All College of Medicine Updates
All Non-Laboratory Research Faculty, Staff and Trainees Continue to Work Remotely
The increase in research capacity is directed specifically toward personnel who are involved with laboratory research activities. 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. Data analysis and other research, where possible, should continue to be performed remotely.
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.
Vaccine Appointments Available
As the number of faculty, staff and trainees on campus continues to increase incrementally, we urge those individuals who are unvaccinated to consider scheduling an appointment for their COVID vaccine.
Penn State Health and the College of Medicine are offering more opportunities for employees and students to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in April at three locations:
Hershey Medical Center, H3300
- Friday, April 9, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Thursday, April 22, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Thursday, April 29, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact 717-531-8280 to cancel an appointment.
Event and Gathering Guidance
As we approach the season of celebration for our graduates, please consider that any University-funded event or gathering (on-campus or off-campus) needs to adhere to University policy, which states 15% capacity for indoor events and 25% for outdoor events.
Academic Presentations (Visitor and Vendor Policy)
A reminder that 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.
Meetings, Trainings and Gatherings Guidelines
Last week, the revised meetings and gathering guidelines were incorrect. Please refer to this revised policy, which aligns with Penn State Health.
Small group meetings are permitted 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).
Research Updates
Ramping-Up Research – Moving to 100% Lab Capacity
This week, on-site laboratory research activities transitioned from phase 4 to a modified phase 5 of our COVID-19 Ramp-Up plan that permits laboratory research capacity to return to 100%. It remains the PI’s responsibility to ensure the physical distancing policy (at least 150 square feet per person; at least 6 feet between individuals) is strictly adhered to, along with all other safety precautions related to masking and hand hygiene, regardless of the vaccine status of lab personnel. This physical distancing requirement may prevent some labs with an already high density of research from moving to 100% at this time. Email Chuck Lang at chl1@psu.edu with questions regarding lab capacity. Read the full email.
Clinical Research
There are no new changes to clinical research this week. Studies requiring approval based on the most recent guidelines should be submitted through the InfoReady system.
Summer Research Internships
All summer laboratory-based research internships and shadowing experiences for high school and undergraduate college students are still suspended, except for those institutional programs that are federally funded and have received prior approval. Research internships that can be conducted entirely remotely are still permitted. High school and undergraduate students interested in clinical internships should send any questions to: AffiliationAgreements@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Daily Check-In
Faculty, staff and students are reminded that you are still required to provide a daily COVID symptom attestation via the online check-in.
Student Update
Commencement Update for Graduating Students
As announced previously, 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., with up to three guests able to view the live-streamed ceremony close-by in an adjacent, decorated enclosed parking facility. A message was sent to graduating students this week announcing that to be safe, all students will be required to complete rapid COVID PCR testing the week of May 10 prior to graduation. The testing could consist of either all in person or a combination of in-person or a mail-in option. Specific details for the week of May 10 are in process and will be available shortly to assist with any plans that need to be made to accommodate the testing.