In the face of severe financial impacts to the University brought on by the global coronavirus pandemic, on April 23 Penn State President Eric J. Barron announced some salary adjustments; a 3% across-the-board cut to university budgets in the next fiscal year; and his intention to work with the Board of Trustees to freeze tuition for the 2020-21 academic year to limit student costs.
With Penn State Scranton students now into their sixth week of stay-at-home restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Campus Counselor Katherine Stefanelli offers some tips on how to deal with the stress, anxiety and loneliness that some may be feeling.
In keeping with Penn State Scranton's current continuing adjustment to an all-virtual environment, the annual Student Recognition Dinner will be held virtually at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.
Luci Polanco, a senior corporate communication major at Penn State Scranton, now uses her home desk and laptop to "attend" classes and participate in student activities and social events since March 16, when Penn State switched to remote delivery of its classes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent state-mandated, stay-at-home requirements.
For Penn State Scranton students, the first couple of weeks of remote learning have proven to be a big adjustment — academically and socially. Several campus students shared their initial thoughts regarding the virtual learning experience and being away from the physical campus.
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, Penn State will host its first virtual commencement. The ceremony will be livestreamed, and available internationally, at https://spring2020.commencement.psu.edu/.
Given the continuing challenge and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic and to protect the health of students, faculty and staff, Penn State has made the decision to extend virtual delivery of courses into the summer. Further, the University will adjust tuition for the summer sessions in light of the ongoing pandemic and the persistent fiscal strain it is causing across Pennsylvania and the country.
