Dean's Community Message

December 15, 2020

Dear College of Engineering Community,

I hope your Finals Week is off to a successful start. I imagine — like me — you are looking forward with great eagerness to the upcoming break and the chance to unwind and turn the page to a new year. As this is the final planned community message of 2020, I wanted to once again thank all the members of our engineering community for the resilience shown throughout this year, particularly during the fall semester.

So much has been written about the many challenges of 2020. While those challenges will not magically disappear in January, I am optimistic about the future. That optimism rests, in part, on the knowledge that our students, faculty, and staff have what it takes to navigate the months ahead. I am also optimistic about the trajectory of our college and the many exciting initiatives planned for 2021, from construction on West Campus to the yearlong celebration of our 125th anniversary to ongoing research with the power to change the world.

My hope for each and every one of you during the semester break is that you find the space to rest and rejuvenate, that you connect (at least virtually) with family and friends, that you take the time to reflect on what has been but also imagine what can be, and that you remain vigilant in safeguarding your health and the health of all those around you.

If history is any guide, the break between semesters will pass in what seems like a blink of an eye. Before you know it, we will be starting the spring semester and once again immersed in our work, whatever that work may be. Until then, happy holidays and happy new year! And for those graduating on Saturday, congratulations! I look forward to connecting with all of you again in January, and will certainly reach out before then as needed.

Here are today’s updates:

Snowstorm Guidance

With forecasts predicting a major weather event for the Northeast on Wednesday, finals will continue as scheduled and supervisors are urged to be flexible with remote employees. The University has provided additional guidance in the event a campus ceases normal operations due to weather, power outages, or other emergencies. This includes guidance for essential employees required to report to campus, non-essential employees working on campus, employees working remotely, and employees working at alternative work locations. Supervisors are encouraged to communicate expectations of employees reporting to them.

Alternative Grading: Financial Aid Considerations

Students not only need to work closely with their academic advisers to determine what is best academically for their particular situation, they also need to understand the financial aid implications of selecting alternative grading. Keeplearning.psu.edu has been updated with information related to scholarship as well as federal and state aid considerations. I strongly encourage you to review this information prior to making alternative grade selections. As a reminder, the alternative grade selection tool will become available in LionPATH on Dec. 23. For support within the college related to financial aid and alternative grading, please email scholarships@engr.psu.edu.

Reminder for Instructors: Submitting Final Grades

As we approach finals week, all instructors should have their grades in no later than two days after the final assessment. This deadline is important for a number of reasons that relate to automated processes in LionPATH. This semester has been particularly challenging for both instructors and students and the college appreciates your effort in meeting this deadline.

Reminder for Instructors: Spring 2021 Planning Resources

As a reminder, the University has provided numerous resources for instructors to help with preparations for the upcoming spring semester. We highly encourage our instructors to utilize these resources, especially the Instructor Guide for Upcoming Semester Course planning, which includes a checklist that can aid in planning for the spring. These resources are available on the Keep Teaching site. Additionally, we are asking for instructors’ feedback on the Flexible Instruction Teaching Guide. Please complete this form to submit your feedback.

Teaching Tip #65 – Using TopHat for Increased Student Engagement

Join the Office for Digital Learning to learn more about a new teaching tool, TopHat, which can help increase in-class engagement in both in-person and remote classes. Register here for our workshop to be held on January 12, 1:30-2:30.

Be well!

Justin Schwartz
Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering