Important announcements about changes to University operations and class schedule
To the Eastern Michigan University community:
Please read this email carefully and in its entirety because it contains important information about changes to the University’s operations.
Tonight the Governor announced significant new statewide epidemic restrictions in response to the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases. These new restrictions include state-mandated suspension of in-person instruction at colleges and universities from Wednesday, November 18, until Tuesday, December 8. You can read the new state orders in their entirety here. In response to these actions, the University has taken several steps.
Changes in course delivery
Academic courses will continue to be delivered as scheduled on Monday, November 16, and Tuesday, November 17.
Although most course sections have been delivered in an online/hybrid format for the current semester, the small number of course sections that are delivered in-person will move to a fully remote format beginning Wednesday, November 18, through Tuesday, December 8. Instructors who teach in-person classes will need to contact students enrolled in these courses with specific details about the transition of their course to remote delivery. These courses are scheduled to return to their in-person format on Wednesday, December 9. As always, individual instructors will exercise discretion and will contact students in their courses with details. Please note that students enrolled in courses that are delivered using a fully online/hybrid format may not receive any special instructions from their instructor because those courses will continue to be delivered as planned. We do apologize for these changes but we must support and comply with this pandemic order issued by the State of Michigan.
Classes originally scheduled (including online course sections) on Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24 are now cancelled in advance of the Thanksgiving recess. This has been a challenging semester, particularly for our students. Simply put, our students need a break to re-charge and rest. Instructors also may use the time to prepare for the rest of the semester.
During this two-day period, the University will remain open and all employees will work as scheduled (though most will work remotely - see Employees section, below).
University Housing & Dining
With all classes (including online/hybrid courses) cancelled on Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24, students will now have a one-week Thanksgiving recess. We encourage students to take full advantage of this extended recess by focusing on their physical and mental wellness.
University Housing facilities will remain open for the remainder of the semester as scheduled. Dining facilities will modify their operations to comply with the latest orders from the State of Michigan. Please visit the EMU Dining website in the coming days for details.
Although campus housing facilities will be open, we encourage students who live on campus and who plan to leave campus for the Thanksgiving recess to consider leaving campus for this extended break as soon as practicable. Students who plan to remain on campus during Thanksgiving recess must sign-up here.
COVID-19 testing for students who live on campus:
Students who live in University housing and wish to receive a free COVID-19 test before leaving campus for the extended Thanksgiving break may do so by clicking on one of the links below for the day indicated:
Schedule a COVID-19 test for Monday, November 16
Schedule a COVID-19 test for Tuesday, November 17
Schedule a COVID-19 test for Wednesday, November 18
Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to contact a health care provider. Students may visit the IHA Urgent Care @ EMU clinic on campus by calling 734-896-4112 or visiting their website.
Employees:
Consistent with current orders by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, all employees are directed to work remotely beginning Wednesday, November 18, unless their work cannot feasibly be completed remotely. Employees will be notified of any exemption by their supervisor. We will provide more information regarding remote work in the coming days.
Safety protocols:
As a reminder, all members of the University community are required to complete this form if they test positive for COVID-19.
All members of the University community are required to complete the COVID Pass Daily Health Screening every day they are on campus. Students who live in campus housing are required to complete the Daily Screening every day they are on campus even if they do not attend an in-person class.
As a reminder, support services remain available to students. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of EMU students. CAPS offers free and confidential counseling by calling 734-487-1118 during business hours and after-hours in the evenings and weekends. For additional information, visit theCAPS websiteor contact the office by email atcounseling.services@emich.edu.
Regardless of your plans for the Thanksgiving recess, we urge all members of the campus community to engage in safe practices during the holiday break. These safe practices include wearing face coverings, avoiding social gatherings, maintaining physical distancing, and practicing good hygiene. Please comply with the updated safety provisions contained in the state order above as they relate to gatherings and other activities.
I thank our students, faculty and staff for your compliance with these safe practices. We must all continue to work together to keep one another as safe as possible.
James Smith, Ph.D.