Dean's Community Message

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Dear College of Engineering Community,

I hope you are doing well! As the last week of classes starts to come to a close, and we enter finals week, I know this can be an extremely busy and stressful time. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our response team at L-COE_CORONA_CRISIS_TEAM@engr.psu.edu with any lingering questions and concerns.

I thought this quote from Eckhart Tolle — a best-selling author and spiritual teacher — was particularly inspirational as we continue to navigate through remote teaching, learning, and working:

“Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness.”

Here are today’s updates:

Extended Travel Restrictions

As a reminder, Penn State Faculty Affairs announced that all University-sponsored domestic air travel involving students, faculty, and staff is suspended through at least June 30. All University-sponsored international travel involving students, faculty, and staff is suspended until further notice. Any nonessential travel, including between Penn State campuses, should be avoided in accordance with Pennsylvania’s statewide Stay at Home Order. More information can be found here.

CAPS Offering Student Support Through Spring and Summer

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will remain open through the remainder of the spring and through the summer. They will continue to offer a range of services, including same-day phone support, individual counseling sessions, a new You@PSU self-help portal, and daily virtual LifeHacks sessions for students.

Remote Teaching Tip: Webcams for Exams

RTT #8: To protect the integrity of exams and other assessments, faculty may require students to turn on their webcams in order to monitor the assessment. However, faculty must notify students of their intent to record the assessment at least three days in advance of any recording and, due to PA Wiretap Act, must remind students of the plan to record immediately before any recording takes place. Students should, if possible, find a location in which they can access a webcam or create a secure location. If students do not have access to a camera or have concerns that prevent them from being able to use a camera, the student must make the faculty member aware of these concerns at least 48 hours before the time of the assessment. In such cases, faculty must work with the student to provide an alternate exam. Screen sharing can also be an option to monitor student work if students are in separate Zoom rooms.

Remember that you can always connect with me on LinkedIn and follow the college on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Updates and FAQs are available on the University’s Coronavirus Information site.

Take care!

Justin Schwartz
Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering