An update from our Chancellor regarding COVID-19
March 14, 2020
Dear Penn State Brandywine Community:
In a letter to the entire Penn State community, President Eric J. Barron announced that all Penn State campuses will be transitioning to remote learning starting Monday, March 16, through the spring semester in response to the global coronavirus outbreak. While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) at Penn State Brandywine, due to the increase number of cases in our region, we believe that this plan, although challenging to implement, is in the best interest of our students, faculty and staff, and community.
Whenever possible, classes will meet at regularly scheduled times via Zoom.
We understand that news about COVID-19 and the precautionary measures the University is taking can be stressful for some individuals. Whether it’s for mental or physical health concerns, students should request accommodations from their professors. If you feel sick, please stay at home and call your healthcare provider.
This is an evolving situation and we will continue to communicate with you as we receive updated information.
The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and community remains our top priority. My thanks to each and every one of you for your patience and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marilyn J. Wells
Chancellor
March 13, 2020
Dear Brandywine campus community,
First and foremost, thank you to each and every one of you for all that you are doing for our students and campus, always and especially during this time of coronavirus preparedness and prevention. You are terrific, and I am more convinced of that each day! You are “stepping up” and “working together”!
I know that this has been an unusual Spring Break due to the coronavirus preparedness and prevention. I do hope, whether your Spring Break has been time on campus or time away from campus, that you also have enjoyed the glimpses of beautiful spring weather and flowers. They are beautiful!
Throughout this past week, I have participated in multiple Zoom meetings and conference calls with our leaders and colleagues at University Park. I have also held timely meetings with our Chancellor’s Council. Many of you have participated in meetings with your colleagues and counterparts. Likewise, I know that each of you have received the Penn State communications, and hopefully, are following Penn State’s Coronavirus site www.psu.edu/virusinfo for updates. Do continue to visit and read this site. Many of your questions, that I have heard throughout this week, are answered there.
I am pleased to share that I have consistently heard 3 principles from University Park guiding our decisions and directions: health and safety (of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors), student success (and the ability of students to complete their courses), and business continuity (our campus remains open for operations though we are being creative with telecommuting, social distancing, and hygiene practices).
These is a new type of reality for all of us.
So, as we transition to remote learning this Monday, this is what I ask of you, our faculty and staff at Brandywine. Please do your best to provide a good learning experience for our students. I’m reminded of the quote, “Let’s not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” Let’s be patient with each other, and let’s be patient with our students. Quoting Provost Jones, “Keep your positive attitudes up, and look for opportunities to smile.”
I am meeting first thing Monday morning with the Chancellor’s Council to share the most current updates and clarifications, which your respective Director will share with you. I know they have been communicating with you, and bringing your good questions and ideas forward as we look to next week and beyond, and likely more changes to come.
In closing, I will share a quote that has resonated with me this week,
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” – Chuck Swindoll
Let’s make the impossible possible at Brandywine.
With all good wishes,
Marilyn
Dr. Marilyn J. Wells
Chancellor