Return-to-campus survey results show complexities involved in Penn State’s fall semester decision
While 86% of University Park students polled in a recent survey said they’re somewhat or very likely to return to Penn State — either in person or online — 14% of faculty reported being unwilling to return to face-to-face teaching under any circumstances and 26% were unwilling to return to face-to-face office hours.
With Penn State expected to make a decision on its fall semester by Monday, the results of the two university-issued surveys — one sent to a random sample of 16,864 students and the other to all 27,699 faculty and staff — published Friday provide a window into the complexities university leaders are navigating in reaching that decision.
The survey results are under review by university leadership and the coronavirus task force groups that are formulating plans for the fall semester.
Overall, the survey results showed that both groups are largely in support of COVID-19 mitigation efforts on campus, such as wearing masks and keeping 6 feet apart from others. Both groups also showed more concern about the virus’s effect on their family and friends than on themselves.
“Not surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of our students take the COVID-19 threat seriously and indicate their intention to follow the critically important public health and safety guidelines if we do return to in-person experiences,” Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims said. “If we are to limit the spread of the disease in our communities, the entire university, including its students, must commit to following these guidelines on and off campus.”
Of the 16,864 undergraduate, graduate and professional students at University Park and eight other campuses, 35.5% responded. Inside classrooms, University Park students were somewhat or very likely to engage in the following behaviors: wearing a mask (81%); maintaining 6 feet of distance between classmates (76.9%); having their temperature scanned upon entering (77.9%) and using hand sanitizer upon entering (94.6%).
University Park students were also largely in support of such efforts outside the classroom, with 86% somewhat or very likely to wear a mask in public spaces; 96.5% would wash or sanitize their hands regularly; 83% would maintain 6 feet of physical distance between others; and 83% would spend time with friends in smaller groups.
Approximately 81% of University Park students indicated they are worried about the impact of COVID-19 on their family and friends, and approximately 76% are concerned about the virus’s impact on the Penn State campus and surrounding community.
All 27,699 Penn State faculty and staff had the opportunity to take the survey, and 16,057 responded for a response rate of 58% percent.
“The unusually high response rate is reflective of the importance of the issue,” Vice President for Human Resources Lorraine Goffe said. “There are some questions and, not surprisingly, some anxiety about returning to work sites — and we understand that emotion and want to be able to support employees in the best ways we know how — by offering resources when needed and by communicating often.”
Most respondents reported being more worried about the potential impact of the virus on family and friends (88%) and the surrounding community (89%) than on themselves (75%).
Overall, nearly two-thirds (63%) of employees self-assessed their COVID-19 risk as “moderate to high.” While some faculty expressed concern with face-to-face teaching and office hours, more than half said they’d feel comfortable returning if precautions, such as face masks, social distancing and sanitization strategies, are taken.
The mitigation strategy most supported by faculty and staff, regardless of their role at Penn State, was encouraging people to stay home if they feel ill.
The large majority of employees who responded said they have already been practicing mitigation efforts such as avoiding social gatherings, wearing masks and washing their hands, according to Penn State. But while the university expects to continue these practices in the workplace, 74% of employees said they believe their workspaces need some changes to be able to support social distancing.
“I am highly encouraged by the amount and depth of information we received from the university community. These findings will be essential in the implementation of safety and mitigation measures during the future phased return process,” Goffe said. “We are in the midst of mapping out exactly what going back to work may look like for Penn Staters. It is complex with an enormous amount of related details, needs and protocols. We will use these answers to help us determine possible alternatives, any needed policy changes, or increased measures to be put in place.
“Returning to the workplace is going to require everyone’s cooperation and a large measure of personal responsibility, as we are all in this together.”
