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Survey of Law Library Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

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    Report

  • 75 Pages
  • March 2020
  • Region: Global
  • Primary Research Group
  • ID: 5007660

The 75-page report gives detailed data and commentary from law school faculty, staff, and administration about how their law school has responded to the Coronavirus.  The study gives detailed data on the percentage of law schools that have shut down, gone partially or fully online or are exploring such possibilities.  Surveying was conducted between March 12th and March 15th, 2020.  Respondents were primarily law school faculty, deans and, to a lesser extent, staff.

Survey respondents discuss in open-ended questions what they like and do not like about how their law schools have adjusted to the Coronavirus. In addition to extensive commentary, the study provides highly specific data on law schools that have formed committees to deal with the virus, and on how faculty view the communications skills of law school management in reaching out to the broader law school community about the Coronavirus.  Survey respondents rate how prepared they are to teach online, and how well their law school’s have helped them to prepare for the new realities.

The study also gives detailed data on the percentage of law schools that have shut down various functions, including classes, lectures, student meetings, and even brown bag lunches, among other events and activities.

Just of few of this report’s many findings are that:


  • 45% had implemented plans for teaching more classes online
  • Lack of preparedness for online teaching was much greater among Top 20 than lower-ranked law schools.
  • More than 43% of faculty under age 50 were dissatisfied with their law school’s response to the Coronavirus.
  • 32.65% of law school respondents had cancelled conferences at the law school.

Data in the report is broken out by numerous useful benchmarking criteria such as law school ranking, enrolment size, for public and private institutions, and by personal variables such as gender and age of survey respondents.


Table of Contents

1. THE QUESTIONNAIRE    

2. INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATIONS OF THE SURVEY PARTICIPANTS    


  • Characteristics of the Sample 

3. SUMMARY OF MAIN FINDINGS    


  • Time Frame for the Survey    
  • Law School Policy on Closing due to the Coronavirus    
  • Law School Committees to Deal with the Coronavirus Pandemic    
  • Evaluation of Law School Skill in Communicating Policy in the New Environment    
  • Cancellations of Classes, Services and Law School Events    
  • Satisfaction Levels with Law School’s Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic    
  • What the Law School Should Be Doing that it is Presently Not Doing    
  • Evaluation of What Law Schools Have Done Particularly Well    
  • Level of Preparation to Teach Online    
  • Measures Taken to Assist Faculty in Teaching Online    
  • Assessment of Faculty Preparedness to Teach Online    
  • Has the Law School Implemented Plan for New Emphasis on Distance Learning?    

List of Tables
Table 1.2 Which phrase best describes your law school's policy on the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 1.3 Which phrase best describes your law school's policy on the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 1.4 Which phrase best describes your law school's policy on the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 1.5 Which phrase best describes your law school's policy on the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 1.6 Which phrase best describes your law school's policy on the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 1.7 Which phrase best describes your law school's policy on the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 2.1 Has the law school formed a committee or task force of any kind to deal with potential disruptions or policy changes due to the coronavirus?    
Table 2.2 Has the law school formed a committee or task force of any kind to deal with potential disruptions or policy changes due to the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 2.3 Has the law school formed a committee or task force of any kind to deal with potential disruptions or policy changes due to the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 2.4 Has the law school formed a committee or task force of any kind to deal with potential disruptions or policy changes due to the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 2.5 Has the law school formed a committee or task force of any kind to deal with potential disruptions or policy changes due to the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 2.6 Has the law school formed a committee or task force of any kind to deal with potential disruptions or policy changes due to the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 2.7 Has the law school formed a committee or task force of any kind to deal with potential disruptions or policy changes due to the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 3.1 How do you assess your law school’s skill in communicating law school policies on the coronavirus to the law school community?    
Table 3.2 How do you assess your law school’s skill in communicating law school policies on the coronavirus to the law school community? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 3.3 How do you assess your law school’s skill in communicating law school policies on the coronavirus to the law school community? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 3.4 How do you assess your law school’s skill in communicating law school policies on the coronavirus to the law school community? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 3.5 How do you assess your law school’s skill in communicating law school policies on the coronavirus to the law school community? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 3.6 How do you assess your law school’s skill in communicating law school policies on the coronavirus to the law school community? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 3.7 How do you assess your law school’s skill in communicating law school policies on the coronavirus to the law school community? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Which blogs, listservs, websites, and other information resources have been your best source of information on how the coronavirus has impacted law schools and the legal profession? Broken out by law school ranking    
What has been done in your particular law school department to prepare for the impact of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4 Has the law school cancelled any of the following due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.1.1 Has the law school cancelled events held at the law school due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.1.2 Has the law school cancelled events held at the law school due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4.1.3 Has the law school cancelled events held at the law school due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 4.1.4 Has the law school cancelled events held at the law school due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 4.1.5 Has the law school cancelled events held at the law school due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 4.1.6 Has the law school cancelled events held at the law school due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 4.1.7 Has the law school cancelled events held at the law school due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 4.2.1 Has the law school cancelled lecture series due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.2.2 Has the law school cancelled lecture series due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4.2.3 Has the law school cancelled lecture series due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 4.2.4 Has the law school cancelled lecture series due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 4.2.5 Has the law school cancelled lecture series due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 4.2.6 Has the law school cancelled lecture series due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 4.2.7 Has the law school cancelled lecture series due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 4.3.1 Has the law school cancelled brown bag lunches due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.3.2 Has the law school cancelled brown bag lunches due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4.3.3 Has the law school cancelled brown bag lunches due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 4.3.4 Has the law school cancelled brown bag lunches due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 4.3.5 Has the law school cancelled brown bag lunches due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 4.3.6 Has the law school cancelled brown bag lunches due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 4.3.7 Has the law school cancelled brown bag lunches due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 4.4.1 Has the law school cancelled group work room reservations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.4.2 Has the law school cancelled group work room reservations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4.4.3 Has the law school cancelled group work room reservations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 4.4.4 Has the law school cancelled group work room reservations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 4.4.5 Has the law school cancelled group work room reservations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 4.4.6 Has the law school cancelled group work room reservations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 4.4.7 Has the law school cancelled group work room reservations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 4.5.1 Has the law school cancelled meetings of student organizations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.5.2 Has the law school cancelled meetings of student organizations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4.5.3 Has the law school cancelled meetings of student organizations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 4.5.4 Has the law school cancelled meetings of student organizations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 4.5.5 Has the law school cancelled meetings of student organizations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 4.5.6 Has the law school cancelled meetings of student organizations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 4.5.7 Has the law school cancelled meetings of student organizations due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 4.6.1 Has the law school cancelled performances due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.6.2 Has the law school cancelled performances due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4.6.3 Has the law school cancelled performances due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 4.6.4 Has the law school cancelled performances due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 4.6.5 Has the law school cancelled performances due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 4.6.6 Has the law school cancelled performances due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 4.6.7 Has the law school cancelled performances due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 4.7.1 Has the law school cancelled conferences due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.7.2 Has the law school cancelled conferences due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4.7.3 Has the law school cancelled conferences due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 4.7.4 Has the law school cancelled conferences due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 4.7.5 Has the law school cancelled conferences due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 4.7.6 Has the law school cancelled conferences due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 4.7.7 Has the law school cancelled conferences due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 4.8.1 Has the law school cancelled classes due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.8.2 Has the law school cancelled classes due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4.8.3 Has the law school cancelled classes due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 4.8.4 Has the law school cancelled classes due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 4.8.5 Has the law school cancelled classes due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 4.8.6 Has the law school cancelled classes due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 4.8.7 Has the law school cancelled classes due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 4.9.1 Has the law school cancelled school sponsored travel due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus?    
Table 4.9.2 Has the law school cancelled school sponsored travel due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 4.9.3 Has the law school cancelled school sponsored travel due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 4.9.4 Has the law school cancelled school sponsored travel due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 4.9.5 Has the law school cancelled school sponsored travel due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 4.9.6 Has the law school cancelled school sponsored travel due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 4.9.7 Has the law school cancelled school sponsored travel due to the current or impending threat of the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 5.1 How satisfied are you with the law school's overall response to the coronavirus?    
Table 5.2 How satisfied are you with the law school's overall response to the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 5.3 How satisfied are you with the law school's overall response to the coronavirus? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 5.4 How satisfied are you with the law school's overall response to the coronavirus? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 5.5 How satisfied are you with the law school's overall response to the coronavirus? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 5.6 How satisfied are you with the law school's overall response to the coronavirus? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 5.7 How satisfied are you with the law school's overall response to the coronavirus? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
What should your law school be doing that it is not currently doing to respond to the challenges of the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
What has your law school done particularly well in its response to the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 6.1 If you teach classes, how prepared are you to teach classes online?    
Table 6.2 If you teach classes, how prepared are you to teach classes online? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 6.3 If you teach classes, how prepared are you to teach classes online? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 6.4 If you teach classes, how prepared are you to teach classes online? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 6.5 If you teach classes, how prepared are you to teach classes online? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 6.6 If you teach classes, how prepared are you to teach classes online? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 6.7 If you teach classes, how prepared are you to teach classes online? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
What new steps has the law school taken to assist students and faculty to participate in online classes if necessary? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 7.1 How do you assess your law school’s skill in preparing faculty to teach online if needed?    
Table 7.2 How do you assess your law school’s skill in preparing faculty to teach online if needed? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 7.3 How do you assess your law school’s skill in preparing faculty to teach online if needed? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 7.4 How do you assess your law school’s skill in preparing faculty to teach online if needed? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 7.5 How do you assess your law school’s skill in preparing faculty to teach online if needed? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 7.6 How do you assess your law school’s skill in preparing faculty to teach online if needed? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 7.7 How do you assess your law school’s skill in preparing faculty to teach online if needed? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
Table 8.1 Has the law school implemented or developed plans to use distance learning or blended learning to a greater extent than usual in classes?    
Table 8.2 Has the law school implemented or developed plans to use distance learning or blended learning to a greater extent than usual in classes? Broken out by law school ranking    
Table 8.3 Has the law school implemented or developed plans to use distance learning or blended learning to a greater extent than usual in classes? Broken out by enrollment    
Table 8.4 Has the law school implemented or developed plans to use distance learning or blended learning to a greater extent than usual in classes? Broken out for public and private schools    
Table 8.5 Has the law school implemented or developed plans to use distance learning or blended learning to a greater extent than usual in classes? Broken out by tuition, $    
Table 8.6 Has the law school implemented or developed plans to use distance learning or blended learning to a greater extent than usual in classes? Broken out by age of the survey respondent    
Table 8.7 Has the law school implemented or developed plans to use distance learning or blended learning to a greater extent than usual in classes? Broken out by gender of the survey respondent    
What other changes previously not mentioned in response to prior questions have the law school made in response to the coronavirus? Broken out by law school ranking    
To the best of your knowledge, has the law school taken any special measures to protect older employees or those with medical conditions that may make them more susceptible to the coronavirus If so, what? Broken out by law school ranking   


Samples

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Sources / Contributors

  •  
  • Albany Law School
  • Boston University School of Law
  • BYU Law School
  • Harvard Law School
  • Loyola Law School Los Angeles
  • Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
  • Michigan State University College of Law
  • Oklahoma City University School of Law
  • Rutgers Law School
  • Santa Clara University
  • Texas Tech University
  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law
  • UC Irvine
  • UMKC School of Law
  • Université de Montréal
  • University of Akron School of Law
  • University of Cincinnati College of Law
  • University of Florida
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Miami School of Law
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Mississippi
  • University of New Mexico
  • University of Oregon
  • University of San Diego
  • University of Texas at Austin School of Law
  • University of Miami
  • Widener University Commonwealth School of Law
  • Yeshiva University
  •  

Methodology

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