(Message posted June 10, 2020)
Dear Pitt-Greensburg Students:
I hope that this message finds you and those around you safe and healthy. I know that many of you have been thinking about the next academic year, and how we are going to operate after the dramatic changes that occurred in spring. We are eager to work together to ensure that you meet your educational goals at Pitt-Greensburg, and we are excited that you will be returning in the fall. The foundation of our planning has been that everyone’s health and safety is our primary goal.
I want to confirm some details about Fall 2020. First of all, the calendar has been changed from the one originally published, in the following ways:
- The fall semester will begin on Wednesday, August 19.
- Classes will meet on Monday, September 7 (Labor Day).
- Friday, November 20 will be the last day of classes.
- Students will not return to campus after the Thanksgiving break.
- The final exam period will be expanded to included Monday-Tuesday, November 23-24 and Monday-Friday Nov 30-Dec 4.
The teaching and learning environment will be organized in a hybrid-flexible model. There will be a variety of options within this approach. Some classes will be fully online - with both synchronous and asynchronous delivery utilized. Other classes will provide students with the option to be in the classroom or to come to the same class using remote technology. We have invested in upgraded classroom technology to make the remote experience an excellent one for students. We also have learned quite a lot from you and each other through our experience last spring. The faculty have been working very hard to improve every aspect of their courses to ensure that you have the highest quality learning environment in the upcoming academic year.
Our residence halls will be open for student housing on campus. On-campus dining will be available. All aspects of campus operations will be transformed to decrease density and greatly improve safety among faculty, staff and students.
You will be receiving updated information over the next few weeks about the class schedule- for example the mode of delivery for each course on the fall schedule and other important details. As the details of housing arrangements, food service, and use of other campus facilities are being finalized, you will be kept fully informed.
I hope this message finds you well and eager to continue your education at Pitt-Greensburg! Your college degree will change your life in so many wonderful ways. Don’t lose sight of that important goal!
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Gregerson
President of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg