ORLANDO, Fla – Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law Dean Deidré Keller has announced that all classes will be taught online during the Fall 2020 semester in accordance with the recommendation of the College of Law Reopening Task Force.
“While we recognize that this is a shift in direction, we have made this decision because we believe it is in the best interest of our students, faculty and staff,” said Keller, who began her tenure as dean and professor of law on July 1.
The Task Force considered a number of issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, including current outbreak numbers, the influx of students moving to Central Florida, health risks, student concerns, class sizes, classroom sizes, and the actions of public schools, universities and colleges.
In response to the pandemic, classes for the more than 500 FAMU Law students have been taught online since March 23. Fall classes begin Monday, August 10 and the law school had planned to deliver courses using a hybrid model, with some classes taught in the classroom under strict sanitation requirements, and others taught online.
“We’ve concluded that given the current trends, there is a significant possibility of circumstances evolving such that online instruction becomes necessary at some point during the semester,” Keller added.
The law school will address the impact of the transition to online instruction with incoming and current students, faculty and staff through additional communications, including virtual town hall meetings set for July 9.
“The timing of this communication is intended to give students, faculty, and staff as much notice of the change as possible,” said Keller, “because the College of Law and University are committed to all of our law students receiving a quality legal education experience in the online environment.”
