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Message from President Hennigan regarding University Operations during the Pittsburgh Summit Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Amended Aug. 18, 2009

As you know, Pittsburgh will host The Pittsburgh Summit 2009 (the G-20 Summit), a gathering of heads of state from 19 countries and the European Union, on September 24 and 25, 2009. Most of the activities related to this international event will take place in and around our Downtown neighborhood, attracting more than 3,000 members of the media and tens of thousands of other individuals from throughout the world. The Pittsburgh Summit 2009 presents our region with the incredible opportunity to showcase our City and tell Pittsburgh's story of revitalization and managed growth. Given the scope of the event and the associated traffic restrictions, it also requires us to consider University operations during the week of the Summit.

With the safety and security of our campus community as our Number One priority, I have decided to amend University operations as outlined below. The measures we are taking will ensure the ability for faculty and students to continue classes using alternative methods and for the University to provide essential operations/services on September 23, 24, 25 and 26.


The University will be closed on
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
September 23 through 26, 2009

ABOUT CLASSES

Alternative Teaching and Learning Activities for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday classes

Although the University will be closed in anticipation of the restrictions related to The Pittsburgh Summit 2009, alternative teaching and learning will be offered to reduce the impact of the closures and ensure students meet course objectives. Course syllabi will specify Equivalent Instructional Activities (EIA) in lieu of traditional class meeting/lecture sessions on campus. All instructors will review course requirements and methods for feedback that will be used during these classes.

No classes or related academic activities will take place in downtown Pittsburgh during the period the University is closed. Also there will be no student access to the University academic facilities, laboratories, studios or equipment during this period.

Support for designing appropriate EIA material will be provided through the Office of the Vice Provost. Please contact Jan Ryan or Jordan Nofziger at 412-392-3860 if you are in need of assistance.

Make-up sessions may be scheduled for Accelerated classes
Because of the nature of instruction in Accelerated classes, instructors may use the Accelerated Programs' Mid-Semester Break (Saturday, October 17 through Friday, October 23) to make up the class time missed as a result of suspended classes during The Pittsburgh Summit 2009. Make-up lessons or rescheduled accelerated classes will be clearly indicated on the syllabus.

All Faculty and Staff offices closed
Faculty and staff will not have access to their offices or University facilities during the period that the University is closed. Please make preparations to remove any items/materials that may be needed during this period.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OFFICES

Plan for Staff/Administration Personnel and Offices
Point Park University offices will be closed from Wednesday, September 23 through Saturday September 26, 2009 due to The Pittsburgh Summit 2009. Only essential staff from Public Safety, Physical Plant, Information Technology, Student Health Center, ELS and Residence Life Departments will be scheduled to work those days, subject to further notification. All full-time non-essential University staff/administration will have this time off without any need to take vacation or personal days in order to receive their regular salary.

Essential personnel who are scheduled to work will receive appropriate time-off for hours worked during this period. A policy will be developed soon that addresses specifically hours worked and appropriate compensation.

Any questions regarding these human resources policies, please contact the Human Resources office at 412-392-3952.

ABOUT RESIDENCE HALLS

Resident Students
All resident students will be expected to vacate their residence halls by 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 through 12:00 noon on Sunday, September 27, 2009. Students will not be permitted to re-enter the residence halls during this period.

Starting at noon on Monday, September 21, 2009, non-Point Park University visitors will not be permitted access to any residence hall.


Exceptions to the requirement to vacate the residence halls may be granted on a strictly case-by-case basis. There will be few exceptions made to this rule. The form to request such an exception, along with strict Guidelines governing anyone granted an exception, is available at the Offices of Student Affairs and Campus Life. All such requests must be received in the Office of Student Affairs by noon on Tuesday, September 8, 2009, with notification of approval or denial of the request to be made by Monday, September 14, 2009.

A letter with further information is being mailed to the homes of all students. All classes will resume on campus on Monday, September 28, 2009 for all students.

Any questions regarding these residence hall policies, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 412-392-8026.

ABOUT CAMPUS SECURITY

The Pittsburgh Summit 2009 Safety and Security Procedures
General Security requirements:

  • Mandatory display of Point Park University ID, effective Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. until Monday, September 28, 2009 at 7:00 a.m.
  • No-guest policy for dorm rooms in effect from Monday, September 21, 2009 at 12 noon through Monday, September 28, 2009 at 7:00 a.m.
  • All campus buildings will be secured at the end of the academic day on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, until 7:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2009. Access to buildings will be restricted to Critical Staff only, and residents with exceptions will be permitted access to their respective residence halls only.


Residence Halls Building Access:

Restricted Access

  • All Residence Hall buildings will have limited access which will require Point Park University ID for access past Security Desk.
  • Remaining Resident Students and Critical Staff will be capable of traversing between University buildings.

Lock-Down - in case of Security Alert/Emergency

  • All Residence Hall building entrances will be locked.
  • No access/entry will be granted.
  • Only Public Safety/Emergency Response Team members will be granted access/entryGeneral Security measures will be increased, including internal and external surveillance and patrols.

As we prepare to welcome the world to Downtown Pittsburgh, I thank our Point Park community for its flexibility and resourcefulness in enabling us to minimize the impact of our time in the international spotlight and maximize the positive exposure for Pittsburgh. All inquiries from outside the University should be directed to the Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations at 412-392-6190.