Pitt offers remote option for 2 weeks
The University of Pittsburgh announced Friday that it will allow students and faculty at the Oakland campus to have remote access to courses for the first two weeks of the semester.
In a letter posted online, Provost Ann Cudd said the move reflects the changing COVID-19 situation, particularly the challenges of the delta variant. There are exceptions for certain graduate and professional programs.
Classes begin on Friday. At the end of the two weeks, the university plans to hold all classes inperson beginning Sept. 13.
Under the plan for the first two weeks, “undergraduate instructors and students will have the flexibility to choose between being in the classroom or using Zoom for synchronous course
delivery. Instructors may deliver classes from a location of their choice, including the assigned classroom.
“Students may choose to attend class and learn from a location of their choice, including the assigned classroom. A remote experience must be made available for students who choose this option.”
The letter said Pitt is still planning for outsidethe-classroom student activities to continue as scheduled, including inperson Welcome Week events, club sports and student organization events.
Presidents of the regional campuses will evaluate the conditions in their respective communities.
The letter said “recent news about the transmissibility of the Delta variant, even among vaccinated people, has led many members of community to be hesitant about entering the classroom” and the infection rate in Allegheny County is concerning.
It also said the school needs more time to understand the vaccination rate of faculty, staff and students and to formulate a testing program for the unvaccinated.
The university is also requiring universal masking in every building on campus.
“I realize that what I have outlined is an unexpected departure from our intended plans,” Ms. Cudd wrote. “I had the highest hopes for a fully in-person classroom start to this semester. But taking a prudent path now will help make that goal a reality in the near future.”