Penn State plans reopening to in-person classes during fall semester

Penn State joined a growing list of colleges and universities across the state planning to reopen in-person classes this fall.

In-person classes will begin Aug. 24 as originally planned, according to information posted this week on the school’s website. When classes resume Nov. 30 following the Thanksgiving break, however, they will be virtual in an effort to minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

“The Penn State experience may look somewhat different this fall, but I am very much looking forward to seeing our campuses busy with students, faculty and staff once again,” President Eric J. Barron said in a statement. “I know I speak for the leadership at each of our campuses when I say we are looking forward to welcoming our students back and greeting, for the first time, our new students.”

The plan, created by 250 staff members in 16 task force groups, applies to the school’s 24 campuses, including its campuses in McKeesport and New Kensington, school spokespeople said.

The plan is contingent on Gov. Tom Wolf’s three-phased reopening plan, a spokesman said. If a county housing a satellite school were to return to “red,” precautions are in place for a smooth transition, officials said.

Staff and students will return to campuses in a phased approach starting this summer. Masks are required, and those on campus must practice social distancing.

Plexiglass shields in areas with person-to-person contact will be installed, and one-way traffic directions in high volume areas will be in place.

The number of students per classroom will be limited through the use of social-distancing measures, assigned seating and monitoring of attendance. Nonclassroom spaces could be converted for use to ensure smaller class sizes.

Penn State to resume in-person learning in fall semester:
‘Back to State’ plans call for flexible, adaptable schedule with classes, activities converting to remote delivery on November 20 https://t.co/pv0OUoFrfR pic.twitter.com/2WMCtRyTVP

— Penn State (@penn_state) June 15, 2020

Classes with more than 250 students will be conducted online.

“Co-curricular learning is an important component of the college experience, and I’m pleased that our students will be able to come back together,” Damon Sims, vice president for student affairs, said in the release. “To do so safely and effectively, we need everyone to do their part and employ simple preventative measures. It’s evident that this is vital to keeping our community healthy and together on our campuses.”

Contact tracing also will be conducted to help curb the spread of the virus. Staff and students exhibiting symptoms of covid-19 will be tested, along with anyone they came in contact with. Additional staff will be hired to conduct the testing.

University officials are working to add additional spaces to isolate and quarantine those impacted by the virus.

Two virtual town hall meetings are scheduled for Monday to answer questions regarding the fall semester. The first will begin at 2 p.m. Another will start at 3:30 p.m. Both meetings can be accessed at liveevents.psu.edu.

The Chronicle of Higher Education put together a list of more than 800 colleges’ plans for reopening this fall. The list was last updated Sunday.

Colleges and universities in Pennsylvania planning for in-person learning include Allegheny, Bloomsburg, Duquesne, La Roche, Lycoming, Mercyhurst, Saint Vincent, Scranton, Seton Hill, Susquehanna, Thomas Jefferson, Villanova, Waynesburg and Westminster.

Carnegie Mellon University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania are proposing a hybrid model, the Chronicle said.

The University of Pittsburgh plans to reopen this fall under an adjusted calendar and classroom capacity restrictions. Students will not return to campus after Thanksgiving break.