Last updated April 5, 2022
Return to In-Person Learning
The Allard School of Law is offering in-person instruction starting Monday, January 24, 2022. Instructors have been encouraged to record or live-stream their classes so that students do not have to attend class in-person when they are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick.
To maintain a safe in-person learning environment, it is important our community continues to work together and follow all safety measures.
Please review the protocols at a glance below before attending classes.
Allard Hall Protocols at a Glance
- Daily health self-assessments: All students must assess themselves daily for COVID-19 symptoms prior to engaging in in-person UBC activities on UBC Premises. Stay home if you are sick and/or have cold/flu symptoms.
- Stay home if you are sick: If you are ill or believe you have COVID-19 symptoms, stay home. Use the Thrive Health self-assessment tool for guidance or through the BC COVID-19 Support App and follow the instructions provided. Follow the advice from Public Health. Please refer to the information on our Managing Absences webpage for information on contacting your instructor for alternative arrangements.
- Masks: You must wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, including classrooms, hallways, faculty and staff offices and washrooms. Non-medical masks are available at Reception if you forget yours. Please see the FAQs below for getting a KN95 mask.
A small number of people are unable to wear a mask for medical or disability-related reasons. UBC is developing a process to verify these exemptions with the Centre for Accessibility. In the meantime, if this applies to you, please contact studentservices@allard.ubc.ca with your full name and student number and we will advise your professors of this.
- Masks and eating & drinking: Eating is not allowed in classrooms. You must wear their mask at all times inside a classroom. Occasional sips of a beverage (with immediate replacement of mask) are permitted.
Indoor eating is restricted to designated eating areas only: the Lew Forum, the seating in the Law Cafe, and the tables in the 1st floor wing facing the reflecting pool. Once you finish eating, please find another place to study or socialize to make room for others who need a space to eat. You may only remove your mask when you are actively eating or drinking.
Please refrain from socializing and congregating on the 1st floor and in or near designated eating areas. Use the designated spaces outdoors and on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors for socializing.
- Vaccination: Proof of vaccination is not currently required to access Allard Hall.
We strongly encourage all students to obtain their vaccines and boosters, when available. COVID-19 vaccinations are free for all UBC students, including international students. If you currently reside in BC, visit the British Columbia government website to register for your vaccine.
- Respiratory Etiquette and Hand Hygiene: Students are expected to practice respiratory etiquette by coughing/sneezing into their mask, a tissue or into the sleeve of their shirt. Students are also expected to regularly wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or make use of hand sanitizer stations. Hand sanitizer stations managed by Building Operations are available in the main building entrance/foyer. Everyone is encouraged to carry their own hand sanitizer.
- Signage: Students must follow relevant signage when moving around UBC.
- Limiting Close Interactions: Students are encouraged to limit the number of close sustained contacts with others, which includes avoiding situations where individuals congregate in shared areas. Students are expected to not linger in spaces that are intended for travel and should promptly exit the classroom upon the completion of their class. Students waiting for their class to commence should ensure the room has been fully vacated by the previous class before entering the room.
- Allard Hall in-person events: In-person events will be limited and we are recommending that events be held online where possible. If food is served before or after the event, it must be consumed in designated eating areas. All JD- and LLM-hosted in-person events and meetings must be approved by the Associate Dean Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean Graduate Studies, respectively. Visit the Community Updates page (under Allard Hall in-person events) for more information.
- Cleaning and Building Ventilation: Students may visit the UBC Facilities website for more information on the cleaning protocols for common spaces and classrooms at UBC and building ventilation and safety measures. Based on the Teaching Spaces Evaluation Summary, all classrooms in Allard Hall have been categorized as mechanical ventilated spaces and can be used at pre-pandemic capacity.
The health and wellbeing of our students remain our first priority. We will continue to stay agile and flexible to address the evolving situation, and this page will be updated based on the most up-to-date guidance from the Public Health and the University.
Please refer to the following webpages for additional information and the latest UBC updates:
If you have concerns around safety protocols, please email info@allard.ubc.ca, which is monitored by the Dean’s Office. For short-term absences or course specific issues, please contact your instructor. If you require an academic concession or academic advising, or need assistance with implementation of the short-term absence policy, please contact Student Services.
facilities at Allard Hall
- Allard Hall Hours of Operation: Allard Hall is open 7:30 am – 9 pm (Monday to Thursday), 7:30 am - 8 pm (Friday), and 7:30 am – 6 pm (Saturday). Allard Hall is closed on Sundays. Outside of these hours, students will be able to access the building using their UBC student cards until 11 pm when the building will be closed.
- Library: Students should refer to the Law Library website for hours of operation.
- Microwaves: Microwaves will be available for student use in the Hong Kong Lounge.
- Showers: Showers are available to students and are located in the basement of Allard Hall.
- Lockers: Students may continue to use their assigned lockers.
WHAT TO BRING TO ALLARD HALL
Students are recommended to bring the following to Allard Hall:
- Headphones: If your instructor is ill, they may choose to lecture virtually. Headphones will allow you to watch the Zoom lecture in your classroom without having to use your laptop speakers.
- Sanitizer: Although hand sanitizer stations will be available in the main building entrance and foyer, you are encouraged to bring your own hand sanitizer.
- Masks: Masks are required in all indoor public spaces, including lobbies, hallways, stairwells, elevators, classrooms and labs. If you forget your mask, extras will be available at Reception.
Frquently asked Questions
What if I need to be absent?
Allard Law is an accredited in-person program and as of February 7 we are returning to in-person classes. If you are unable to attend in-person you should avail yourself of the law school’s short-term absence policy. Please contact your instructor to explore what modes of delivery are available for your course. Instructors are strongly encouraged to provide livestreaming or recorded videos, but this may not be available for all courses. Courses without livestreaming or recorded videos should have a student-notetaker. If you are unable to find a resolution with your instructor, or require an academic concession, please contact Student Services to discuss alternative options.
We have asked instructors to ensure that any attendance / participation component of their course is flexible, to support students in following public health measures.
You do not need to provide medical documentation or disclose medical information to an instructor for an absence. Consult the law school’s short-term absence policy for more information, and reach out to Student Services if you require an academic concession. Academic concessions for COVID-19 do not require medical documentation.
Staff from Student Services may reach out to you if your instructor notices that you have been absent from class for longer than three weeks. This is part of our regular wellness checks to ensure that students are ok and that we are providing the supports they need to succeed.
Will a student be deregistered from their courses for an in-person absence after February 6?
No. In addition, we have also asked instructors to ensure that any attendance / participation component of their course is flexible, to support students in following public health measures.
You do not need to provide medical documentation or disclose medical information to an instructor for an absence. Consult the law school’s short-term absence policy for more information, and reach out to Student Services if you require an academic concession. Academic concessions for COVID-19 do not require medical documentation.
Staff from Student Services may reach out to you if your instructor notices that you have been absent from class (remote or in-person) for longer than three weeks. This is part of our regular wellness checks to ensure that students are ok and that we are providing the supports they need to succeed.
Will exams be in-person or remote?
All Allard Law exams will be held in person at Allard Hall (unless designated as a take-home exam on the Allard Law examination schedule)
What do I do if I suspect I have COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19?
Do not attend in-person classes. Please visit the UBC Safety and Risk Services website for information on obtaining a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test.
Please follow the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) guidelines on reporting, self-isolation and letting your close contacts know. Please review the BCCDC definition of a close contact. Allard Law in-person classrooms are not considered close-contact environments and are considered low-risk.
Contact your instructor to make arrangements while you are recovering and self-isolating. Please review the information on our Managing Absences webpage to know what to expect and what to do if you are self-isolating.
You may return to classes at Allard Hall after completing the required self-isolation period as guided by the BCCDC. If you are fully (two-doses) vaccinated, generally you can return after at least five days since your symptoms started, or from test date if you did not have symptoms, after your fever has resolved without the use of medication and your symptoms have improved. Please refer to the BCCDC website for the full details on when to end self-isolation.
You must continue to wear your mask at all times in Allard Hall and avoid eating and drinking indoors until all your symptoms have improved or 10 days have passed since your initial symptoms.
Will I be notified if my classmate tests positive for COVID-19?
UBC will continue to follow the direction provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and public health authorities, with regard to notification of COVID-19 cases. You can review the UBC Safety and Risks Services website for more information on contact tracing.
Any members of our UBC community who may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are asked to follow the guidance of the BCCDC. The current guidance advises individuals who test positive to contact their own close contacts.
A close contact is generally someone who has been near a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes when health and safety measures (e.g., masks, distancing, physical barriers) were not in place or were insufficient.
Based on the BCCDC guidelines, Allard Law in-person classroom and learning settings are not considered close-contact environments and are low risk.
If your classmate tests positive, notifications will not be sent by Allard Law unless deemed necessary by Public Health.
Whether notified of a COVID-19 exposure or not, everyone should routinely monitor symptoms of COVID-19 and stay home if you feel unwell or develop symptoms.
Student Resources
Our return to campus will provide many meaningful opportunities to connect with and learn from one another, but at the same time, returning to campus may not be without challenges. As a community, we ask you support one another and be kind, compassionate and generous to your fellow students, faculty and staff members.
Academic Services
Academic Services at the Allard School of Law is committed to providing outstanding service to law students, faculty, and staff. Students can contact studentservices@allard.ubc.ca for support with course advising and wellbeing support, academic concessions & accommodations, registration assistance, exam administration, course evaluations, grades, course scheduling, sessional evaluations, Law Society & US bar graduation letters, and exchange program management.
To schedule a one-on-one advising appointment with the Assistant Dean, Students, or the Manager, Student Experience, students may book an appointment online.
Career Services Office
The Career Services Office supports and promotes the individual employment goals and professional development of Allard School of Law students via career coaching, training, resources, and a connection with the broader legal community. We know what's important to our students, and our lawyer-advisors work with them to secure articles, clerkships, summer positions, part-time work during law school, and permanent employment. Students may schedule a one-on-one career advising appointment through ACE or email careers@allard.ubc.ca to connect with the CSO team.
centre for accessibility
The Centre for Accessibility ("Centre") facilitates disability-related accommodations and programming initiatives designed to remove barriers for students with disabilities and ongoing medical conditions in all aspects of university life. Students can connect with the Centre to discuss disability-related or on-going medical considerations and to register for academic concessions or disability accommodations. To connect with the Centre, students may email info.accessibility@ubc.ca.
financial advising and funding
Allard Law students have a designated team of Enrolment Service Advisors available to assist with questions about tuition, resources such as scholarships and awards, and any other financial related questions. Contact an Allard Law Enrolment Service Advisor at es.lawsupport@ubc.ca.
Students may also visit the Allard Law Costs and Funding page or the UBC Student Finances webpage for additional information.
GRADUATE Program
The Graduate Program team is committed to supporting law students pursuing a graduate program at the Allard School of Law. Graduate students may schedule an appointment to speak with their program specific graduate program advisor as per the following:
LLMCL and LLM in Taxation Programs:
- Tania Astorino, Director, Professional Programs: astorino@allard.ubc.ca
- Alan Grove, Coordinator, Professional Programs: grove@allard.ubc.ca
Research-based LLM and PhD Programs:
- Joanne Chung, Graduate Advisor: jchung@allard.ubc.ca
indigenous legal studies
We are proud to have one of the highest enrollment numbers of Indigenous law students in Canada. With strong support from faculty members, staff and students associated with Indigenous Legal Studies, the Allard School of Law recruits and supports Indigenous law students, offers courses in Aboriginal and Indigenous law, conducts research often in partnership with Indigenous peoples and nations, provides legal assistance to Indigenous peoples through the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic in the Downtown Eastside, and generally fosters a greater understanding of the place of Indigenous peoples in Canadian society and abroad. For additional information, please visit the ILS webpage.
There is a dedicated team of faculty, staff, and students who are available to answer student questions about the Indigenous Legal Studies (ILS) at Allard Law. To schedule an one-on-one appointment with Lee Schmidt, the Associate Director, Indigenous Legal Studies, students may book an appointment online.
Information TEchnology Services
Please visit the UBC IT's top IT services for students page to learn more about the IT services available to you while studying at UBC.
Student Wellbeing
Student Wellbeing at Allard Hall provides a robust array of wellbeing activities addressing physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral needs of the law students. The Wellbeing program includes counselling, psychoeducational workshops, outreach, and mental health promotion. Students may schedule an appointment to speak with the Student Wellbeing Counsellor by calling 604 822 4928 or by email at kline@allard.ubc.ca.
You may also review health and wellbeing resources available to students on the UBC Students Services website.