Author: Megan Ross

By Rick Koubek, President

Dear members of the Michigan Tech Community: 

Michigan Tech continues to implement its pandemic response protocols to minimize disruption to the teaching and research mission of the institution, while providing maximum flexibility to protect the health and well-being of our campus community. 

Last evening, the CDC issued guidance recommending that for the next 8 weeks, organizers throughout the United States cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more. As Michigan Tech is following CDC and State of Michigan guidance, the University is extending online learning through the end of the spring semester. A team is working on a creative solution for Spring Commencement, as this falls within the 8 week window as well.  

Additionally, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the closure of all dine-in, libraries, museums, recreational facilities, among other venues, throughout the state, limiting dining and restaurant services to drive-through and carryout. This directive applies to Michigan Tech’s Dining Services; therefore, we will transition to grab-and-go services effective at 3 p.m. today. In addition, the University will close the Student Development Complex, the Van Pelt and Opie Library, the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, the Gates Tennis Center and the Keweenaw Commons seating area located in the Memorial Union Building beginning at 3 p.m. today. All locations will remain closed until 11:59 p.m. March 30, 2020 pursuant to the Governor’s executive order.  

Because this is a rapidly changing situation and as we learn more about COVID-19, we need to prepare for a range of possibilities. Currently, campus is open and residential and dining functions remain operational, though limited. We encourage all students to reassess their own on-campus living situation in light of the developments over the past 24 hours. 

Please visit mtu.edu/covid-19 for the latest updates and information regarding campus operations. 

Sincerely, 
Rick Koubek 
President 

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

Today’s update regarding COVID-19 prevention measures on campus: The University continues to be in communication with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, which will be our primary source of information regarding test-positive cases in our community. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is releasing daily updates regarding cases in Michigan. MLive is updating a state-wide map of counties which have positive test cases.

At this time, we have no confirmed cases on our campus or in the community. However, since this is a rapidly changing situation, we are preparing for a range of possibilities. We are aware that some community members are voluntarily choosing to self-isolate for a variety of reasons — for instance, they live with a person whom the CDC considers high-risk and want to minimize the possibility of exposure. We commend them for following CDC guidance and offer our continued support.

The University remains in a position to provide our students with maximum flexibility to finish their classes. The University continues to urge students and employees to practice preventative measures, such as social distancing and regular handwashing. Gatherings of 25 people or more are strongly discouraged and gatherings of 100 people or more are prohibited.

In the face of a multitude of scenarios, we want to assure you that we remain prepared and vigilant. As we navigate this unprecedented time, the well-being of our University community is a top priority. 

Little Huskies: Little Huskies will be closed effective Monday, March 16 until at least Monday, March 30. This date is subject to change due to the ever-shifting nature of the current viral outbreak.

Little Huskies Email

Dear Gretchen’s House Families and Staff,

After careful consideration, we have decided to close all Gretchen’s House centers, effective Monday, March 16^th. Gretchen’s House will remain closed for two weeks with an anticipated reopening date of Monday, March 30^th. Please note that the reopening date is merely a projection and could change due to the ever-shifting nature of the current viral outbreak.

This decision was not made lightly. We have received guidance from our health consultants and families who work in the public health arena. Health, wellness, and safety of the community are a top priority for Gretchen’s House. We feel a social responsibility to help slow the spread of the virus, knowing that students and staff have family members of all ages and differing health vulnerabilities.

In addition to complying with the recommendation for social distancing, we are already finding it difficult to maintain required supplies of food and sanitation items. We project staffing shortages over the next couple of weeks as well. These concerns have weighed heavily in our decision to close temporarily.

We appreciate the support and concern many of you have expressed for our staff. Please know that all full and part-time staff with regular schedules will be paid, just as they are during snow days. For this reason, there will be no tuition reimbursement for this closing.

We know that there are families whose work is deemed essential to the health and safety of our community. We do have staff from each center who are willing to babysit for individual families in their homes. This is not meant to be a full time arrangement during the closure. Directors will provide a list of emails for those staff who are willing to be contacted for brief, temporary coverage. We are so grateful to our staff for their generosity and care for children. Please do not contact staff who have not agreed to be on this list, even if they have provided babysitting for you in the past. We want to respect all staff members’ individual decisions regarding health choices.

While we are choosing to temporarily close, we understand that this decision will cause childcare or financial hardships for some families, and for that we sincerely apologize. Our administrative team plans to meet again early next week to discuss additional measures, safety protocols, and financial policies. We will update you and communicate any changes immediately.

Sincerely,

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.

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.

By MTU Communications, covid19@mtu.edu

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

New Updates

Travel Protocol: The University has issued additional guidance regarding the travel of students, faculty, and staff in order to protect the safety of the Michigan Tech community and the local community, while continuing to advance the University’s mission. 

Information on Remote and Flexible Work: The University has issued guidance regarding remote and flexible work options, including links to relevant forms.

Large Group Gatherings Protocol: The University has issued a Protocol for large-group gatherings. At this time, events hosted by Michigan Tech with anticipated participation of 100 people or more in the same physical space at one time during the duration of this Protocol are canceled.

Michigan Tech Travel Restrictions Update: Effective immediately, any student or employee who has completed travel internationally OR believes 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 commences from the date of return or the last day of suspected contact.

Remainder of WCHA Postseason Cancelled

NCAA President Mark Emmert issues statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events

The Spring Break bus, sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Government, will return as planned on Sunday, March 15. 

All intramural, club team sports and student organization rentals in the SDC have been canceled through April 17, 2020. 

Outdoor Adventure Programs has also canceled programming until April 17, 2020.  

The Learning Centers will operate in an online mode. Each learning center will be adapting in a way that best meets their needs. Please contact the individual learning center for more information.

March 11 Communication Summary

March 11: President Koubek’s message to faculty, staff, and students

March 11: Office of the Provost email to faculty and staff: Important COVID-19 Update: Remote Instruction

March 11: Dean of Students email to students: Important COVID-19 Update

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. 

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

By Bonnie Gorman, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs; Jacqueline Huntoon, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs; and Sue Kerry, CFO and Senior Vice President for Administration

With Spring Break fast approaching, you may have questions about how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may affect your travel plans. Michigan Tech is following recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department regarding travel restrictions.

At this time, Michigan Tech is restricting University-related travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, consistent with the Level 3 Travel Warnings issued by the CDC for those countries.  

If you are planning personal travel abroad, to these or other locations, check the US Department of State and CDC travel advisories for the most up-to-date information, including entry and exit requirements. Depending on your destination, you may have to make difficult decisions to change or even cancel plans to ensure your own well-being and timely return to Houghton.You should also check with the country where you are planning to travel, as many have instituted their own travel restrictions and quarantines. Be mindful that travel restrictions can change at any time with no notice.  

We are still learning about COVID-19, and reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure and may include fever, cough or shortness of breath. 

If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19 while you were away, please contact UP Health System Portage (906-483-1000) or Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital (906-337-6500), tell them about your concerns, and follow their guidance. If you find yourself in a quarantine or self-monitoring situation, please contact the following offices for support and assistance:  

• Students: deanofstudents@mtu.edu or 906-487-2212
• Faculty: rozanich@mtu.edu or 906-487-2509 
• Staff: megoke@mtu.edu or 906-487-2280

If you have questions about international travel, please contact the Office of General Counsel at 906-487-2318.  

The University continues to monitor coronavirus developments and will provide up-to-date information.