May 1, 2020 | Announcements & News, Intercom
Dear employees:
As our state continues efforts to mitigate the health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended the Stay Home, Stay Safe order through May 15. To support this effort, and comply with the order, Northwestern Michigan College will extend the closure of all five of its campuses in Traverse City through May 15.
College employees are already categorized into essential and non-reporting/on call classifications. If you must come to campus, please wear a face mask, as specified in the governor’s order. For more information and resources for working while campuses are closed, including instructions on mail pickup and delivery, please visit the “keep working” section of nmc.edu/coronavirus.
The governor’s order also allows landscaping and lawn care work to resume. At NMC, that work will include landscape work for the new West Hall Innovation Center and annual spring lawn care and landscaping work with our grounds crews.
For those who do not need to report to campus at this time, please follow these stay at home safety guidelines:
- Don’t leave the house unless you absolutely have to.
- Don’t socialize with people outside your family.
- You are allowed to go outside for essentials like groceries or prescriptions, but you should limit those trips to no more than once a week if possible.
- You can visit someone if you are their caregiver.
- You can walk the dog or exercise outside (for brief periods) as long as you keep a six-foot distance from others.
- Avoid face to face contact, especially in close-up and confined spaces.
- Who should do this? Everyone who lives in an area with a mandatory stay home, stay safe order.
Summer semester will be delivered virtually, as announced on April 8. You can see a list of canceled events here. The College is currently planning several possible scenarios for fall delivery of instruction and will communicate with you when those plans are finalized.
This is an unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation. We will continue to communicate with you to keep you safe and limit the disruption to learning as much as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your supervisor.
As we get updates and changes, we post them first on nmc.edu/coronavirus. Please continue to check here for the latest information.
NMC Public Relations
Apr 29, 2020 | Intercom
NMC Extended Education has partnered with Yoga for Health Education to offer NMC employees a special opportunity to attend an unlimited number of online classes during their spring session beginning May 4. With over 20 pre-recorded unique classes each week, from the Yoga for Health Education instructors whom you love, you’ll be well equipped to stay well in mind and body during this challenging time.
Once you sign up for this pass through EES, you can go directly to Yoga for Health Education’s website and individually register for classes each time you wish to attend (remember, there’s no limit!). Choose the option “Prepaid NMC Gratitude Pass.” As you enroll in each specific class, it will be available to you for five days from the time it is listed to begin. Check out the full online schedule of classes at yogaforhealthtc.com/springclasses2020.
7 weeks, May 4-June 20
- Instructor: Yoga for Health Education Staff
- NMC Employee price; $175 (discounted to $20 with full tuition waiver)
- (regular public price is $275)
- Registration Deadline: Due to reduced office hours, please call NMC EES at 995-1700 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on one of the following days to register: Friday, May 1; Monday, May 4; Friday, May 8
Apr 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
April 29, 2020
Kelly Lepley, NMC Aviation 1989, has flown cargo flights for UPS since 2001 and is currently a captain flying supply lines to southeast Asia, India, Europe and the United States. She has a unique, birds-eye view of how coronavirus has literally transformed the world from where it started in Wuhan, China, last December. The Traverse City native who started flight training as a high school junior shared her appreciation for NMC and answered a few questions during an April layover in China:
“I would not be doing what I love if it wasn’t for NMC. The foundations of what I learned as a student has carried me through my career today,” she said. “It’s rewarding yet, humbling to know we are carrying lifesaving equipment for those on the front line.”
Does anything in your pilot experience compare to the COVID-19 pandemic? Nothing. It is indescribable! To see hundreds of large jets lined up on taxiways, chocked with their engine covers on; parked in cities like Bangkok, Delhi, Cologne, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen is eerie. It would be one thing if it was at one airport, but I’m seeing it everywhere we go. You just cannot describe the magnitude of this moment in history in air travel. This pandemic has literally crippled the world when it comes to freely moving about in what was once a global society.
How has COVID-19 impacted your work? We’re each given an N95 mask for our whole trip along with alcohol wipes. When we arrive stateside in some key international cities, the aircraft are cleaned and desensitized. Layovers are much more challenging. In some of the places we travel, we will undergo multiple temperature checks, a health screening and mouth swab. After a 12-hour flight, it takes an additional 2-3 hours to be processed through these screenings before we are allowed into the country.
What have you seen elsewhere that might foreshadow how the U.S. recovers? In February and March, there were little to no passenger flights. If any, they were repatriation flights. On occasion you would hear another cargo flight, but the majority of the time, we were the only one talking on the radio. When on the ground, the streets were empty, factories and businesses were closed, and hotels were vacant. In late March and early April, factories and businesses began to open back up, and limitations on travel were slowly lifted. The one area that is still lagging though, are passenger flights.
NMC Aviation Director Alex Bloye said passenger traffic is down 95 percent. However, there are bright spots beyond the delivery sector that Lepley represents.
“With the airlines facing temporary route cancellations during COVID-19, there have been sectors of aviation seeing a surge in activity and talent. Private charter services, as well as the military are two examples,” he said.
Bloye also foresees the commercial industry rebounding, perhaps strongly. The pandemic may have hastened some senior captains’ retirement plans.
“The pilot shortage is going to be even greater when the world returns to air travel,” Bloye said. “The recovery is going to be excellent for aviation, the trick is determining when that will happen.”
Apr 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Despite an unprecedented worldwide health crisis that disrupted nearly all aspects of daily life, about 600 students will graduate in Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2020.
They have earned degrees and certificates including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies and Certificate of Practical Nursing, as well as Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology.
Commencement was scheduled for Saturday, May 2, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, a ceremony has been postponed either until August or a double ceremony in May 2021.
Face-to-face classes were cancelled March 13 and students finished the semester by learning remotely.
NMC President Nick Nissley praised both students and college faculty and staff for their rapid pivot. Face-to-face classes and all student services, including advising, financial aid and personal counseling were transitioned to remote operation over the course of about a week.
“I’ve seen our NMC community overcome challenges we couldn’t have imagined three months ago,” Nissley said. “While we have to postpone the traditional pomp and circumstance of a commencement ceremony this spring, the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff are even more worthy of recognition.”
From students who chose to remain safe in North Hall to Maritime cadets aboard the training ship State of Michigan to students working on the front lines in the region’s health care facilities, perseverance and commitment to long-term goals was abundant this semester.
Students who complete degree requirements in the fall 2019, spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters are considered members of the Class of 2020. A list of graduates is available online here.
Summer sessions begin May 9 and June 12. All summer classes will also be held online. NMC is still considering options for fall class delivery, prioritizing student and employee safety while limiting the disruption to learning as much as possible.
Release date: APRIL 29, 2020
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Apr 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Despite an unprecedented worldwide health crisis that disrupted nearly all aspects of daily life, about 600 students will graduate in Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2020.
They have earned degrees and certificates including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies and Certificate of Practical Nursing, as well as Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology.
Commencement was scheduled for Saturday, May 2, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, a ceremony has been postponed either until August or a double ceremony in May 2021.
Face-to-face classes were cancelled March 13 and students finished the semester by learning remotely.
NMC President Nick Nissley praised both students and college faculty and staff for their rapid pivot. Face-to-face classes and all student services, including advising, financial aid and personal counseling were transitioned to remote operation over the course of about a week.
“I’ve seen our NMC community overcome challenges we couldn’t have imagined three months ago,” Nissley said. “While we have to postpone the traditional pomp and circumstance of a commencement ceremony this spring, the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff are even more worthy of recognition.”
From students who chose to remain safe in North Hall to Maritime cadets aboard the training ship State of Michigan to students working on the front lines in the region’s health care facilities, perseverance and commitment to long-term goals was abundant this semester.
Students who complete degree requirements in the fall 2019, spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters are considered members of the Class of 2020. A list of graduates is available online here.
Summer sessions begin May 9 and June 12. All summer classes will also be held online. NMC is still considering options for fall class delivery, prioritizing student and employee safety while limiting the disruption to learning as much as possible.
Release date: APRIL 29, 2020
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Apr 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
April 29, 2020
Kelly Lepley, NMC Aviation 1989, has flown cargo flights for UPS since 2001 and is currently a captain flying supply lines to southeast Asia, India, Europe and the United States. She has a unique, birds-eye view of how coronavirus has literally transformed the world from where it started in Wuhan, China, last December. The Traverse City native who started flight training as a high school junior shared her appreciation for NMC and answered a few questions during an April layover in China:
“I would not be doing what I love if it wasn’t for NMC. The foundations of what I learned as a student has carried me through my career today,” she said. “It’s rewarding yet, humbling to know we are carrying lifesaving equipment for those on the front line.”
Does anything in your pilot experience compare to the COVID-19 pandemic? Nothing. It is indescribable! To see hundreds of large jets lined up on taxiways, chocked with their engine covers on; parked in cities like Bangkok, Delhi, Cologne, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen is eerie. It would be one thing if it was at one airport, but I’m seeing it everywhere we go. You just cannot describe the magnitude of this moment in history in air travel. This pandemic has literally crippled the world when it comes to freely moving about in what was once a global society.
How has COVID-19 impacted your work? We’re each given an N95 mask for our whole trip along with alcohol wipes. When we arrive stateside in some key international cities, the aircraft are cleaned and desensitized. Layovers are much more challenging. In some of the places we travel, we will undergo multiple temperature checks, a health screening and mouth swab. After a 12-hour flight, it takes an additional 2-3 hours to be processed through these screenings before we are allowed into the country.
What have you seen elsewhere that might foreshadow how the U.S. recovers? In February and March, there were little to no passenger flights. If any, they were repatriation flights. On occasion you would hear another cargo flight, but the majority of the time, we were the only one talking on the radio. When on the ground, the streets were empty, factories and businesses were closed, and hotels were vacant. In late March and early April, factories and businesses began to open back up, and limitations on travel were slowly lifted. The one area that is still lagging though, are passenger flights.
NMC Aviation Director Alex Bloye said passenger traffic is down 95 percent. However, there are bright spots beyond the delivery sector that Lepley represents.
“With the airlines facing temporary route cancellations during COVID-19, there have been sectors of aviation seeing a surge in activity and talent. Private charter services, as well as the military are two examples,” he said.
Bloye also foresees the commercial industry rebounding, perhaps strongly. The pandemic may have hastened some senior captains’ retirement plans.
“The pilot shortage is going to be even greater when the world returns to air travel,” Bloye said. “The recovery is going to be excellent for aviation, the trick is determining when that will happen.”
Apr 28, 2020 | Intercom
Below is a summary of changes to extended leave benefits due to the coronavirus pandemic that are relevant to NMC employees. Please contact Hollie DeWalt at 995-1350 or HDeWalt@nmc.edu with questions.
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act:
- Extended Emergency Paid Leave – care for self and others who have or been exposed to COVID-19
- Extended FMLA – care for your child whose school or daycare is closed
- Read the FAQ from the Department of Labor
- Priority Health Coverage – all issues related to COVID-19:
- Zero cost for all testing and treatment related to the coronavirus
- Priority is absorbing all NMC liability on these cases as well
- Expanded definitions of “qualified medical expenses” from Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts from the IRS:
- All over-the-counter drugs are covered without a prescription
- All menstrual care products are covered
- Read the FAQ from Meritain Health
- Expanded access to hardship withdrawals from Retirement Accounts – CARES Act:
- Employees can request hardship withdrawals from their defined contribution plans by contacting their providers (TIAA, Voya, 403b plans).
- Those required to take minimum distributions from their plans due to age can suspend distribution for 2020 to allow the market to rebound.
- Learn more at the TIAA resources website.
- LegalShield offers additional resources to its members:
- Here is the link to their website.
Apr 27, 2020 | Intercom, Media Mentions
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past week. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the Osterlin Library.
Additional PPP funding on the way
Record-Eagle, April 23 (more…)
Apr 27, 2020 | Intercom, Student Events
The Dennos Museum Center has added more concerts for the Live & Local Concert Series featuring Levi Britton on Wednesday, April 29 at 5 p.m. and Miriam Pico on Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m. These concerts help support Crosshatch’s Artist Emergency Fund and are sponsored by Chateau Chantal. Learn more about the Live & Local Concert Series here.
Apr 27, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Dear all,
Thank you for all of the hard work you have done during our initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of you, we have been able to reduce the spread of the virus, limit the disruption to learning and keep the business of the college going during this unprecedented time. While we are moving out of the immediate response phase, we recognize that there is still a lot of uncertainty as we look toward the future. Keeping in the spirit of the “4R’s” as articulated by President Nissley in his email here, this email sets out a short-term goal plan that sandwiches into our ‘normal’ performance management processes, and is intended to help focus and align the college in this period of rapid change to meet the need for quick, thoughtful action. Keeping goals simple and aligned, flexible and in constant view/discussion is critical during this period in which we can scarcely see how events will unfold beyond the end of the week, let alone through a semester or even a year. Given that, we are implementing a new and temporary approach to goal-setting as follows: (more…)
Apr 27, 2020 | Intercom, President Updates
Good afternoon NMC family,
It’s hard to believe we are entering the final week of spring semester and my first as president of our college. It’s certainly not the semester any of us could have planned for, but I am more confident than ever that this is the right place for me to be at this time. Seeing your work to help our students to achieve their goals, and your work helping each other has been amazing.
While finishing the work of this semester, we are also looking toward the future. I know that may seem challenging given how much uncertainty we face, but as we talked about at our recent virtual town hall, I have a framework that I believe will help us focus our attention and actions as we live into our new normal. It’s “The 4R’s.” (more…)
Apr 24, 2020 | Intercom, Student Events
Storyteller and NMC Success Coach Jen Strauss will be lighting the Storylamp on Tuesday, April 28 at 6 p.m. in the Storytelling Zoom Room. This is the third Storytelling Program in a series of three offered to NMC faculty, staff and our northern Michigan, NMC Community.
Grab your family and join Jen around the Virtual Campfire for stories about the Woods and Waters, Critters and Loggers, Ships and Lighthouses OF MICHIGAN! Journey to the upper peninsula, meet the little people who live in the sand dunes and hear the Legend of the Sleeping Bear.
All ages welcome!
Zoom Meeting ID: 958 9433 7887
Password: NMCSTORY
Apr 24, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Get answers to your legal and identity theft questions at the LegalShield website.
Apr 24, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
The Office of Retirement Services conducts Planning Your Retirement workshops around the state during a normal school year. This was, however, anything but a normal school year.
ORS Customer Education staff completed and posted on the website an online recorded version of the workshop which members can view at any time using this link: Planning Your Retirement – Online Workshop for Public School Employees.
Apr 24, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. During our “Stay Home, Stay Safe” directive, please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
Apr 23, 2020 | Intercom, International Affairs Forum, Student Events
As COVID-19 spreads across the world, how are vulnerable refugee populations coping with the threat? IAF brings in frontline voices for an engaging discussion. The program includes Aesa Oso, a refugee of the Syrian civil war, humanitarian worker, and interpreter; (more…)
Apr 22, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
Book buyback is now available online! Visit bookstore.nmc.edu and select “Sell Your Books Here”. Get a quote, a free prepaid label to ship back your books, and you’ll get a check in about 3 weeks.
Apr 22, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
April 22, 2020
Planning ahead more than a decade ago led to a timely discovery this month, a pattern of foresight NMC aims to continue through COVID-19 uncertainty.
A cache of stored personal protective equipment, including 400 N95 masks originally ordered in 2009 for the H1N1 flu pandemic, was discovered earlier this month by an employee filling food pantry orders. The supplies, which also included gowns and face shields, had been stored in the Osterlin building due to lack of space in the NMC Health clinic.
“I walked out of the food pantry door, and saw ‘N95’ on a sticky note,” said Katie Sommer (right), manager of NMC’s Office of Learning Services. “It was like a lightbulb going off. That word stands out these days.”
Sommer opened the cabinet with the note, alerted others of her discovery, and the supplies were promptly donated to Munson Medical Center.
At first glance a fortuitous coincidence, the discovery illustrates NMC’s strategic value of exhibiting foresight. The existence of the food pantry is another. Started in 2017, Sommer said last week was the pantry’s busiest ever — despite the fact that campuses are closed. Orders are called in or placed online, and picked up outdoors.
Food Pantry curbside pickup items“It’s a great resource and asset,” said Sommer. “I would venture to say the 15 families we’re supporting now are very grateful to whoever had that idea.”
Foresight is more important now than ever, with COVID-19 creating so much uncertainty. The college has already decided all summer classes will be offered online only. All student services including orientation and student success coaching, usually held on campus, are also being offered remotely.
“We’ve really challenged ourselves to see what different modalities we can offer our services in,” said Sommer, noting that Advising calendars have stayed as full as if face-to-face services were being offered.
