UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Forecasted heavy snow has caused Penn State to cancel all on-campus activities at its University Park campus beginning at 1 p.m. today (Dec. 16) through at least tomorrow (Dec. 17). An update on plans for resuming normal operations will be provided to the campus community tomorrow afternoon.
Final exams
With finals being administered remotely this week, exams will continue as scheduled. Instructors are urged to be flexible in handling individual situations, such as students who may be unable to access campus Wi-Fi to complete their final exams or who experience power outages due to weather. In these situations, students must be given the opportunity to complete an alternative assessment or a make-up exam. In addition, instructors should not travel to campus to administer a remote exam, nor should students travel to campus to take an exam.
COVID-19 Testing
Walk-up COVID-19 testing at the Hintz Family Alumni Center will close at 2 p.m. today.
Employees working remotely
Employees who are currently working remotely (because of the COVID-19 pandemic, under an approved telecommuting arrangement, or otherwise), and who continue to be able to work should perform their regularly assigned duties. Employees working remotely are not eligible for Campus Closure Compensatory Time. Employees working a rotating schedule of on-campus and remote work should work remotely, regardless of rotation schedule. Supervisors of remote employees should be flexible to allow employees the option to use accrued vacation or personal holiday time and flexible hours during a change in normal campus operations or transition to remote operations, where feasible. Employees who work remotely are not eligible for Campus Closure Compensatory Time or Campus Closure Pay.
If an employee is working at an alternate location, such as attending a conference or training, the employee is not eligible for Campus Closure Compensatory Time if they are able to continue their work responsibilities.
Employees working on campus
Employees who currently report to campus for work and have been previously identified as performing duties essential to maintaining campus operations should report to campus as directed. Employees who are required to report to campus during the cancellation period will be eligible for Campus Closure Compensatory Pay in accordance with the HRG 10 guideline provisions.
Employees who have not been previously identified as performing duties essential to maintaining campus operations and who are currently required to report to campus for their job should consult with their supervisor to see if they can perform work remotely beginning at 1 p.m. today (Dec. 16). If they can work remotely, these employees will work their approved schedule, and will not be eligible for Campus Closure Compensatory Pay.
For employees who cannot work remotely:
- Those who currently are on campus are dismissed at 1 p.m. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay, subject to guideline requirements.
- Those whose work hours are scheduled to begin and end between 1 p.m. today (Dec. 16) and 5 p.m. tomorrow (Dec. 17) should not report. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay, subject to guideline requirements.
- Those scheduled to work at or after 5 p.m. tomorrow (Dec. 17) should watch for tomorrow’s update regarding when the University will resume normal operations.
Additional weather info, ongoing updates
According to the latest forecasts, a winter storm will move into the Centre Region at or about 1 p.m. today bringing heavy snowfall through the afternoon, evening and early morning tomorrow. The decision to cancel on-campus activities was determined to be in the best safety interest of the University community.
University officials are continuing to monitor conditions and will provide updates as necessary. The most up-to-date information will be shared via Penn State's PSUAlert system, Penn State News, Twitter, and WPSU TV and radio.
All employees and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety. Faculty, staff and students should use their own best judgment when considering traveling to campus or the need to leave early during times of inclement weather. Faculty and staff should review Handling Weather Day Absences (Human Resources Guideline 10) at https://policy.psu.edu/policies/hrg10 for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled.
Faculty and staff who have any questions about how these policies apply to them should consult with their unit human resources consultant.
Campus surface lots are under a midnight clear for Dec. 16 and 17, meaning overnight parking is restricted in those areas.