At University Park, nearly 94% of course sections for fall — 13,973 out of 14,903 course sections — are expected to be delivered as in-person classes.
In comparison, during a typical, non-pandemic fall semester, the University Park campus offers approximately 15,200 course sections with about 97% of those sections taught in person.
Penn State in June opened a faculty work adjustment request process for instructors who are immunocompromised or live with someone who is immunocompromised, instructors with children who are unvaccinated and are at high risk for complications from COVID-19, and instructors who, for medical reasons, cannot be vaccinated. Due to the changing nature of the pandemic, the University reopened the process for faculty work adjustment requests for an additional week from Aug. 5 to 12.
Over the two work adjustment request periods, 149 requests were approved at University Park, leading to about 165 courses — or 1.1% of all University Park courses — being moved to remote delivery for the semester.
Students and their families should also know that as part of a longstanding University policy, instructors are permitted to offer up to 24% of any in-person class via remote instruction. This flexibility enables faculty members to use innovative pedagogies that incorporate digital learning and to manage potential absences due to illness or health concerns, travel or other unavoidable circumstances.
Penn State officials diligently monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, including the spread of the Delta variant and rise in COVID-19 cases across the country and within Pennsylvania. The University will continue to adjust its plans as circumstances change and will share any changes to the current guidance as appropriate with the community.