Keeping communities safe will take a collective effort. The campaign messaging is grounded in insights from surveys and focus groups comprised of students, faculty, staff and the State College community, and is a direct expectation for everyone to take personal actions to help create a safer environment as students return to campuses across the commonwealth.
Penn State has launched an integrated effort to remind faculty, staff and students at all campuses and in adjacent communities of the importance of doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19. “Mask Up or Pack Up” is a research-based campaign that is also launched in State College to create a seamless message for students and other members of the community.
A message from Penn State President Eric Barron on ‘Back to State’ plans, which call for flexible, adaptable schedule with classes and activities converting to remote delivery on Nov. 20.
In the face of severe financial impacts to the University brought on by the global coronavirus pandemic, on April 23 Penn State President Eric J. Barron announced some salary adjustments; a 3% across-the-board cut to university budgets in the next fiscal year; and his intention to work with the Board of Trustees to freeze tuition for the 2020-21 academic year to limit student costs.
Old Main's bell — its chimes long replaced by modern technology — was removed and restored as a gift of Penn State’s class of 2009, and is now displayed outdoors at ground level near Old Main’s southwest corner.
