College of Medicine Pandemic Response Friday Round-Up – Week of April 5-9
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This week, we wanted to dedicate the Pandemic Response Round-Up to answering some of the frequently asked questions we have received.
POLICIES and GUIDELINES
Where can I find policies related to decisions and guidelines we should follow related to COVID-19?
As information has changed throughout the pandemic, policies are updated regularly to help guide decisions for our faculty, staff and students. The best location to view these policies in on the med.psu.edu/coronavirus website where they are regularly posted and updated. A few highlights of policies with their direct link are as follows:
- Research Protocols, Safety Guidelines, Working On Campus
- Research Ramp-Up Phases Protocols
- Meeting, Training and Gathering Guidelines
- Vendor, Visitor or Contractor Form (prior approval)
- University Travel Guidelines
- COVID-19 Exposure Protocols
COVID VACCINE-RELATED FAQs
Do I have to get a COVID vaccine as an employee or student?
The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged by College leadership. As more faculty, staff and trainees continue to increase on campus incrementally, we urge those individuals who are unvaccinated to consider scheduling an appointment.
How do employees or students schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment?
Our supply of COVID vaccines has improved month over month. Employees and students can use the following link to schedule their vaccine appointment. If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact 717-531-8280 to cancel an appointment.
How can my family members schedule their vaccine appointment?
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) announced this week that it is opening the eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to everyone aged 16 and older on April 19. At this time, all Pennsylvanians who are in Phases 1B and 1C are eligible and can make their appointments now. For more information on the various phases, please visit this link on the PA DOH website. Vaccine locations are also available on the PA DOH website. You can find the location closest to you by using the map here.
WORKING ON CAMPUS OR REMOTELY FAQs
How long do employees need to work remotely?
A few weeks ago, we moved to allow laboratory research activities to ramp back up on campus. This applied only to research faculty, staff and trainees who could not fully perform their jobs remotely. At this time, our policy continues to be that all faculty, staff and trainees who can work remotely should continue to do so to minimize the overall population density in the College.
If we are working on campus, can we hold meetings in person?
Please continue to use Zoom for all meetings and activities where in-person attendance is not essential and for those in-person meetings where an individual cannot join because of health-related concerns.
Can we hold meetings, events and gatherings on campus or in-person?
Small group meetings are permitted for employees in the College, but attendees need to adhere to masking, distancing and room occupancy restrictions noted on the door at all times. The size of the meeting will be dictated by the availability of appropriately sized meeting rooms where physical distancing requirements can be maintained but cannot exceed 25 participants. Meeting duration should be minimized, and no food or drink is permitted.
Meetings or events with more than 25 participants are still suspended, but exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the vice dean for research and graduate studies (research-related meetings) and vice dean for educational affairs (education-related meetings). If the event is funded using any University funds (on-campus or off-campus), please adhere to University policy, which states 15% capacity for indoor events and 25% for outdoor events. Medical and physician assistant students should continue to submit an event request form for in-person activities with more than 10 participants.
Can we start inviting visitors to come on campus or schedule academic presentations using outside speakers?
The existing vendor and visitor policy is still in place, which includes external speakers who you may want to bring to Hershey in the future. Please continue to handle all academic presentations remotely. Refer to the visitor and vendor policy before bringing an outside vendor on campus.
Do we still have to complete the daily check-in before coming into the College?
Yes. To help with contact tracing in the College, faculty, staff and students are required to provide a daily COVID symptom attestation via the online check-in. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, please do not come into work. Contact Penn State University Occupational Medicine or Student Health.
Are we still required to swipe our badges before entering the College?
Yes. Each person should individually swipe their name badge. Please only enter the College after swiping your badge – please do not ride the coattails of others who have swiped in before you.
STUDENT FAQs
Are we holding Commencement in person this year?
We are excited to answer this question with a yes! Commencement will be in person this year for all graduating students at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center on May 15, 2021, at 1 p.m. Each student may have up to three guests who will be able to view the livestreamed ceremony near-by in an adjacent, decorated enclosed parking facility.
What will be required of students to attend graduation in person?
All students will be required to complete rapid COVID PCR testing the week of May 10 prior to graduation. College leadership is currently exploring testing options to either consist of all in-person or a combination of in-person or a mail-in option. Specific details will be available shortly to assist with any plans that need to be made to accommodate the testing.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
If you have additional questions, please fill out this form, and we will try to answer your questions each week in this email’s FAQ section.
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