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PFW Prepared

Current Students

What You Need to Know Now

  • Students will be responsible for notifying the university of any changes in their health status as is appropriate. Off-campus students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@pfw.edu, and students living on campus should contact Student Housing at housing@pfw.edu. Students may self-report a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure by filling out a CARE Referral Form.
  • See the plan of action [PDF] for when a student tests positive for COVID-19. 
  • We have a mixture of courses: some fully in person, some hybrid (for instance, if the class meets two days a week, you might attend one day in person and one online), and some fully online. This is designed to give you the best educational experience while reducing classroom density, where necessary. This will be noted on your schedule of classes at goPFW when the decision for each course has been made.
  • Face masks are required in all campus buildings and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
  • Some lounges have been reduced in size, and others are closed. Water fountains are shut off. Food service is mostly grab-and-go.

Academics

  • Academic Advising

    Students are encouraged to work directly with their advisor to determine the best mode of communication and appointment method. For more information, contact Student Success and Transitions at 260-481-0404 or success@pfw.edu.

  • Computer Labs

    Visit the Information Technology Services page to find open computer labs. 

  • Borrowing a Laptop

    Information Technology Services has a limited number of laptops and desktop systems that may be loaned to students, faculty, and staff who have internet access available at home. The desktop systems do not have wireless capability, so they must be connected directly to your wireless router via a standard Ethernet cable. Additionally, Helmke Library has a limited number of laptops that may be checked out by students.

  • Textbooks

    The Mastodon Campus Store in Walb Union is open, and textbooks can also be ordered online.

  • Helmke Library

    Helmke Library is open, and all online services remain active. Please check the library’s blog for updates on services.

  • Internet Access

    Students, faculty, and staff may now access university Wi-Fi from the first floor of Parking Garage 3 and in the parking lot of the Modular Classroom Building. This campus map will clarify the coverage areas. These additions create a very large contiguous area of Wi-Fi coverage, including the adjacent grassy areas and several hundred parking places. This will allow you to safely park in these areas and use the university’s wireless network while still adhering to social-distancing mandates. There is no need for you to leave your vehicle to access the wireless network.

    To connect, Purdue Fort Wayne students should join the network with SSID “Purdue Fort Wayne,” and IU Fort Wayne Students should connect with SSID “EDUROAM.” If you experience any technical difficulties, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@pfw.edu or at 260-481-6030.

  • Help Desk

    The Information Technology Services Help Desk is now available only by phone or email during these hours:

    • Monday–Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
    • Friday: 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
    • Saturday: 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
    • Sunday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.


    To get assistance, contact the Help Desk at 260-481-6030 or helpdesk@pfw.edu.

  • Classrooms Reserved for Students Attending Synchronous Online Courses

    The university has reserved several classrooms for students who are on campus for face-to-face and hybrid courses and who also need a quiet place to attend and participate in their synchronous online courses. Face masks should be worn at all times in these classroom. The following classrooms have been reserved for use all day, every day:

    • Kettler Hall, Room G45
    • Kettler Hall, Room G52
    • Kettler Hall, Room 239
    • Kettler Hall, Room 249
    • Kettler Hall, Room 250
    • Liberal Arts Building, Room 144
    • Liberal Arts Building, Room 210
    • Modular Classroom Building, Room 143
    • Neff Hall, Room 135
    • Neff Hall, Room 141
    • Science Building, Room G21
    • Science Building, Room G67

      These classrooms are open to all students attending synchronous online courses, on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are asked to observe posted maximum classroom occupancies and to clean up their desk after they have finished class. Since many courses require students to actively participate, please wear headphones and be respectful of other students.

    Health and Safety Protocols

    • Face Masks
      • Face masks are required in all campus buildings and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
      • The Atrium is reserved for socially distanced seating and dining for students where masks may be removed to eat.
      • the university has distributed more than 30,000 reusable cloth face masks with more ready to be distributed as needed
      • Signage has been added to entrances and exits on campus buildings as a reminder that masks are required at all times while inside buildings.
      • In the event that a mask is forgotten or lost, disposable face masks will also be available for pick up throughout the spring semester at the following locations:
        • Walb Union Information Desk
        • Kettler Hall Enrollment Services Center Desk
        • Gates Fitness Center Desk
        • Helmke Library Service Desk
      • View this video for proper face mask application, wearing, and remove techniques.
      • Acceptable face coverings 
        • Your own cloth or disposable mask
        • University-provided cloth or disposable mask
      • Preferably, face masks should be made of a multi-ply tightly woven cotton cloth or should be a multi-ply disposable face covering.
      • Face masks must not have an exhalation valve.
      • Some N-95 face masks are made with one-way valves and are meant to protect only the user, not those around them. Per the CDC, "respirators with exhalation values should not be used in situations where a sterile field must be maintained because the exhalation valve allows unfiltered exhaled air to escape into the sterile field."
      • A student’s failure to comply with this protocol may result in disciplinary action through the existing disciplinary process. The Dean of Students office will address student violations. Specific disciplinary sanctions will be handled on a case-by-case basis beginning with a warning letter up and through removal from Student Housing and/or separation from the university.

        If a student requests an exemption from wearing a mask due to a disability, faculty should refer students to Services for Students with Disabilities Walb Union, Room 113, 260-481-6658, ssd@pfw.edu. Upon receiving a request for a medical exemption to the face-mask policy, Services for Students with Disabilities will meet with the student to find a solution that meets ADA requirements while protecting the welfare of the campus community.

    • Protection in Public Areas
      • Installation of plexiglass shields in high-contact and high-traffic offices continues. Social-distancing decals have also been placed on the floor in conjunction with these shields.
      • Hand-sanitizer stations and sanitizing wipe stations have been placed in high traffic areas on campus. Additional stations are on order and are planned to be ready prior to the return to work for most staff.
      • Drinking fountains will be shut down until further notice. Bottle filler stations are available in the Clinic Classroom Building, Gates Center, Helmke Library, Kettler Hall, Medical Education Building, Neff Hall, Rhinehart Music Center, Visual Arts Building, and Walb Union.
      • Vending machines and copy machines will have hand wipes or sanitizing spray near them for patrons to disinfect the equipment.
    • Social Distancing on Campus

      Social distancing has become the norm, and we will continue to adhere to now-commonplace practices for distancing. Floor decals are in place to help denote spacing in some public areas. Signage has been placed around campus with reminders for social distancing and hygiene.

      Pedestrian Flow in Buildings
      An important new safety protocol for our campus is managing the flow of pedestrian traffic into, through, and out of campus buildings. The Building Configurations Subcommittee of the PFW Prepared Committee has carefully reviewed all building plans in order to designate all building doors as either entrances or exits. They have also implemented revised pedestrian flows through hallways and stairwells, marking some as one-way and dividing others down the middle. Exit doors will remain locked from the outside. The goal of these efforts is to reduce congestion in buildings in order to facilitate (to the greatest extent reasonably possible) social distancing as students, staff, and faculty move throughout the campus. Many handicapped accessible doors have been marked as entrances or exits for general use, but remain fully operational for use by members of the campus community who need them.

      Campus Meetings
      Business meetings and gatherings on campus will be limited to 25 people or fewer, with adherence to appropriate social distancing and health and safety protocols. Virtual meetings are strongly encouraged through the end of spring semester.

      Common Areas
      There will be limitations on usage of lounges, lobbies, dining areas, and recreational facilities in all buildings. This will be accomplished by removing or reconfiguring furniture, adjusting hours of operation, and restricting or limiting use where appropriate.

      Dining
      Campus dining venues remain open, with only grab-and-go options planned for the spring semester. For more information, visit the Dining Services website.

    • Positive COVID-19 Protocol

      See the plan of action [PDF] for when a student tests positive for COVID-19. 

    • Self-Reporting a Positive COVID-19 Test or Exposure

      Students will be responsible for notifying the university of any changes in their health status as is appropriate. Off-campus students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@pfw.edu, and students living on campus should contact Student Housing at housing@pfw.edu. Students may self-report a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure by filling out a CARE Referral Form.

    • Wellness and Prevention

      Please also see Wellness and Prevention for additional information on COVID-19 testing and other university health and safety protocols.

    Graduation and Transcripts

    Student Travel

    • Purdue Travel Guidelines

      Purdue Fort Wayne continues to urge all students, faculty, and staff to carefully consider risks and logistics related to both domestic and international personal travel. All travelers should be mindful of evolving travel restrictions for impacted areas. For personal travel abroad, please reference new CDC guidance for travelers returning from high-risk countries.

      The Office of International Education is available to provide guidance and answer any questions for students who may need clarification on travel advisories from the CDC or the State Department. Please contact Brian Mylrea, director of international education, at mylreab@pfw.edu or 260-481-6034 for detailed information.

      Questions regarding university-sponsored student travel may be directed to Alexandra Backer, director of student leadership, at ambacker@pfw.edu or 260-481-6598. Questions regarding university-sponsored faculty and staff travel may be directed to Julie Yoder, executive assistant to the vice chancellor for academic affairs, at  yoderj@pfw.edu or 260-481-6113.

      See the latest travel guidelines here.

    Emergencies

    • Emergency Assistance

      If you or another individual is in danger, call 911 immediately. Here is local information you should keep handy:

      • Fort Wayne Police Department emergency: 911
      • Fort Wayne Police Department nonemergency: 260-427-1222
      • University Police Department: 260-481-6827
    • Emergency Relief Funds for Students

      A relief fund has been established to help students cover unforeseen living expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students in need are encouraged to initiate an eligibility review process by sending an email to the vice chancellor of student affairs at vcsa@pfw.edu.

      Donations may be made at pfw.edu/give-now.

      Give Now