Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Resources

Posted on March 31, 2020 by The Dunmorean

In the current COVID-19 environment, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce understands that things are not business as usual.

We are here to ensure our members and the community that we are available to help. The Chamber staff is working remotely and available to support our member businesses. Businesses can email editor@scrantonchamber.com with any questions, updates or needs and someone from our team will respond.

The Chamber has also set up an Important Resources page online which houses both local and national updates regarding COVID-19. Visitors who visit the page – www.scrantonchamber.com/importantresources – will find information on the following topics, and more:

State and federal notifications
Financial assistance information for businesses
Local restaurants and other businesses offering alternative services
Local healthcare, banking, transportation and media updates
COVID-19 updates from CDC and DOH
Important members news and updates

The Chamber encourages members to also regularly monitor our website and social media channels, as well as their email for continuous communications. We are here to serve our community and the businesses that keep it alive.

Real-ID Deadline Pushed Back to 2021

Posted on March 31, 2020 by The Dunmorean

real id The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that the Department of Homeland Security has postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from Oct. 1, 2020, to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.

PennDOT closed all driver and photo license centers on March 16 and paused REAL ID issuance in the state out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health. Centers will reopen no sooner than April 3. PennDOT also sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, requesting that the agency consider extending the Oct.1, 2020 REAL ID enforcement deadline.

“We are very pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has listened to our concerns, as well as the concerns from our fellow states regarding the need for a postponement on REAL ID enforcement in the midst of this national emergency,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Yassmin Gramian.

REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes. A federally-acceptable form of identification (whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must now be used on and after Oct.1, 2021, as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires a federally acceptable form of identification ID for access.

REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs once issuance has resumed.

More information about document requirements, including a printable document checklist, can be found on the Document Check page of the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Customers may complete various transactions and access multiple resources via www.dmv.pa.gov.

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

Marywood Offering Virtual Activities During Pandemic

Posted on March 31, 2020 by The Dunmorean

When the spring semester started at Marywood University, no one could have imagined that the campus would need to close its physical location by mid-semester due to a pandemic. However, once it did, decisions had to be made to deal with this new normal—face-to-face academic classes converted to an online format, faculty and staff working remotely to keep university operations going. The question arose about how to move forward with student life.

After facing the reality that the athletic season and on-campus student/club events had to be canceled, how would students connect with one another, beyond the online academic experience? Michael Kalage, director of student engagement at Marywood University, wanted to turn an unfortunate situation into an engaging opportunity. He connected with professional organizations, agencies, vendors, and performers to reimagine and deliver student events virtually. The result has been a resounding success, and Marywood’s virtual student engagement efforts include Student Government Association meetings, trivia nights, Esports tournaments, live digital caricatures, and a magic show. The annual Student Leadership Awards will also take place virtually.

Kalage said, “I wasn’t sure what kind of response to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised when we maxed out the participant limit on our first Trivia Night.” The success of these events indicates that, once students do return to campus, the virtual events will remain an option for online learners and commuter students, who may not be able to attend on-campus events. “This experience has been really eye-opening and, although I am hopeful that this situation will resolve sooner rather than later, I think it has changed the way our office will operate for a long time to come,” he continued.

For additional information about Marywood University’s Student Engagement office, visit http://www.marywood.edu/studentactivities/index.html, or call (570) 340-6016.