Newsroom

College Statement on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

UPDATE: This statement has been updated on 3/13/20 and 3/16/20. Please click here for all up-to-date information and a message from our President.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College cares about the health and welfare of our students, staff, faculty, and region. We work diligently to provide a safe learning and working environment for the entire college community. We understand that many institutions are moving to an entirely online format for their students. While we appreciate and understand why many of our four-year colleagues are moving classes to this format, Penn Highlands is in a slightly different situation based on our student population. We will continue with face-to-face classes for as long as we can safely do so.

Penn Highlands is a local community college that does not have residence halls or many students from distant locations or other countries. Our student and employee population are nearly all local, and we have not yet had our spring break to travel. Therefore, we have made the decision to respond appropriately to our local conditions.

We have consulted with local hospitals and have been advised that the risk of a local COVID-19 (coronavirus) epidemic is low. At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declares that the coronavirus infection risk is low for the general population. Additionally, Penn Highlands is following the recommendations from the CDC. Currently, there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in our service area.

Rest assured, we are continuously discussing the current local conditions. If the situation escalates, Penn Highlands will implement further steps to protect the health and safety of the college community, including canceling any large college gatherings, moving all classes to an online format, and having employees work from home (as appropriate).

If necessary, we will respond quickly to make changes to our current status based on factual information confirmed by the appropriate local and state authorities.

For the most up-to-date information: visit www.pennhighlands.edu/coronavirus.