Staff Report
Gettysburg College announced Tuesday evening that it would extend spring break through Sunday, Mar. 22. Here, we will keep a running list of what we know and what we don’t know. If you have a question, send us an email or complete our web form (anonymously if you like).
This article was last updated at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 16 and will continue to be updated as we learn more.
What We Know
Governor Wolf: Social Distancing Is Key to Mitigating Coronavirus Spread
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has begun to take sweeping action to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. On Friday, he ordered all Pennsylvania public schools closed for two weeks, and, in four counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania — Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware — “aggressive social distancing” measures have been implemented, which close all schools and colleges (public and private) and most public places and businesses. Adams County, where Gettysburg is located, had no known positive cases, but Cumberland County, located to Adams County’s immediate north, confirmed its first three cases in recent days. (-BP)
Virtual Classes Will Resume on March 23
The college announced last Tuesday (Mar. 10) that spring break will be extended through March 22 and that classes would resume one week later than planned, on March 23. On Monday, the college announced that those classes will be held virtually for the remainder of the semester. (-BP)
We’re Not Alone
More than a dozen Pennsylvania colleges that have announced moves to remote instruction in recent days. The length of time varies from two weeks up to the remainder of the semester. On Wednesday, the University of Pennsylvania joined Bucknell by moving classes online for the rest of the semester, while Penn State and Haverford moved classes online through April 3. Other schools, including Dickinson, have, like Gettysburg, extended spring break to buy time and plan for future interventions. All schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education have canceled in-person classes for at least two weeks. At a press conference earlier this week, Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said, “I support these efforts,” and she reiterated Saturday that schools play a central role to the Commonwealth’s social distancing strategy. (-BP)
Various Events Have Been Postponed or Cancelled Altogether
Among events that have been cancelled include:
- Spring production of Macbeth
- Black Student Union’s Step Show
- Gettysburg Model UN Conference (GettMUN)
- Various Admissions events including information sessions for next several weeks
- Gettysburg College Choir Tour’s Home Concert
- Presidential Speaker Series Launch featuring Professor Randall Kennedy
- Eisenhower Institute Civil Discourse Series Event with Daryl Johnston
- Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony
- Springfest
Among the events about which updates have not yet been released include:
- Get Acquainted Day (scheduled for April 18)
- Commencement (scheduled for May 17)
(-BP, GM)
Athletic Events Have Been Canceled for the Remainder of the Season
Several teams have received notification from their coaches that athletic events will not resume until at least Monday, Apr. 6, and, on Thursday afternoon, the Centennial Conference announced an indefinite suspension to all athletic events except for teams playing on spring break. Lacrosse, baseball, and softball teams are currently wrapping up those games. (-BP)
College-Sponsored Travel Has Been Postponed or Canceled
According to a college employee who received an email earlier today from Transportation Services, reservations for college business travel through April 30 have been canceled. All college-sponsored travel must be approved by divisional vice presidents. (-BP)
Many Study Abroad Programs Are Being Canceled
Study abroad programs in Geneva, Copenhagen, and Jerusalem have been canceled thus far, students in them report. It took the college more than 24 hours to decide that students in Europe should return home after the president announced a ban on most travel from continental Europe to the United States, a ban that was later expanded to include the United Kingdom and Ireland. Students elsewhere have been advised to “use their best judgement” (sic). (-BP)
The Show Will Not Go On at the Majestic
Despite an earlier announcement pledging to press onward, the Majestic Theater has announced a closure through Mar. 31. (-BP)
What We Don’t Know
How Prepared the College Is for Virtual Instruction
Over the coming week, the college will work to train faculty members on how to deliver online instruction. Director of the Johnson Center for Teaching and Learning Josef Brandauer tweeted that the college has asked faculty to prepare for three scenarios: complete shutdown, students in quarantine, or themselves in quarantine.
“Based on a lot of factors, decision was made to primarily support use of/training in Moodle (our current CMS), Zoom, and screencastomatic. Hope is to reduce stress on our small, but amazing Educational Technology team,” he added.
That follows Tuesday’s launch of a web page with an introduction to various online pedagogical techniques and tools to help maintain “academic continuity.”
Students have expressed concern about how virtual instruction would work in areas such as music, where senior recitals are still planned, and lab sciences.
“To graduate, I need to do my senior recital. I need to perform for my capstone,” music major Hannah Kolarik ’20 said. “It makes me worry about how I can do my recital and if I can do my recital and how I can get my degree. And I think a lot of seniors are in the same boat.”
(-BP, GM)
Whether Support Staff Will Face Decreased Hours or Layoffs
If students do not return to campus, it is not clear whether hourly employees in areas such as Dining Services would face decreased hours or layoffs. The college did not address a question about that subject sent Tuesday evening, and, Wednesday evening, said that questions it was unable to address would be discussed in the coming days. Already, support staff have voiced concern about a decrease in the value of the college’s health insurance plan and ongoing low wages. It is not known how decreased hours or layoffs would affect turnover or the services available at the college. The college pledged Monday only to do its best. (-BP)
Commencement: Will It Happen?
It is also uncertain as to how the possibility of finishing the semester online will affect the Commencement ceremony currently scheduled for May 17. At present, the college has scheduled Co-Founder of City Year Michael Brown as the keynote speaker and planned to recognize Brown, Founder and President Emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund Marian Wright Edelman, and Hall of Fame Paralympian Jean Driscoll as honorary degree recipients. (-ND)
This article will continue to be updated. Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Pontz, Managing Editor Gauri Mangala, and Investigations Editor Nicole DeJacimo contributed to this report.
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