Office of Student Affairs Counseling and Services

School of Law Disability Services

Fordham University School of Law ensures access to qualified students with disabilities in the belief that the legal profession will benefit from the skills and talents of these individuals. The School complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which prohibits organizations from preventing an otherwise qualified individual with a disability access to or participation in their services, programs and activities.

  • Definitions

    A person with a disability is: any person who (a) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities; (b) has a record of such impairments; or (c) is regarded as having such impairment.
    An otherwise qualified person with a disability is: an individual with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission and participation in the School's educational program and activities.

    Procedure

    The Law School takes seriously its responsibility to afford students with disabilities equal opportunities and full access to its programs and services in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the individual to the extent required by law. Fordham recognizes physical and mental disabilities that include mobility, sensory, health, psychological, and learning disabilities. Fordham Law students seeking accommodations for disabilities should contact:

    Abel P. Móntez, Esq.
    Director of Student Affairs
    Fordham University School of Law
    150 West 62nd Street, Room 4-101 E
    New York, NY 10023

    Telephone: 212-636-7955
    Email: [email protected] 

    Early disclosure is essential, to allow sufficient time for review, approval, and implementation of accommodations.

    To discuss policies and procedures and establish an appropriate accommodation plan, new law students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment to meet with Mr. Móntez before fall semester classes begin.

    First-year and new law students seeking accommodations for the fall semester are required to register with and submit complete documentation to the Office of Student Affairs, no later than the end of the third week of classes; for the spring semester, materials must be submitted no later than the end of the third week of classes. A student's failure to contact the Office of Student Affairs on a timely basis will result in the denial of accommodation requests.

    Students would be mindful that they may have to be reevaluated by their evaluators in the event that the documentation is outdated or non-compliant with the school's documentation requirements.

    The need and selection for accommodations will be determined on an individual basis, taking into account the nature, extent and severity of the student's disability; the fundamental nature of the academic program or activity; the functional limitations and impact of the student's disability, the student's history of accommodation and academic achievement; and whether the accommodation would impose an undue burden on the Law School.

    All accommodations are prospective. No retroactive accommodations are provided. Having received a prior accommodation in an educational or employment setting does not ensure that you will receive the same or any accommodation at the Law School.

    Documentation

    To request an accommodation on the basis of a disability or disabilities, you are required to submit to the Director of Student Affairs:

    (1) written documentation from a certified practitioner in the field of the disability (the documentation cannot be older than four (4) years for AD/HD or Learning Disabilities; older than six (6) months for all other disabilities), and

    (2) If applicable, written confirmation of prior accommodations in educational or employment settings (e.g. undergraduate and LSAT accommodations).

    To ensure confidentiality, requests for accommodations and written verifications of a disability are filed in the Office of Student Affairs, separate from the student's general academic records.

    Students seeking accommodations must abide by Fordham University's Documentation Guidelines. Supporting documentation must be submitted directly to the Law School's Director of Student Affairs at the email listed above.

    Documentation Guidelines

    Accommodations

    Reasonable accommodations that the Law School offers to students with disabilities may include, but are not limited to:

    • Additional time for completing exams and papers
    • Individual examination rooms
    • Enlarged reading materials
    • Provision of materials in an electronic format
    • Visual assistive technology
    • Computer use during class
    • Priority classroom seating

    Applying for Disability-Related Accommodations on the Bar Exam and MPRE

    Students who plan on requesting testing accommodations on the Bar Exam should first go to the website of the state where they are taking the exam and familiarize themselves with the application requirements and deadlines. Information about the New York Bar Exam can be found on its website; individual state Bar Exam requirements can be found on the American Bar Association website.

    Information about requesting accommodations on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) can be found on its website.

    Keep in mind that Fordham Law School's process of providing accommodations is not necessarily reflective of the process for receiving testing accommodations on the Bar exam or MPRE. Each state has its own requirements and due dates to request accommodations.

    Students who are updating their documentation for the Law School's accommodations process are strongly encouraged to provide their evaluators with the documentation guidelines for the Bar exam and MPRE.

    Temporary Impairments

    While our legal obligation relates to disabilities of a substantial and long-term nature, we also consider accommodations for temporary impairments when practical. For more information, contact the Director of Student Affairs.

    Lactation Room

    A lactation room is located in the Law School Library in Room 5-132. It is open during the library's regular hours. Please visit the Circulation Desk to request the use of this room.

    Visit the Students as Caregivers page for additional information.

    Visit the Pregnancy and Parenting Resources page for additional campus lactation room locations and information.

Amendments to Law School Application

All Fordham Law students certify that the information they provided on the application “is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge.”

You are also under a continuing obligation to promptly amend your application and notify the Law School if you need to change or have omitted any fact in your initial application. You are also under a continuing obligation to update your application with any instances that occur during law school that you would have been required to disclose during your initial application.

  • Any misrepresentation or omission of the requested information may be grounds for discipline and expulsion and further such information will be reported to the Committee on Character & Fitness and may be grounds for a delay or denial of admission to the Bar.

    Any information provided on your bar application should be consistent with the information contained in your law school application. You must memorialize the disclosures and retain copies with all related documentation (including correspondence with the Law School relating to any amendment) which should be attached to the application for bar admissions.

    We strongly urge anyone planning to apply to the New York Bar to review the “Law Student Guide” found on the Committee on Character and Fitness for the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department.

    Incoming Admitted Student: Amending your Application with the Admissions Office

    During the Admissions process and up to the first day of Orientation, if you need to amend your application, you must contact the Admissions Office.

    Current Student or Recent Graduate (who has not yet submitted a Bar Character Application): Amending your Application with the Office of Student Affairs

    After the first day of Orientation and prior to submitting a bar character application, if you need to amend your application, you must seek approval(s) for such amendment(s) through the Application Amendment Process.

    Note: You must have related documentation (letters, citations, court documentation, disciplinary documentation, etc.) in a PDF format before filing a request for an amendment.

    Graduate: Seeking an Application Amendment Dean’s Approval Letter

    If you are a graduate who has received written notification from a Bar’s Character Committee requesting that you obtain a Dean’s Letter approving an application amendment, you must seek one through the Application Amendment Dean’s Letter Process.

    You will need to have your Fordham username available in order to log into LawNET.

    Note: You must have related documentation (letters, citations, court documentation, disciplinary documentation, etc.) in a PDF format before filing a request for an amendment.

    If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at [email protected]

Counseling Services for Fordham Law Students

Fordham Law provides various resources and supportive services—from individual and group counseling to a Law School-specific mindfulness program—to help community members cultivate wellness and maintain balance.

  • Emergency:
    911

    Fordham Public Safety (24/7):

    • Dial 718-817-2222 or x2222 from a Rose Hill phone to reach the Rose Hill campus Department of Public Safety.
    • Dial 212-636-6076 or x6076 to reach the Lincoln Center campus public safety desk.
    • Dial 914-367-3001 or x3001 to notify the Westchester campus public safety person.

    Emergency information contact by location

    Rose Hill

    Department of Public Safety (TH Annex): 718-817-2222
    F.U.E.M.S. (Emergency): 718-817-2222
    Counseling Center (O'Hare Hall): 718-817-3725
    Dean of Student Services (MGC 224): 718-817-4350
    Director of Residential Life (ACN Bsmt): 718-817-3080
    Health Center (O'Hare Hall): 718-817-4163
    Off-Campus Shuttle (TH Annex): 718-817-2222
    Dean of Students (MGC 242): 718-817-4755

    Lincoln Center 

    Public Safety Supervisor: 212-636-6076
    Main Public Safety Desk (LL Lobby): 212-636-6075
    Public Safety Desk (Law): 212-636-6975
    Public Safety Desk (LCR Lobby): 212-636-7111/7112
    Counseling Center (140 G02): 212-636-6225
    Dean of Students (140 G33): 212-636-6250       
    Director, Residential Life (LCR 108): 212-636-7100    
    Health Center (140 G16): 212-636-7160   
     

    400 Westchester Ave  

    Emergency Telephone #
    Public Safety Supervisor: 914-367-3001
    Public Safety Desk: 914-367-3333
    Dean of Students: 212-636-6256
    Disability Services: 718-817-0655

    Police  

    Lincoln Center (20th Precinct): 212-580-6411
    Rose Hill (48th Precinct): 718-299-3900
    (52nd Precinct): 718-220-5811
    400 Westchester Avenue (Harrison PD): 914-967-5110

  • Counseling and Psychological Services provides intervention services for students who are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis, which may include but are not limited to self-injury, suicide, recent trauma, and/or concerns about your own or someone else’s safety. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please contact: 

    Counseling and Psychological Services 
    Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. -7 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    Rose Hill – 718-817-3725; O’Hare Hall – Lower Level
    Lincoln Center – 212-636-6225; McMahon Hall 211
    Westchester – 718-817-3725

    Office of the Dean of Students
    Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Rose Hill - 718-817-4755
    Lincoln Center - 212-636-6250
    Westchester - 212-636-2650

  • Rooted in the Fordham University Catholic, Jesuit identity, Campus Ministry accompanies students of all spiritual backgrounds in their own personal growth. Our initiatives will engage your heart and mind as you explore what you believe and discover how that informs who you hope to become.

    Learn more about campus ministry

  • Mental Health and Wellness Resources

    Fordham Law builds awareness around mental health and wellness within the Law School community through a wide range of resources, programs, and events (including panels, interactive workshops, fitness classes, meditation sessions, and more).   Visit Wellness Resouces site.

    Substance Abuse, Addition and Recovery

    Rose Hill Campus

    Prevention and Support
    Alumni Court South Lower Level
    718-817-3080
    [email protected]

    Lincoln Center Campus

    Alcohol and Other Drug Education
    140 W. 62nd St., Room G33
    212-636-6250
    [email protected]

    Learn more about substance abuse prevention

Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals

Students should consult the Academic Regulations for policies regarding leaves of absence and withdrawals. The Leave/Withdrawal form should be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with Student Affairs to seek advice on leaves of absence and withdrawals. Students should pay close attention to the refund policy listed on the form.

The Leave/Withdrawal becomes effective upon the date it is approved by Student Affairs. Students will have one week from the effective date to return ID cards to Student Affairs and to remove the contents of their assigned locker. Items remaining in the locker after that date will be discarded. If a student takes a leave, the student should contact Student Affairs upon their return to receive a new locker assignment.

Fill out the Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Form.