PSU to decide on fall resumption on June 15

[Nitwit]

I just read that Penn State will be deciding on June 15 whether to resume in person classes at main campus for the fall semester. What do you think the chances are that the campus will be reopened? And if so, what are the chances that football returns in the fall? And finally, if football returns, what are the chances the games will be played with fans attending inside Beaver Stadium? What are your views? I can see the campus open and football back but it’s hard to imagine a big football crowd inside the stadium this year.

 

[mn78psu83]

I just read that Penn State will be deciding on June 15 whether to resume in person classes at main campus for the fall semester. What do you think the chances are that the campus will be reopened? And if so, what are the chances that football returns in the fall? And finally, if football returns, what are the chances the games will be played with fans attending inside Beaver Stadium? What are your views? I can see the campus open and football back but it’s hard to imagine a big football crowd inside the stadium this year.

This is purely anecdotal, but I've been asking this question of any faculty member I know and encounter in our neighborhood. A month ago, they all said that there would not be face to face classes. In the last week, the two I asked said that they were hearing that there would be face to face classes at UP. Again, purely anecdotal. If there are face to face classes, I'll speculate that there is an overwhelming probability that the football team will be back in action. Attendance at Beaver Stadium? That is a complex issue that will unravel over time. No clue how they'll handle that.

 

[Obliviax]

I just read that Penn State will be deciding on June 15 whether to resume in person classes at main campus for the fall semester. What do you think the chances are that the campus will be reopened? And if so, what are the chances that football returns in the fall? And finally, if football returns, what are the chances the games will be played with fans attending inside Beaver Stadium? What are your views? I can see the campus open and football back but it’s hard to imagine a big football crowd inside the stadium this year.

FWIW, my predictions:

• school will open for fall semester and classes will be taught via webconference and in person, giving the student the option on how to attend class given their risk tolerance.
• Football will be played...some schools will opt out (smaller ones) which will create some scheduling havoc but there is too much money to be made to cancel the season
• Limited fans will be allowed in the stadium and only under strict guidelines in terms of mitigation of risks. (pre-testing, temperatures taken, limited number of seats, must wear a mask, etc.).

 

[LongJakk]

I think it's silly to decide by 6/15. So much can change in the 2 months from that date and the start of fall semester. They should obviously be developing contingency plans and timelines to start on time, delay the start, begin remotely then return to on campus, etc.

 

[psuaxe70]

I just read that Penn State will be deciding on June 15 whether to resume in person classes at main campus for the fall semester. What do you think the chances are that the campus will be reopened? And if so, what are the chances that football returns in the fall? And finally, if football returns, what are the chances the games will be played with fans attending inside Beaver Stadium? What are your views? I can see the campus open and football back but it’s hard to imagine a big football crowd inside the stadium this year.

Everything could be open if the general public would accept three rules.
1) Wear masks all the time when you leave your home or apartment. No exceptions and that continues until at least January 2021 or until there is a vaccine.
2) If you attend any event or join any group bigger than 10, you must consider yourself a threat to the elderly and medically fragile and stay away from them. You can go to the bars if you want but you can't then go hang out with Grandma because you could be a serious threat to her.
3) The endangered groups in #2 must be treated differently and continue to be isolated. They should not go to football games or any group event, including church services, until there is a vaccine or treatment.

I live in a retirement community with independent living,assisted living, and nursing care. If I violate rules 2 and 3 above I have to quarantine for at least 10 days. I accept that as an obligation to my neighbors. Right now we need an education program more than rules to teach the public who is most at risk and how to protect them. If we had done that from the start, MIT says we would have recovered faster and had fewer deaths.

 

[TheBumble]

Should 18-24 year olds be back in school? Absolutely

Do I expect the same people who decided driving in your car to go canning was too dangerous to make the right call? Absolutely not.

 

[MtNittany]

1) Wear masks all the time when you leave your home or apartment. No exceptions and that continues until at least January 2021 or until there is a vaccine.

So if I walk up to the beach in 90 degree weather, w/ 95% humidity - you want me in a mask? You trying to kill me?

 

[Cletus11]

i think you'll see that class size will be limited to 50 people so no big lecture classes. The big lecture classes will be held via on-line video conferencing. Sounds like some schools are actually starting a couple of weeks early and then ending the semester at Thanksgiving as to not have a potential of students coming back and causing an outbreak (which doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me).

 

[danvillenit]

Much is made of the risk to reopening. There is also a big risk to deciding to not open. What if PSU is closed and the virus fades by fall or there is a medical breakthrough and other schools are open and playing. Huge ramifications financially. A major setback for the football program. Just as much second guessing. They will open

 

[BobPSU92]

So if I walk up to the beach in 90 degree weather, w/ 95% humidity - you want me in a mask? You trying to kill me?

What’s more likely to kill you on the beach? The mask or the New Yorkers?

 

[PSUFBFAN]

FWIW, my predictions:

• school will open for fall semester and classes will be taught via webconference and in person, giving the student the option on how to attend class given their risk tolerance.
• Football will be played...some schools will opt out (smaller ones) which will create some scheduling havoc but there is too much money to be made to cancel the season
• Limited fans will be allowed in the stadium and only under strict guidelines in terms of mitigation of risks. (pre-testing, temperatures taken, limited number of seats, must wear a mask, etc.).

Limited fans will be allowed in the stadium and only under strict guidelines in terms of mitigation of risks. (pre-testing, temperatures taken, limited number of seats, must wear a mask, etc.).

Assuming things with the virus don't get significantly worse over the next 3 months, I agree there will be football and there will be some type of limited attendance.

There is ZERO chance of any pre-testing. This country simply can't get its act together regarding testing and certainly won't have the ability to pretest fans entering sports arenas this fall. Hell, there are many areas in the country which currently don't have the ability to test health care providers and people showing "mild" symptoms. There is no way this country is ever going to have the ability to provide massive, immediate results oriented testing.

 

[Obliviax]

Limited fans will be allowed in the stadium and only under strict guidelines in terms of mitigation of risks. (pre-testing, temperatures taken, limited number of seats, must wear a mask, etc.).

Assuming things with the virus don't get significantly worse over the next 3 months, I agree there will be football and there will be some type of limited attendance.

There is ZERO chance of any pre-testing. This country simply can't get its act together regarding testing and certainly won't have the ability to pretest fans entering sports arenas this fall. Hell, there are many areas in the country which currently don't have the ability to test health care providers and people showing "mild" symptoms. There is no way this country is ever going to have the ability to provide massive, immediate results oriented testing.

Agreed...but security at the airport is worthless, yet there we are, spending billions. Why? It is better to look good than to feel good...

 

[interrobang]

There most certainly will be in person classes, but with plenty of classes (like lecture classes) encouraged to be attended online.

 

[BringBackStoneys]

i think you'll see that class size will be limited to 50 people so no big lecture classes. The big lecture classes will be held via on-line video conferencing. Sounds like some schools are actually starting a couple of weeks early and then ending the semester at Thanksgiving as to not have a potential of students coming back and causing an outbreak (which doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me).

The rationale behind accelerating the completion of classes before Thanksgiving (or going 100% virtual after Thanksgiving) is two-fold: it reduces the risk that students will bring back the virus from their home counties /states after a week of traveling/socializing (think NY, NJ, Philly). It also gets students off campus when models show a seasonally-induced second wave would likely hit (early December).

 

[AWS1022]

Everything could be open if the general public would accept three rules.
1) Wear masks all the time when you leave your home or apartment. No exceptions and that continues until at least January 2021 or until there is a vaccine.
2) If you attend any event or join any group bigger than 10, you must consider yourself a threat to the elderly and medically fragile and stay away from them. You can go to the bars if you want but you can't then go hang out with Grandma because you could be a serious threat to her.
3) The endangered groups in #2 must be treated differently and continue to be isolated. They should not go to football games or any group event, including church services, until there is a vaccine or treatment.

I live in a retirement community with independent living,assisted living, and nursing care. If I violate rules 2 and 3 above I have to quarantine for at least 10 days. I accept that as an obligation to my neighbors. Right now we need an education program more than rules to teach the public who is most at risk and how to protect them. If we had done that from the start, MIT says we would have recovered faster and had fewer deaths.

People aren’t going to wear a mask until January 2021. I’m already seeing a drop in masks being worn as things open up more and more.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

The impacts of not opening for Fall 2020 would be devastating to the university and the university community. Barron and the BOT know this, and if today was June 15, we would get word that there would be in-person classes.

Contingency plans are always being developed and refined, of course, but unless the shit hits the fan, there will be in-person classes (and a football season) in Fall 2020.

 

[Dunkindonuts]

I think it's silly to decide by 6/15. So much can change in the 2 months from that date and the start of fall semester. They should obviously be developing contingency plans and timelines to start on time, delay the start, begin remotely then return to on campus, etc.

Silly? You pretty much have to decide by mid June. It's a complex process and you need a few months to prepare and plan.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Also, quotes from Fauci about reopening campuses:

https://www.chronicle.com/article/D...Ixiy3aIVyzMhLNAJ8DdSyalrEeIHZaJMRtrEBU3iX9uHo

 

[Media Fan]

Everything could be open if the general public would accept three rules.
1) Wear masks all the time when you leave your home or apartment. No exceptions and that continues until at least January 2021 or until there is a vaccine.
2) If you attend any event or join any group bigger than 10, you must consider yourself a threat to the elderly and medically fragile and stay away from them. You can go to the bars if you want but you can't then go hang out with Grandma because you could be a serious threat to her.
3) The endangered groups in #2 must be treated differently and continue to be isolated. They should not go to football games or any group event, including church services, until there is a vaccine or treatment.

I live in a retirement community with independent living,assisted living, and nursing care. If I violate rules 2 and 3 above I have to quarantine for at least 10 days. I accept that as an obligation to my neighbors. Right now we need an education program more than rules to teach the public who is most at risk and how to protect them. If we had done that from the start, MIT says we would have recovered faster and had fewer deaths.

Your thoughts make sense to me. What doesn’t make sense to me is people willfully ignoring common sense. Don’t spread the disease is good for all.

 

[tgar]

Limited fans will be allowed in the stadium and only under strict guidelines in terms of mitigation of risks. (pre-testing, temperatures taken, limited number of seats, must wear a mask, etc.).

Assuming things with the virus don't get significantly worse over the next 3 months, I agree there will be football and there will be some type of limited attendance.

There is ZERO chance of any pre-testing. This country simply can't get its act together regarding testing and certainly won't have the ability to pretest fans entering sports arenas this fall. Hell, there are many areas in the country which currently don't have the ability to test health care providers and people showing "mild" symptoms. There is no way this country is ever going to have the ability to provide massive, immediate results oriented testing.

The country can’t but developers of these tests can and will. Lockn festival moved from June to October and expects to be able to test everyone entering by then with an accurate rapid test. There is discussion of being able to submit a bar coded phot of your test result and carry the bar code on your phone. As this epidemic has unfolded, while the administration and states have shown they are not up to the task, private industry is churning and burning. I would not use the words never with the volume of money to be made. The country may not have the ability ( because the country doesn’t really care) But private industry OTOH as well as Major league sports, concert promoters, restaurants will get it because they do.

 

[interrobang]

Also, quotes from Fauci about reopening campuses:

https://www.chronicle.com/article/D...Ixiy3aIVyzMhLNAJ8DdSyalrEeIHZaJMRtrEBU3iX9uHo

For those that didn't read the article, I'll give you a summary of his answers

-Maybe
-It depends
-I'm not sure

 

[CoastGuard2018]

Everything could be open if the general public would accept three rules.
1) Wear masks all the time when you leave your home or apartment. No exceptions and that continues until at least January 2021 or until there is a vaccine.
2) If you attend any event or join any group bigger than 10, you must consider yourself a threat to the elderly and medically fragile and stay away from them. You can go to the bars if you want but you can't then go hang out with Grandma because you could be a serious threat to her.
3) The endangered groups in #2 must be treated differently and continue to be isolated. They should not go to football games or any group event, including church services, until there is a vaccine or treatment.

I live in a retirement community with independent living,assisted living, and nursing care. If I violate rules 2 and 3 above I have to quarantine for at least 10 days. I accept that as an obligation to my neighbors. Right now we need an education program more than rules to teach the public who is most at risk and how to protect them. If we had done that from the start, MIT says we would have recovered faster and had fewer deaths.

I understand your point but this isn’t a commmunist country. Good luck trying to tell a 70 year old that fought for his country in Vietnam that he can’t go to a football game.

 

[interrobang]

1) Wear masks all the time when you leave your home or apartment. No exceptions and that continues until at least January 2021 or until there is a vaccine.

I'll avoid debating the effectiveness of masks, but, I'll point out this. The odds that people are actually using masks the way they're supposedly intended to work is very low. Are they worn correctly? Most yes, some no. Are they handled correctly? (don't touch them while they're on, wash them no sooner than you take them off). Doubtful. Oh and masks are simply not necessary all the time, even if they do work. The only potential situation where they would be effective is in close and extended contact with someone. Not a quick trip to the grocery store via the self checkout line. Not picking up your pizza take out order.

 

[DingerzForDaze]

So if I walk up to the beach in 90 degree weather, w/ 95% humidity - you want me in a mask? You trying to kill me?

"There are some things more important than living."

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

So if I walk up to the beach in 90 degree weather, w/ 95% humidity - you want me in a mask? You trying to kill me?

Think of the tan lines!

 

[Texas Lion]

For those that didn't read the article, I'll give you a summary of his answers

-Maybe
-It depends
-I'm not sure

how crazy...last week his order was it depends, I'm not sure, and maybe.

Fraudcci.....

 

[Cletus11]

The rationale behind accelerating the completion of classes before Thanksgiving (or going 100% virtual after Thanksgiving) is two-fold: it reduces the risk that students will bring back the virus from their home counties /states after a week of traveling/socializing (think NY, NJ, Philly). It also gets students off campus when models show a seasonally-induced second wave would likely hit (early December).

and how does that make sense. those same kids are going to the campus in the fall. those same kids are going home on random weekends throughout the semester. college kids from other schools are still going to be going up to PSU on weekends like they always have (same friends mentioned that they are going to hang out with when they get back home). sounds 'good' on the surface but after you think about it for half a second, makes no sense.

 

[bwifan]

From the admin and professors I have talked to at several colleges that plan seems to be if possible start the fall semester early (Aug 1 if possible) and cancel mid semester break with kids taking and finishing finals the week before Thanksgiving. Giving the students off until mid january. They know students will be out visiting family and friends over Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years so they do not want the students bringing it back to campus. So the downtime will allow them to show any symptoms and seek medical attention at home if need be... also plans are to basically be ready to do spring semester online again if needed and the 2nd wave is bad.

 

[bison13]

If they're making the call that early then they should absolutely say that classes will be in person. That way if there are students who choose to not want to come or stay in a dorm with somebody else that's going to take less time to fix and rearrange then telling people they're not going to be on campus and then trying to bring them in later. Because 6 weeks from now by the 4th of July there can be so much more data to tell us something completely different than what we're seeing today.

 

[BobPSU92]

I wonder how many Penn State students living in off-campus apartments have stayed there rather than go home. How is social distancing going in an apartment housing four students? Are the students having apartment parties? What’s Beaver Canyon like these days?

 

[bwifan]

I wonder how many Penn State students living in off-campus apartments have stayed there rather than go home. How is social distancing going in an apartment housing four students? Are the students having apartment parties? What’s Beaver Canyon like these days?

Tongs will be handed out to all students just like masks...

 

[jaycan]

*.*.*

 

[Ceasar]

IMO all of the precautions will gradually be relaxed. Over the weekend I saw an interview with Dr. Birx and the issue of masks came up. She was very clear that the purpose of a mask is for those instances where you cannot maintain the 6 feet social distancing. Though she did not say it directly, she was basically saying if you are around other people but 6 feet apart, you do not need a mask. As everyone becomes more aware and less driven by hysteria I think you will see less attention paid to the masks, more people being permitted in stores, etc...

 

[BobPSU92]

Tongs will be handed out to all students just like masks...

It’s called leading. barren’s got this.

 

[psuaxe70]

I understand your point but this isn’t a commmunist country. Good luck trying to tell a 70 year old that fought for his country in Vietnam that he can’t go to a football game.

As long as he understands he is putting himself and possibly others his age at risk, he can go to the game. This is about education, not communism.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

I'll avoid debating the effectiveness of masks, but, I'll point out this. The odds that people are actually using masks the way they're supposedly intended to work is very low. Are they worn correctly? Most yes, some no. Are they handled correctly? (don't touch them while they're on, wash them no sooner than you take them off). Doubtful. Oh and masks are simply not necessary all the time, even if they do work. The only potential situation where they would be effective is in close and extended contact with someone. Not a quick trip to the grocery store via the self checkout line. Not picking up your pizza take out order.

Do you really think this virus has spread thoughout the world solely via close and extended contact. Doubtful. Impossible I'd say.
Wearing a mask to the grocery store is a good idea in many areas.

 

[Kiber]

My opinions FWIW:
> We live in a litigious society, so much of this has to do with limiting risk & exposure for lawsuits....
> Much of the re-opening will be done at "your own risk". There will be disclaimers, and statements of non-liability, but places will re-open only when they feel safe about NOT facing law suits.
> I believe schools will re-open but students will be given the option of being physically present or taking the same material by web-based & on-line resources. IE - If you want to physically attend it's YOUR option... we are giving YOU the CHOICE...
> Same principal will apply to sporting events. My guess is that every physical ticket will have some verbiage on the back side stating that by using the ticket you are eliminating the school/team/stadium... from any liability..... And all on-line ticket purchases will have some sort of final check-out step where you have to click a few buttons accepting responsibility and holding them non-liable if you proceed to purchase the ticket and use the ticket....

I just do not see how they can limit attendance, and still distance. Even if they limit attendance to 50,000 (or say 50% capacity), how do they enforce aisles, concourses, restrooms, concession areas.... The seating area would be relatively easy. They could easily block off every other aisle or seat or section. But what do they do to limit people in the restrooms? Do they open restrooms in shifts? Do they close off the urinals and only allow use of the toilets? Do they have restroom monitors making sure everyone is using every other urinal & sink?.... I just think some of that stuff is impossible (even ridiculous to consider). So, I think they will come up with some plans to alleviate liability, and then open.

 

[bkmtnittany1]

I wonder how many Penn State students living in off-campus apartments have stayed there rather than go home. How is social distancing going in an apartment housing four students? Are the students having apartment parties? What’s Beaver Canyon like these days?

I am putting you in charge of this difficult assignment. You are to search out every apartment, check and make sure all is well. I suggest you have a party at every apartment and teach the students what true social distancing means! As far as Beaver Canyon...whoo, would not touch that one!

 

[interrobang]

Do you really think this virus has spread thoughout the world solely via close and extended contact. Doubtful. Impossible I'd say.
Wearing a mask to the grocery store is a good idea in many areas.

This has fared the worst in high density populations. So yes, close an extended contact.

 

[Ian]

My opinions FWIW:
> We live in a litigious society, so much of this has to do with limiting risk & exposure for lawsuits....
> Much of the re-opening will be done at "your own risk". There will be disclaimers, and statements of non-liability, but places will re-open only when they feel safe about NOT facing law suits.
> I believe schools will re-open but students will be given the option of being physically present or taking the same material by web-based & on-line resources. IE - If you want to physically attend it's YOUR option... we are giving YOU the CHOICE...
> Same principal will apply to sporting events. My guess is that every physical ticket will have some verbiage on the back side stating that by using the ticket you are eliminating the school/team/stadium... from any liability..... And all on-line ticket purchases will have some sort of final check-out step where you have to click a few buttons accepting responsibility and holding them non-liable if you proceed to purchase the ticket and use the ticket....

I just do not see how they can limit attendance, and still distance. Even if they limit attendance to 50,000 (or say 50% capacity), how do they enforce aisles, concourses, restrooms, concession areas.... The seating area would be relatively easy. They could easily block off every other aisle or seat or section. But what do they do to limit people in the restrooms? Do they open restrooms in shifts? Do they close off the urinals and only allow use of the toilets? Do they have restroom monitors making sure everyone is using every other urinal & sink?.... I just think some of that stuff is impossible (even ridiculous to consider). So, I think they will come up with some plans to alleviate liability, and then open.

It is all about liability. We live in such a litigious world. Lawyers rule and expect to see plenty of late night ads promoting legal services for this who got sick....