Smeal Update: June 5, 2020

Dear Smeal Community,

Welcome to our weekly update on the many activities of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

As we continue to support Penn State’s efforts to address the impact of COVID-19, please refer to the Smeal Coronavirus FAQ page, which contains links to the University’s faculty/staff FAQs and other pertinent information.

University examining bringing back select student groups on state guidance

  • Based on new guidance provided by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on June 1 for institutions of higher education, Penn State is actively examining the return of small cohorts of students to campuses for the second summer session as the University is able to meet the governor’s requirements. Read the story.

Student loan debt summary letters to be sent out in June

  • Later this month Penn State students will receive a letter outlining their total student debt from federal sources and a summary of their student debt from University and private sources while they were enrolled at Penn State. All accredited institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania are required to send yearly letters by July 1 under Act 121 of 2018 informing borrowers of their loan debt to date. Read the story.

Smeal in the news

  • I recently spoke with a CBS News reporter for a news story about the uncertain future Pennsylvania graduates are now facing. Read the story.

Weekly wellness and mindfulness sessions now available

  • Heide Gibson, a Smeal development and alumni relations director, has teamed up with Charleon Jeffries, director of diversity, equity and inclusion for Penn State's Division of Development and Alumni Relations, to offer mindfulness sessions from 9:30-10:30 a.m. each Thursday via zoom (or feel free to dial in: +1 301 715 8592; meeting ID: 8148673062). 

Faculty and staff asked to complete return-to-work survey

  • If you haven’t already, please consider taking the time to complete Smeal’s return-to-work survey before June 10. All responses are anonymous.  We truly appreciate your perspective during this difficult time, and we look forward to reviewing the collective input from our community as the University defines return to work strategies.

Next Smeal Community Zoom Session planned

  • As a reminder, the next Smeal Community Zoom Session has been planned for 11 a.m. – noon Monday. If you are able to attend, connect via this link.