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Pitt Public Health COVID-19 update (7/2)


Dear Pitt Public Health faculty, staff, and students, 

The chancellor has issued the first of a series of important announcements about University operating policies and procedures. You can find the full information, which will be updated regularly, at coronavirus.pitt.edu. This message is to update you on the implications of the University's plans for Pitt Public Health. As usual, please do not hesitate to reach out if there are questions that are not answered here or important issues that you feel need to be addressed.

 Academic Calendar

The academic calendar was modified in response to the COVID-19 situation and our Pitt Public Health graduate school calendar is slightly different from the Pitt undergraduate calendar.

Wednesday, August 19

First day of classes.

August 19 -21

All classes are remote.

Monday, August 24

Classes may begin to meet in person.

September 7 (Labor Day)

Classes WILL be held.

Wednesday, October 14

Break – student self-care day.

Tuesday, October 6

Last day of the first Pitt Public Health 7-week term.

Wednesday, October 7

First day of the second Pitt Public Health 7-week term.

Friday, November 20

Last day of undergraduate classes.

November 23-24

Undergraduate in-person exams. Graduate classes continue (in person).

November 24

Last day of the second Pitt Public Health 7-week term.

November 25 – 29

Thanksgiving break.

November 30- December 5

Undergraduate exams continue remotely. Graduate classes may continue remotely.

December 5

Last day of graduate classes.

December 12

Last day of the Pitt Public Health term. Essay, thesis, and dissertation deadlines will be tied to this date, not to the last date of classes. Precise deadlines TBD.

  

Course Design

As faculty work to design their fall courses, we recommended a strategy of designing courses as if they will be entirely remote and then adding in-person components. This does not necessarily mean that courses will be delivered remotely. Still, this design strategy will ensure the highest quality educational experience for all students and provide maximum flexibility for students as their needs vary during the term or if the COVID-19 situation changes. Remote options will be available for all students in all courses.

All courses will incorporate small group discussion or problem-solving sessions, whether in person or remote, to enhance the social interaction and network building that are an essential part of graduate education. Courses will also include a variety of elements that are unique to the hybrid/remote environment, including “flipped” classrooms and special guest appearances by experts from all over the world.

Don’t panic about classrooms or registration

Or.iginal room assignments will change because of the new maximum capacity restrictions and our need to accommodate multiple class sections. We understand that some changes are appearing in PeopleSoft. Still, please know that these assignments have not been finalized and that the information currently available in PeopleSoft may not be accurate. Corrections will be made over the next couple of weeks, and normal course registration processes and changes will continue after that time.

Paid graduate student appointments

The remote accommodations for educational programming will allow students who will not be physically present in Pittsburgh this fall to participate in courses.  However, paid appointments (for example, GSR, TA, or student worker) for students not located in the United States are not permitted. For students who are within the U.S. but not in Pittsburgh, paid appointments are only permitted if the work can be done remotely. Such arrangements must be worked out and documented with the supervisor.   

The earlier start date for the term will result in some expanded options for the payment of student salaries and the handling of health insurance. More information will be forthcoming on these options soon.

Research restart

The lab research re-start has gone very well, with essentially all labs now back up and running, including several that are doing COVID research. We are working through the restart of clinical and community-based research, developing plans for interaction with human subjects in each of these venues. Please contact Velpandi Ayyavoo with any questions about that process.

What happens if someone has symptoms or tests positive?

Do not come to campus if you have any suspected COVID-19 symptoms. If you are symptomatic or if you have tested positive, you should report your situation to your immediate supervisor and your department administrator and follow these guidelines: coronavirus.pitt.edu/risk/guidelines-responding-symptomatic-individuals.   

Please do not be hesitant or embarrassed to take these steps. Everyone is safer if we are all proactive so that appropriate steps can be taken whenever there is even the slightest concern about possible infection.

Building access

Building access has not changed. Everyone who can work remotely is expected to do so. Individuals who may need access to retrieve materials should contact their department administrators. With the expectation that on-campus instructional activities will resume in mid-August, we expect access plans to change in early August in order to prepare. Details are TBD.

Social Justice Action Committee

You should have received an email message earlier today with information about the school’s new Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC). The committee plans to establish several workgroups to develop an action plan for the school. Please email Mary Brady (bradym1@pitt.edu) by July 9th if you are interested in participating in an SJAC workgroup.

Eleanor Feingold, executive associate dean
feingold@pitt.edu

Jessie Burke, associate dean for education
jgburke@pitt.edu

Renae Brinza, associate dean for administration and finance
brinza@pitt.edu



7/06/2020
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