main entrance to campus

Answers to concerns about remote learning protocol at Penn State Scranton

We understand our students and campus community have specific questions about how the campus is handling modified operations in response to the global coronavirus outbreak. Please read our listing of campus services that will be available to students during this time.
By: Amy Gruzesky

LAST UPDATED:  June 2 at 4:45 p.m.

Penn State University has extended the remote-delivery period for all classes through the summer, based on federal and state guidance around the coronavirus pandemic. 

This means Penn State Scranton office staff are working remotely and our physical campus buildings and offices are not open for in-person visits during this time. However, staff will be regularly checking their voicemail and emails, so please see listing below for contact information.

During this time, all students are being advised to not return to campus, off-campus locations, and group dwellings (e.g., apartments), and should remain home during this time period. 

Keep up with the latest from Penn State about the global coronavirus outbreak at https://virusinfo.psu.edu/.

All members of the Penn State community are encouraged to take CDC-recommended health and safety precautions, available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html; contact their healthcare provider by phone if they have questions or feel ill; and review additional information from state and national health authorities at https://bit.ly/2UOGTg2.

The following details may help with specific questions about campus operations at Penn State Scranton: 

 

2FA (Second Factor Authentication) 

Students can get assistance with 2FA and other technical needs during IT Pop-Up Zoom information sessions using this link Penn State Scranton Pop Up IT Zoom.  These are being offered twice daily, Monday through Friday at both 10:00 am - 11:00 am and 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm.  All Penn State students were required to adopt 2FA by May 12th.

 

ACADEMIC CONCERNS

All in-person classes, seminars and labs this summer will be delivered remotely for students at every campus location. Watch your Penn State email and the Canvas pages for your courses for communications from your faculty members. Check those platforms regularly for updates.
 

If your current courses include an off-campus, engaged learning opportunity, such as an internship or nursing clinical, watch for additional communications from your faculty members or site supervisors.


Academic Affairs

Please call 570-963-2510 for assistance.

 

ADMISSIONS & FINANCIAL AID

Our admissions office will have staff available remotely to assist students with immediate and emergency needs concerning their applications for admission/financial aid during this time.

Please call 570-963-2500.


CARES ACT Funding

Below are some helpful tips regarding this funding. Please note, if you did not receive an award in the first round of awarding, there will be an application process available soon.

1.  Student had to be enrolled and finish spring 20 term.

2.  Grades and GPA from spring don't affect eligibility for the CARES grant funds.

3.  Even though it is a grant and does not need to be repaid, lionpath needs the student to accept the award.

4.  To accept the award students need to complete the CARES ACT activity guide that is in the LionPath to do list.

5.  Students can opt to decline some or all of the award if they don't need it.

6.  If they decline all or some of it and need it back, we can get the funds back, within the summer.

7.  If they applied for funding through student affairs, they can still get the CARES funding, regardless of whether or not they got money from student affairs. (SECOND ROUND APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE IF YOU RECEIVED FUNDS FROM STUDENT AFFAIRS.)

8.  As of now, this money is NOT for incoming students, as they had to be enrolled at PSU in the spring.

9: If you have LionPath access, you can see the award letter in the students Communication Center.

 

ATHLETICS

All team practices, games and intramural sports have been suspended during this time and the gym will be closed to all students, faculty and staff.

During this suspension of athletic activities, no athletic contests, practices or training will take place, including at non-University affiliated facilities. 

Student-athletes are expected to continue with academic progress as University and national organization eligibility standards for current and future semesters will apply.
 

BOOKSTORE

The Campus Bookstore is closed.

Textbook Rental Returns extended to June 15th

If you have rented textbooks, they can be returned for free through UPS.  You will need your order number to print the UPS shipping label. This can be found in the confirmation email from your online order OR if you rented your textbook in store, find it in any of your rental reminder emails.  Reminder emails began on April 18th, remember to check your junk and spam folders or your personal email addresses for these.  The UPS label can be printed on or before your Charge Date at https://psu.bncollege.com/shop/psu/page/rental-book-return.  You can contact our Bookstore Manager, Diane Slater at [email protected] if you have additional questions.


BURSAR’S OFFICE

Please call 570-963-2515 for assistance or you can visit BURSAR.PSU.EDU for information regarding your student account.
 

BUSINESS SERVICES

Please call 570-963-2514 and leave a message.
 

CENTER FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Please call 570-963-2600.
 
      LaunchBox – The LaunchBox at 611 Cedar Avenue, Scranton, is closed during this time.


Computer Access

Campus computer labs are closed.
 
Students with unmet technology needs should contact Penn State IT at 814-865-HELP (4357) or [email protected] for individual arrangements.
 

Campus technology assistance will also be available during this time to answer questions. Students, faculty and staff should call the Scranton IT Help Desk at 570-963-2551 or send email to [email protected]

FOOD SERVICES – The View Café

The View Café will not be open for food service and the dining area will not be available for students to gather.
 

Learning Center (Disabilities Services, Tutoring, and OWL)

The Penn State Scranton Learning Center can help you achieve your academic goals!​​​​​

The Learning Center offers Tutoring and Study Skills Help

  • Individual and small group tutoring
  • Professional and peer tutoring
  • Online tutoring
  • Study skills help
  • Reference materials

See our Learning Center Policies
 

Summer 2020 Schedule

During Summer 2020, we offer online, in-real-time options for Math and Science tutoring and writing assistance. You can schedule an appointment with a tutor by visiting our Online Scheduler

Taking a summer course and need writing assistance? The Writing Center has you covered!

  • Our Blue and White OWL online writing lab is an asynchronous way to get written feedback on your work.
  • We also offer synchronous tutoring appointments through Zoom! You can schedule an appointment to meet with a writing tutor at mywconline.com

For additional inquiries, email Kate Lafferty-Danner at [email protected]


Study Skills Help

A professional Academic Coach can help students develop skills in time management, note taking, test taking, and more!

For study skills help or questions about online tutoring, students can contact Eileen Giovagnoli, Associate Director of the Learning Center, at [email protected].


Disability Services

Information on contacts for questions about Student Disability Resources is available from this link:

https://scranton.psu.edu/disability-services

 

Library Access

Our library is closed to on-site access. The University Libraries website (https://libraries.psu.edu/) is 100% open and available, as are library faculty and staff. Our Remote Resources page includes links to the many additional services currently available: https://libraries.psu.edu/remote-resources-penn-state-library-users.

Circulation is suspended of all print and other physical resources. Anything you currently have checked out will be extended through Aug. 13, the end of the summer session, and fines waived from March 15.

 

Those materials will be renewed again during the summer for those who are planning to return to campus in the fall, dependent upon University decisions on resuming on-campus instruction. In addition, all recall notices for items have been suspended through the summer.


If you've borrowed items from our campus or University libraries before the pandemic caused campuses to close their buildings, you can return them by taking them to the campus library and putting them into the Book Return slot located to the left of the main entrance doors, or contact our library staff for any questions at:  [email protected] 

 

PENN STATE GO Mobile APP

 

Keep current on Penn State Scranton and PSU info that you need by downloading and using the Penn State Go app.

For more information and to download, go to: mobile.psu.edu

 

REGISTRAR’S OFFICE

Please call:  570-963-2505.


STUDENT SERVICES & ENGAGEMENT

Call 570-963-2690.
 

Career Services:  Jon Tobin will be available to assist students via email, phone (570-963-2684) or ZOOM if required.
 

Counseling Services:
 

If you have an emergency, please call 911 or proceed to GCMC on Mulberry Street in Scranton, as they have Clinical Mental Health workers on call at all times. 

Urgent or Non-Urgent Needs: Students may access a counselor at any time 24/7 by using our FREE Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400, or by texting “LIONS” to 741741.

Game Room:  CLOSED

No student/faculty/staff/community use of space

No LEG use
 

Student Activities/Clubs:  Staff will be communicating directly with club leadership regarding plans for remote meetings and other club business.
 

Student Trips/Programs:  CANCELLED
 

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND QUARANTINES

Penn State is committed to maintaining the good health of all students and employees and encouraging prevention practices across the Penn State community. These guidelines align with University policies in support of that goal.
 

QUARANTINE

All faculty, staff, and students returning from CDC Level 3 countries** must engage in a 14-day self-quarantine before returning to work. At the time of this announcement, these countries include: China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea. The most up-to-date list of Level 3 countries may be found at the CDC website.

The guidelines detailed below apply to faculty members and administrators who are returning from a CDC Level 3 country:

All faculty members will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Unless they are ill, faculty members are expected to meet their faculty obligations while under self-quarantine and should consult with their academic administrator on how best to meet their teaching, research, and service responsibilities during this period.

Employees who become symptomatic should contact Absence Management [[email protected], or (814) 865-1782] to discuss a medical leave of absence and clearance requirements for returning to work. For information regarding Family Medical Leave, please see HRG11.

 

WORK STUDY STUDENTS
 

Student workers are being told not to report to work, other than remotely, as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.