Official Statement

Coronavirus Update for the Harrisburg University Community

 April 23, 2020

As COVID-19 cases continue to increase, Harrisburg University must continue to take action to limit personal contact consistent with the Pennsylvania Governor’s orders by requiring all employees, who are not directly involved in the life-support of our students who remain in University affiliated housing, to work from home. As we have operated for several weeks, Harrisburg University will not staff student facing functions including but not limited to the
Registrar’s Office, the Library, the Office of Admissions, the Business Office, the Office of International Students, and the Financial Aid Office from University facilities. Rather, these functions should remain staffed during normal business hours by employees working from home. All other functions should also continue to be staffed from home offices.

The “work from home protocol” will continue from today, April 23, 2020 until 8:00 am Monday June 1, 2020 unless otherwise notified. Employees who work their regular hours remotely, will continue to receive their regular pay based on their normal work schedule. Standard protocols for PTO apply if you are unable to work due to illness or if you need to take personal time.

Staff directly involved in the life-support of our students includes student services, student housing, security, maintenance, information technology and student mental healthcare personnel. Only staff from these functional areas may continue to access University facilities. Additionally, University personnel who are directly involved in the provision of food and supplies to our students may continue entering University facilities.

Faculty will continue to work remotely. Faculty are asked to remain in regular contact with their program lead, and to continue to offer regular office hours electronically. Faculty needing help or ideas for online course delivery are encouraged to continue working remotely with the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.

All aquaponics facilities may be maintained.

Any employee needing 1) financial resource information, 2) legal resource information or 3) help coping with anxiety and stress should contact the confidential Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-316-2796.

Requirement to Maintain Confidentiality of Business Information

Employees must take all precautions necessary to secure sensitive and confidential information, including student, staff, alumni, donor records and information, etc., and prevent unauthorized access to University equipment and proprietary information. The performance of job duties remotely may require the handling of confidential information, and continued compliance with all applicable policies is an essential requirement in this arrangement. Employees must protect information from improper disclosure to, or access by, other persons, including other members of the employee’s household. Employees must take appropriate steps to ensure the security of all work-related materials, data, and equipment.