Latest Updates

Return to Campus Update: August 12

Dear Students,

Our entire community looks forward to welcoming you to campus in just a few days! I am contacting you with more information to help you prepare and make the move-in process as safe and as smooth as possible.

As President Link emphasized on the Zoom call with students and families on Monday, August 10, reducing the risk of COVID-19 on our campus is the responsibility of all of us. We are proud of how the members of our community support one another, and many of you have already asked what you can do to help us all be safer. There are two steps you can take now to set us down the right road as we embark on this journey together:

  • Please self-isolate as much as possible for 4 or more days before coming to campus. Since parties and other social gatherings of more than 10 people present a higher risk of spreading COVID-19, it is critical that you not host or attend large parties or gatherings immediately before coming to campus, even if they are outside. You and everyone traveling with you to campus should also observe precautions when making stops on the trip to campus: wear face coverings, practice physical distancing, wash hands thoroughly, and use hand sanitizers.
  • Please read and be prepared to adhere to the Gator Pledge to support a Community of Mutual Care, which affirms our responsibilities for our own health and for keeping the Allegheny community safe. You will be asked to sign the pledge when you arrive on campus.

We also know that you have many questions, and I respond below to some of the most frequently asked questions. Many more are addressed in the FAQ on the College’s COVID-19 Plans & Resources website. Please check the website regularly for updates.

Navigating in the current environment is a new adventure for all of us, and our plans will adapt as we learn more. Updates will be posted on the website and the FAQ.

With best wishes for safe travels,
April Thompson, Vice President of Student Life

More Details

  • What you can expect: Please plan to arrive at your scheduled time at Allegheny’s Robertson Athletic Complex, where we will greet you. We will ask that students to go into the testing site, which will be set up at Robertson, while anyone traveling with them remains in the car. Students will be asked to review and sign the Gator Pledge and then be tested. After testing, students will exit the other side of the building and be directed to a table where they will be given their room key and other materials, and then students return to their vehicles. Staff will direct you to your residence hall and assist you with bringing your belongings in. To protect the health and safety of our guests and community, only one family member or friend will be allowed to accompany you into your residence hall.
  • Updated protocol for move-in from quarantine states: If your home is in one of the states for which Pennsylvania is requesting a quarantine, please pack a bag with what you will need for two nights, including bedding and towels, so we can move the balance of your belongings into your residence hall room on your move-in day, and you will have what you need during the quarantine period. We will ask you to stay in a single room in a separate housing unit until your test results are returned. Test results are expected within 24–48 hours, and students coming from the affected states will be able to move into their residence halls once their COVID-19 test comes back negative. Meals will be delivered to your building.
  • If you need a shuttle from the Pittsburgh airport, please sign up for a shuttle and fill out the form to request a change in your testing time to align with the shuttle’s arrival to campus.
  • Please talk with your roommate about keeping one another safe. Students who wish to move in alongside their roommate(s) are permitted to do so — if all are in agreement about quarantining together until their move-in testing results are returned. As a precaution, please encourage one another to begin self-isolating at least 4 days before coming to campus. Once on campus, students should wear masks and stay distant during the time they are awaiting testing results. If families have concerns about managing their risks, please contact us to discuss options.

From the Registrar — Updating class start and end times for Fall 2020

Dear Allegheny Students,

We know there have been a flurry of College e-mails over the past few days, but we want to make sure that we provide you timely updates about important matters. I have previously communicated with you about changes to the academic calendar and about what happens next for course registration. Today, I want to update you about changes to the daily scheduling grid to increase the “passing time” between classes.

As students, you do not need to do anything (except to check the updated start and end times for your classes). Within the next 24-48 hours, Self-Service will be updated with the new class times. You can see a grid of the new class times below.

The sole change is that “passing time” between classes has been expanded from 10 minutes (MWF) or 15 minutes (TTH) to 20 minutes (MWF & TTH). The duration of class periods remains the same, 50 or 75 minutes, plus labs, studios, and other exceptions. The only changes are the start and end times. This does, obviously, necessitate a later end to the teaching day. This change was vetted with, among others, Athletics and Recreation, the Department of Music, and Parkhurst Dining.

Monday / Wednesday / Friday

Old
Monday / Wednesday / Friday
New
20 Minute Passing – Monday / Wednesday / Friday
8:00-8:50 A.M. 8:00-8:50 A.M.
9:00-9:50 A.M. 9:10-10:00 A.M.
10:00-10:50 A.M. 10:20-11:10 A.M.
11:00-11:50 A.M. 11:30 A.M.-12:20 P.M.
(or 11:30 A.M.-12:45 P.M.)
12:00-1:30 P.M. – Lunch 12:40-1:30 P.M. – Lunch
1:30-2:20 P.M 1:50-2:40 P.M.
2:30-3:20 P.M. 3:00-3:50 P.M.
3:30-4:20 P.M. 4:10-5:00 P.M.
4:30 P.M. – Start of Athletics Practice 5:20 P.M. – Start of Athletics Practice

Tuesday / Thursday

Old
Tuesday / Thursday
New
20 Minute Passing – Tuesday / Thursday
8:00-9:15 A.M. 8:00-9:15 A.M.
9:30-10:45 A.M. 9:35-10:50 A.M.
11:00 A.M.-12:15 P.M. 11:10 A.M.-12:25 P.M.
12:15-1:30 P.M. – Lunch 12:45-1:35 P.M. – Lunch
1:30-2:45 P.M 1:55-3:10 P.M.
3:00-4:15 P.M. 3:30-4:45 P.M.
4:30 P.M. – Start of Athletics Practice 5:05 P.M. – Start of Athletics Practice

The Curriculum Committee approved this change to adhere to the Allegheny College Health Agency requirements for cleaning and physical distancing. This is a temporary change for one semester and does not represent a permanent change to the daily scheduling grid.

You should also be aware that we are moving classes around campus to allow for proper physical distancing and to ensure that spaces adhere to appropriate air handling standards. Please check your schedule in Self-Service before going to class, as its location may have changed.

If you have questions please reply to this message at registrar@allegheny.edu.

Best wishes,
Professor Binnington

Return to Campus Update — August 6

Dear Students,

I thank you for your patience as our reopening plan evolves rapidly during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The continuing increase in COVID cases across the country and heightened domestic and international travel restrictions have required a daily — at times hourly — re-evaluation of our campus move-in plans. We know that there have been delays in our communications to you and understand this has been frustrating and has impacted your ability to finalize your plans for fall semester. We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience, which is due to the unprecedented and dynamic circumstances this global pandemic presents. We pledge to you that everything we are doing is toward creating the safest possible environment on campus, and toward making the fall semester start as smoothly as possible. Classes will still begin as planned on August 31 for all students, and your professors are all excited to begin coursework with you. We are looking forward to you joining us for the start of the academic year, whether you plan to live and learn on campus or remotely.

The increase of cases in different areas of the country, and almost daily changes in availability of testing, have led us to update our move-in to a phased plan that includes high-accuracy PCR testing for COVID-19 to screen all students upon arrival and for continued monitoring during the fall semester. These tests are done by nasal swab with results returned within 48 hours, allowing us to identify and isolate cases of asymptomatic infection before in-person classes begin. Campus move-in will now begin August 20, and students will be contacted in the next two days with definitive details about their scheduled move-in date and process. Please wait for further details before finalizing your travel plans, because move-in slots will be scheduled to provide spacing among residence halls. We also know that there are special circumstances for some of our international students, and we will be reaching out to those students separately.

All students will be required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival. Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be moved to isolation housing, where they will have regular check-ins by health professionals and will be provided with food and other necessities until they recover. We all need to work together and responsibly on robust preventative measures, and we are looking to you to play an essential, active role in keeping our community safe. As circumstances evolve, our plans may continue to evolve as well.

We anticipate you will have questions and so we have arranged a Zoom meeting for students and families on Monday, August 10, from 7 to 8 pm (EDT). The link for joining the call will be sent tomorrow. We also encourage you to refer to our COVID-19 Plans & Resources site for details and updates.

With best wishes,

President Hilary L. Link

Return to Campus Update – July 27, 2020

Dear Students,

We’re sharing our most recent updates and reminders about our return to campus for the fall semester. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we address the complex work of ensuring a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. We also encourage you to visit our newly updated reopening website for the latest information.

Read full July 27th update

NCAC Updates Fall Return to Competition Plans

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Presidents’ Council has determined that suspending all intercollegiate competition through at least December 31, 2020 is the most prudent course of action at this time.

For more information, please read the announcement from the NCAC office, NCAC Updates Fall Return to Competition Plans.

Bill Ross
Director of Athletics and Recreation

Return to Campus Weekly Update – July 8, 2020


Hilary L. Link – President
July 8, 2020 at 2:06pm


Dear Students,

This is my second weekly update to keep you and your families informed about fall semester details and planning for your arrival at Allegheny College. I encourage you to carefully read each update because health guidelines and data continue to evolve, and consequently, information and additional guidelines will be provided throughout the summer.

Read full July 8th update

Allegheny College CARES Act Student Aid Report – July 7, 2020

In accordance with Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”), The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) contained in Section 18004 of the CARES Act, and the guidance issued by the United States Department of Education, including Office of Postsecondary Education’s guidance dated May 6, 2020, Allegheny College submits this report concerning the first award Allegheny College received under the HEERF consisting of funds for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

1. Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification

Allegheny College reviewed, signed and returned the U.S. Department of Educations’ Certification and Agreement for these funds on April 14, 2020. Allegheny College received a grant award notification on April 23, 2020. As required by the certification, Allegheny College will use no less than fifty percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.

2. Funds Awarded for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

Allegheny College received $871,541 under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act designated for distribution to students impacted by campus disruptions due to COVID-19.

3. Emergency Financial Aid Grants Distributed to Students to Date Under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act

Of the $871,541 Allegheny College received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act designated for distribution to students impacted by campus disruptions due to COVID-19, Allegheny College had distributed $685,349 as of May 23, 2020, and has distributed an additional $35,443 as of July 7, 2020, bringing the total to $720,792.

4. Eligible Students

Allegheny College has approximately 1,400 students as of the date of this report that are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 by filing a valid FAFSA for the 2019-2020 academic year and, thus, are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

5. Eligible Students Receiving CARES Act Aid

Allegheny College has distributed funds it received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act designated for distribution to students impacted by campus disruptions due to COVID-19 to 916 students as of May 23, 2020 and distribution to 58 additional students as of July 7, 2020, bringing the total to 974.

6. Distribution Method

Funds Already Distributed

In order to qualify for Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, Allegheny College students must first be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and incur expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Of those students that qualified, Allegheny College chose to provide an initial disbursement of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students who qualified for needs-based room and board grants under Allegheny’s internal criteria because it determined those students were most in need those and necessarily incurred COVID-19 pandemic related expenses following the loss of on-campus room and board.

In order to calculate these students’ COVID-19 related expenses, Allegheny College used its institutional policy for estimating needs-based commuter student room and board costs for the remaining 40% of the spring semester. This calculation resulted in an Emergency Financial Aid Grant maximum award of $800 per student.

In order to distribute this grant as expeditiously as possible, beginning on April 13, 2020, Allegheny College provided Emergency Federal Aid Grant relief to students in the same manner as it had previously provided institutional need-based aid, through students’ online accounts. Because Allegheny College began providing qualifying relief funds to qualifying students prior to Allegheny College’s receipt of any CARES Act funding, in accordance with United States Department of Education guidance, Allegheny College reimbursed itself from a portion of the CARES Act funding it received in the amount it advanced to its students in accordance with the above methodology.

Funds Reserved for Future Distribution

Allegheny College has reserved $186,192 for eligible students that incur other additional expenses related to the disruption of on-campus instruction as a result of COVID-19. The reserve amount in Emergency Financial Aid Grants for students under Section 18004(a)(1) may be applied for using the Success Grant application available on the Allegheny College’s Dean of Students webpage. As of July 7, 2020 the balance in the reserve for eligible students is $150,749. Allegheny College has not finalized its distribution methodology for these funds and reserves its right to modify this report as needed.

7. Communication to Students Concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants

Students will be notified of the opportunity to apply for this funding via an email sent to all students enrolled in the 2020 spring semester. Students are asked to include in the application the amount and brief description of the expense incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is used to determine an award amount. For students already issued Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1), the expense must be in addition to the expense for which they already received funds.

NOTE

In reviewing the data for the January 8, 2021, report, we realized that this July report may have been misleading because we reported the number of awards, rather than the actual number of students.  For this July 7, 2020, report, 920 students received 974 awards for a total of $720,792.

From President Link – Return to Campus Information – July 1, 2020


Hilary L. Link – President
July 1, 2020 at 2:56pm


Dear Students,

The recent weather has given us a glimpse of seasonal summer temperatures and the vibrant blue skies enjoyed during the summer months in Meadville. As we look forward to fall, I’m sure you have questions about joining us on campus. It is our intention to send a weekly update to keep you and your families informed about fall semester details and planning for your arrival at Allegheny College.

Read full July 1st update

Allegheny College Planning to Open for On-Campus Living and Learning in Fall 2020 – May 28, 2020


Hilary L. Link – President
May 28, 2020 at 12:02pm


Dear Members of the Allegheny College Community,

Allegheny College plans to welcome our students, faculty, staff, and administrators back to campus in several months for the fall 2020 semester. It is our intention to fully reopen for on-campus living and learning accompanied by, and subject to, ongoing guidance from Pennsylvania state and federal officials and public health, epidemiological, and medical experts.

Returning to fall on-campus living and learning is guided by the following core principles:

  • Prioritizing the health and physical and emotional safety of our campus community, while also recognizing the risks associated with reopening
  • Creating meaningful partnerships to protect the health and safety of and ensure the short- and long-term resilience of our local community
  • Maintaining our commitment to equity and diversity and to equal access for all students to the academic, social, and wellness (physical and emotional) resources available at the College
  • Community engagement, transparency, and open communications
  • Maintenance of the strong community ethos for which Allegheny is known. All members of our community will be asked to participate in mitigation and containment strategies — testing, isolation, tracing, behavioral and travel modifications — that prioritize the health and well-being of themselves and the entire community.

In mid-April, the Senior Leadership Team adopted a planning, operational, and implementation organizational structure to address the feasibility of resuming on-campus living and learning. This structure serves as the framework for conducting due diligence on the feasibility of reopening the campus. We have formed 12 groups to focus on specific operational functions of the College to ensure that we are prepared for a return to campus in the fall. These groups are charged with determining what needs to happen within their operational area for the campus to open safely, are led by a member of the Administrative Executive Committee (AEC), and include diverse representation of campus stakeholders (students, faculty, staff, and administrators) that form implementation teams. Operational groups also consult extensively with additional members of the campus community, as needed. The groups and their leads are:

  • Health and Safety Equipment Needs: April Thompson, Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students
  • Campus Facilities: Linda Wetsell, Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
  • Employees/Staffing: Jen Padlan, Director of Human Resources
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access: Kristin Dukes, Dean for Institutional Diversity
  • Academics: Ron Cole, Provost and Dean of the College
  • Student Life: April Thompson, Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students
  • Athletics: Bill Ross, Director of Athletics and Recreation
  • Admissions: Cornell LeSane, Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions
  • On-Campus Events: Phil Foxman, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs
  • Communication Strategy: Susan Salton, Vice President for College Relations
  • Technology/Safety Projects: Rick Holmgren, Vice President for Information Services & Assessment
  • Budget Planning: Linda Wetsell, Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer

These operational groups will be in regular communication with each other and will be implementing plans for distributing personal protective equipment; physical distancing and safety in residences, classrooms, dining halls, and offices; guidelines for employee return to work and accommodations for ongoing remote work; and technology needs in learning spaces and elsewhere across campus, among a range of other items.

We will continue to work throughout the summer and to update our community as details of our Return to Campus Plan are finalized. Circumstances and guidance surrounding COVID-19 continue to remain fluid, and thus we need to continually adapt our expectations and procedures. To guide us in this complex planning, we have formed the Allegheny College Health Agency (ACHA), which we will formally introduce to you in the coming days. The ACHA is co-directed by Professor Becky Dawson and Dr. Gabrielle Morrow. They will be sending out a number of health policies and protocols in the coming days, and they are already guiding our Return to Work plan effective July 1, when faculty, staff, and administrators return to campus after an extended period of working remotely. The ACHA will oversee extensive testing, contact tracing, and mitigation strategies for our community, and the agency will communicate frequently with the community in the coming weeks and months.

Changes to campus facilities to meet physical distancing and best practice de-densification guidelines, combined with other operational changes designed to help protect the health and safety of our campus and the Meadville community, are actions we must take to reduce the risk and exposure to the virus, prepare the College for the potential of any diagnosed on-campus cases, and plan for the possibility of a state and/or national resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

As the world grows in complexity, it needs the creative problem-solvers that Allegheny prepares — multidimensional thinkers who consider different viewpoints, integrate knowledge across disciplines, and collaborate across vastly different backgrounds and perspectives. These are the exact skills needed to solve the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — which cuts across perspectives and expertise in community and societal health, equity and social justice, economics, and more — and are the same skills we have adopted to develop our Return to Campus plan.

The ongoing connection our community has sustained during these past few months continues to inspire me and provides great hope for our future. Allegheny College will continue to deliver on its mission to provide a distinctive academic experience to all our students. I appreciate your continued patience and supportive understanding as we work to provide a safe and productive fall semester for our community.

Sincerely,
President Hilary Link