Fall 2020 Reopening

ESU has evaluated all classrooms for maximum capacity considering social distancing recommendations published by the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Working with ESU’s Academic Contingency Team (ACT) and Registrar, course schedules have been developed in consideration of each classroom’s social distancing capacity.

Tutoring services will be available for students in both face-to-face (following social distancing and masking protocol) and virtual formats. For more information regarding subject-specific tutoring and math tutoring, please contact Kelly McKenzie, director, University-Wide Tutorial Program, kmckenzie@esu.edu. For more information, regarding the Writing Studio please contact Sandy Eckard, director, Writing Studio, at seckard@esu.edu.

Smartphones are not recommended as they are not compatible with ESU’s online platforms.

Recommend Specifications for Student-owned Computers:

A computer with sufficient memory (RAM) and hard-drive space is recommended.

• Average model: for basic applications (word processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, Internet access, educational software).
• High end model: for multi-media applications (3D modeling, video production, etc.). For the more advanced computer user.

Computer labs are available across campus for student access, including in the Kemp Library, residence halls, and classroom buildings. ESU’s Wi-Fi is available throughout campus.

Computers are available to be loaned to students on a case-by-case basis. For details, please contact Justin Amann at jamann@esu.edu.

Faculty should contact ESU’s Office of Accessible Services Individualized for Students (OASIS) for all student accommodation needs. Please complete the Faculty Request of Captioning Educational Content online form.

As announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, all public schools within the Commonwealth are expected to return to face-to-face instruction in the fall. Accordingly, ESU’s student teaching placements for Fall 2020 within these schools will continue as well. For more detailed information, contact Jill Greenwood in the Office of Field Placements at jgreenwood@esu.edu.

As experiential learning assignments are specific to one’s major, it is important for students to remain in close contact with their academic advisor, department chairperson, and college dean. It is anticipated that as we are in the Commonwealth’s Green Phase, experiential learning, including internships, externships, clinicals, labs, etc. will be able to continue face-to-face through the fall 2020 semester as long as social-distancing and masking are observed.

Students with questions on how their military/National Guard service may impact their ESU experience during the COVID-19 pandemic should contact June Pepe, associate registrar for veterans services and records, at jpepe@esu.edu.

All resident students will check in at the lower parking lot behind the Science and Technology Center, and then be sent to their residence hall from there to unload. Vehicles will be greeted by the Warrior Welcome to Campus Volunteers, who will help them unload and escort them to their room. After unloading, vehicles will immediately be sent to centralized parking locations as determined by ESU Police. Please keep in mind that parties may not exceed more than three persons, including the student moving in. No minors under 14 are allowed at ESU's campus, masks/face coverings must be worn at all times, and there will be a one-hour visitation period for all guests. 

In an effort to minimize travel, ESU will be offering a packing and shipping option. To use this service, you must register there and buy pre-paid labels and then you can have your belongings shipped right to your room at ESU. Only FedEx and UPS can be used as shipping options. More detailed information will follow on this program. In order to provide a smooth transition to campus, we will have sign-up times for students to move into their assigned on-campus residential facility from August 26 to August 28 for new students, and from August 26 through August 30 for continuing students. This will allow for social distancing and additional cleaning protocols to occur.  You will receive information by July 13 regarding move-in details via email, ESU’s official communication method.

Yes.  Students living on campus and their parent/guardian/guarantor will be required to follow the guidelines outlined by ESU and federal, state, county or local governmental agencies.

• Face Coverings – Requirement of personal face coverings/masks once you leave your room door and enter the hallway and as you navigate campus.
• Building Access – Residence Halls will only have one entrance/exit available at all locations. Every student will need to check-in at the front entrance with a ESU staff member each time they enter the building. Students may be required to wait in line to be checked into the building.
• Guest Policy – non-residential outside guests WILL NOT BE ALLOWED into the residential halls. Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Accessible Services Individualized for Students (OASIS) for approval of personal care attendants.
• Amenities – Building amenities will have reduced occupancy to maintain social distancing guidelines.
• Elevators – Limited to 2 persons per car, unless related or part of a family unit.
• Family unit is defined as a group of students who share an apartment, suite or bathroom.

The cafeteria, Dansbury Commons, will be open beginning on August 20 for those who are on campus.  Hours of operation are: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m.

All ESU community members with a valid ESU identification card may use the dining hall and other facilities. Outside guests will not be permitted to dine in any of our facilities. The dining hall and retail outlets will only have one entrance/exit available at all locations. Students may be required to wait in line to be admitted into the facility. All dining facilities will have reduced occupancy to maintain social distancing guidelines.

Some modifications to daily menu selections and station offerings will be made to comply with federal, state, and local guidelines. In order to best protect our ESU community, there will be no self-service stations.

In an effort to ensure the well-being of our students, ESU Dining will have staff cleaning high traffic areas and touch points more frequently. We will also modify the use of our building’s common areas and amenities to ensure we remain compliant with federal, state, and local guidelines.  We will require students and staff to follow CDC guidelines. These and all other guidelines will be posted throughout our facilities and they must be adhered to at all times.

Canoeing, fishing, hiking, and disc golf will be open to the ESU community from dawn to dusk. Proper social distancing of 6 feet will be enforced.  Reservations for camping and cabins will be available and must be made in advance. For more information and reservations, please contact Madeline Constantine at mconstantine@esu.edu or (570) 223-8316.

Yes, Mattioli Recreation Center and RecB will both be open. There will be social distancing put in place for equipment, virtual fitness classes, and some restrictions on activities offered. Equipment will be disinfected regularly to ensure everyone’s safety.

The University Center and Bookstore are both open.

University Center

• The University Center spaces will be operating at lower capacities to comply with state and local health guidelines.
• Some spaces will be closed throughout the day to allow for deep cleaning.
• CDC guidelines for social distancing implementation may results in more time needed for food services.

Bookstore

• Hours of operation will be posted on the bookstore website.
• Fall textbooks: All students are highly encouraged to pre-order their Fall textbooks and select for either in store pick-up or shipping to home. To pre-order, use the link in the student portal or visit the bookstore website.
• In-store transactions: Masks will be required inside the bookstore and social distancing will be practiced.
• Spring textbook rental returns: Check your email for detailed information about printing a free UPS return label or return your rentals in-person, in-store.
• Any questions or requests can be emailed to Joe Knorr, bookstore manager, jknorr@esu.edu.

The Warrior Food Pantry plans to resume service on Tuesday, September 1. This resource, located at St. Matthew’s Church (78 Ridgeway Street, East Stroudsburg), operates each Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. Social distancing and mask protocols will be required.

For those wishing to donate items, please visit the Warrior Food Pantry website for a list of helpful items and drop-off locations.

Additionally, for a complete list of available community meals in the area, please see the resource guide. In the guide you will find the phone numbers to each community meal, please call ahead before arriving to ensure that they continue to be operational. The Salvation Army in East Stroudsburg is a resource for food as well and can be contacted at (570) 421-3050.

All meetings must follow CDC guidelines for social distancing and large gatherings.

• General meeting rooms and classroom spaces will be set for social distancing and a limited number of people will be permitted in a given space. Resources and guidelines will be provided for students to utilize spaces on campus that follow CDC guidelines.
• Virtual meetings should be held and are highly encouraged by all organizations when scheduling their regular meetings and activities.
• Large gatherings and events will continue to be significantly curtailed through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At this time, we recommend that students support community-based organizations through virtual volunteer opportunities. In-person volunteering and service should only be performed with organizations that have clearly implemented health & safety procedures consistent with state and federal guidelines.

Essential travel for University business will be approved by normal channels within the Commonwealth as long as:

• Travel within Pennsylvania should be done with caution and awareness of the pandemic conditions at the planned destination and in the communities en route to the destination.
• Guidance from the CDC and the Commonwealth should be followed when travelling with multiple persons in one vehicle.
• If an approved traveler is exposed to COVID-19 while participating in university-sponsored travel, the traveler must follow the self-isolation protocols established by the university upon return.

For all other travel that is essential to University business but is international or out of state will require approval by the university president (or designee). The university’s standard processes for travel authorization should require the signature of the president (or designee) for travel to be authorized.

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provides funding to individual colleges and universities in the U.S. in order to provide financial grants to students who are facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Education has provided general guidelines to indicate how funds are to be distributed and has given each institution discretion on how funds will be disbursed.

During phase one of our plan to distribute CARES Act funds, we have provided emergency assistance to those who applied for help and also to some students attending summer classes - this phase of the program is complete and applications are no longer being accepted.

We are planning to distribute additional funds from the CARES Act Funds during the Fall 2020 semester to assist enrolled students who have financial challenges created by the COVID-19 disruption. More information will be made available to students concerning the Fall 2020 plan as we get closer to the start of the Fall 2020 semester.

For more information see CARES Act Disclosures.