Mar 23, 2020 | Intercom
Dear employees:
As our state continues to try and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, today Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a stay home, stay safe order. 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 for two additional weeks, through at least April 13.
College employees are already categorized into essential and non-reporting/on call classifications. HR will contact all essential employees with more detailed information today about this “stay at home” order.
Faculty are essential employees and will continue teaching their classes virtually, with no course/lab work permitted on campus.
Virtual instruction of classes are scheduled to continue through April 27. You can also see a complete list of canceled events here. The college will announce a decision on commencement and the remainder of the semester’s activities this week.
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 shelter-in-place order.
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 check here for the latest information.
Mar 23, 2020 | Intercom
NMC”s annual Retirement and Recognition Reception, which was scheduled for April 22, 2020, has been postponed. Watch for additional details to be sent out at a later date.
Mar 23, 2020 | Intercom
To allow time continued time to acknowledge the great work of our colleagues, the deadline for Staff Excellence and Team Excellence Awards has been extended through April 24, 2020. Please continue to submit your nominations by clicking on the award above. Thank you!
Mar 23, 2020 | Intercom
To reduce stress for instructors and those supporting the shift to online classes, NMC required compliance training is now due on April 30, 2020. Please complete these trainings as soon as you have capacity in your workload.
Click here to access your training modules (MyNMC > Talent Portal > Learning tile)
*Note: Use the Google Chrome or Firefox browser.
For assistance, please create a HelpDesk ticket by going to helpdesk.nmc.edu or calling 995-3020.
Thank you for keeping NMC legally compliant, for keeping our campus safe, and for making NMC a great community!
Mar 23, 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.
NMC cancels barbecue, closes all campuses
Record-Eagle, March 17
UpNorthLive
9&10 News (more…)
Mar 20, 2020 | Intercom
Dear faculty and staff — Thank you for your flexibility and patience this week as we transition face-to-face classes to online, shift most college operations to remote work, and help make sure our essential functions can continue as we all try to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19.) As you know, NMC has closed all campuses through March. We are monitoring the pandemic and meeting daily with the Grand Traverse County Joint Operations Center. We will continue to update you on the public health situation as it evolves.
NMC’s values are our guiding principles and they are on full display at this time, especially trust, agility and valuing all people. NMC’s goal is to keep students, faculty and staff healthy and safe while minimizing the disruption to learning.
FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
During this planned closure through the end of March, the college committed to making sure all employees will be paid. Thank you to supervisors for communicating the details from Human Resources with your employees about their specific circumstances.
To help keep our employees and students safe while all campuses are closed:
- NMC Facilities personnel continue to clean classrooms, offices and common areas in accordance with protocols from health officials
- Security continues to monitor campus for safety
- Screening criteria for essential employees to enter buildings to retrieve equipment or supplies is posted at building entrances
- Students are not allowed in any buildings and can call security if they need something from inside
We recognize that this is an anxious and stressful time and want to remind you that we have free, confidential counseling available through our Employee Assistance Program. Cheryl Rogers at our partner agency, Catholic Human Services, can be contacted at (231) 947-8387.
FOR INSTRUCTORS
Thank you for committing to communicate with your students by the end of today as to how they will deliver their coursework through the end of the semester. We recognize this is a major undertaking in an extremely tight timeframe. Many students — and perhaps faculty too — are nervous about their ability to succeed in an online environment. If you need help, submitting a help desk ticket to the EMT team is the most efficient way to get assistance.
For more faculty information, click “Keep Teaching” on nmc.edu/coronavirus. This includes resources like:
- Hosting virtual classes or office hours through Zoom or Google Meet (formerly Hangouts)
- Online Library Services
- Proctored Exam Alternatives
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
This public health crisis is an unprecedented situation for all of us and there will likely be more changes ahead. We will continue to communicate with you along the way. As we get updates and changes, we post them first on nmc.edu/coronavirus. Please check here for the latest information.
Thank you for your commitment to NMC. We remain committed to you. We hope you and your family stay safe and healthy.
Mar 20, 2020 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Dear NMC Family,
This week we saw the COVID-19 virus continue to spread and the health consequences reach heightened levels. With the shelter-in-place order in the San Francisco Bay Area and the closing of the US-Canada border, the world surely seems a little darker. But, we’ve also seen numerous executive orders designed to keep us safe, and a federal stimulus package that’s designed to fuel an economic recovery. It is also the end of our first week of transitioning from face-to-face to online learning. While everyone might expect that to be an incredible hurdle, our faculty and staff have boldly accepted the challenge. Departments like our Educational Media Technologies have been there to aid our faculty, and Student Success Coaches have continued to support student success by shifting to virtual coaching. Of course it’s not perfect. And, truth be told, we will experience challenges and conflict as we move ahead. But, that’s the good news. That’s a sign that we care deeply and want to get it right for our students.
When the founders of NMC created our college, it was to meet a need. They didn’t have a set of directions, but had to customize our college to serve our community. We share that same entrepreneurial spirit in our DNA today. The characteristic that defines the NMC family, which I am seeing so clearly during this time of unprecedented stress, is our resourcefulness and our possibilitarian nature. We believe that together, we can achieve more than was originally imagined. That has been the role of community colleges in our society – to serve as epicenters of hope. I’d like to share with you how the NMC Family is doing that. Some examples that I’ve seen this past week, that make me so proud.
- After we closed the campus Tuesday, Library and Learning Services staff set up a system for students to pick up laptops, internet hot spots and lab course materials outside, so that students can have the tools they need to continue their classes. The staff have creatively figured out how to adhere to social distancing recommendations while minimizing disruption to student learning.
- Similarly, our Student Life staff have found innovative solutions, to ensure that even though campus is closed, our most vulnerable, food insecure students, can have access to our Food Pantry. Student Life staff have bagged up groceries and personal care items for curbside pickup for students in need.
- Our Residence Life staff are listening to heartbreaking situations, of students living in the campus apartments who have lost jobs and are now unable to pay rent. Staff are responding compassionately and suspending policies to ensure that our students can remain in campus apartments, even when rent goes unpaid, during this crisis.
- As some students have chosen to leave our dorms, to go home to be with family, I watched our Residence Life staff help these students carry heavy loads to waiting cars. Heavy lifting is being done literally and figuratively by so many in our college community!
- We are also keeping the business of the college working at this time with increased efforts from our custodial, maintenance and business office staff to ensure our college is safe and our operations continue.
- Many of our employees and students work outside of the college as first responders – from nurses in the hospital ER to health care workers in locked-down nursing homes. While employees continue to serve our students, they are also serving the health care needs of our community, keeping others safe.
- Not only are we taking action, we are also listening. An ombudsman virtual office has been established by Student Services, to ensure that student concerns are understood and addressed individually and systemically. This is a great example of seeking ways for the student voice to be heard directly during this crisis.
Yes, it’s easy to see the darkness that surrounds us this week. But, I’d counter, it’s also easy to see the truly ‘above and beyond’ efforts of our NMC family. Our faculty/staff/students are proving that the possibilitarian spirit is alive and well at NMC. Our campus community is being resourceful, flexible, creative, and compassionate as they seek to serve our students and community during this time of great challenge.
I am a believer of the leadership maxim, begin with the end in mind. A staff member reminded me this week, as she looks ahead, asking herself what might come of this, she suggested, “I really think that this time has bigger gifts that will emerge for us all in how we care for each other.” I also believe that we will grow stronger and closer through this experience. So, let’s keep pulling together.
We will overcome.
Nick
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
Mar 19, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Click HERE for more information from TIAA on TIAA’s perspective on the U.S. economy and recent market volatility.
Mar 19, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Accessing Online (virtual) Visits
Log into your Priority Health Account > Go To My Health Care on the top ribbon > Video Visit with a doctor
COVID-19 Preparations
If you need to prepare for extra medication (beyond a 30 day refill) please contact Priority Health to see how they can assist- 800-956-1954.
See Priority Health’s COVID-19 public information page HERE.
Mar 19, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Mar 19, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com
Submit a Kudos here. (more…)
Mar 18, 2020 | Intercom
To all hourly staff employees, supplemental employees, and student employees,
As President Nissley stated in his message yesterday, the college is closed for all but essential functions through March 28, 2020. During this period you will be paid for your scheduled hours whether or not you are working.
In ADP, please report the hours you were scheduled to work. You will be paid according to your schedule.
For the weeks ending 3/21 and 3/28:
- If you are working during this period, please report the actual hours you worked as you would normally.
- IMPORTANT: If you did not work all of the hours that you were scheduled, please use the COVID-19 time code in ADP to categorize the hours you did not work. This will ensure that you are paid for this time, and allow us to record these hours separately. The reason we need to record these hours separately is that the federal government will likely be providing employers like NMC with a tax credit to offset the cost of these wages.
- If you are unable to work on a scheduled work day due to illness, please use the COVID-19 code to report sick time.
- You will be paid for all of the hours you were scheduled to work.
- Supervisors will review and approve your hours.
If you are able to work remotely, and your supervisor has identified work for you during this two-week closure, your supervisor will be contacting you regarding arrangements and expectations for this work. Social distancing is recommended by community health experts to slow the spread of this disease. We strongly encourage you to practice social distancing at all times.
Please do not come to campus during this period.
We will be communicating again soon about our plans for the period after this two-week closure (Monday, March 30 and on).
Please check our information hub for regular updates and FAQs: NMC.EDU/CORONAVIRUS
Please continue to watch your email for further notifications. Your questions are welcomed and should be addressed either to your direct supervisor or to the HR team.
Thank you,
Mark
Mark Liebling
AVP of Human Resources
1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-1342
Mar 17, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Due to the confirmation of two COVID-19 cases in the region, Northwestern Michigan College today closed all five of its campuses in Traverse City to all but essential employees for two weeks, through at least March 31.
“Local cases are a trigger event we identified that would necessitate the closing of the college, to be consistent with public health protocols and to ensure campus and community health and safety,” President Nick Nissley said. “All staff, except ‘essential employees’ will be sent home at noon today.”
Faculty are essential employees and will continue teaching their classes virtually, with no course/lab work permitted on campus. On March 13 NMC announced it would shift face-to-face classes to distance learning beginning March 16. That transition is expected to be complete by Friday, March 20. Virtual learning will continue through April 27.
Non-essential employees are considered non-reporting /on call. Nissley assured college employees the closure will not affect compensation.
“No matter how you are categorized, you will be compensated. This includes all part-time and student workers. We will be monitoring the situation and will reassess at the end of March,” he said.
Today’s decision expands steps already taken. The Dennos Museum Center closed March 14 through April 6. Major NMC events for the next two months are canceled, including the NMC Barbecue originally scheduled for May 17. See a complete list of canceled events here.
“This is an extraordinary step, but working with our partners in health care and public safety, we are convinced it is necessary,” Nissley said.
Stay informed of the latest updates at nmc.edu/coronavirus.
Release date: MARCH 17, 2020
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019 (o)
(231) 392-6082 (mobile)
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
Mar 17, 2020 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Good Morning NMC Family,
There is again some breaking news relating to the coronavirus issue here in Michigan. Late last night we learned of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Traverse City. This is a trigger event we identified that would necessitate the closing of the College, to be consistent with public health protocols and to ensure campus and community health and safety. Following the Governor’s executive orders we have made the decision to close the College, effective at noon, today for a two-week period. This includes Main Campus, as well as all campuses and University Center. Additionally, while we will continue to deliver classes via virtual learning, we are cancelling all face-to-face labs. Faculty will communicate directly with their students on how they will deal with such classes. However, they cannot meet face-to-face. All staff, except ‘essential employees’ will be sent home at noon today. While campus is closed and doors will be locked, limited access will be available with your employee ID card if you need equipment or supplies.
We have now divided all staff into one of two categories: ‘Essential’ and ‘Non-Reporting/ On-Call’. If you are an ‘Essential’ employee, you will be told by noon today. Vice Presidents will communicate with supervisors on identifying essential and non-reporting/on-call employees. Supervisors will communicate the way forward reporting schedule and safety protocols for essential employees. A team will then work to develop further details and will communicate with all other employees (‘Non-Reporting/On-call’) on how you will be considered moving forward. The College reserves the right to change or modify your classification at any time based on changing circumstances and need. Be sure to monitor your NMC email for further information.
No matter how you are categorized, you will be compensated. This includes all part-time and student workers. We will be monitoring the situation and will reassess at the end of March. We are trying our best to not impact those who may be least able to endure that financial burden. Should the period of closing go beyond the end of the semester, the College reserves the right to modify this plan. We will be assessing our supplemental staffing levels and will communicate with those employees directly later this week.
For those who are Essential and Non-reporting/On-Call, further information will be shared as to how your work will continue during the days the College is closed. Look for those details over the next 48 hours and respond accordingly.
Faculty are essential employees and will continue teaching their classes virtually, with no course/lab work permitted on campus. In order to continue serving faculty in their transitioning from face-to-face instruction to virtual teaching and learning, essential employees (e.g., Educational Media Technologies) will still be available. However, we ask that you severely limit your need to be on campus and follow social distancing and other CDC health protocols, if you must visit campus, in order to plan for and deliver your teaching online.
I would like to thank our staff, faculty, and students for the cooperation that has been displayed during the unprecedented situation we are facing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The presence of the first case here in Traverse City has changed our plans yet again. However, we are resilient and will continue to plan for the days ahead with our employees and students in mind.
Stay safe. Together we will overcome.
Nick
—
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
Mar 17, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Due to the confirmation of two COVID-19 cases in the region, Northwestern Michigan College today closed all five of its campuses in Traverse City to all but essential employees for two weeks, through at least March 31.
“Local cases are a trigger event we identified that would necessitate the closing of the college, to be consistent with public health protocols and to ensure campus and community health and safety,” President Nick Nissley said. “All staff, except ‘essential employees’ will be sent home at noon today.”
Faculty are essential employees and will continue teaching their classes virtually, with no course/lab work permitted on campus. On March 13 NMC announced it would shift face-to-face classes to distance learning beginning March 16. That transition is expected to be complete by Friday, March 20. Virtual learning will continue through April 27.
Non-essential employees are considered non-reporting /on call. Nissley assured college employees the closure will not affect compensation.
“No matter how you are categorized, you will be compensated. This includes all part-time and student workers. We will be monitoring the situation and will reassess at the end of March,” he said.
Today’s decision expands steps already taken. The Dennos Museum Center closed March 14 through April 6. Major NMC events for the next two months are canceled, including the NMC Barbecue originally scheduled for May 17. See a complete list of canceled events here.
“This is an extraordinary step, but working with our partners in health care and public safety, we are convinced it is necessary,” Nissley said.
Stay informed of the latest updates at nmc.edu/coronavirus.
Release date: MARCH 17, 2020
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019 (o)
(231) 392-6082 (mobile)
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
Mar 16, 2020 | Intercom, President Updates
Dear NMC Family,
As you are well aware, our world has changed dramatically in the matter of a couple of months, since the start of the semester; since COVID-19 entered our daily newsfeed and conversations, affecting our wider world, our country, and even right here in Michigan and at NMC.
In an effort to more effectively support student and campus safety, last week we decided to transition from face-to-face classes to virtual; to afford us social distancing precaution, while also seeking to minimize disruption to student learning. After sharing this decision with our campus community last Friday, I spent the rest of the morning and Saturday meeting one-on-one with students, to listen to their reactions, and to better understand their concerns about such a transition. I heard three consistent themes from them: (more…)
Mar 16, 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.
NMC taking precautions as coronavirus spreads
UpNorthLive, March 12 (more…)
Mar 16, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — As our state continues efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended the Stay Home, Stay Safe order through June 12. To support this effort, and comply with the order, Northwestern Michigan College extended the closure of all five of its campuses in Traverse City through June 12.
NMC began a limited reopening of its campuses June 15 in accordance with the college’s 4-stage Reopening Plan and Exposure Control Plan. Learn more here »
NMC’s five campuses include:
- Main – 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City
- Great Lakes – 715 E. Front St., Traverse City
- Aero Park – 2600 Aero Park Dr., Traverse City
- University Center – 2200 Dendrinos Dr., Traverse City
- Rogers Observatory – 1753 Birmley Road, Traverse City
In an ongoing effort to ensure public safety, please see the following list of event cancellations and closures:
virtual
CANCELED
- All Rogers Observatory Public Viewing Nights for 2020
- NMC Transfer Fair – March 17, 2020
- Free Visiting Artist Lecture and Workshop – March 18, 2020
- International Affairs Forum – March 19, 2020
- Panel discussion on legalized marijuana’s implications for health – March 20, 2020
- 2nd Annual Concert for Community Awareness – March 20, 2020
- Blood Drive – April 6, 2020
- Long Night Against Procrastination – April 16, 2020
- International Affairs Forum – April 16, 2020
- A Taste of Success – April 17, 2020
- Mystical Arts of Tibet (Dennos Concert Series) – April 17, 2020
- Big Little Hero Race – April 18, 2020
- T/S State of Michigan open house – April 18, 2020
- NMC Retirement & Recognition Reception – April 22, 2020
- Loudon Wainwright III (Dennos Concert Series) – May 2, 2020
- Nursing Pinning Ceremony – May 3, 2020
- Lifelong Learning Campus Day – May 8, 2020
- Native American immersion camp – June 15-18, 2020
- Kids Free Fishing Day – June 20, 2020
- Mike McIntosh Memorial Car and Truck Show – Sept. 12, 2020
Postponed
- NMC Commencement – May 2, 2020 (TO BE RESCHEDULED)
- NMC’s commencement ceremony will either be delayed until August 2020, or a double ceremony will be held in May 2021.
- All commencement-related activities, including Honors Convocation, will also be postponed.
- NMC Fellows Dinner – June 4, 2020 (TO BE RESCHEDULED)
CLOSED
- The Hawk Owl Café in the Oleson Center (now open in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Innovation Center)
- The Hawks Nest in East Hall
- Northwest Grind–Starbucks (now open in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Innovation Center)
- The NMC Fitness Center
- The NMC Bookstore (now open)
- The NMC Library (now open in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Innovation Center)
- Lobdell’s: A Teaching Restaurant (open Sept. 16)
- The Hagerty Center
- The Dennos Museum Center (now open)
- Aero Park Professional Testing Center (now open)
RELEASE DATE: March 16, 2020; Last updated September 9, 2020
For More Information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019 (direct)
231) 995-1020 (office)
(231) 392-6082 (mobile)
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
