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Juniata College and Penn State University students will finish the spring semester remotely and their commencement ceremonies likely will be postponed as their academic centers adjust as the spread of COVID-19.
Students at Mount Aloysius in Cresson will have an extended spring break, March 14 through March 28, according to Sam Wagner, director of communications. "The campus will shift all in-person classes to remote learning (online courses) for the following two weeks (March 29 through April 10). This timeline may be extended at a later date based on the pandemic trends."
"The Executive Committee of our Board of Trustees is meeting tomorrow to make a decision about the remainder of the semester," he said in an email Wednesday afternoon, noting that no plans are in place to change commencement.
Penn State University
Earlier Wednesday, Penn State extended the period for remote learning for all classes through "at least the spring semester, based on evolving federal and state guidance around the growing coronavirus pandemic."
Final examinations also will be administered remotely, the university said.
"Spring commencement ceremonies will be postponed while the university explores options for celebrating the achievements of our students," according to the Penn State website.
"Graduation is a significant milestone for our students and while it may not be the same as our traditional ceremony, we are committed to finding the best way possible to recognize the achievements of our graduates," said Penn State President Eric J. Barron.
"However, as the world works together to slow the spread of COVID-19, these decisions must be made with public health at the forefront along with the health and wellness of our students, faculty, staff, their families, and our local communities," Barron said.
Juniata College
Juniata College President James A. Troha made a similar announcement late Tuesday, as Juniata moved to "an exclusively remote learning environment ... for the remainder of the spring semester." The change begins March 23 and continues through May 11.
Speaking Wednesday afternoon, Provost Lauren Bowen said faculty was meeting to discuss final examinations.
Juniata College seniors will graduate in May, but a celebratory commencement ceremony would likely not take place as scheduled for May 16, Bowen said. Instead, the college is looking to reschedule later in the summer.
Juniata has asked students to depart by March 22.
Penn State officials said departure from on-campus housing will be made "soon" as detailed plans must be in place to maintain "social distancing guidelines."
"This is critical to the university's efforts to create as much social distancing as possible and maintain a low level of exposure risk to our students as well as all our local communities," Barron said, adding the university will work with local authorities, landlords and student leaders, where we can, to develop strategies to minimize the impact of students returning to our communities to retrieve personal belongings."