MTU Flex Updates Blog

by University Marketing and Communications

During the COVID-19 pandemic, much has been written, discussed, and even argued about the use of face coverings. Last month, Michigan Tech entered into Step Two of our Return to Campus Plan. It is important to remember that the requirements for wearing face coverings outlined in Step One — “Individuals must wear their face covering at all times indoors with the only exception being a fixed wall room with a closed door” — are still in effect for Step Two.

“Employees and students who are not able to medically tolerate a face covering should reach out for an appropriate accommodation,” said Sarah Schulte, general counsel and secretary to the Board of Trustees. Schulte said employees should contact the ADA Coordinator, while students should contact Student Disability Services.

by Recreation

Michigan Tech’s Student Development Complex (SDC) has reopened to current students as of today (July 13). A team from Recreation has developed a reopening plan to ensure the building is utilized safely and is implementing an enhanced cleaning schedule based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recreation facility standards.

by International Programs and Services

Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced modifications to exemptions for non-immigrant students enrolled at colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the new federal guidelines make clear, each F-1 student must take at least one in-person or hybrid course this fall. This guidance does not conflict with our MTU Flex plans for the fall semester.

by University Marketing and Communications

 In June, Michigan Tech began Step Two of our Return to Campus Plan. As the University prepares for Step Three, students and employees, understandably, have questions. To address the issue of tracking and testing for COVID-19, we spoke with Sarah Schulte, general counsel and secretary to the Board of Trustees and Kelly Kamm, an epidemiologist and assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology.

by Kari Henquinet, Pavlis Honors College, Social Sciences

When the COVID-19 pandemic began this spring, it rapidly affected every facet of life, including the lives of K-12 students and families across the country when schools began closing. Schools changed gears to provide virtual and remote education almost overnight, a major challenge for teachers, students and parents alike. At the same time as universities closed, Michigan Tech students also found themselves stuck at home with plenty of their own on-line class work, but still wondering how they could help the community. As Tech students, faculty, and alumni brainstormed and connected with local educators for advice, Tech Tutors — a free, virtual tutoring program for K-12 students — was born.

by Beth William, Career Services

Like many areas of campus, Career Services fall events are going to look a little different this year. Due to social distancing on campus, travel restrictions at many recruiting organizations, and the health and safety of our campus community, Career Services will host our fall career fair virtually.

The virtual fair will be held on the platform Career Fair Plus; the same career fair app students have been using for the past 5 years. Career Fair Plus allows students to schedule times to meet with recruiters causing less disruption to their course schedule.

by University Marketing and Communications

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) has listed Michigan Tech’s Portage Lake Golf Course as one of several Houghton County locations that were visited by individuals who later tested positive for COVID-19.

The WUPHD said in a statement that those visiting the locations listed may be at a higher risk for exposure if large crowds were present and masking and social distancing guidelines may not have been consistently followed.

The statement, including the list of potential site exposures, can be found on the WUPHD news site.

by MTU Flex Task Force

Late last week, two members of the Michigan Tech campus community (defined as faculty, staff, and students) tested positive for COVID-19. The two cases appear to be unrelated.

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department is actively conducting contact tracing to stop the spread of the virus. Anyone who had close contact with the infected persons will be notified and will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. 

by University Marketing and Communications

Last month, Michigan Tech entered Step Two in the three-step Return to Campus Plan. Prior to the start of the fall semester, the University will begin Step Three, which calls for a return to near-normal operations and the return of students to campus. Once the semester starts, the Return to Campus Plan will end, and the University will transition to using Health and Safety Levels on campus.

Sarah Schulte, general counsel and secretary to the Board of Trustees, said the five levels are focused on returning students and additional employees back to campus as safely as possible and on creating the environment needed to continue the fall semester uninterrupted. “The levels give us the flexibility to offer students and employees the most normal campus experience possible while keeping the health and safety of everyone on campus as our first priority,” Schulte said.

by University Marketing and Communications

Last month, Michigan Tech began Step Two of our Return to Campus Plan. As the University prepares for Step Three, students and employees, understandably, have questions. To address the student experience, we spoke with Sarah Schulte, general counsel and secretary to the Board of Trustees. Schulte said that once we enter Step Three and return to campus with the start of the fall semester, the University will immediately transfer to the five-tier Michigan Tech Campus Health and Safety Level system.