As we prepare for the return to a face-to-face Fall semester, there are a few notes and reminders:
  1. Summer office hours and Alternate Work Schedules will cease on August 13th. Regular work week schedules will resume.
  2. If you are not fully vaccinated (2 weeks has elapsed since the second dose), we ask that you strongly consider getting a vaccine as soon as possible. We are merely days away from thousands of students, faculty, and staff arriving at Shippensburg University to kick off the academic year. The ability of everyone to return to a fuller range of campus activities is palpable, and we want to make sure the semester gets off to a great start. Vaccines are safe, effective, and available at no cost to you—often on a “walk-in” basis at pharmacies and other locations. Vaccinations are proven to be effective at helping to control the impacts of the virus and are critical step in preserving the Shippensburg University experience for everyone. Together we can prevent the kinds of disruptions to the learning environment we have seen over the past 18 months.
  3. If you are not fully vaccinated, we ask that you wear a mask at all times while indoors, as well as when outdoors and unable to maintain an safe distance away from others. Continued in-person meetings, gatherings, and other campus events may continue throughout the fall, contingent upon vaccinations and the masking of unvaccinated individuals to control the spread of the virus.
  4. Last week, we provided an update on the COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL). On June 10, 2021, the Pennsylvania legislature voted to immediately end the Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency. We were notified by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) that this allowance for all faculty and staff expired on August 1, 2021. Employees who have COVID exposure or illness will work with HR and may take regular leave or leave without pay. More information can be found at  https://raiderrespect.ship.edu/faculty-staff/

We thank you in advance for all of your hard work and preparation for the Fall 2021 semester. We appreciate your understanding, patience, and cooperation. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Chris Clarke, J.D.
Associate Vice President of Operations