PTS News

Find Your Program Apply Online Visit Campus Request Info

Coronavirus Preparedness

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is taking preventative measures to protect the well-being of our community as the coronavirus outbreak continues to be a rapidly changing situation. 

Here you'll see several campus communications regarding the coronavirus and related resources.

April 26, 2023

PTS Community,

Case Count
The Seminary had 0 campus cases of COVID-19 for the week of April 19-25.

Mask Status
The community level of COVID-19 in Allegheny County is Low; masks continue to be optional on campus.

Return to Normal Operational Status

Beginning Mon., May 1, the Seminary will return to its pre-COVID/normal operational status. What does this mean?

  • The health check via LiveSafe is no longer required.
  • The Seminary's policies regarding employees and students who test positive for or are exposed to COVID-19 are as follows: 
    • If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19:
      • Alert your professor(s) (students) or your supervisor (employees);
      • Stay home for at least 5 days after your first symptoms or your positive test, whichever is earlier;
      • Wear a mask for 5 days upon returning to campus.
    • What to Do if You’ve Been Exposed
      • If you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19,
        • And you’ve been fully vaccinated and show no symptoms you should,
          • Wear a mask indoors in public for 5 days following exposure or until a negative test result.
          • Get tested 5-7 days after close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
          • Get tested and isolate immediately if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
        • And if you’re unvaccinated, you should
          • Quarantine for 5 days after your last exposure to the person.
          • Wear a mask for 5 days upon returning to campus.
  • COVID-19-related questions are no longer required when scheduling events in 25Live.
  • Events of 20+ people no longer require Cabinet approval. On a case-by-case basis, some events may still require Cabinet approval because of content, speaker, or date.
  • We will no longer track the number of campus cases or report them via weekly e-mails.
  • The Seminary's telework policy remains in effect. Employees are expected to be in the office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and can telework Mondays and Fridays as their positions allow.
  • If you feel unwell for any reason, COVID or otherwise, please stay home! Employees, contact your supervisor to decide if working from home or using a sick day is most appropriate. Students, contact your professor(s) if you're unable to make it to class. Work-support students, contact your supervisor to determine next steps.
  • If public health conditions change, we may adjust the Seminary's operational phase.

Thank you for your cooperation as we've together navigated these last 3+ years as a community. Things certainly have not been easy, but your patience and understanding have been a gift.

Asa Lee, President

Previous Messages

Seminary Policies - Positive or Exposed to COVID

What to Do If You’ve Tested Positive

If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19:

  • Contact your professor(s) (students) or your supervisor (employees);
  • Stay home for at least 5 days after your first symptoms or your positive test, whichever is earlier;
  • Wear a mask for 5 days upon returning to campus.

What to Do if You’ve Been Exposed

If you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19,

  • And you’ve been fully vaccinated and show no symptoms you should,
    • Wear a mask indoors in public for 5 days following exposure or until a negative test result.
    • Get tested 5-7 days after close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
    • Get tested and isolate immediately if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  • And if you’re unvaccinated, you should
    • Quarantine for 5 days after your last exposure to the person.
    • Wear a mask for 5 days upon returning to campus.

Helpful Links

Health Care Tips

  • Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for 20 seconds, and make sure you wash your thumbs, wrists, and in-between your fingers. This is the best defense against the spread of all viruses.
  • Stay home when you are ill. A day or two of rest will assure quicker recovery and decrease the spread of infectious illness on campus.
  • Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue or the crook of your arm, and then promptly wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available.
  • Get plenty of rest/sleep.
  • Get the seasonal flu vaccine. Though not protective against coronavirus, the seasonal vaccine may prevent against flu, which is known to cause possible severe respiratory illness.

Symptoms for Coronavirus May Include

  • Runny nose
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • A general feeling of being ill

Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities

Protect yourself and your community from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses like coronavirus. Everyone has a role to play in getting ready and staying healthy. Check resources from the CDC about best ways to prevent the spread of diseases like COVID-19 in your community. 

CARES Act HEERF Report

HEERF I

PTS signed and returned certification with the U.S. government allowing access to funding to help students fund COVID-19 related expenses. PTS received a total of $40,736 of which regulation requires at least 50 percent be given directly to students. PTS decided the entire $40,736.00 will go to students in the form of emergency grants. 

PTS has approximately 175 students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. However, only 37 students applied for COVID-19 emergency funding. To solicit applications PTS directly e-mailed all current students and invited application.To determine award amounts students self-reported their need and were awarded accordingly. Thirty-three students were awarded grants from the $40,736. We will continue to update this information every 45 days per federal regulation. 

HEERF II

PTS received an additional disbursement of $64,694.00 through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. While PTS was only required to utilize $20,368.00 in emergency grants to students, the Seminary decided to use the entire $64,694.00 in the form of emergency grants to students.

PTS received 78 applications from students for emergency grants through the CRRSA Act. However, only 68 students were eligible for the emergency grants per guidance from the Department of Education. To determine the award, students self-reported their need and awards were disbursed accordingly. Sixty-eight students were awarded grants from the $64,694.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act - HEERF II

HEERF III

The Seminary received an additional $119,805.00 from the American Rescue Plan. Of those funds, $59,902.50 was required to be given in grants to students. The Seminary chose to use the majority of the funds for students financial support. Of the eligible 272 students,74 people received $44,002.50 total in summer emergency grants. Students self-reported their need, the awards were disbursed accordingly, and students were able to receive a check or have the funds applied directly to their Seminary account. Additionally, PTS allocated $13,327.60 in work-study funds for summer employment. The Seminary also spent $1,188 on the LiveSafe app for COVID-19 mitigation.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act - HEERF III

2022 Quarter 1 Report

The Seminary had $18,852.57 remaining in the student portion and $1,384.40 in institutional portion from the HEERF III grant of the American Rescue Plan. Of those funds, $20,136.97 was utilized to award students emergency grants in February 2022. Of the eligible 240 eligible students, 65 people received a portion of the $20,136.97. Students self-reported their need, the awards were disbursed accordingly, and students were able to receive a check or have the funds applied directly to their Seminary accounts. Additionally, PTS allocated $100 to host a Professional Judgment event on campus to promote and educate students on its availability.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act