October 9, 2020
Dear Pitt Faculty Members and Students,
In August, the University, in consultation with the Health Care Advisory Group and the COVID-19 Medical Response Office, shared its risk postures and what activities can happen in each. Since the fall term began, the Pittsburgh campus has been in Elevated Risk.
Our instructors, students and staff have been vigilant—and the results of that excellent community effort is that rates of COVID-19 infections on campus have been stable. As announced earlier today, the Pittsburgh campus plans to move to Guarded Risk. In this posture, most instruction can now be offered both in person and remotely.
The Guarded Risk posture allows us the opportunity to provide an in-class experience—at least once a week—for all students with classes that have been assigned a classroom. If a course has an assigned classroom, students can attend class in-person if they wish and instructors can teach in person if they wish. Instructors may also decide to ask students to consider gathering in person while they teach remotely. Similarly, students can continue to participate remotely if they prefer. Under the Flex@Pitt model, you have the choice to participate in person or remotely.
As we adopt this posture change, I ask that instructors consult their class schedules to determine how each of their classes will meet and then be in touch with students to provide specific plans within the next week.
For students, please be on the lookout for additional information from your instructors.
I understand that these are not easy asks. That is why we are taking a full week to prepare for the transition.
There will be more information to share in the days ahead. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at provost@pitt.edu if you have questions or concerns.
Hail to Pitt!
Ann E. Cudd
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor