COVID-19 Updates

Day: March 13, 2020

Email to Faculty, Staff, and Students: MTU COVID-19 Updates

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By MTU Communications, covid-19@mtu.edu

This email shares new updates and summarizes recent communications posted to the MTU COVID-19 website. 

New Updates

Visitor Protocol: This protocol provides guidance regarding visitors on the Michigan Tech campus during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect the safety of the Michigan Tech community and the local community, while continuing to advance the University’s mission.

Commencement Update: Commencement is still scheduled as planned. The University will reconsider this decision in early April in consultation with local health officials and CDC guidance.

GLIAC Cancels All Activities Through May 31

March 12-13 Communication Summary

March 13: President Koubek’s message to faculty and staff

March 12: Message to residents from the Director of Housing Auxiliary Operations and Residence Education

COVID-19 FAQs

FAQs for Students

FAQs for Faculty

FAQs for Staff

Questions and suggestions from the MTU community about the University’s response to COVID-19 can be sent to covid-19@mtu.edu. 

This email communication is not intended to be all-encompassing and should not be considered to be providing medical or legal advice. In all instances, you should consult with a relevant expert for guidance specific to your circumstances.

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Email to Faculty and Staff: A Note from President Koubek

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By Rick Koubek, President

Dear MTU Community,

This has been quite a week — for our community, for our state, and for our world. Who could have imagined on Monday that we would be where we are today? As I began writing this letter on Thursday afternoon, I just received word that the NCAA canceled playoffs and our basketball team is heading back to Houghton, as will the hockey team due to the WCHA playoff cancellation. By the time I was making final edits, Governor Whitmer had announced that all of Michigan’s K-12 schools would be closed through April 5.

For Michigan Tech, the COVID-19 situation evolved at breakneck speed. On Monday, six working groups convened to plan for the potential of a COVID-19 virus spread on our campus and in our community. By Wednesday morning, it became evident that the University would need to take immediate preventive measures, one being to transition all classes to an online format before Spring Break ended. 

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of people who contract the disease will experience mild to moderate symptoms. However, there are those in our community and on campus who are at higher risk for experiencing much more serious complications. And, we know the virus is highly contagious. 

When contemplating how our campus should respond and the challenges associated with some of the options proposed, I was reminded of my first few weeks at Michigan Tech. When I started, the Administration building was shut down and my office was temporarily located in the GLRC due to another unprecedented event facing our community. Over those first few weeks, I watched the remarkable response by our entire community to rally around those who needed help, in spite of their own situations. This is when I saw the true spirit of our community in action.   

This past week, I’ve often thought of that spirit of community when we set about putting preventive measures in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in an effort to allow our local health care providers the opportunity to keep up. We implemented these changes knowing that they would, unfortunately, be disruptive and complicated. But they would also allow our community, faculty, staff, and students the maximum flexibility to adjust their behavior as necessary for their own personal health and well-being.   

We are all indebted to our faculty, staff, and students for the tasks they are and will undertake in the next few weeks. No doubt it’s a challenge, but that’s where Michigan Tech excels.

So, thank you on behalf of the campus and local community for all you are doing to help keep our families and students safe. 

Best Wishes,
Rick Koubek
President

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COVID-19 Letter to Residents

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By Matthew Weekley, Director of Housing Auxiliary Operations and Residence Education

Dear Michigan Tech Residents,

My name is Matthew Weekley and this is my first official week as Director of Housing Auxiliary Operations and Residence Education here at Michigan Tech. I’m delighted to join the Huskies family and do my part in making this residential experience feel like your second home. As a newcomer, I am learning fast, and I want to assure you that I’ve had the pleasure of supporting students in residential communities for more than 20 years on a variety of college campuses. While you can now complete your classes from your permanent residence, University residence halls and dining services are open and you are free to continue residing on campus. The Housing Services and Residence Education team will continue supporting you and the residential community. 

I look forward to meeting you and working with the Huskies staff. As President Koubek stated, we all must do our part to stay vigilant to help protect each other and the community. As part of this effort, we’ve put together some important updates as you choose how to complete your studies.

Students Who Continue to Reside on Campus Must Register to Stay

To ensure everyone’s safety and security, it’s important for all students who intend to reside on campus to register with our office at the following link. (You must be logged in to your Michigan Tech account to access the form.)

Residence hall students should use this link.

Daniell Heights and shared houses students should use this link.

Students staying on campus are strongly encouraged to register by Wednesday, March 18, 2020, to ensure there is no interruption to their building access. Students continue to be free to come and go as they please, however those who do not register will have their HuskyCards deactivated on March 23 at NOON. Rest assured, students are welcome to return beyond this date and can still register at the link above to have their HuskyCard access restored. Should a student return to campus before they register, on call professional staff will assist students with registration and provide them a temporary access card.

Preventive Measures to Ensure the Community’s Safety

University staff are increasing their efforts to ensure sanitizing continues in all halls. While staff are being extra vigilant, all community members play a role in ensuring the continued health and safety of our residential communities. It is important to follow CDC guidelines to maintain proper hygiene (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes and thorough hand-washing). Recommended strategies can be found here.

Guest Rooms, Policies, and Room Changes

The University is actively reviewing its guest and visitation policy to implement safe practices for the community. While the circumstances remain fluid, residents should carefully consider invitations to guests to prevent the spread of COVID-19. From March 16 to the end of the semester, guest rooms will not be able to be utilized. Additionally, room change requests will not be honored.  

Self-Reporting

If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, please seek medical care right away. Call UP Health System Portage (906-483-1000) or Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital (906-337-6500)and tell them about your concerns and follow their instructions. Additionally, send an email to covid-19@mtu.edu so University staff can work with you on an action plan.

Continued Updates

This continues to be a very fluid situation for the entire world, and we promise to respond as needed to best support you. As the situation evolves, staff are working around the clock to ensure measures are in place to protect the campus community. Students and their families are welcome to utilize Michigan Tech’s COVID-19 website for updates and guidance on new developments.  

The past 24 hours have given you a lot to process and some choices to make regarding the best interest of you and your family. As you consider these choices, know that we are here to assist and support you every step of the way. We’ve been proud to be your home and we’re still here for you. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Matthew Weekley
Director of Housing Auxiliary Operations and Residence Education

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