PSU pushes re-opening date to July 20
Pittsburg State University will move the broad reopening of campus from July 7 to July 20 — a delay of nearly two weeks — the university announced Friday.
“Given the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Crawford County, we feel we must do our part to keep our community safe by limiting contact and gatherings,” said PSU President Steve Scott.
To aid in the process, a task force has created a guide that will be updated and expanded as the outcomes of three working groups focused on various elements of re-opening are final.
The announcement came on the heels of Thursday’s announcement that masks will be required for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors starting Monday, June 29 — a move other Regents universities have been making in recent days.
“As we’ve said from the beginning, the health and safety of our campus community is our highest priority,” Scott said. “We continue to prepare for a full reopening of our campus, and to carefully monitor the situation and assess needs, making adjustments as we go. Our goal is not only to open, but to stay open until we dismiss students for fall break and online completion of the semester on Nov. 20.”
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Starting Monday, June 29, all faculty, staff, students, and visitors at Pittsburg State University will be required to wear a mask while on campus, the university announced Thursday.
Exceptions to the rule will be those who are alone in an office or work space and well-distanced from others, students alone in their residence hall rooms, those who are outside and well-distanced from others, and those who have a recognized disability and have an accommodation that prevents wearing a mask.
Masks already are required in work spaces on campus where social distancing cannot be maintained.
“Our goal is not only to open, but to stay open until we dismiss students for fall break and online completion of the semester on November 20,” said PSU President Steve Scott. “To achieve that goal, we must each take individual responsibility and do the things known to prevent transmission of the virus: social distancing, wearing a mask, washing hands, and staying home when sick.”
Scientific studies have shown that mask wearing dramatically reduces the chances of spreading COVID-19. The requirement will be in place on campus for the foreseeable future and will be reassessed regularly.
Other Regents universities have implemented similar policies in recent days, including the University of Kansas and Kansas State University.
At PSU, masks have been provided to every full-time employee, and departments can request a mask for each part-time employee. Students should be prepared to supply their own masks. The university is working on getting additional reusable and disposable masks for visitors. A mask enforcement policy is under development and will be announced soon.
Employees with recognized disabilities that prevent wearing a mask should contact the Office of Institutional Equity. Students in the same situation should contact Student Accommodations.
In addition to masks, the working groups planning for resumption of face to face coursework and student life are weighing other measures to ensure the health and safety of the campus community, including socially distanced classrooms, options for living alone in a residence hall room, how large events will be managed, and more.