COVID-19 Update
Updated November 5, 2020
I want to thank each of you for your cooperation, patience, and vigilance as we have evolved through the COVID-19 pandemic. Your hard work has permitted us to continue to serve students daily without further interruption to career training. We remain committed to being open, honest, and forthright about the COVID-19 risks within the school, and will work with any student/staff member to ensure that they feel safe while on our campus.
To this end, I would like to reinforce a couple of key factors of our “Return to School Policy”. The Department of Health and similar agencies have reminded us that the two most effective measures against the spread of COVID-19 are social distancing and masking. Please make every effort to maintain 6’ of space between you and another individual. If you would like a barrier device and one is not available, please ask, and one will be provided. In ANY situation where there is more than one person in a given room, masks should be worn. To be effective, masks must cover the nose and mouth. Paying close attention to these two items will aid significantly in our fight against COVID-19.
We remain committed to working with any student who feels that they must self-quarantine due to a risk to themselves or others. You are reminded to contact myself or the Director of Education if this becomes necessary. As always, if you have ANY concerns regarding your safety, or our response to COVID-19, I encourage you to contact me immediately.
Thank you.
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900
Updated June 2, 2020
In my previous update, we had tentatively outlined a schedule which had classes returning on June 8, 2020.
The return date was based on the Governor either considering new policy that would allow our schools to reopen…or Erie County getting moved to the green phase. As of today, neither one has happened.
As we monitor this daily, we are hopeful that Erie County will be moved to green sooner rather than later.
Having said that, EIT has tentatively outlined the following new schedule:
Semester Start Date: Monday June 29, 2020
The return date will allow the school the time to properly prepare the facility for the return of all students, faculty and staff…while also assuring student schedules that are conducive to all. Details regarding student schedules will be forthcoming.
As always, please continue to watch you email account, as I will pass along information as it becomes available. Also, if anyone has questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900
Updated May 15, 2020
In my previous update, we had tentatively outlined a schedule which had classes returning on May 26, 2020.
The return date was based on the Governor either considering new policy that would allow our schools to reopen…or Erie County getting moved to the green phase. As of today, neither one has happened.
As we monitor this daily, I am confident that we will return sooner rather than later. Please know that the faculty and staff at EIT remain absolutely committed to providing our students with the training necessary to enter the workforce. Please stay positive and know that together we will get through this.
Having said that, EIT has tentatively outlined the following new schedule:
Semester Start Date: Monday June 8, 2020
As always, please continue to watch your email account, as I will pass along information as it becomes available. Also, if anyone has questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900
Posted May 8, 2020
On May 1, 2020, Governor Wolf announced the moving of several counties in Pennsylvania, including Erie, from the red phase to the yellow phase, effective May 8, 2020.
As counties moved phases, restrictions on work and social interaction were eased. Moving forward, the governor’s office assured us that further guidance would be released as we approached the effective date.
At that time, Erie Institute of Technology, as well as all schools in the postsecondary sector across Pennsylvania, felt confident that the yellow phase designation would permit our schools to reopen and conduct instruction as scheduled. We did understand, however, that we would not open until Governor Wolf granted approval.
Unfortunately, late yesterday we were informed “in-person instruction is not authorized to resume at postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania until the county in which the school is located is designated in the green category.” It was also noted, “policy was being considered… that will permit face-to-face instruction.”
So, what does this mean for EIT? First, classes will not resume on May 18, 2020 as previously announced…and second, the school will not be able to reopen until either Erie County moves from the yellow phase to the green phase, or new policy allows face-to-face instruction.
Knowing this information, and understanding that the resolution dates are not known at this time, EIT has tentatively outlined the following new schedule:
Spring Start Date: Tuesday May 26, 2020
As always, please continue to watch you email account, as I will pass along information as it becomes available.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900
Posted May 1, 2020
Today, Governor Wolf moved several counties in Pennsylvania, including Erie, from the red phase to the yellow phase. As counties move into the yellow phase, restrictions on work and social interaction will ease. The governor’s office has assured us that further guidance will be released early next week.
Erie Institute of Technology feels confident that the yellow phase designation will permit our school to reopen and conduct instruction as scheduled. However, please understand that EIT will not start classes until Governor Wolf grants approval.
Moving forward, and with the utmost regard for your health and safety, the start of your next semester is now scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2020.
Please continue to watch your email account, as I will pass along information as it becomes available.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Take care.
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900
Posted April 23, 2020
Good afternoon,
I hope this update finds you and your family doing well.
We continue to be hopeful of starting the next semester on May 11, 2020. Please understand that this plan is subject to change and EIT will not start classes until Governor Wolf grants approval.
We expect more information in the next week from the Governor’s office regarding the “opening of businesses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” and based on that information, we will adjust our schedule accordingly, if necessary.
Please continue to watch you email account, as I will pass along information as it becomes available.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Take care.
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900
Posted April 7, 2020
I hope this update finds you and your family doing well.
I just wanted to take a quick moment to touch base with everyone and let you know where things stand, effective this week.
A few notes:
- We continue towards a goal of starting the next semester on May 11, 2020. Specific details regarding the schedule will be forthcoming.
- The Winter semester is now complete and all grades have been entered. Students who have questions regarding their grades are asked to contact Daryl Parker (darylp@erieit.edu). Please note that we have a handful of students whose externships were interrupted due to the pandemic and we are working diligently to assure completion.
- For those students scheduled to graduate this semester, the Graduation ceremony has been rescheduled from April 28, 2020 to May 28, 2020. Invitations will be mailed to all graduates in the coming weeks.
- If anyone needs to stop by the school to pick something up, please let us know so we can make arrangements accordingly.
Finally, I look forward to seeing you all soon. Take care.
Thank you,
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900
Spring Term – New Start Date: May 11, 2020
Posted April 2, 2020
Once again, let me begin by thanking each of you for your patience and understanding over the past few weeks. Please know that it is very much appreciated.
As was previously discussed, the Winter 2020 semester concluded on 3/25/20. If you have not received your grades, please contact Daryl Parker at darylp@erieit.edu.
Moving forward, and with the utmost regard for your health and safety, the start of your next semester will be delayed until Monday, May 11, 2020.
What does this mean for you?
For the Spring semester
- The Spring 2020 semester original schedule: 3/30/20 – 6/23/20.
- The Spring 2020 semester adjusted schedule: 5/11/20- – 7/17/20.
- Note: The Spring 2020 semester will now be a 10 week semester and not the originally scheduled 12 week semester. The 12 week schedule requires 25 hours per week of instruction, for a total of 300 hours. The 10 week schedule will require 30 hours per week of instruction, which will also total 300 hours. The school will adjust schedules accordingly to accommodate the new schedule without having to add additional hours beyond what you had already planned.
For the Summer semester…
- The Summer 2020 semester original schedule: 6/29/20 – 9/22/20.
- The Summer 2020 semester adjusted schedule 7/20/20- – 9/25/20.
- Note: The Summer 2020 semester will now be a 10 week semester and not the originally scheduled 12 week semester. The 12 week schedule requires 25 hours per week of instruction, for a total of 300 hours. The 10 week schedule will require 30 hours per week of instruction, which will also total 300 hours. The school will adjust schedules accordingly to accommodate the new schedule without having to add additional hours beyond what you had already planned.
For the Fall semester…
- Will begin on September 28, 2020 as scheduled and follow the original 12 week schedule.
Additionally, if you are scheduled for an externship during the Spring or Summer semesters, the start dates will be adjusted as well. We will continue to tweak the schedule to make this as painless as possible.
So please… take care of yourself and your family, and let us take care of keeping your education on track. We remain confident that everything is on track to seamlessly continue your education.
Should you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900
Spring Term Delayed
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Let me begin by thanking each of you for your patience and understanding over the past several days. Please know that is truly appreciated.
As was previously discussed, the Winter semester will conclude tomorrow Wednesday,
March 25, 2020. Grades will be available via the student portal within a few days after semester completion.
As we move forward, and with the utmost regard for your health and safety, the start of your next semester will be delayed two weeks, until Monday, April 13, 2020.
Even though we are starting the semester later than planned, we have a plan in place to finish the semester on time, without having to add additional hours beyond what you had already planned. Additionally, if you are scheduled for an externship, the start date will be adjusted as well. We will continue to tweak the schedule to make this as painless as possible.
So please… take care of yourself and your family, and let us take care of keeping your education on track. We are confident that everything is on track to seamlessly continue your education.
Should you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900
School Closure
Monday, March 16, 2020
EIT became aware this afternoon that Governor Wolf has ordered the shutdown of all nonessential businesses across Pennsylvania. While it is unclear if “nonessential businesses” relates to EIT, we have decided to close the school and complete the semester using remote instruction.
Beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and continuing through the end of the semester (Wednesday, March 25, 2020) students will be completing the semester remotely.
Specifically, during this timeframe, students will receive regular emails from their instructors, clearly outlining assignments and due dates.
The successful competition of these assignments will fulfill the students remaining objectives of their specific courses.
You should expect that first email in the next 24 hours. If you do not receive an email in this time frame, please contact Daryl Parker (contact info below).
Our expectations are that all students will have constant contact with their instructor throughout this seven day period and the semester will successfully conclude on Wednesday March 25, 2020 as scheduled.
Finally, classes will resume on Monday March 30, 2020 with the start of the Spring Semester, provided circumstances allow. Please continue to check your email, the EIT website, and the EIT Facebook page for continued updates.
Please note:
We will be using your EIT email address for all communication. If you do not have current access, please contact Daryl Parker (contact info below).
If anyone needs to stop into the school tomorrow (Tuesday March 17, 2020) to pick up books, personal belongings, etc., please feel free to do so between 8AM-5PM.
Contact Info:
Daryl Parker, Director of Education
814-868-9900 Ext 117
darylp@erieit.edu
As always, should you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you
Paul Fitzgerald
Director
Erie Institute of Technology
814.868.9900