Penn State will continue holding classes online, not in-person, this summer. The university pointed to the need to protect the health of students and employees as COVID-19 continues to spread.
Penn State is leaving open the possibility of returning to on-campus classes in its second summer session. The university says that decision will be based on guidance from government and health authorities.
The move to online learning applies to all of the university’s campuses.
The university will adjust tuition to reflect the change.
“As Pennsylvania’s land-grant institution, we recognize the sustained financial hardship the coronavirus pandemic is putting on Pennsylvania families, and families everywhere,” said Penn State President Eric Barron in a news release announcing the decision.
Marisa Cameron, a junior majoring in economics and public relations at Penn State, is from Bellefonte. She said she gets why the university made the decision to stay online, but it’s frustrating.
“Part of the reason why people go to Penn State and love it so much is because of the culture, and the culture is on campus. So, it’ll be, it’ll be nice to get back there," Cameron said.
Barron said the decision will impact the revenue stream for the university, but it won’t change the quality of the programs.
According to a spokesman, Penn State currently estimates that it will see more than $138 million in revenue losses and $6.5 million in added expenses this semester.
The state is under stay-at-home orders at least through the end of the month. And most Penn State employees are working remotely.
That will last through at least May 8th. A spokesman said a decision about whether that will continue will be based on possible extensions to Gov. Wolf’s orders and the guidance of public health authorities.
The spokesman said any decisions on the fall sports season will be based on guidelines and recommendations from government and public health authorities, as well as the NCAA and Big Ten.
