Dean's Community Message

April 9, 2020

Dear College of Engineering Community,

I hope you are doing well. Today, Pennsylvania announced that its K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. In light of the Governor’s announcement, Penn State is assessing its COVID-19 remote working/telecommuting policies for faculty and staff, and further guidance will certainly be forthcoming from the University.

The K-12 decision had already been made in other states, and we knew this announcement was extremely likely in PA, but the finality of it still brings on a certain feeling of shock for parents and students. I know that’s a feeling all of us have had to deal with at various points over the past few weeks, and none of this is easy. One thing that helps to keep me centered is humor, and that’s why I enjoyed today’s “Because I couldn’t …” sentence from Syed “Shan” Karimushan in our Networking, Computing, and Training Services Department:

“Because I couldn’t go to the office today, I could irritate my daughter every couple hours. What are you doing? When is your next class? She’s almost a junior in the College of HHD at UP.”

Many of us are certainly getting some new opportunities to torment our kids these days! Of course, the kids are seizing that opportunity, too, for their parents. Here are a few updates:


Undergraduate Alternative Grading Clarifications

Penn State has implemented optional alternative grading scales for the spring 2020 semester, with additional details and FAQs on the University’s Remote Learning website. Two points of clarification for undergraduate students related to academic integrity and entrance to major:

  • Academic Integrity: The University has determined that a student will not be permitted to elect alternative grading for a course in which an Academic Integrity violation occurred if the sanction associated with the violation results in a reduction of the student’s course grade.
  • Entrance to Major (ETM): The College of Engineering (COE) will not count alternative grades toward the ETM credit window for Enrollment Controlled COE majors.

Browser-Based Computer Lab Access

WebLabs is a new offering that provides students and faculty remote access to Penn State Cooperative Lab Management (CLM) lab computers so that they can connect to the technology and resources needed to complete coursework. This includes specialty software located on CLM lab computers, such as programs used in engineering and other scientific disciplines. To access, connect through the new Penn State WebLabs website.


Clarification: Facilities Access

Faculty and staff do not need authorization for visits to college facilities for the purpose of retrieving essential work-related items. Facilities remain accessible for faculty, staff, and graduate students via card access. Under the state-wide stay-at-home order, individuals should remain at home except for allowable and essential activities. All CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines should be followed when leaving home and in public including face covering, maintaining at least six feet between individuals, handwashing, etc.


Guidance for Employees Exposed to COVID-19

Penn State Human Resources has created a series of visual aids to outline what individuals should do based on certain situations involving COVID-19.


Remote Teaching Tip

Twice each week, the college’s Office for Digital Learning and the Leonhard Center are offering Remote Teaching Tips (RTT) for faculty who are adjusting to the remote teaching environment. For assistance in using any of these suggestions, contact the Office for Digital Learning.

RTT #2: Plan early for final exams by visiting this website from the Office for Digital Learning. The site will walk you through considerations around exam format and proctoring methods. It also shows you how to import pre-built exam modules into your course.


MASC Update

The Manufacturing and Sterilization for COVID-19 (MASC) initiative continues to do amazing work. Earlier this week, prototype designs of 3D-printed N95 masks were tested by frontline health care workers at the Hershey Medical Center. College of Engineering researchers were there virtually to take notes and incorporate feedback prior to final design and production. Nearly 300 faculty, staff, and students from across the University are now contributing to MASC. More updates are coming!


Please continue to email me your “Because I couldn’t …” and your inspirational quotes. Penn State updates are available on the University’s coronavirus information site. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and follow the college on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

All the best!

Justin Schwartz
Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering