Universities announce individual fall plans
The universities in the State System of Higher Education on Wednesday announced their individual plans for returning to classes in the fall during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plans include how schools will conduct classes online and in person and detail what restrictions will be placed on dormitory living arrangements, dining halls and common areas.
Here are the plans for universities in Western Pennsylvania:
California University of Pennsylvania
Classes for Cal U begin Aug. 17 with students moving in by appointment only. New students move in Aug. 13-14 and returning students Aug. 15-16. Classes will end Nov. 19, and final exams will be given Nov. 21 and 23-25.
Students who requested roommates can live together as family units, said Christine Kindl, vice president for communications and public relations. Many of those who didn’t request a roommate will be in a single room for social distancing.
Furniture has been removed from some common areas, and many campus activities will be held virtually to keep people separated.
In most cases, classes will be available for students in person and virtually through Zoom or other services. In some instances, students may be assigned to attend in person one class and participate virtually the next to maintain social distances in the classroom.
Dining halls will have counter service only, and buffets will be eliminated. Diners must wear masks until they are seated and are encouraged to get takeout meals.
Clarion
Plans were addressed in a letter to the Clarion student body.
The fall semester at Clarion will run from Aug. 17 to Dec. 4. Students will not return to campus after the Thanksgiving break and will take final exams remotely. Courses will be delivered as originally planned if possible.
If classes were scheduled to be in person, students will be required to wear a mask and will be spaced to maintain social distancing. Some classes may shift to a hybrid of face-to-face and online learning.
Resident students must choose a time and date to move in and are asked to only bring necessities such as bedding, clothing and toiletries. Only two guests may be allowed to help students move in. Move-in dates are set for Aug. 10-12 for upperclassmen and Aug. 12-15 for freshmen.
Clarion’s dining hall is managed by Chartwells Dining Services, a national cafeteria service. Chartwells is removing self-service food stations and introducing “COVID-19 friendly menus,” designed to reduce times spent in line, according to the Chartwells website.
Chartwells also is introducing mobile ordering at all retail locations.
Edinboro
A blend of in-person and online classes will begin at Edinboro University on Aug. 17, according to Edinboro’s website. Courses are scheduled to be either fully online or multimodal with or without a required in-person component of the class.
Those classes that are inperson will be held in larger rooms with a limited number of students in a classroom at one time. Classes are scheduled to end on Nov. 20, and final exams will be administered online.
Freshmen will move in Aug. 12-14, and returning resident students at Edinboro will move in on Aug. 1516. Students are required to move in at a specific time.
Each resident will have their own bedroom as residence halls are made less dense. Students are required to wear masks outside their dorm rooms. Visitors will not be allowed inside the residence halls.
Cash payments will be suspended in the dining hall and replaced with contactless credit card readers.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
In a message to the campus Wednesday, President Michael Driscoll said classes will begin Aug. 24 and end Dec. 7, followed by exams Dec. 8-11. Thanksgiving break will be from Nov. 2327, and some instructors may offer students the opportunity to complete course work online rather than returning for classes and finals.
Classes will be offered in a hybrid fashion with the first three days online while instructors set the schedule for when students should attend in person and when they should participate online. The university will attempt to provide classrooms large enough to allow all students to attend with proper social distancing.
The university said cleaning supplies will be available in each classroom, and students and faculty are asked to wipe down whatever they use before they leave.
Residential students will have private bedrooms, and no more than two will share a bathroom. Students in the Cooks Honor College will move to a different hall because Whitmyre Hall doesn’t have private bathrooms.
North Dining Hall will be converted from all-you-caneat to a mostly to-go/mobileorder-style service to limit those dining in. Hub Food Court and Crimson Cafe will have limited menus and seating.
Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock announced Wednesday that classes will run from Aug. 17 to Nov. 20 with final exams to follow Nov. 21-25. There will be no fall break, and the December commencement ceremony is not scheduled yet.
Classes will be held online and in a multimodal format that must include the option for in-person instruction. Classes that are held in the classroom will be at a reduced occupancy to maximize social distancing.
All capable students are required to wear masks outside of private workspaces and residence halls. Those who do not comply can be banned from campus events — including classes.
Residence suites are open at reduced capacity, and traditional dorm rooms are to be converted to single occupancy. Students will remain in their assigned room for the entire 2020-21 academic year.
Cash will be accepted in dining halls, but touchless payment is heavily encouraged.
Slippery Rock athletics have been suspended but the student recreation center will remain open for personal fitness. Equipment has been moved into a larger gym for social distancing, and intramural activities will be offered.