As we all work together to adapt to the current COVID-19 situation and the measures being put into place to help slow the spread of the virus, we will continue to provide you with updates. This is a long e-mail, but please make sure to read all the content as we are trying to summarize the latest information and to provide answers to many of the questions that you all share. Please remember that both the university and the school have set up COVID-19 websites to provide much of the necessary information. In addition, specific guidance for graduate and professional students and postdocs is available from the Provost’s Office.
As we transition to more remote communication, please contact gsphit@pitt.edu if you need technological assistance. Your request will be accommodated to the greatest extent possible. If you have a serious barrier to remote education such as not having internet access at your home, please contact ral9@pitt.edu as soon as possible.
Classes
- All university classes, regardless of size, have been canceled for the week of March 16 and will resume via remote learning alternatives on March 23rd. This means that there will be no face to face classes for the remainder of the semester. Pitt Public Health faculty are working on creative modes for teaching course material and engaging students online and you will hear from instructors soon with information about what is happening with each of the courses you are enrolled in this Spring term. Please be patient as they work to transition to a remote format.
- We are working to make sure that these changes to not have an impact on credits and progress toward one’s degree. If you have concerns, please contact us or your program director. If there are still concerns, reach out to VPGraduate-Urban@pitt.edu.
Events
- All other events of size greater than 25 participants have been canceled, postponed or replaced with virtual engagements. Many people have questions about how specific events and meetings will be handled. Related decisions and approaches are being considered and updated information will be communicated as needed.
- Grand Rounds requirements for the spring term are being suspended.
- As of right now, we have no specific directive about graduation and convocation activities.
- Thesis/Dissertation defenses are permitted to take place remotely. Students should consult with their thesis/dissertation advisors and program directors about making arrangements for defenses. An electronic ETD Approval Form, including collecting electronic signatures, was recently approved by the Provost’s office and is available for use if one or more members of the committee participate remotely.
Work
- If you are employed by the University, contact your direct supervisor for specifics regarding work expectations and options for working remotely.
- Individuals who are ill should stay at home.
Campus Facilities and Work on Campus
- The campus is not closed at this time. However, we are working to provide remote participation options for as many people and events as possible and encourage people to make use of them. Individuals who choose to come in (faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students) are welcome to use university facilities, including offices, computer labs, library, etc.
- At this time, research that takes place in the Pitt Public Health building (wet lab, high-throughput computing) should generally continue. The decision to continue research involving human contact either in the building or in the community should be made by the Principal Investigator in consultation with their department administrator and chair. We are waiting for additional guidance from the University and federal government about issues related to continuity of research and will provide updates as needed.
- Some local primary and secondary school cancellations have recently been announced. We would like to remind you that you cannot bring children to work with you in Pitt Public Health facilities.
Respect and Inclusion
- Biased or ignorant statements about a person's nationality and assumptions of exposure to COVID-19 are counterproductive. Pitt Public Health is committed to respect and inclusion and if you feel you have been treated unfairly because of your country of origin, race, ethnicity or where you have traveled please contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
COVID-19 Information Sources
Again, we thank you for your patience and collaboration during this difficult time. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask them, and we will get answers as quickly as possible.
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Jessica Burke
Associate Dean for Education
3/13/2020