Dean's Community Message

June 5, 2020

Dear College of Engineering Community,

Good afternoon. The past week has been incredibly challenging in so many different ways for so many of us. I hope you are taking care of yourself and finding the time to connect with friends, family, and others in need, a sentiment reflected succinctly in this quote from Michelle Obama: “No matter what, you give everybody a fair shake, and when somebody needs a hand, you offer yours.” During this tumultuous time, I also found this quote, written by Albert Camus, to be relevant: “What’s true in all of the evils in the world is true of plague as well. It helps men to rise above themselves.” (with apologies for the gendered language of his era). Bringing these two thoughts from two different eras together, this is a time for all of us to rise above ourselves and offer help of all sorts to those in need. It is also a time to receive the help we find we need. So I hope your weekend provides the space to reflect, recharge, and reach out to offer and receive support, to listen and to be heard, and to learn. Please also know that you can reach out to our response team at L-COE_CORONA_CRISIS_TEAM@engr.psu.edu.

Here are today’s updates:


Return to Campus Update

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Education released health and safety guidelines for institutes of higher education. As the University continues to plan for fall 2020, the task groups working on returning students and employees to campus are planning to meet or exceed these expectations for colleges and universities. Based on this new guidance, Penn State is also actively examining the return of small cohorts of students to campuses for second summer session as the University is able to meet the governor’s requirements. More information can be found here.


Return to On-Campus Research Update

Along with the rest of campus, the College of Engineering’s “gradual return to on-campus research” is ramping up according to guidelines published by the Senior Vice President of Research (SVPR). As previously mentioned, with the assistance of faculty members and department heads, the college submitted a re-occupancy request to the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) for research activities that included almost 300 spaces in 34 buildings. The college also submitted an initial research personnel list to SVPR that included almost 700 individuals.

The college is now officially in the Yellow phase. Once a few remaining tasks* are completed for each lab and person, and OPP gives their approval of the building, researchers will be able to return to labs on a restricted schedule.

*Remaining tasks include among other things: lab schedules, pandemic supplies, lab-specific COVID-19 protocols and associated training, and completion of the EHS research ramp-up checklist, including a lab walk-through. The college will work with OPP and departments to ensure that building signage and hand sanitizer stations are in place. Please work with your departments to address the remaining tasks at hand.


Remote Teaching Tip #14 – Add interactivity into your course materials

Provide opportunities for students to engage with your course by including interactive graphics and self-check exercises. See these examples created by the Office for Digital Learning.


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.

Be well!

Justin Schwartz
Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering