MTU Flex Updates Blog

Author: Megan Ross

Transition to Health and Safety Level Two

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by Rick Koubek, President

Since the onset of the pandemic, we have worked to create a healthy and safe on-campus experience for our students, faculty, and staff—one that we can flex in response to rapidly changing environments. We have also learned that technology (while great) cannot replace the experiential learning that happens in classrooms, labs, residence halls, and beyond. For these reasons, we are delighted to welcome our students back to campus for a normal start to the fall semester.

To best ensure the continuity of campus operations, Michigan Tech strongly recommends that all employees and students receive the COVID-19 vaccine, especially in light of the virulence of the COVID-19 delta variant.

With all of this in mind and out of an abundance of caution, Michigan Tech will return to Health and Safety Level Two as outlined in our MTU Flex plan, effective August 15, 2021, for at least five weeks. This includes reinstating an indoor face covering requirement for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors (regardless of vaccination status).

During the first few weeks of the semester, we will continue to review available data to inform our pandemic mitigation strategy. Our hope is that Michigan Tech’s face covering requirement is short-term. Our goal is to return to a face-covering-optional environment once we have more information regarding the spread of COVID-19 within our campus community. 

In the meantime, I ask that you continue to do your part to help keep our campus and community safe. I look forward to seeing you all on campus soon. 

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COVID-19 Update

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by MTU Flex Task Force

As we prepare for the upcoming fall semester, the University is keeping a watchful eye on the local COVID-19 case count. While Houghton County’s caseload remains low at this time, adaptations to our operations may be warranted should circumstances change. These adaptations include elevating the campus’s Health and Safety Level as outlined in our MTU Flex plan. 

Michigan Tech strongly encourages employees and students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay healthy this fall and avoid quarantine. Free vaccines will be available throughout the fall semester at the locations listed on the Copper Country Strong vaccine web page under “How Do I Get The Vaccine?” We will also continue to offer on-demand COVID-19 testing and conduct COVID-19 wastewater testing throughout the fall semester. The health and safety of our campus community remains our top priority and we will adapt campus operations as necessary based on public health guidance and the prevalence of the virus in our community.  

The MTU Flex team will continue to provide timely updates as we prepare to welcome our students back to campus for the start of the fall semester. Thank you again for your diligence in protecting our campus community. 

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Effectively Immediately: Michigan Tech Moves to Health and Safety Level One

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by MTU Flex Task Force

In accordance with today’s recession of emergency orders from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as well as new orders from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), Michigan Tech is moving to Health and Safety Level One effectively immediately.

Under Health and Safety Level One:

  • Face coverings are no longer required for any individual, although those who wish to continue to wear them are encouraged to do so.
  • Daily symptom monitoring via the MTU Flex Portal for employees, students, and visitors is no longer required, but we recommend people continue to monitor their symptoms. For students, access to Canvas will no longer be linked to symptom monitoring.
  • We ask that positive COVID-19 test results be reported using the existing test reporting tool in the MTU Flex Portal if you test positive within 14 days of being on campus.
  • Employees in quarantine or isolation situations should inform Human Resources at humanresources@mtu.edu. Students in quarantine or isolation situations should inform the Dean of Students’ office at deanofstudents@mtu.edu.
  • All capacity limits are lifted.
  • Employees and students should remain aware of the federal government’s international travel restrictions.

The MTU Flex team encourages University community members to get their vaccinations and continue with handwashing and hand-sanitizing practices.

The Flex team is launching a communications campaign in the coming weeks to promote vaccination as a means by which to help protect ourselves and other community members. We also ask you to continue to be respectful of those who choose to continue wearing a mask or work with plexiglass shields (however, those who wish to remove those may do so at this time).

Many thanks to our entire community for your diligence in following the public health and safety practices that allowed us to get to this point.

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Michigan Tech Will Move to Health and Safety Level Two Tomorrow

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by MTU Flex Task Force

Following guidance from the CDC, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued updated workplace guidelines today. In light of this guidance, the University will move to Health and Safety Level Two beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, May 25, at 12:01 a.m. 

At Health and Safety Level Two:

  • Students, employees, and visitors who received their final dose of an FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks ago do not need to wear a face covering or practice six-foot distancing. This applies both indoors and outdoors.
  • Those not fully vaccinated are required to wear a face covering only when they are unable to maintain six feet of distance from others on campus, whether indoors or outdoors.
  • In compliance with state regulations, daily symptom monitoring via the MTU Flex Portal is still required for all members of the campus community before coming to campus. 
  • Group capacity limits, as dictated by the State of Michigan, also remain in place.

 Vaccinations are a personal choice. For this reason, employees and students should not ask one another for vaccination status. Those who are fully vaccinated who wish to continue wearing a face covering are encouraged to do so. 

Governor Whitmer announced last week that Michigan plans to lift all capacity restrictions and face covering mandates on July 1. Michigan Tech intends to move to Health and Safety Level One at that time. 

Michigan Tech has relied on public health guidance from the CDC, public health professionals, and state government authorities as our primary navigational waypoints in making these decisions, just as we have during the past 15 months. We thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

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Return to Campus Guidance

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by MTU Flex Task Force

To chart our course over the last 15 months, Michigan Tech has relied on public health guidance from the CDC, public health professionals, and state government authorities as our primary navigational waypoints.

Last week, Governor Whitmer announced that more than 55 percent of Michigan residents age 16 or older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday afternoon. In accordance with the MI Vacc to Normal Plan, the order requiring some work to be completed remotely will end on Monday, May 24. Any University employee interested in returning to in-person work on May 24 may do so with supervisor approval.

All University operations will return to normal on June 14. Employees currently working remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions may continue to do so until June 14, at which time all University personnel regularly scheduled to work in person should plan to do so. Track A and Track B courses will be taught in the modality in which students signed up for them and are not changing as a result of this transition. Those with questions regarding this transition should contact their supervisor.

There will no longer be a separate process for COVID-19 High Risk Accommodations. As always, any employee who feels they may need an accommodation can request one by contacting the Michigan Tech ADA Coordinator at adacoordinator@mtu.edu. 

The University is in the process of updating its remote work form and policies. Additional information regarding remote work, including flexible work schedules, will be available next week.

Finally, as you might have heard, Governor Whitmer held a press conference this morning where she announced a number of anticipated changes to some statewide pandemic mitigation regulations. As we wrote last Sunday, our workplace protocols are dictated by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The governor indicated that MIOSHA will be announcing changes to their orders Monday, May 24. We expect to have more information for you after that announcement.

Michigan Tech remains a primarily residential campus and we are looking forward to the return of in-person operations. We commend you all for your efforts during this extraordinary time and hope to see you on campus soon.

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Guidance on Face Coverings

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by MTU Flex Task Force

We have received questions from University employees on the status of face covering requirements on campus, given the change in face covering rules announced by Governor Whitmer on Friday. For now, all Michigan Tech employees should continue following the same protocols that have been in place under Health and Safety Level Three.

The State of Michigan’s newest health orders do not address rules for workplaces—those are the responsibility of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). MIOSHA has indicated that they are still deciding if they will lift their face covering mandate for employees. Until changes from MIOSHA are announced, Michigan Tech is required to follow the current MIOSHA rules.

As soon as additional information becomes available, we will pass along guidance clarifications.

As a reminder, under our current Health and Safety Level Protocol, the University’s face covering policy applies to everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status. Please continue to wear your face covering, even if you are vaccinated.

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MTU Flex Team Summary for the Week Ending April 28, 2021

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by MTU Flex Task Force

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) will resume administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week. Both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available during the vaccination clinic on Thursday, April 29, at the Michigan Tech SDC varsity gym.The clinic is open to individuals 18 and older. There is no charge for the vaccine or administration of the vaccine. To schedule an appointment for this clinic, please use the WUPHD’s online scheduling system. For additional clinic dates, please visit the WUPHD website at westernuphealth.org.

The moving 14-day total of detected COVID-19 cases is 17, out of 297 tests completed within that time period. We have not conducted any surveillance tests this week. Currently, 2 percent of on-campus isolation space is in use and the campus remains at Health and Safety Level Three. With the semester drawing to a close, our last day of on-campus testing will be Friday, April 30. After Friday, if you need a COVID-19 test, please work with any local health care provider. No pre-existing relationship is required.

We have selected winners in our prize drawing for surveillance testing participants. These individuals will be notified shortly.

As a reminder, under our current Health and Safety Level Protocol, the University’s face covering policy applies to everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status. Please continue to wear your face covering, even if you are vaccinated.

This will be our last MTU Flex Team Summary for the academic year. We are deeply grateful to every member of the Michigan Tech community who helped keep our campus safe and open this semester.

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April 20-22 Vaccine Clinics Open to Employees

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by MTU Flex Task Force

We are pleased to let you know that a limited number of appointment slots at this week’s student vaccine clinics have been made available to faculty and staff. The clinics are taking place April 20-22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SDC varsity gym. If you would like to participate, please schedule your appointment online as soon as possible, as there is high demand for the vaccine and a limited number of appointments. The scheduling link is available only to members of the University community—do not forward it to friends or family members who are not students or employees of Michigan Tech.

Those who participate in the clinics will receive the first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Michigan Tech and Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center (UGL) plan to host a second round of vaccine clinics, tentatively scheduled for May 18-20, where you can receive the second dose. UGL staff members will help you schedule your second-dose appointments during the check-out process at this week’s clinics.  

For more information, visit the University’s COVID-19 Vaccine web page. Please reach out to mtuflex@mtu.edu with questions.

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MTU Flex Team Summary for the Week Ending April 16, 2021

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by MTU Flex Task Force

The moving 14-day total of detected COVID-19 cases is 29, compared to eight last week. We conducted 161 surveillance tests this week, with three detected cases, for a detection rate of 1.90 percent. Currently, 10 percent of on-campus isolation space is in use and the campus remains at Health and Safety Level Three.

We’re pleased to let you know that Michigan Tech’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students will still be held April 20-22, in partnership with Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center (UGL). The clinics will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the SDC varsity gym and students will receive the first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Students interested in participating can find more information, including how to schedule an appointment, on our COVID-19 Vaccine web page.

Students should schedule their appointments as soon as possible, as there is high demand for the vaccine and a limited number of appointments. We are working with UGL to determine how best to make the second Moderna dose available to students, and we will provide that information as soon as we have it.

As a reminder, under our current Health and Safety Level Protocol, the University’s face covering policy applies to everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status. Please continue to wear your face covering, even if you are vaccinated.

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MTU Flex Team Summary for the Week Ending April 9, 2021

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by MTU Flex Task Force

The moving 14-day total of detected COVID-19 cases is eight, compared to 10 last week. We conducted 153 surveillance tests this week, with one detected case, for a detection rate of .70 percent. Currently, less than 6 percent of on-campus isolation space is in use and the campus remains at Health and Safety Level Three.

We announced yesterday that the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) will hold mass community vaccination clinics using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the SDC on Thursday, April 15, and Thursday, April 29. To make an appointment, sign up for the WUPHD COVID Vaccine Waitlist. The WUPHD is scheduling all appointments for these and other clinics in the community. 

Those interested in volunteering at the community clinics are asked to please contact Brian Cadwell at bjcadwel@mtu.edu. Volunteers will receive vaccinations if desired.

In addition, Michigan Tech is partnering with Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center (UGL) to hold vaccine clinics for students April 20-22, also with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The clinics will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SDC. Students received a one-question poll today, either via text message or email, to gauge their interest in participating. We ask students to please take the poll as soon as possible. Information about scheduling a vaccination clinic appointment will be shared with students early next week.

Many other health care providers and pharmacies in the community are currently offering COVID-19 vaccinations. Information is available online. As of April 5, all Michigan residents 16 and older are eligible to be vaccinated.

As a reminder, under our current Health and Safety Level Protocol, the University’s face covering policy applies to everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status. Please continue to wear your face covering, even if you are vaccinated.

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