Important Update re: COVID-19 and Fall 2020 Opening
Warriors,
I am pleased to announce that we will be returning to campus to deliver an outstanding
academic experience in Fall 2020 with classes starting on Monday, August 31, 2020.
After months of remote academic instruction and institutional operation, teams of
students, faculty and staff have worked to develop a comprehensive plan to prepare
East Stroudsburg University for your return to a COVID-ready environment. Remember
that you play a vital role in making the fall semester a positive experience for all
on campus!
East Stroudsburg University has made a significant financial and personnel investment
in the development of a plan intended to keep everyone in our campus community safe,
healthy, and engaged as we continue to battle the invisible yet dangerous pandemic.
Two specific campus teams that are guiding our efforts are the Academic Continuity
Team (ACT), led by our Provost, Joanne Z. Bruno, J.D., and the Integration and Communication
Task Force, led by ESU’s Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Nathan Black.
Together, these groups comprised of students, staff representing AFSCME, SCUPA and
managers, administrators and faculty representing APSCUF, UWCC, Senate and Chair’s
Council, have developed plans to re-open ESU that are now available to you for review
at esu.edu/open .
The guide is a fluid document and follows guidelines from the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC), the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), the Pennsylvania Department
of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
Please be sure that you visit the site from time to time for updates. While the Guide
focuses on our return to campus, the document also includes contingency planning should
we be forced to return to fully remote instruction and services. For now, here is
a snapshot of what you can expect when you arrive on campus:
Moving In - Students scheduled to move into ESU’s residence hall will do so during the week
of August 24. Instructions on how our staff will conduct move-in will be shared with
you in early August. Classes will begin on Monday, August 31 at 8 a.m. We intend to
follow our current academic calendar for Fall 2020 but are prepared to change academic
instruction quickly if necessary.
Pathways to Learning - Courses will be delivered in a variety of ways we are calling “Flex Fall,” which
will enable faculty to adapt their fall course delivery to include hybrid delivery
(some face-to-face combined with online instruction) as well as preparing for a fully
remote delivery in the case of large classes (excess of 60 students) and for contingency
purposes. Face-to-face instruction will look different. Additional details are shared
in the Guide.
Dining Options - Dining areas are being reconfigured to allow distancing during on-site dining.
There will also be to-go options available.
Masks and Social Distancing - Students, faculty and staff will be required to wear a mask and maintain social
distancing in the classrooms, common areas, and public spaces to the extent possible.
An ESU mask will be issued to every employee and student at the start of the fall
semester.
Staying Healthy - Cleaning of all public spaces and common areas will be addressed periodically throughout
the day to keep everyone safe. Hand sanitizing stations and plastic shielding will
be installed in key academic areas and offices around campus, and appropriate signage
is in place to remind everyone of traffic flow and other guidelines within all buildings.
If anyone within our campus community presents with COVID symptoms, they will need
to be tested immediately. Plans are in place to quarantine those who test positive
and we are also investigating ways to do contact tracing.
To be successful this fall, it will be critical that ALL members of our campus community
– students, faculty, and staff – continue to follow CDC guidelines to: wear a mask;
maintain a social distance of six feet whenever possible, and clean all high-touch
areas that you come in contact with on a regular basis.
Policies and procedures for those who do not adhere to University health and safety
requirements associated with COVID will be in place to ensure we keep our campus,
our community and one another safe.
Lastly, as announced at the start of the spring semester, I’ll be retiring as your
president effective July 31, 2020, but I leave the campus and your future in the trusted
hands of Interim President Ken Long and other members of ESU’s senior leadership team.
I hope that all of you will continue to enjoy these beautiful summer days and come
back to ESU this fall ready to face any challenge that comes your way.
Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.
East Stroudsburg University has made a significant financial and personnel investment
in the development of a plan intended to keep everyone in our campus community safe,
healthy, and engaged as we continue to battle the invisible yet dangerous pandemic.
Two specific campus teams that are guiding our efforts are the Academic Continuity
Team (ACT), led by our Provost, Joanne Z. Bruno, J.D., and the Integration and Communication
Task Force, led by ESU’s Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Nathan Black.
Together, these groups comprised of students, staff representing AFSCME, SCUPA and
managers, administrators and faculty representing APSCUF, UWCC, Senate and Chair’s
Council, have developed plans to re-open ESU that are now available to you for review
at esu.edu/open .
The guide is a fluid document and follows guidelines from the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC), the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), the Pennsylvania Department
of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
Please be sure that you visit the site from time to time for updates. While the Guide
focuses on our return to campus, the document also includes contingency planning should
we be forced to return to fully remote instruction and services. For now, here is
a snapshot of what you can expect when you arrive on campus:
Moving In - Students scheduled to move into ESU’s residence hall will do so during the week
of August 24. Instructions on how our staff will conduct move-in will be shared with
you in early August. Classes will begin on Monday, August 31 at 8 a.m. We intend to
follow our current academic calendar for Fall 2020 but are prepared to change academic
instruction quickly if necessary.
Pathways to Learning - Courses will be delivered in a variety of ways we are calling “Flex Fall,” which
will enable faculty to adapt their fall course delivery to include hybrid delivery
(some face-to-face combined with online instruction) as well as preparing for a fully
remote delivery in the case of large classes (excess of 60 students) and for contingency
purposes. Face-to-face instruction will look different. Additional details are shared
in the Guide.
Dining Options - Dining areas are being reconfigured to allow distancing during on-site dining.
There will also be to-go options available.
Masks and Social Distancing - Students, faculty and staff will be required to wear a mask and maintain social
distancing in the classrooms, common areas, and public spaces to the extent possible.
An ESU mask will be issued to every employee and student at the start of the fall
semester.
Staying Healthy - Cleaning of all public spaces and common areas will be addressed periodically throughout
the day to keep everyone safe. Hand sanitizing stations and plastic shielding will
be installed in key academic areas and offices around campus, and appropriate signage
is in place to remind everyone of traffic flow and other guidelines within all buildings.
If anyone within our campus community presents with COVID symptoms, they will need
to be tested immediately. Plans are in place to quarantine those who test positive
and we are also investigating ways to do contact tracing.
To be successful this fall, it will be critical that ALL members of our campus community
– students, faculty, and staff – continue to follow CDC guidelines to: wear a mask;
maintain a social distance of six feet whenever possible, and clean all high-touch
areas that you come in contact with on a regular basis.
Policies and procedures for those who do not adhere to University health and safety
requirements associated with COVID will be in place to ensure we keep our campus,
our community and one another safe.
Lastly, as announced at the start of the spring semester, I’ll be retiring as your
president effective July 31, 2020, but I leave the campus and your future in the trusted
hands of Interim President Ken Long and other members of ESU’s senior leadership team.
I hope that all of you will continue to enjoy these beautiful summer days and come
back to ESU this fall ready to face any challenge that comes your way.
Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.
A Message about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Supreme Court Decision
East Stroudsburg University is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As Champions
of Social Justice, we celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision to keep the Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in place, protecting nearly 700,000 undocumented
young people from deportation.
On June 18, 2020 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the DACA program. This decision
restores the program and (theoretically) both initial and renewal applications can
be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The decision is a
victory for immigrant communities and their allies who organized to protect the DACA
program. However, while the Supreme Court has indicated that new applications must
be accepted, until USCIS releases guidance applications are not officially open.
DACA is a United States immigration policy that allows some individuals with unlawful
presence in the Unites States, after being brought to the country as children, to
receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become
eligible for a work permit in the U.S. While many DACA recipients are Latinx, they
are a diverse group and come from a multitude of countries and cultures.
As a queer undocumented Afro-Panamanian, Jonathan Jayes-Green, founder of UndocuBlack
Network, is one example of a new generation of civil rights leaders and activists.
Jonathan, who lives at the intersection of several current movements, states: "I deeply
believe that today, we are getting a taste of the fruits of the seeds that our movements
have been planting for a long time. We got a taste on Thursday with the DACA decision;
we got a taste on Monday with the Title VII decision impacting LGBTQIA individuals
like myself; and we’ve been getting a full entrée as the movement for Black Lives
has inspired global action against police violence and systemic violence against all
Black people. This is not the time to stop. This is the time for more and more people
to come off the sidelines, to join our movement for freedom and justice."
ESU remains committed to supporting DACA , immigrant, and first-generation students. The PA State System of Higher Education
states that “… undocumented immigrants who provide clear and convincing evidence of
residing in Pennsylvania may be considered domiciled in the Commonwealth. Students
who graduated from Pennsylvania high schools fit this description and should be considered
in-state for tuition purposes.” ESU is steadfast in providing access for all individuals
that seek to pursue an education.
While the DACA decision is promising, there is still more work to be done. The end
of DACA would have devastating consequences for recipients. For one, losing DACA would
make higher education far less accessible for many of these amazing young people.
We therefore stand with DACA recipients, like Johnathan, and immigrant communities
in the pursuit of freedom and justice.
Santiago Solis, Ed.D.
DACA is a United States immigration policy that allows some individuals with unlawful
presence in the Unites States, after being brought to the country as children, to
receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become
eligible for a work permit in the U.S. While many DACA recipients are Latinx, they
are a diverse group and come from a multitude of countries and cultures.
As a queer undocumented Afro-Panamanian, Jonathan Jayes-Green, founder of UndocuBlack
Network, is one example of a new generation of civil rights leaders and activists.
Jonathan, who lives at the intersection of several current movements, states: "I deeply
believe that today, we are getting a taste of the fruits of the seeds that our movements
have been planting for a long time. We got a taste on Thursday with the DACA decision;
we got a taste on Monday with the Title VII decision impacting LGBTQIA individuals
like myself; and we’ve been getting a full entrée as the movement for Black Lives
has inspired global action against police violence and systemic violence against all
Black people. This is not the time to stop. This is the time for more and more people
to come off the sidelines, to join our movement for freedom and justice."
ESU remains committed to supporting DACA , immigrant, and first-generation students. The PA State System of Higher Education
states that “… undocumented immigrants who provide clear and convincing evidence of
residing in Pennsylvania may be considered domiciled in the Commonwealth. Students
who graduated from Pennsylvania high schools fit this description and should be considered
in-state for tuition purposes.” ESU is steadfast in providing access for all individuals
that seek to pursue an education.
While the DACA decision is promising, there is still more work to be done. The end
of DACA would have devastating consequences for recipients. For one, losing DACA would
make higher education far less accessible for many of these amazing young people.
We therefore stand with DACA recipients, like Johnathan, and immigrant communities
in the pursuit of freedom and justice.
Santiago Solis, Ed.D.
Happy Pride Month Warriors!
On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that sexual orientation and gender
identity are covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This landmark
decision finally grants LGBTQAI+ individuals important rights, deeming employment
discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity unlawful. Before this
decision, people within the LGBTQAI+ community could still be fired simply for who
they love or how they identify.
All month of June is a celebration of the LGBTQAI+ community. While Pride has evolved
into celebration, its roots stem from a response to oppression, the Stonewall Riots
in late June of 1969. While some of you know about the Riots, did you know that two
of the main activists were Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, trans women of color?
If you didn’t, this highlights the need for us to understand the intersectionality
of the LGBTQAI+ community.
This month is the time to celebrate how far we have come as individuals and as a community,
remember those who never got to see support, and those who continue the fight for
full and equal participation in our culture. Coming out to family and friends takes
immense courage because you never know how others will react. Some see support and
love, others are kicked out of the only home they’ve ever known. Many still encounter
violence. Some even death.
Marsha P. Johnson reminds us: "No pride for some of us without liberation for all
of us!" How will you help achieve social justice for LGBTQAI+ individuals? Consider
getting involved with The Trevor Project and True Colors United, nationwide organizations
that are committed to helping LGBTQAI+ youth in crisis by offering mental health and
housing assistance as well as educating allies. Read up on LGBTQAI+ history. Talk
to your family and friends about their views on gender and sexual identities. Integrate
this material into your courses and your programs.
ESU sponsors numerous programs and services to help you become a better LGBTQAI+ ally.
One of these is Safe Zone Training. If you want more information, to sign up, or schedule
a training for your organization, email Ariel Tucci (She/ Her/ Hers), Interim Director
of the Gender & Sexuality Center, at atucci@esu.edu
Together, we can all help each other become true champions of social justice, and
follow the Ways of the Warrior!
Santiago Solis, Ed.D.
All month of June is a celebration of the LGBTQAI+ community. While Pride has evolved
into celebration, its roots stem from a response to oppression, the Stonewall Riots
in late June of 1969. While some of you know about the Riots, did you know that two
of the main activists were Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, trans women of color?
If you didn’t, this highlights the need for us to understand the intersectionality
of the LGBTQAI+ community.
This month is the time to celebrate how far we have come as individuals and as a community,
remember those who never got to see support, and those who continue the fight for
full and equal participation in our culture. Coming out to family and friends takes
immense courage because you never know how others will react. Some see support and
love, others are kicked out of the only home they’ve ever known. Many still encounter
violence. Some even death.
Marsha P. Johnson reminds us: "No pride for some of us without liberation for all
of us!" How will you help achieve social justice for LGBTQAI+ individuals? Consider
getting involved with The Trevor Project and True Colors United, nationwide organizations
that are committed to helping LGBTQAI+ youth in crisis by offering mental health and
housing assistance as well as educating allies. Read up on LGBTQAI+ history. Talk
to your family and friends about their views on gender and sexual identities. Integrate
this material into your courses and your programs.
ESU sponsors numerous programs and services to help you become a better LGBTQAI+ ally.
One of these is Safe Zone Training. If you want more information, to sign up, or schedule
a training for your organization, email Ariel Tucci (She/ Her/ Hers), Interim Director
of the Gender & Sexuality Center, at atucci@esu.edu
Together, we can all help each other become true champions of social justice, and
follow the Ways of the Warrior!
Santiago Solis, Ed.D.
An Update on Diversity and Inclusion
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I feel the need to address our community of Warriors as we battle two pandemics: COVID-19
and Racism. I sincerely wish I could walk to the cafeteria to simply ask my students
“how are you doing?” or visit my colleagues’ office to say “hello.” The opportunity
to be physically present with all of you doesn’t currently exist but I am compelled
to connect with you. I have spent much of my time in conversation with faculty, staff,
and students trying to understand how we can be a better institution. Understanding
how race and racism affect the lives of our Black faculty, staff, and students on
a daily basis is imperative to our institutional growth and development. We must do
better. Black Lives Matter! How do we live this ethos? How do we show our Black students that they belong? How
do we embrace your identities and varied cultures? How do we acknowledge that your
very existence on our campus matters?
Self-reflection has allowed me to think about ways that I’ve either been a part of
the problem or contributing to the solution. I too need to own when I have contributed
to the problem. Perhaps a microaggression or an unintentional harsh reaction may have
isolated someone rather than move them closer to our community. Why do I share this?
Because in order for our campus to move forward, we all have to become more self-aware
of our thoughts, behaviors, and actions to create lasting solutions.
I don’t have all of the answers but I am prepared to engage in dialogue with others
to increase my cultural awareness and understanding. We all have a story, experience,
or sentiment that can be useful in exploring systemic and cultural change. My story
may be different from yours but I hope we can unite as Warriors.
We have an opportunity here at ESU. We’ve made a commitment to serve all students
and we must start fulfilling that promise today. Racism should not and will not be
tolerated. We must ensure the safety, dignity, and respect for all members of our
community.
I would like to share with you a few actions that we are taking to ensure we uphold
the values of this institution. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank
Dr. Cornelia Sewell-Allen and ESU’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee for their leadership,
commitment, dedication, passion, and time commitment to this important work.
Campus Police Training and Engagement: It is critical that our students see our law enforcement as allies and not adversaries.
This training will include cultural awareness, anti-racism, sensitivity training,
and implicit bias. Our students should know every officer. We will create more opportunity
for engagement and dialogue to bridge this gap.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Program: We must commit to building the cultural awareness and understanding of our campus
community. In collaboration with the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, we are creating
Inclusive Excellence Training that will be offered throughout the academic year. Topics
will include microaggressions, the problem with colorblindness, antiracism, green
zone training, accessibility, working with student with disabilities and so much more.
Project Lemonade: We will continue to enhance the efforts of Project Lemonade which was instituted
to provide a peaceful way to combat the hate speech on our campus and provide funding
to individuals, clubs, and departments that sponsor diversity, equity, and inclusion
programs and initiatives. Access the pledge form. Human Resources: All new employees are required to take the online diversity training before commencing
work at ESU. In collaboration with Human Resources, we are mandating training for
all faculty and staff search committees which will include implicit bias training.
We must ensure equal opportunity for all applicants.
New Faculty of Color Mentor Program: The Access and Equity Subcommittee of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee has been
working tirelessly to implement a new mentor program that will launch this fall for
the 2020 faculty hires and second-year faculty. The mentor program is purposed to
create connection and support for faculty of color who sometimes struggle to navigate
a new environment on a predominately-White campus.
Inclusive Excellence Scorecard: We will be utilizing the Inclusive Excellence Scorecard to track our diversity, equity,
and inclusion efforts. This assessment model ensures that we hold ourselves accountable
for the progress we are making toward our diversity, equity and inclusion goals. Our
diversity and inclusion webpage will be updated to highlight this information.
Policy: We will start reviewing our institutional policies to explore potential barriers
to our students’ success, in particular, students of color. This action is a critical
step in breaking down systemic inequities within our institution and allows us the
opportunity to change them. This initiative also includes creating new policies that
protect our students, faculty, and staff while holding us accountable for our actions.
Resources: The Diversity and Inclusion Committee implemented a resource tool kit this spring
to assist individuals in building their competence. We’ve created an additional page to reflect ways you can actively support racial justice, develop knowledge and awareness
of Black history, and review a listing of antiracist books.
Student Engagement: All new students will be required to take the Everfi online diversity, equity, and
inclusion training before arriving to campus. Additionally, students will engage in
conversations and sessions during Warrior Induction focused on privilege and identity.
In collaboration with the Student Government Association and other student leaders
we will be organizing antiracist programs in addition to marches and rallies (all
expressive activities will follow CDC guidelines).
We must not shy away from addressing the problem, but lean into it. It is the only
way we can grow. We have a long way to becoming the ESU that I know we can be, but
I believe that we can get there. We must be the best university at prioritizing diversity,
equity, and inclusion as a landmark of who we are. A community of diverse Warriors,
changing the world!
Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.
Self-reflection has allowed me to think about ways that I’ve either been a part of
the problem or contributing to the solution. I too need to own when I have contributed
to the problem. Perhaps a microaggression or an unintentional harsh reaction may have
isolated someone rather than move them closer to our community. Why do I share this?
Because in order for our campus to move forward, we all have to become more self-aware
of our thoughts, behaviors, and actions to create lasting solutions.
I don’t have all of the answers but I am prepared to engage in dialogue with others
to increase my cultural awareness and understanding. We all have a story, experience,
or sentiment that can be useful in exploring systemic and cultural change. My story
may be different from yours but I hope we can unite as Warriors.
We have an opportunity here at ESU. We’ve made a commitment to serve all students
and we must start fulfilling that promise today. Racism should not and will not be
tolerated. We must ensure the safety, dignity, and respect for all members of our
community.
I would like to share with you a few actions that we are taking to ensure we uphold
the values of this institution. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank
Dr. Cornelia Sewell-Allen and ESU’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee for their leadership,
commitment, dedication, passion, and time commitment to this important work.
Campus Police Training and Engagement: It is critical that our students see our law enforcement as allies and not adversaries.
This training will include cultural awareness, anti-racism, sensitivity training,
and implicit bias. Our students should know every officer. We will create more opportunity
for engagement and dialogue to bridge this gap.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Program: We must commit to building the cultural awareness and understanding of our campus
community. In collaboration with the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, we are creating
Inclusive Excellence Training that will be offered throughout the academic year. Topics
will include microaggressions, the problem with colorblindness, antiracism, green
zone training, accessibility, working with student with disabilities and so much more.
Project Lemonade: We will continue to enhance the efforts of Project Lemonade which was instituted
to provide a peaceful way to combat the hate speech on our campus and provide funding
to individuals, clubs, and departments that sponsor diversity, equity, and inclusion
programs and initiatives. Access the pledge form. Human Resources: All new employees are required to take the online diversity training before commencing
work at ESU. In collaboration with Human Resources, we are mandating training for
all faculty and staff search committees which will include implicit bias training.
We must ensure equal opportunity for all applicants.
New Faculty of Color Mentor Program: The Access and Equity Subcommittee of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee has been
working tirelessly to implement a new mentor program that will launch this fall for
the 2020 faculty hires and second-year faculty. The mentor program is purposed to
create connection and support for faculty of color who sometimes struggle to navigate
a new environment on a predominately-White campus.
Inclusive Excellence Scorecard: We will be utilizing the Inclusive Excellence Scorecard to track our diversity, equity,
and inclusion efforts. This assessment model ensures that we hold ourselves accountable
for the progress we are making toward our diversity, equity and inclusion goals. Our
diversity and inclusion webpage will be updated to highlight this information.
Policy: We will start reviewing our institutional policies to explore potential barriers
to our students’ success, in particular, students of color. This action is a critical
step in breaking down systemic inequities within our institution and allows us the
opportunity to change them. This initiative also includes creating new policies that
protect our students, faculty, and staff while holding us accountable for our actions.
Resources: The Diversity and Inclusion Committee implemented a resource tool kit this spring
to assist individuals in building their competence. We’ve created an additional page to reflect ways you can actively support racial justice, develop knowledge and awareness
of Black history, and review a listing of antiracist books.
Student Engagement: All new students will be required to take the Everfi online diversity, equity, and
inclusion training before arriving to campus. Additionally, students will engage in
conversations and sessions during Warrior Induction focused on privilege and identity.
In collaboration with the Student Government Association and other student leaders
we will be organizing antiracist programs in addition to marches and rallies (all
expressive activities will follow CDC guidelines).
We must not shy away from addressing the problem, but lean into it. It is the only
way we can grow. We have a long way to becoming the ESU that I know we can be, but
I believe that we can get there. We must be the best university at prioritizing diversity,
equity, and inclusion as a landmark of who we are. A community of diverse Warriors,
changing the world!
Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.
