UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Ongoing sleet and freezing rain have caused Penn State to cancel on-campus work, in-person classes and other in-person activities at its University Park campus beginning at 10:30 p.m. Monday (2/15) and continuing until 10 a.m. Tuesday (2/16).
Classes
While the University is operating in a hybrid in-person and remote state, instructors teaching in any mode of instruction may opt to deliver instruction asynchronously during the cancellation period. Instructors should communicate directly to their students regarding instruction during the cancellation period.
During a cancellation period, there are different options for the various COVID course modes:
- COVID In-Person (CP) courses that begin prior to 10 a.m. on Tuesday will not be held. Instructors may choose to offer content asynchronously.
- If a Hybrid/COVID Mixed-Mode (CM) course is scheduled to meet in person during the cancellation period, instructors should give serious consideration to meeting asynchronously. As with CP courses, the instructor may choose to offer content asynchronously or cancel class altogether.
- COVID Remote (CR) courses may continue to meet remote synchronously at the usual time, or the instructor may choose to offer content asynchronously or cancel class altogether.
- Web and COVID Remote Asynchronous (CW) courses will continue with no changes.
On-campus, in-person activities
Any scheduled in-person activities that begin before 10 a.m. on Tuesday (2/16) are canceled. Activities beginning at or after 10 a.m. on Tuesday will be held as originally scheduled.
University COVID-19 testing
All University Park COVID-19 testing sites will be closed until 10 a.m. on Tuesday (2/16). Students with scheduled appointments for COVID-19 testing at the White Building prior to 10 a.m. on Tuesday may go for testing anytime after 10 a.m.
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, or remain on, campus as directed by their supervisors. 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.
For employees who have not been previously identified as performing duties essential to maintaining campus operations and who are currently required to report to campus:
- Those who are currently on campus are dismissed at 10:30 p.m. on Monday (2/15). These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay for the portion of their shift after 10:30 p.m. on Monday, subject to guideline requirements.
- Those scheduled to begin work before 10 a.m. on Tuesday (2/16) and end after 10 a.m. on Tuesday should report at 10 a.m. on Tuesday to complete a partial day. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay for the portion of their shift prior to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, subject to guideline requirements.
- Those whose work hours are scheduled to begin and end between 10:30 p.m. on Monday (2/15) and 10 a.m. on Tuesday (2/16) should not report. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay, subject to guideline requirements.
- Those scheduled to report at or after 10 a.m. on Tuesday (2/16) should report as regularly scheduled.
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 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.
Additional weather info, ongoing updates
The decision to cancel on-campus work and other activities at University Park 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) 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.