with specific expertise, we have upgraded all LLS HVAC systems. We have doubled the filter change intervals to four times per year, and we have upgraded all filters to the MERV 13 standard. We have increased air circulation and the percentage of outside air to the maximum possible range (18-20%).

Face masks are not required on campus, regardless of vaccination status. 

Do I need to wear a mask while on campus?
LMU continues to align our policies with L.A. County Department of Public Health requirements and guidance from regional, state, and federal public health authorities. As of August 17, 2022, masks are not required on LMU campuses. Masks are still required at Student Health Services, Student Psychological Services, and the LMU shuttles, per county and state guidelines for healthcare and public transportation settings. 

What type of mask should I wear?
L.A. County Public Health recommends surgical masks, N95 and KN95 respirators. Bandanas and scarves are not recommended. You can view L.A. County Public Health's full face mask recommendations here. 

May I wear a face shield instead?
Face shields with drapes are permitted as a reasonable accommodation only. To submit a request to use a face shield, students should contact DSS and faculty and staff should contact HR.

How do I request an N95 mask?
As a reminder, LLS students, faculty, staff, and visitors may obtain masks at the Information Center, which is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays. 

Other updates and information are available in the Masking section of the A-Z Need to Know Inde.

Please see the Isolation/Quarantine section of LMU's Need to Know A-Z Index for current information.

LLS Campus Operations will implement new sanitation measures ahead of any potential return to campus, including but not limited to the following:

• All high-touch areas (including elevator buttons, main door entrances, etc.) will be cleaned with EPA-approved disinfectants three times per day.
• Housekeeping will continue to dust, remove trash, and clean the floor, door handles and light switches in personal offices. Cleaning supplies will be provided to departments for faculty and staff to regularly self-clean and sanitize their personal work spaces. 
• Water fountains will be disinfected three times per day. All fountains are filtered, have been maintained within the past year, and are primarily used as refill stations. All water fountains will have hand sanitizer nearby.
• Classrooms will be cleaned between courses, and deep cleaned every night.
• Public study areas will be deep cleaned every night.

The health and safety of the LLS community is our first priority. We have enacted a number of measures in this regard, including:

Masking protocol

Current public health protocols require that everyone wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, unless you are alone in a private office with the door closed. We urge all LLS community members to comply on campus, and to take precautions off campus as well for your own well-being and for the safety of our community. Masking outdoors, while not required if you are vaccinated (or unvaccinated and maintaining 6 feet of physical distance from others), will model cautious, community protecting behavior for students. Masking consistently will also help reduce the risk of stigma for unvaccinated students who must mask outdoors when they cannot maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others, or for any individuals in our community who would prefer to stay masked.

We understand many of you are concerned about tools for enforcing mask protocols. We are determining the enforcement mechanism and anticipate sharing that before the start of classes.

Contact Tracing

LMU’s COVID-19 Support Team oversees contact investigation and communication with individuals who test positive or are exposed to others who test positive for COVID. Consistent with L.A. County’s Exposure Management Plan for Higher Education, in the event of a positive case, the LMU Support Team (trained by Johns Hopkins University) immediately initiates contact investigation and provides instructions for home isolation (and quarantine for those exposed), and also notifies the individuals when they have been cleared to return to campus. 

The Support Team also provides a list of all individuals exposed to the positive case to the L.A. County Department of Public Health within one business day. These individuals are also notified that L.A. County Department of Public Health will contact them directly, through the LACDPH Case and Contact Investigation Program.

If you test positive for COVID, please contact the COVID Support Team at COVIDSupportTeam@lmu.edu or 310-568-6868, and stay home until cleared by the COVID Support Team.

Air Filtration

In consultation with an industry leading HVAC contractor with specific expertise, we have upgraded all LLS HVAC systems. We have doubled the filter change intervals to four times per year, and we have upgraded all filters to the MERV 13 standard.  We have increased air circulation and the percentage of outside air to the maximum possible range (18-20%). 

• Hand sanitizer stations have been installed near entrances to campus buildings, offices, classrooms, library study areas, dining areas, elevator lobbies, breakrooms, large open spaces and other areas.
• Restrooms have extra soap dispensers installed and are deep cleaned every night.

A limited number of LLS facemasks are available for students, faculty and staff. Please inquire at the Security Office or the Information Center.

If you test positive for COVID, please contact the COVID Support Team at COVIDSupportTeam@lmu.edu or 310-568-6868, and stay home until cleared by the COVID Support Team.

Isolation and Quarantine Requirements 

Fully vaccinated in Vax LMU: 

• If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, contact the COVID Support Team to arrange for testing, isolation instructions, and resources. A negative test is required to return to campus, and can be obtained through a coordinated curbside test on campus or through your medical provider. 
• If you were exposed to a positive case in the last 10 days, you are exempt from quarantine. We recommend that you get tested 3 -5 days after exposure, and if you develop symptoms or test positive, immediately isolate and contact the COVID Support Team. 

If not fully vaccinated in Vax LMU: 

• If you were exposed to a COVID-positive case in the last 10 days: 
  • Quarantine, and contact the COVID Support Team. 

• If you develop COVID-related symptoms: 
  • Isolate immediately, and contact the COVID Support Team. 

More information is available at https://www.lmu.edu/together/resources/matrix/#covid. 

You are already aware that LLS Student Affairs provides student wellness resources in addition to the offerings by the university's Student Psychological Services. But did you know there are new 2021 Wellness Groups & Workshops that include options exclusively for graduate students like you? Please see the Wellness Groups & Workshops page for more information.