Coronavirus Information

Latest updates

How is Penn State awarding student emergency grants from its federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II allocation?

Penn State was allotted nearly $85 million from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II as part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), which was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. As prescribed by law, at least $27.5 million of Penn State’s allocation will be awarded to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants, matching the dollar amount Penn State students received last year under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Penn State will again distribute the student grants via two rounds of funding. In the first round, the University will award grants to more than 23,000 students. These first-round grants prioritize students with exceptional financial need, as required by the CRRSAA, based on data from the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who are Pell Grant-eligible will each be offered $1,200, and all other students identified for an award will be offered $1,000 each.

The University also will award grants via a second round of funding that will use an application process to support students in need who were not identified to receive funding during the first round. Details about this application-based second round of funding will be shared broadly in the near future.

What is the status of in-person meetings, events, and other gatherings?

Governor’s guidance

Orders issued by Gov. Tom Wolf that took effect on April 4, 2021, amend previous COVID-19 orders related to maximum occupancy for gatherings. (Note: The order does not apply to classrooms, per the Pennsylvania Department of Education.)

Scope

The guidance below applies to any Penn State-sponsored event, either on or off campus. At this time, events organized or sponsored by organizations external to Penn State are not permitted on campuses. In general, meetings and events should be held remotely if feasible. Local ordinances may supersede state guidelines.

Student organizations

Student organizations wishing to hold an event or meeting should consult with the Office of Student Activities (University Park) or the chancellor’s office (Commonwealth Campuses) regarding student meeting/event policies and the procedures for requesting to hold a meeting or event.

Indoor meetings and events

Meetings and events of 10 or fewer participants are permitted with no prior permission required, with masks required and taking into account the governor’s orders regarding maximum occupancy. Requests for indoor meetings and events with more than 10 participants at no more than 25% of maximum occupancy must be submitted for approval to the unit executive* (see “Approval process” below). Masks and 6 feet of distance among attendees are required.

Outdoor meetings and events

Meetings and events of 10 or fewer participants are permitted with no prior permission required, with masks required and taking into account the governor’s orders regarding maximum occupancy. Requests for outdoor meetings and events with more than 10 participants at no more than 50% of maximum capacity must be submitted for approval to the unit executive* (see “Approval process” below). Masks and 6 feet of distance among attendees are required.

Approval process

Meeting/event organizers requesting permission for an indoor or outdoor meeting or event of more than 10 participants must:

— Explain how the proposed event is in alignment with the mission of the University.

— Provide justification as to why the meeting or event cannot take place virtually or in a hybrid format (some participants in person and others virtually).

— Provide the total number of individuals attending the meeting or event, which must include the employees working the event.

— Include a plan that outlines how the organizers will meet the state of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 regulations. Masks and other required PPE must be worn both indoors and outdoors and plans for abiding by physical distancing guidelines must be included.

— If the event is on campus, work with the Office of Physical Plant to determine the maximum room/venue capacity in order to determine the maximum number of attendees.

— Keep a list of all attendees, the locations from which non-employees are traveling, and their telephone numbers for contact purposes.

— Check with the unit’s HRSP (human resources strategic partner) to determine whether employees at the meeting should be entered into the Return to Work database.

— Provide evidence that the meeting organizers have worked with relevant campus leadership to ensure that the gathering is in compliance with local ordinances pertaining to COVID-19.

— Attendees who are not employees or students are required to sign an Acknowledgement of Risk document (View PDF version of the acknowledgement of risk document | Download DOCX version of the acknowledgement of risk document) when feasible, in advance of their arrival if possible. If the unit wishes to make changes to this document other than to add the unit name, it should contact the Office of General Counsel.

Attention to COVID rates in other areas

Meetings that include participants from states with high levels of COVID-19 should only be permitted if there are special circumstances and with unit executive approval. All Penn State employees must follow existing travel guidance. All meeting and event attendees from outside of Pennsylvania must follow Pennsylvania’s “COVID-19 Information for Travelers” guidance.

*Unit executives should elevate meeting/event requests to the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs if there is uncertainty about whether the meeting/event should be approved. Campus chancellors should elevate meeting requests to the Office of the Senior Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses.

Am I eligible to receive a vaccine as an education worker?

As of April 13, all Pennsylvania adults are eligible to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. Penn State is strongly encouraging all students, faculty and staff to sign up to get the first vaccine available to them as soon as a dose is available. The Department of Health website features a map of vaccine providers that includes hospitals, urgent care centers, doctor’s offices and pharmacies.

Can any University employee now receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

As of April 13, all Pennsylvania adults are eligible to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. Penn State is strongly encouraging all students, faculty and staff to sign up to get the first vaccine available to them as soon as a dose is available. The Department of Health website features a map of vaccine providers that includes hospitals, urgent care centers, doctor’s offices and pharmacies.

Is Penn State making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for employees or students?

For now, we are strongly encouraging everyone in our community to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible and a dose is available. We are continuing to monitor developments and vaccine availability carefully and may alter our approach in the future if it is determined to be in the best interest of our community or called for by public policy. More information will be forthcoming through the Pennsylvania Department of Health (which is overseeing the vaccine distribution) and the University, and as we weigh the pandemic’s continuing impact on our communities. To learn more, visit the Vaccine Information page.