Online, In-person or Remotely? How Local Colleges Plan to Start Spring Semester – CBS Pittsburgh

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – As the spring semester approaches for some universities in western Pennsylvania, many have changed how classes will run as COVID-19 cases increase.

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KDKA is constantly monitoring which universities in our area have made the decision to start the semester remotely, in person or with restrictions.

Distance learning

Carlow University

Carlow University requires all students and staff to be immunized against COVID-19 by January 24, 2022.

As the spring semester approaches, all graduate and undergraduate classes will be virtual until that date.

The university is allowing medical and religious exemptions but says most staff and students have submitted proof of vaccinations.

Carlow’s Full Rental Plan and Resilience can be found at this link.

Carnegie Mellon University

While CMU will not be completely remote, the university has said that “the majority of classes from January 18 to January 30 will be held via synchronous remote instruction.”

Students will be allowed to stay home for those two weeks or move back to school to take their classes online from the student’s residence.

The school also requires all staff and students to get a COVID-19 booster shot.

The list of courses that will take place in person can be found on CMU . Course Method Center.

Chatham University

Chatam has extended online learning and takeout until January 18.

College testing and plans to return to campus available on their website.

University of Pittsburgh

Pitt announced that in-person schooling for the spring semester will be postponed until January 27 and that vaccinated students must be free of any symptoms of the virus.

Unvaccinated students will be required to comply with the weekly test and apply for a waiver.

Full information can be found at this link.

Live learning

Duquesne University

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In a letter to students and families, Duquesne University said it plans to start the spring semester on time but is implementing “ten-day flexible admission times”.

Classes will still begin January 24, but there will be an increase in COVID-19 testing, mandatory mask wearing indoors, and vaccination requirements.

Letter from President Ken Gormley as well as detailed description of ten-day flexible arrival time can be found at this link.

University of La Roche

La Roche is planning to begin in-person classes in the spring semester but requires all student-athletes as well as resident students to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

As students return this spring with increasing COVID-19 cases, La Roche requires all students to be tested prior to their return.

Plans to return to the La Roche campus completely can be found online at this link.

Penn State

Penn State’s main campus, as well as its subsidiary campuses, will directly begin the spring semester.

Masks will be required in-house and testing will be provided at the end of the move-in weekend.

Penn State’s COVID-19 requirements and plans can be found on their COVID-19 dashboard.

Point Park University

Students were notified on January 3 that in-person classes and activities would begin as scheduled for the spring semester.

“Given our high immunization rates among our students, coupled with the established effectiveness of our safety procedures throughout this pandemic, we believe we can safely return to school. safely and carefully as planned,” the university said in a statement to students on its website.

Point Park’s Returns to Campus Protocols can be found at this link.

West Virginia University

WVU said it will begin in-person classes this upcoming semester and will require masks at all indoor locations at least by the end of the month.

The university also changed its definition of “fully vaccinated.”

For students to be considered fully immunized, they must receive two doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine once. They must also receive a booster dose of vaccine at least six months after a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or at least two months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

WVU’s Return to Campus Plan can be found on its website.

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As more colleges and universities announce their spring 2022 plans, this article will be updated.