Dear Students,
We're almost there! Thank you for your patience and for your cooperation as we've worked to prepare the campus for the fall semester. We know that there have been a lot of changes this year, so we wanted to compile some key information for you.
Face coverings are required to be worn by all employees, students, and visitors when in buildings and vehicles owned or leased by IUP, unless a health condition prevents you from wearing a face covering. Students who need a reasonable accommodation for the IUP face-covering policy should contact the Department for Disability Access and Advising (disability-access@iup.edu). We also ask that all students follow community guidelines when off campus, which include face coverings and social distancing.
Safety kits are available at no cost to all IUP students. They include hand sanitizer, washable cloth face coverings, a multi-use disposable forehead thermometer, facial tissues, and other items. Students living on campus will receive their kit at their residence halls during check-in. Students living off-campus can pick up their kits in Folger Hall on Saturday, August 22, through Tuesday, August 25, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Students who are unable to pick up their safety kits during the times offered in Folger Hall can stop by their college dean's office to obtain a kit. Program coordinators will inform graduate students about safety kit pickup. The College of Education and Communications dean's office will coordinate safety kit pickup for students doing student teaching in the fall semester.
We want you to be informed about COVID-19 cases in the IUP community. While we do not have any positive cases at present, we are prepared for that situation. We will send an email to all IUP students and employees when we have our first positive COVID-19 case and will continue to update you by email on a regular basis. Information about cases will be posted on our website, along with health and safety information.
The IUP Libraries will remain open to all students, with a number of changes to ensure health and safety regulations. Details about changes to library operations are posted to the IUP Libraries webpage. Java City will be closed.
The Counseling Center will be offering telehealth appointments over the fall semester. The hours of operation in the Center will be Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No walk-ins will be accepted at this time, but students can schedule an appointment by phone at 724-357-2621 or by email at counseling-center@iup.edu. Students not able to teleconference via their own equipment can arrange to reserve a room within the Center to receive the services they require. For after-hours emergencies, students should contact the 24-Hour County Crisis Help Line at 1-877-333-2470.
We want to encourage student groups to continue to meet within IUP guidelines for gatherings. While some meetings will need to take place virtually during the fall semester for size reasons, student groups are encouraged to meet outdoors or use Folger Hall, which will be open as a place for all students to study individually or in small groups. We invite all commuting students to campus to take advantage of this space as a home base while you are on campus during the school day. Bagged meals will be offered for lunch and dinner during the following days and times: Monday to Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The facility is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Most HUB meeting rooms have been equipped with Owl Pro cameras that capture 360-degree video and audio for a near-in person experience and allow for remote meetings; rooms available for meetings will be set up according to their size to allow for social distancing.
Information about campus resources, facilities, and services (including computer labs, dining halls, and fitness centers) is posted to the website and will continue to be updated as more information is finalized.
We will continue to communicate with you with new information. As we told you yesterday, the Hawks Q&A Center is available to answer your questions and point you in the right direction.
Be safe and take care of yourself and each other – which means wear a mask, practice social distancing, stay away from large gatherings, and wash your hands.
Fall 2020 Planning Committee