Message from President Gregerson regarding Spring 2021 semester

(Message posted January 14, 2021)

Greetings from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg!

We hope that you enjoyed a pleasant winter recess and are looking forward to the start of the spring 2021 semester. This message contains important details concerning the start of the semester. Please take a moment to read and take note of key dates and protocols that are being implemented. Also, please note that the advice and information in this message is always subject to change due to virus conditions or additional public health guidance.

Thank you for your compliance with the prescribed COVID-19 protocols during the fall semester. You helped to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 was kept to a minimum on our campus. Please continue to follow these protocols in order to keep our campus healthy and safe. Pitt-Greensburg continues to operate in the Elevated Risk Posture.

Pitt-Greensburg faculty and staff should review the Activity Area Plans for their areas. Please contact your supervisor to obtain a copy of your department’s plan.

Teaching & Learning

READ IMMEDIATELY -- Essential information about Flex @ Pitt:

• At Pitt-Greensburg, ALL classes will begin remotely on Tuesday, January 19.

• At Pitt-Greensburg, ALL classes scheduled to meet in-person will begin to do so on February 1.

While the Greensburg campus remains in the Elevated Risk posture, there are additional adjustments to which classes will meet in person. Please refer to the In-Person Class Information document to learn which classes are designated to meet in-person under both the Elevated and Guarded Risk postures.

• Over the past month, some adjustments have been made to instructional delivery modes for the spring semester.  Students should carefully review their class schedule prior to the start of classes.

• Flex @ Pitt will continue in the spring semester. This means that for classes that have in-person instruction, students have the option to learn either remotely or in person.

Student Self-Care Days: Instead of the traditional Spring Break, two student self-care days are scheduled for February 23 and March 24.  The University will remain open but no classes will be held.

• Academic advising will take place using remote, live conferencing technology or by phone.  Students are encouraged to contact academic advisors on Microsoft Teams, by email, or on Zoom during drop-in hours beginning January 19.  Complete contact and Zoom information available here.

• For financial aid questions, contact Brian Beighley, or visit the Pitt-Greensburg Financial Aid webpage.

Housing & Residence Life

Before Travel: Students should shelter in place for at least seven days prior to traveling.
Move-in: Pitt-Greensburg residents will return to the residence halls on January 30 and January 31.

• Similar to how we executed fall semester move-in, students will be assigned a day and time during which they may return. You will receive an additional email tomorrow indicating whether you should return to the halls on Saturday, Jan. 30 or Sunday, Jan. 31 and during which window of time.

• If necessary, residents may have only one guest assist with move in.

• Please continue to monitor your email for more details as we near your return to campus. If you do not intend to live on campus this spring, you must submit a Housing Cancellation form in Housing eServices.

• Information will soon be available about the impact of the new timeline on room and board rates.

• If you need a University ID, please contact Loretta Shelapinsky at 724-836-9917.

We highly recommend that students take advantage of Pitt’s offer to provide one COVID-19 test through Quest for returning students on all campuses in order to maximize a safe return. The test should be used within the first two days of the seven-day shelter-in-pace period prior to travel.

After Travel: After arriving on campus, you should shelter in place for at least 10 days, whether you live on or off campus.  A University-wide shelter-in-place period will begin on Friday, January 29 on all campuses. The shelter-in-place period will remain in effect until the CMRO advises that it is safe to lift, but will be in place at least 10 days after the last cohort arrives. The Pitt-Greensburg campus will shelter-in-place through at least February 10.

Dining Services

Wagner Dining Hall: Meal options include indoor dining, take-out, and outdoor dining during the semester.

• Subway and the Coffeehouse will be open to serve students, faculty, and staff on campus.

• Please note that take-out will be the only meal option during shelter-in-place period.

Student Services

• For mental health counseling, contact Gayle Pamerleau, Pitt-Greensburg Counseling Services.

• The Campus Store, located on the first floor of Chambers Hall is available for course material needs and supplies and sundry items.  Contact Lindsey Martin or visit the Campus Store webpage.

Computing & Technology Help Desk

• Students, faculty, and staff are reminded that the Technology Help Desk is available by appointment and via Zoom. We are not able to accommodate walk-ins at this time.

Help tickets may be submitted here.

• Resources, including PawPrint instructions, can be found here.

• Our telephone number is 724-836-9925 (M-F/8:30 am to 5 pm).

Campus Environment

During the Winter Recess, the following occurred:

• Deep cleaning of all residential common spaces (lounges, study areas, and bathrooms)

• Deep cleaning of all classroom spaces

• Deep cleaning of all common spaces located in office and classroom buildings

• Hand sanitizing stations are located in each residential lobby as well as common circulation paths across campus, including at each concierge station.

• The University implemented a Building Safety Concierge Program in the Fall and the Program will continue for the Spring term. Building Concierges assist our Pitt community members with building safety protocols at designated building entrances. The Program is staffed primarily by student workers and will be utilized in the University's Elevated and Guarded Risk postures.

COVID-19 Protocols: Complete details on all of the University of Pittsburgh COVID-19 protocols is available here.

Surveillance testing at Pitt-Greensburg will resume in February. You are highly encouraged to participate in surveillance testing when you receive your invitation.

• Should you develop symptoms or have other health concerns, please contact Pam Freger in the Campus Health Center at pmr20@pitt.edu or 724-836-9947, or visit the Health Services webpage.

• While on campus, everyone must follow our health standards and guidelines [link no longer available], whether inside or outside. This includes wearing a face covering and maintaining at least 6 feet of physical distance at all times. These rules will be enforced and public access to our buildings is restricted.

Please visit our webpage [link no longer available] to access the most up-to-date information about Pitt-Greensburg's COVID-19 protocols as well as our health and safety guidelines.

We take great pride in our ability to respond to student needs.  We will continue to offer the best possible services to our students.

Stay healthy, stay safe,

Robert Gregerson, PhD
President, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg