Dear Pittsburgh campus faculty and students,

As was announced last evening, due to the unfortunate rise in cases of COVID-19 on the Pittsburgh campus and in Allegheny County, the Pittsburgh campus has moved to the Elevated Risk Posture and has activated shelter-in-place protocols.

Please note that our regional campuses will begin the shelter-in-place period on Thursday, November 12, as originally planned.

The COVID-19 Medical Response Office (CMRO) has shared suggested shelter-in-place guidance for students on the Pittsburgh campus.

While contact tracing is still underway, the information collected to date  suggests that this recent increase in cases is due to social gatherings over Halloween weekend. No infections have been traced to classroom activities. The shelter-in-place protocols are being activated to quickly curtail social gatherings and prepare students to interact with families and loved ones free of the virus. To avoid exponential increases, we must all limit our social interactions and be especially careful about masking, distancing, and hand hygiene.

I am reaching out to make sure that there is a clear understanding about those guidelines in relation to classes and final exams. 

According to guidelines, Pittsburgh campus students can continue to engage in academic activities in person during the shelter-in-place period. In-person and remote classroom experiences—as well as all Flex@Pitt teaching and learning options—will continue. Students who are not in isolation or quarantine can choose to attend classes in person.

Classes will not be interrupted. 

The same is true for graduate classes. The shelter-in-place guidance does not limit in-class or lab experiences. Field and clinical work will also continue uninterrupted.

The University Library System is open and accessible during shelter-in-place.

Final exams, whether they are scheduled to occur in-person or remotely, will take place as planned.

Please continue to connect with your school and departmental leadership and remember to take advantage of resources offered by the University Center for Teaching and Learning and Pitt IT—and, as always, please contact me with questions or concerns: provost@pitt.edu.

Hail to Pitt!

Ann E. Cudd
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor