Dean's Community Message

Sept. 3, 2021

Dear College of Engineering Community,

Unbelievably, we are already two weeks into the fall semester! I hope the start of yours has been fantastic as we head into the three-day Labor Day weekend. As I’ve walked through our buildings and around campus at the start of the academic year, I have been proud to see the high level of masking on display—and I am hoping to see 100%. Please do your part.

As a reminder, next Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Foundry Park, we will be hosting a Welcome Back to Campus Ice Cream Social. I hope you will make plans to stop by.

“When I’m no longer rapping, I want to open up an ice cream parlor and call myself Scoop Dogg.”
—Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. … but his friends call him Snoop

Finally, thank you to everyone who has reached out to connect with me on LinkedIn. If you have not already, I encourage you to do the same!

Here are today’s updates:

Indoor Ventilation

You may have noticed that the air in some classrooms, particularly when it’s hot outside, feels stuffy. This is because the air is being exchanged more often. Based on Department of Health guidelines, the Office of Physical Plant has increased the introduction of outdoor air into buildings. Therefore, when occupied, indoor spaces heat up more quickly. In addition, OPP has replaced all Merv 8 return filters with Merv 13. The Merv 13 filters on the return air are picking up more particulates from the space and not reintroducing it into air distribution. In summary, it may feel warmer, but the system is working as planned.

Unvaccinated Students/Employees: Weekly Covid-19 Testing

Students, faculty, and staff who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 and those who have not shared with the University that they are fully vaccinated will be required to test weekly for COVID-19 throughout the fall semester, or until they share with the University that they have been fully vaccinated. Weekly notification emails with instructions will be sent from PSUCOVIDtesting@psu.edu. For more information, see the Testing and Support section of the University’s Coronavirus Information website. I strongly encourage everyone to vaccinate and report their vaccination status!

Faculty and Instructors: FAQs Highlights

From the weekly email to provide faculty and instructors with pandemic-related news and updates:

Q: What should I do if I am notified that a student in my class is in quarantine or isolation?

A: This document describes how you will be notified if a student in your class is in quarantine or isolation and the role faculty can play in contact tracing efforts.

Q: What should I do if a student tells me they have COVID-19?

A: If the student was identified through university testing, there is no other action you need to take. If the student received a positive test result from a third-party vendor not affiliated with the University (for example, urgent care clinic or primary care physician) you should encourage the student to report their result to the University by sharing this link: studentaffairs.psu.edu/covidsupport/reporting.

You may also submit information about students who have tested positive (or who have identified themselves as close contacts of students who have tested positive) via the Covid-19 Close Contact or Positive Case Referral Form. Further information on contact tracing is available at studentaffairs.psu.edu/covidsupport/reporting. Please do not report a class roster. Contact tracers will follow up with classmates identified as close contacts.

For guidance on working with students who test positive for coronavirus or who find themselves in special circumstances, please see this FAQ.

Engineering Staff: Open Forum

I will be hosting another open-ended Zoom discussion session with college staff at 1:30 on Sept. 16. Please check your email for access and RSVP information.

Teaching Tip #98 – Strategies for Classroom Contact Tracing

There are several strategies that can help manage your classroom to assist with contact tracing if a student from your class becomes ill. See this FAQ on the Office for Digital Learning site for more information. Special thanks to Industrial Engineering’s Sarah Root for her help with this resource.

Have a great weekend!

Justin Schwartz
Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering