Smeal Update: July 23, 2021

Tips for effective communication in a mixed work environment

Next month, we will enter a new chapter of our evolving COVID-19 Smeal experience following more than a year of working remotely. Many will return to the Business Building to work full time, some will continue to work from remote locations and others will divide their time between campus and remote workspaces. This will create a new dynamic to which we must adapt to preserve positive working relationships and our healthy Smeal culture. An email distributed Monday to Smeal faculty and staff contains tips for how to help manage the transition. We will also discuss this during the next two Community Zooms.

Penn State 2021-22 payroll deadline schedule available

The University has released biweekly and monthly payroll pay period entry abbreviations and deadlines. Both charts are available online.

Smeal in the News

Waldhier quoted in Fortune magazine article

Michael Waldhier, Penn State Smeal's managing director for resident graduate programs, was recently featured in the Fortune magazine article, "Deciding How Many MBA Applications to Send Out." Read the full article online.

Save the Date for the All-College Meeting

The Smeal All-College Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 14 from 3:30-5pm. More details will be announced soon.

Monday, July 26 Smeal Community Zoom canceled

The next Community Zoom will be held on Monday, August 2 at 1pm.

Do you know someone who rocks? Nominate them!

Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. The July honoree is Steph Ironside, administrative support coordinator in the Department of Marketing. Congratulations, Steph. You rock! You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online.

The Smeal Community Weekly Poll

This week's survey asks if you have ever met a famous person. Click this link to participate. Results will be shared during the next Smeal Community Zoom.

Question from faculty

Can I require students to wear a mask in my class?

As of June 28, masks are optional for those who are fully vaccinated (two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine), including in classroom, advising and student services spaces. Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks indoors at all times. If you want someone to wear a mask when interacting with you, you can request that they do so, but cannot require it. It is important to note that those who are working in or visiting designated health care environments must continue to wear masks indoors and maintain distancing regardless of vaccination status.

In individual offices, faculty may post this sign if they wish to request that people entering wear a mask.