Dean's Community Message

October 30, 2020

Dear College of Engineering Community,

On this day before Halloween and the first home football game of the season, I implore you to do your part to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to mask up, avoid large gatherings, and adhere to social distancing. This is a critical moment for our community and we ALL have a role to play.

“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”
—Bob Dylan

Here are today’s updates:

Departure Virus Testing

To help prevent virus transmission outside of Penn State’s campus communities as students return home, the University is offering free voluntary COVID-19 testing for students prior to leaving campus. Students can begin booking appointments for in-person testing times beginning Nov. 6, where available. Voluntary on-campus departure testing will be offered from Nov. 12 through Nov. 19 at University Park and Nov. 16 through Nov. 18 at the Commonwealth Campuses. I encourage everyone to please participate.

Transition to Remote Symposium

In advance of the transition to remote learning, instructors are invited to participate in a remote Transition to Remote Symposium from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Nov. 6. The symposium will include eight 45-minute roundtable sessions on five focused topics. Each session will be offered at least once, with those sessions expected to be the most popular offered twice. Topics to be covered include strategies for supporting remote labs, remote assessment strategies to promote academic integrity, engaging students during remote instruction, advising and supporting students, and remote teaching of experiential courses.

Reminder: Benefits Open Enrollment for Employees Begins Monday

The period for faculty and staff to select benefits for 2021 begins on Nov. 2, and run through Nov. 20. More information is available online and via a schedule of virtual informational meetings, which can be accessed for later viewing.

Spring Semester ‘Wellness’ Days

To support the mental health and well-being of students, faculty and staff during the spring 2021 semester, Penn State will hold three wellness days on which no classes will be held. The wellness days will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 9, Thursday, March 11 and Wednesday, April 7. Wellness days, which will be in place for both undergraduate and graduate students and instructors across all campuses, will be non-instructional days during which no classes will be held, although University offices will remain open.

Teaching Tip #54 – Remind Students (Especially Those at Distance) About Daylight Savings Time

In most of the U.S., daylight savings time ends on Sunday, November 1, but time changes may not be happening in other countries. It’s a good idea to remind students who are currently in a location that does not turn back clocks that your class will be meeting an hour later starting next week.

Have a wonderful and SAFE weekend!

Justin Schwartz
Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering