Important Announcement

Dear members of the York County Chapter,

These past four months have been unprecedented in our lifetimes. Schools, restaurants, and many businesses have been closed for extended periods of time. Travel restrictions were put in place. Words and phrases that we have never used, such as “social distancing,” have become a part of our everyday language. And now, as we start to open the economy back up, masks are required to be worn in most businesses. 

The York County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association has struggled with many of these requirements, essentially shutting down all events since our last happy hour on March 11. It has always been an important part of our mission to connect alumni to the University and to each other. However, as the pandemic worsened, the Alumni Association required its chapters and affiliate groups to suspend all in-person events through the end of June. Now, guidance has been received which would allow chapters and affiliate groups to once again offer opportunities for gatherings, but on a restricted basis. The alternative is to follow the leadership of the Alumni Association, and continue the practice of not hosting any in-person events through December. 

Some of our regular events will not be taking place this year. There will not be a student send-off picnic, as there has been for the last several years. Additionally, the annual meeting/banquet will not be held. These events have traditionally been held in August, and to meet the requirements of the Alumni Association, it is not possible for these events to take place as they have in the past. It is our hope that we will be able to plan both of these events next year.  However, other events that our members look forward to, such as monthly happy hours and possibly our football viewing parties, may be possible if we are able to do so within the established guidelines. These guidelines are attached (below) to this letter, and mirror the guidelines that have been put in place by the University, the state of Pennsylvania, and the CDC. 

Please follow our social media or email to stay informed as to our future schedule of events. We will endeavor to inform our membership moving forward as to when we will be able to get together as a group. However, I would advise you to remain cautious and vigilant. If you are immuno-compromised or in the at-risk population for COVID-19, please act responsibly. Additionally, if cases begin to increase in York County or Pennsylvania in general, further restrictions could be put in place that will limit our opportunities. Remember, if you want football, wear your mask. 

Be well, and be safe.

Randy Seely, President 

York County Chapter, Penn State Alumni Association