College of Medicine Pandemic Response Friday Round-Up – Week of July 5-9
College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on July 9 about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
This Week’s Updates:
Domestic travel to scientific meetings by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows
Trainees are now permitted to travel domestically to present their original research at scientific meetings. Trainees should submit requests for research meeting travel to the associate dean for graduate studies (chl1@psu.edu). Requests should contain the following information:
- Name
- Conference location
- Conference dates
- A description of COVID safety protocols that will be followed during travel and at meeting
- Funding source to defray the cost of registration
- Travel and accommodation details
- Trainee vaccination status
This policy is reviewed on a routine basis and trainee travel may be suspended depending on COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Trainee travel to international meetings is still not permitted.
In-person seminars by external speakers
Because of lingering and emerging COVID-19 concerns (e.g., delta variant, new student arrival and lack of information on vaccination status) as well as uncertainty related to departmental budgets for AY 2021, departments should not invite outside speakers to give departmental seminars at this time. This guideline will be reviewed after finalization of the AY 2021-22 budget and will depend on COVID-19 pandemic conditions.
In-person seminars by internal speakers
Seminars given by internal speakers are currently permitted in the College of Medicine, but must adhere to masking and physical distancing requirements. The number of in-person attendees should not exceed the listed maximum room capacity.
MD students returning July 12
On July 12, the incoming MD students will arrive on campus for orientation. Please join us in welcoming them to the College of Medicine. We are happy to report that the majority of incoming students will arrive fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and ready to learn.
Continue to wear your masks
Please continue to wear your masks while on campus (inside and outside) until further detail is provided. Given the College’s proximity to Penn State Health patients, clinicians and staff, it is still best to remain masked while on campus. We appreciate your cooperation while working on campus.
Get vaccinated and enter to win prizes
If you are not yet vaccinated, please consider doing so. Penn State is strongly encouraging faculty, staff and students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to upload their vaccination status to the University after they receive their final dose. The University is offering a number of incentives to faculty, staff and students who receive a vaccine and share their vaccination status. It’s important to note that all students and employees at all campuses who are already vaccinated for COVID-19 — not just those who get a vaccine in the future — and share their vaccine status with the University will be eligible. Each week, drawings will be held for the following prizes (subject to taxes for employees):
- $1,000 payment
- $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble (four winners per week)
- Football signed by Penn State Football coach James Franklin
Have COVID-19 symptoms?
Guidelines on reporting COVID-19-related illness have not changed. Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms is reminded not to come to work. Faculty, postdoctoral fellows and staff are required to contact Occupational Medicine (814-863-8492) while all students should contact Student Health (717-531-5998).
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