COVID-19 Updates

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.

By Scott Wendt, Manger of Health and Safety, Environmental Health and Safety

A community outbreak of the respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, COVID-19, has continued to spread to multiple countries. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor developments. At this time, the CDC has issued additional Level 3 Travel Health Notices for Italy and Iran. Currently, the CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the following countries: China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.

Consistent with the CDC recommendation, Michigan Tech is issuing a University-wide travel restriction for Italy and Iran. Michigan Tech travel restrictions are also still in place for China and South Korea. The restriction applies to faculty, staff, and students. If you have essential travel scheduled to one of these countries, please contact the Office of General Counsel at 906-487-2318.

The University administration continues to monitor the situation for developments and will update the campus community as necessary. For Michigan-specific information on the coronavirus, please visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services webpage.

To get more information and view all updates from Michigan Tech, visit: mtu.edu/covid-19.

By Scott Wendt, Manager of Health and Safety, Environmental Health and Safety

Michigan Technological University continues to monitor developments related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).  According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at this time COVID-19 is NOT currently spreading in communities in the United States. The immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is currently believed to be low. However, this continues to be a rapidly evolving situation; the CDC is continuously monitoring developments.

At this time there are no known COVID-19 cases in the State of Michigan or on our campus. The University is continuing to monitor the health and safety of our campus community and is working in conjunction with local and state health officials to assess risk levels. 

In addition to the previously announced (January 31) University travel restriction to China, today the University is adding South Korea to the travel restrictions following the CDC’s advisory to  avoid all nonessential travel to both countries.

The university has updated the Health Alerts website with this information and will continue to update information on COVID-19 precautions pertinent to our University community.

Please feel free to contact Scott (srwendt@mtu.edu) with questions.

By President’s Office

A community outbreak of the respiratory illness, caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, COVID-19 has continued to spread to multiple countries. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor developments and has issued a Warning Level 3, for South Korea. This warning instructs travelers to avoid nonessential travel to South Korea.

Consistent with the CDC recommendation, Michigan Tech is issuing a University-wide travel restriction for the entire country of South Korea. The restriction applies to faculty, staff, and students. If you have essential travel to South Korea scheduled, please contact the Office of General Counsel at 906-487-2318.

At this point in time the CDC lists both China and South Korea as Warning Level 3. The University is still restricting travel to the entire country of China. Previous communication regarding travel restrictions to China was issued on January 31.

The University administration continues to monitor the situation for developments and will update the campus community as necessary. For Michigan-specific information on the coronavirus, please visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services webpage.

To get more information and view all updates, visit: mtu.edu/covid-19