NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — As of Sept. 9, Penn State New Kensington released vaccination rates for students and employees at the campus.
At Penn State New Kensington, 82% of full-time employees indicated they are fully vaccinated, including 100% of administrators, 84% of academic personnel (instructors, researchers and faculty) and 80% of nonunion staff.
Because Penn State New Kensington is a commuter campus with no residential students, student vaccination upload numbers may be lower compared to other campuses with residential students. To date, 44% of Penn State New Kensington students have uploaded their proof of vaccination. With more students continuing to upload their proof of vaccination each day, the actual vaccination rates on campus may be higher.
“We are appreciative of the students, faculty and staff who have taken the time to upload their proof of vaccination,” said Kevin Snider, chancellor of the New Kensington campus. “As we regularly monitor upload statuses, we will also continue to promote the importance of doing so for the health and safety of the entire campus community.”
Penn State New Kensington has and continues to take a number of steps to support the health and safety of the campus population including hosting a virtual vaccination town hall during the previous semester featuring regional healthcare experts; required masking indoors for all regardless of vaccination status; required testing protocols for unvaccinated students, faculty and staff, as well as on-demand testing for those wishing to request a COVID-19 test; hosting upcoming health and wellness events on campus; hosting campus-specific listening sessions; providing information on local vaccination clinics; and planning a campus-specific contest hosted by the chancellor.
Vaccination data for all Penn State campuses will be available on the COVID-19 dashboard later this month. Penn State’s 20 Commonwealth Campuses across Pennsylvania vary in size and demographics, with some campuses offering residential experiences while others providing for commuter students.
Penn State previously announced that unvaccinated students and employees will be required to submit to weekly testing for COVID-19 throughout the fall semester. Penn State students can upload their vaccination records through myUHS. Campus employees can upload their vaccination records through Salesforce Health Cloud.
Voluntary and symptomatic testing is available at the campus. Student tests are being distributed through the campus’ Health Services office or can be ordered through the mail via the Vault Health mail-in test kit.
Penn State New Kensington students who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should contact the campus Health Services office immediately at sum697@psu.edu, 724-334-6066 or 724-681-3978 to speak with Nurse Stella Milburn or contact a local provider. Employees who are experiencing symptoms are advised to schedule an appointment with their health care provider.
The University strongly encourages all individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as they are able, if they have not done so already. Throughout the fall semester, vaccines will be made available on or near all Penn State campuses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccines.gov website provides a list of nearby providers, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, department stores and grocery stores.
For the latest information about Penn State’s response to COVID-19, visit virusinfo.psu.edu.