Day: March 11, 2020

Email to Students: Important COVID-19 Update

By Bonnie Gorman, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs

Hi Huskies—

Earlier today, you received an email from President Koubek indicating that, because of COVID-19, the University is suspending all face-to-face instruction, effective this coming Monday, March 16, through at least April 17, 2020. Classes will continue and your professors will be in touch by Wednesday, March 18, to let you know how course material will be delivered. We realize this is less than ideal and you likely have questions. Please keep in mind this situation is changing rapidly and decisions are being made to ensure the health and safety of our campus and community.

To address your concerns, we have established a Frequently Asked Questions web page. There, you can find information about classes, academic policies, housing, student support, and travel recommendations. In addition, there is information about actions you should take if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please send an email to covid-19@mtu.edu and let us know.

Some of you may have family or loved ones who are directly impacted by COVID-19. If so, you are likely struggling with a variety of emotions. Counseling Services will be available to assist students in person, with plans for telecounseling availability in the near future. Please reach out to them at 906-487-2538 to discuss how they can best support you.

Finally, please support your fellow Huskies, keeping in mind that COVID-19 can impact anyone, regardless of race or ethnicity. Be kind to each other.

Take Care, 
Bonnie

Important COVID-19 Update: Remote Instruction

By Jacqueline Huntoon, Provost Senior VP Academic Affairs

Dear Faculty and Staff, 

We are in the midst of a rapidly changing situation in the United States as a result of the spread of COVID-19. Per President Koubek’s email earlier today, we will not be teaching face-to-face in classrooms or laboratories.

Our intention is that remote instruction for some courses will begin on Monday, March 16, with all courses being offered remotely no later than Wednesday, March 18. This means that your students must hear from you about your plans for your courses no later than March 18. Remote instruction will continue through at least April 17.

I know that many people involved with instruction are already prepared to offer their courses remotely using multiple types of technologies. Others may need some assistance and support. Both IT and the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) are preparing to provide the support that everyone needs. Both groups can provide assistance online, by phone, or in person.

For those somewhat familiar with useful instructional technologies, https://www.mtu.edu/ctl/instructional-resources/canvas-continuity/ provides an online refresher. Your fellow faculty and staff are also great resources who may be able to provide assistance and information about strategies they have tested and found to be effective.

As you implement remote instruction, recognize that it will likely be impossible to cover all the information you would normally include during a semester. In addition, it will be challenging to offer students the same experience they would get on campus in many courses (including laboratory courses). Instructors are in the best position to know how to adjust their courses, and everyone should feel that they have wide latitude to make the necessary changes.

Michigan Tech’s faculty are known for their “can-do” attitude and I am certain that by working together, supporting one another, and sharing tips and best practices, we will provide students with the best possible education given the constraints of the current situation.

In order to ensure that IT and the CTL are aware of your needs and requests, I ask that you complete the survey available at https://forms.gle/fo6anxvRngUEm8uA7. An IT or CTL staff member will contact you as appropriate based on your responses. IT or CTL staff may also offer focused sessions on topics of particular interest (e.g., using Canvas). If you are a course coordinator, please talk with your instructional team to set expectations and coordinate requests for assistance so that neither IT nor the CTL are overburdened.

As the semester unfolds, please let your department chair or dean know if you are having problems or are ill. Your health is important. It will also be helpful if you can let your department chair or dean know if you are concerned about any individual students in your courses or research group.

Additional information and updates regarding Michigan Tech’s response to COVID-19 can be found at mtu.edu/covid-19. Also, feel free to email covid-19@mtu.edu with your questions. We will continue to act on the best information we have and keep you informed.

Sincerely, 

Jackie Huntoon
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Email to Students, Staff, and Faculty

President’s Office

Dear members of the Michigan Tech community,

The health, safety, and security of our campus is of utmost importance and a tenet on which we pride ourselves as an institution. Therefore, Michigan Tech is taking the following preventative actions to mitigate the impacts associated with the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus on our campus and in our community. Please keep in mind this is a fluid situation and circumstances can change rapidly. The most up-to-date information is available at mtu.edu/covid-19.

  1. We are suspending all face-to-face instruction, effective Monday, March 16, 2020. Dining services and residential housing will remain open and operational. Additional details are provided below.
  2. We have instituted tighter travel restrictions, which are outlined in greater detail below
  3. As a precaution, the University is encouraging at-risk employees to contact Human Resources to discuss potential accommodations for working remotely.
  4. Organizers should reconsider hosting any large group gatherings of 25 people or more scheduled between March 16, 2020 and April 17, 2020. See below for more details.

Classes

We are suspending face-to-face instruction for all classes and moving to virtual instruction, effective Monday, March 16, 2020 and through at least Friday, April 17, 2020. All instructors will contact their students no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2020, to provide further information about course delivery.

While completing classes virtually, students may return to campus or stay at their permanent place of residence. On campus, appropriate social distancing and enhanced preventative public health and hygiene measures will be expected. Our priority, as always, is our community’s health and safety.

We urge all students to make the choice that is best for their own personal situation. However, high-risk populations are encouraged not to return to campus.

Travel

Effective immediately, any student or employee who has completed travel to either a Level 2 or Level 3 country OR believe they may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus will not be allowed to return to campus for a 14-day period. The 14-day period shall commence on the last date of travel from the Level 2 or Level 3 country or from the last date of potential exposure. The current list of Level 2 or Level 3 countries may be found on the CDC Information for Travel page.

Employees and students who have traveled to a Level 2 or Level 3 country or have reason to believe they have been exposed should immediately contact the University via email at covid-19@mtu.edu. This will assist Michigan Tech and state health officials in taking measures to help prevent the spread of the virus and maintain the health and safety of the University community.

All international university sponsored travel scheduled to depart between now and April 17, 2020 is effectively canceled. We also urge all University employees to reconsider any University-sponsored domestic travel scheduled between now and April 17, 2020. Information regarding these updated travel policies will be available later today on the mtu.edu/covid-19 website.

Events

Organizers are asked to reevaluate all face-to-face, on-campus group gatherings of 25 people or more planned during the months of March and April and to strongly weigh the options of canceling, postponing, or virtualizing their event. No new events will be scheduled on campus through April 17, 2020. Pursuant to CDC guidelines, we encourage all high-risk populations to avoid large group gatherings whenever possible.

Opportunities for Faculty and Staff to Work Remotely

The University is finalizing plans that provide faculty and staff opportunities to work remotely, where appropriate, during this time. Managers are expected to be flexible in allowing high-risk employees who are able to work from home to do so. More information about working remotely, employee-leave management, and associated workplace issues will be available later today on the mtu.edu/covid-19 website.

As the situation develops, we will continue to update our policies, procedures, and protocols to mitigate the effects of the virus on the MTU community. To get more information and view all updates from Michigan Tech, visit mtu.edu/covid-19. If you have additional questions, you may email covid-19@mtu.edu.

We must all stay vigilant to help protect each other and our community from the potential effects of this virus. Michigan Tech’s COVID-19 response team has reviewed and is modifying as needed our plans for preventing the contraction and/or spread of the virus.

We encourage all employees and students to self-monitor for any symptoms indicative of the COVID-19 virus, which, pursuant to the current CDC guidelines, include fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath. If you exhibit any of these symptoms, we encourage you to seek medical treatment and limit your contact with other individuals until cleared by a medical professional. Also, it is equally important to practice good hygiene, which includes handwashing and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products to help mitigate the spread of the virus.

I will keep you apprised as new developments occur.

Sincerely, 
Rick Koubek
President