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Back to State Information

In June, Penn State announced Back to State, a comprehensive plan for returning to face-to-face instruction at all Penn State campuses for the fall 2020 semester. 

Back to State was informed by medical, scientific and public-health data and recommendations and is a comprehensive plan that includes universal masking, social distancing and flexible learning options. 

The fall semester will begin on Monday, August 24 and end on December 18 as originally scheduled. On-campus instruction and residency will end on Friday, Nov. 20 and the remainder of the semester will be delivered remotely following the Thanksgiving break. To help reduce travel and the risk of exposure to COVID-19, classes will be held on Labor Day, Monday, September 7.  

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have identified social distancing, wearing face masks, and handwashing as critical to mitigating the spread of COVID-19. To ensure that we can continue face-to-face, on-campus instruction through November 20, all campus community members must follow these guidelines. It is the University’s expectation, in accordance with CDC guidelines and Gov. Wolf’s universal masking order, that all students, faculty, and staff will practice social distancing and wear masks when on campus, including in classrooms and labs, public spaces, restrooms, the Mill, the library and when traveling across campus. 

For returning students, it won’t look or feel like quite like the Mont Alto you know; for incoming college students, your first year isn’t going to be as you imagined it. The precautions and safety measures we are taking are for your health and safety. What won’t change is the world-class education that Penn State is known for and that we deliver every day at Mont Alto. We will continue to be here for you every step of the way. 

Students can find information related to Mont Alto's implementation of the Back To State plan at montalto.psu.edu/covid-19.