Coronavirus Information

Latest updates

Is there a phone number I can call if I have questions about COVID-related topics at Penn State?

Faculty, staff members, students and families across all Penn State campuses can call the Penn State COVID-19 Response Center at 814-865-2121. The center’s hours of operation (all Eastern Time) are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Before calling, individuals are encouraged to review the University’s official coronavirus information website to see if their questions are answered there. The site includes links to Penn State COVID-19 resources, as well as a comprehensive list of COVID-19 FAQs for students and families, faculty and staff, and members of campus communities.

For direct support, in lieu of calling the COVID-19 Response Center:

— Students who are concerned about COVID-19 exposure or who are experiencing symptoms are urged to utilize the University’s health care resources to seek out testing and facilitate contact tracing. At University Park, students can schedule an appointment with University Health Services via myUHS. Other COVID-19-related services can be found on the UHS website. Campus students should contact their campus’ health care services to schedule an appointment. Students can learn more about COVID-19 testing options at University Park online.

— Penn State employees with human resources-related questions can call Human Resources Shared Services directly at 814-865-1473 or select option 1 when calling the Penn State COVID Response Center. That office’s hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Calls received outside those hours (directly or via the COVID Response Center) will be directed to an online inquiry system (WorkLion) that is monitored.

— Individuals with questions about the University’s technical systems or operations related to COVID-19 can call Penn State Technical Support directly at 814-865-4357 (HELP) at any time.

Do I need a negative COVID-19 test before entering my lab, creative studio, or other on-campus research facility?

There are no additional COVID-19 testing requirements for conducting on-campus research. Students must have a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to campus as part of their return for the spring 2021 semester. However, there are no additional test requirements for entering research facilities.

All students, including students who remained on campus or in their campus communities during the semester break, are required to complete pre-arrival testing before returning to campus for any activity, including lab or studio work (see this FAQ for more information). It is appropriate for a lab or studio leader to be clear about the expectation that the student complete the required testing and ask whether the student has completed the testing; however, a lab or studio leader should not ask for a test result. If a student tests positive, then supervisors will be notified as part of Penn State’s contact tracing process.

Can I ask students for proof of a negative COVID-19 test before they enter my lab or studio?

You should not ask someone for test results. You can communicate to students that your expectation is that they have completed their required testing and that they are following isolation requirements if they tested positive.

No one should come to a lab/studio/work/class if they have symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19 until the isolation period is completed and symptoms resolve fully. If someone tests negative, they can return to a lab/studio/work/class while continuing to abide by all safety procedures and protocols, including masking, distancing and hygiene practices.

With the in-residence portion of the spring semester beginning on Feb. 15, will room and board rates be adjusted accordingly?

Yes. The Penn State Board of Trustees has approved a proposal that adjusts room and board rates for the spring 2021 semester in recognition of the University’s decision to delay the start of in-person classes until Feb. 15.

For the spring 2021 semester, the cost of a standard double room has been adjusted down by $673 to a total cost of $2,754, and the cost of the mid-level meal plan has been adjusted down by $284 to a total cost of $2,165. The meal plan adjustment is to the meal plan base only; dining dollar amounts remain the same.

Together, the cost of a standard double room and the mid-level meal plan for the spring 2021 semester comes to $4,919 — a total cost reduction of 16.3%.

More details and revised room and board rates for all campuses and room types are available on the Penn State Housing website.

Students’ spring room and board charges will be adjusted and reflected in the spring bill.

Note: If a student is currently residing in campus housing, their existing winter break contract will be extended until the official start of the spring semester; a student’s spring semester bill will also reflect the full spring semester room and board rate. Students not currently residing in campus housing who have extenuating circumstances regarding the spring semester must contact their campus Housing assignment office.

Will I be able to return to my residence hall to collect items during the remote-learning period?

Residence halls will be closed during the remote-learning period, except for students currently living on campus during the winter break. Students will not have card-swipe access to their residences, and may not come back to campus to collect belongings during the remote period.

Students at University Park who are not returning to on-campus housing for the spring semester can schedule a move-out day and time online via eLiving, and move-out should occur prior to Jan. 16. The move-out process is designed to minimize the number of people in each residence hall and enable Housing staff to clean and sanitize buildings and equipment between visits. A limited number of students can sign up for each time slot by building, and only one family member per student is permitted. If an individual has COVID-19, was possibly exposed to the virus, or is in quarantine, please do not come to campus. All individuals returning to campus for move-out must follow University guidelines, which include wearing a mask at all times, practicing physical distancing, and regularly washing hands. Additional details about the move-out process can be found on the Penn State Housing website.

Commonwealth Campus residential students who are not returning to their on-campus residence for spring 2021 need to contact their respective Housing and Food Services office via phone or email to schedule a day and time for move-out.