Official Statement

Coronavirus Update for the Harrisburg University Community

November 6, 2020
Announcement from President Darr: 2021 Spring Semester

Since its outbreak in early 2020, Harrisburg University has actively monitored the trends, developments, and science of COVID-19 with one primary concern in mind: keeping the HU Community safe and healthy. Throughout the past several months, this has required us to make difficult decisions in what are truly unprecedented times.

After multiple discussions among leaders of the HU Community, as well as reviewing a wide range of options being considered by other universities, HU has decided that programs for all students will be delivered in a virtual manner for the 2021 spring semester (January 11, 2021 – April 30, 2021 for undergraduate students) (January 9, 2021 – April 30, 2021 for graduate students). No face-to-face sessions will be held and no student access to HU classrooms or facilities will be provided.

HU staff have continued to develop and refine innovative activities to connect new and returning students to each other as well as to the wider HU community. Please watch for additional information about community building and connections. We are in this together, and together we will thrive.

Federal guidelines for international students studying in the US continue to allow for greater flexibility in how programs are delivered and managed. Under the continuing but temporary federal guidelines, students still need to be monitored (e.g., attendance taken and verified), show academic progress (through their work), and maintain their full-time course load. If you are an international student studying at HU, you will maintain your visa status and be allowed to remain in the US to study and work as long as you continue to attend and fully participate in classes online to include attending Executive Sessions online versus in person. Again, no face-to-face sessions will be held and no student access to HU classrooms or facilities will be provided for all students in the spring 2021 semester.

Please continue to monitor HU’s COVID-19 webpage for news and developments: https://covid.harrisburgu.edu/.

I had hoped that HU would resume its prior and what some would call “normal” operations for the spring semester. But to do so would comprise the health, safety, and welfare of the HU Community and this would be irresponsible. I will miss seeing you throughout the hallways, buildings, and student union in the coming months. Yet, I am comfortable and confident that with our outstanding faculty and staff, you will continue to receive the highest quality education and continue to be on the path to an amazing career. May you and your families remain healthy and safe.

Eric D. Darr, Ph.D.
President

NOTE: Any HU student who is experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, or academic stress as a result of this issue should contact the BHS Student Assistance Program. You can login via the app/web, https://portal.bhsonline.com, or call 800-327-2251. The username is HarrisburgU. Outreach to BHS is confidential, and each student is assigned a master’s level clinician as a care coordinator. BHS will provide HU students with quality, in-the-moment support. confidential Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-316-2796.