We know there are many of you helping students, helping each other and helping the community during this unprecedented time. Share these uplifting stories by emailing them to publicrelations@nmc.edu to help raise our spirits and bring us closer together as we work toward our common goals.
What and who are you grateful for right now? Who has helped you? Who do you see stepping up and pitching in to help others?
Please share your story, or tell us a story of a classmate, instructor, staff member or co-worker who is demonstrating how NMC is made up of heroes and helpers. Send your stories to publicrelations@nmc.edu.
This message applies to all Regular Faculty, Regular Staff and Student Employees,
Thank you for your work during this unprecedented time. We appreciate your patience and support as the College makes important updates to our leave tracking system in ADP. These updates are to ensure you get the important resources you need and that the college is eligible for COVID-19 related support from the federal government.
NMC will begin using additional ADP pay codes that are directly related to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), effective April 20, 2020, while continuing to use the COVID-19 code.
If you are hourly:
Please continue to report the hours worked on your time card as regular hours
Please continue to report those hours scheduled, but not worked under the COVID-19 leave code, unless you are using the FFCRA leave explained below.
If you are salaried:
Please continue to report any time not worked as a time off request under COVID-19, unless you are using the FFCRA leave explained below.
The following new leave types have been created under federal law to track time off required to address very specific COVID-19 related issues.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave can be used for yourself or to care for others impacted by the coronavirus:
Full Time Employees are eligible for up to 80 hours of paid sick leave.
Part Time Employees are eligible for the number of hours usually worked, averaged over a 2 week period.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave has two leave codes:
Families First Employee Pay- (ADP code is FF-PSL-EE)
To be used if the employee is unable to work due to being quarantined (due to a Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a healthcare provider), and/or experiencing COVID19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis. This reason is available for your own illness related to covid19.
A letter/note from your medical provider will be required if you are being asked to stay out from work due to the above reasons.
Submit the letter/note to Hollie DeWalt in HR through email hdewalt@nmc.edu, or by fax 231-995-1590.
Wages will be paid at 100% for this pay/leave code.
The time is intended to be used in one increment, and not intermittently. The purpose of the leave is to keep someone out of the workplace while they might be contagious.
Families First Family Care Pay- (ADP code is FF-PSL-FAM)
To be used if the employee is unable to work because of the need to care for a family member subject to quarantine (due to a Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a healthcare provider), or care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID19.
Wages will be paid at 100% for this pay/leave code.
How do I request the use of Paid Sick Leave under FFCRA?
Expanded FMLA is also available if you are caring for your child whose school or place of care is closed due to the coronavirus. ADP pay code for this leave is FF-FMLA
Eligibility occurs after 30 days of employment.
12 weeks of FMLA are available (this total includes any other FMLA time you have taken in a year).
The first 10 work days of the 12 week period are either unpaid, using the Emergency Paid Sick Leave, or your own leave banks.
The following 10 weeks of this leave are paid at 100% of your wages.
Expanded FMLA can be used consecutively or intermittently.
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.
The video below is of the Virtual Town Hall conducted for NMC employees Thursday, April 17, with President Nick Nissley, vice-presidents Vicki Cook, Marguerite Cotto, Todd Neibauer and Stephen Siciliano, and Diana Fairbanks, Holly Gorton and Mark Liebling. More than 200 people attended.
If you were unable get your questions answered during the meeting, or if you have any followup questions or feedback, please email them to publicrelations@nmc.edu. You can view the meeting agenda here.
As Michigan continues to be impacted by this unpredictable illness, we want to remain a supportive partner by sharing important health care coverage updates.
Important COVID-19 coverage news
Your health plan will now fully cover your treatment of COVID-19 in addition to screening and testing.
Your plan already covers screening, whether in-person or virtual, at $0 if your doctor orders a COVID-19 test.
If a doctor orders testing based upon your screening results, the test will also be administered at no cost to you.
In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one on your health plan is diagnosed with this illness, your treatment of COVID-19 will be fully covered at 100%. We will waive all copays, deductibles and coinsurance for inpatient and outpatient COVID-19 treatment from an in-network provider through June 30.
Remember, COVID-19 is extremely contagious, so please use virtual care as a first step if you are experiencing symptoms. Contact your primary care provider to ask about virtual care options or log in to your Priority Health member account for virtual care.
For a limited time get your prescriptions safely with free in-home delivery from Meijer, Walgreens and CVS
Our online member FAQs have the latest on prescription delivery, coverage details and more – all in one place.
Coverage options and other helpful resources
During these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever that you have coverage for health care. Whether you’ve lost your job, your employment status has changed, or you want to see if you qualify for financial assistance, you have options.
We’re looking forward to “seeing” you tomorrow at our virtual Town Hall meeting. The live event will begin at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Please check your calendar appointment tomorrow for the Zoom link. We will also share a link to the recording of the event afterward for those of you who cannot attend.
This Town Hall will include an update from President Nick Nissley on the work of the college during the last month and a look toward our future. Nick will also be joined by a panel of vice-presidents to answer your questions. You can submit your questions ahead of the event to publicrelations@nmc.edu. During the event you can submit your questions by using the Q&A feature in Zoom. We will try to get to as many questions as possible during the scheduled hour.
We are also planning the annual spring budget presentations later in May. This year they will be held via Zoom. Please watch your email for details.
The Board of Trustees meeting will be held as scheduled April 27, but will also take place virtually. We will share more details including the Zoom link soon.
Thank you for all of your work during this unusual time. We look forward to reconnecting as a college community at our Town Hall on Thursday afternoon.
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President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
In order to provide the opportunity to continue collecting mail during the campus closure, departments should call the NMC Facilities Department at (231) 995-1111 to schedule an appointment for mail pickup.
Employees should wear a face covering such as a mask or scarf when entering the facilities building, and also answer the health and safety questions from the county in this document.
The Global Literature Reading Group will still be meeting this Thursday, April 16 from noon to 1 p.m. to discuss “The Line Becomes a River”, by Francisco Cantu. This discussion will take place via Zoom meeting.
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.
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 April 30. 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 April 30.
Virtual instruction of classes will continue through the end of the semester May 2. You can also see a complete list of canceled events here.
The following NMC services remain closed:
The Hawk Owl Café in the Oleson Center
Northwest Grind–Starbucks in Osterlin Library
The NMC Fitness Center
The NMC Bookstore
Osterlin Library
Lobdell’s: A Teaching Restaurant
The Hagerty Center
The Dennos Museum Center
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 instructor or use this feedback form and one of our student support team members will get back to you within 24 hours.
As we get updates and changes, we post them first on nmc.edu/coronavirus. Please check there for the latest information.
Available resources:
NMC has also compiled a list of resources to help you succeed in your studies during this challenging time, which include the following:
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 April 30. 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 April 30.
College employees are already categorized into essential and non-reporting/on call classifications. HR will contact all employees Tuesday, April 14, with more detailed information about employee status for the remainder of the semester.
Faculty are essential employees and will continue teaching their classes virtually, with no course/lab work permitted on campus.
Virtual instruction of classes will continue through the end of the semester, May 2. You can also see a complete list of canceled events here.
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.
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.
We know this has been a time of uncertainty and change as we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic together. During the last few weeks, you have shown incredible perseverance and agility and we recognize your hard work. We at NMC remain committed to our work to keep you safe and limit the disruption to learning as much as possible.
The impact of the pandemic is still evolving so we cannot predict when current restrictions on our campuses will be lifted. In order to help keep you on track toward your goals, and to keep you safe, NMC will offer online classes only this summer. Registration is now open.
For students currently enrolled in Summer 2020 face to face classes, most classes will be migrated to the new online status automatically; you do not need to do anything to remain enrolled in your current summer courses. Your instructor will contact you before the class starts.
We will also expand our summer course offerings beyond the face to face classes that are now becoming online classes. This means additional opportunities for you to earn credits over the summer and make progress toward your goal. If demand for those online classes increases, we may be able to add even more sections.
If NMC is able to re-open campus, it is possible that we could offer some classes face to face, like certain labs. First priority would go to spring lab classes that were unable to finish. We are also working on our plans for the fall semester. While we are discussing various possibilities, it is too soon to make a decision. We will continue to communicate with you as we know more.
Many of you have also asked about testing since the testing center is currently closed. NMC will be offering a remote online proctor tool called Proctorio. NMC is covering the cost of this service so it will be free for students. Your instructor will share the details with you.
If you have any questions on any topic related to NMC, please use this feedback form and one of our student support team members will respond to you within 24 hours.
For COVID-19 related updates, online resources and more please visit nmc.edu/coronavirus.
Personal health counseling services are also available virtually. Please contact student life for more information.
Thank you again for all of your patience and perseverance as we work through this together.
Over the last few months, in between her nursing shifts in a Kalamazoo hospital’s medical intensive care unit, Karissa Havens (right) followed the worsening COVID-19 epidemic as it swept from China to Europe to the United States.
The Traverse City West High School graduate, who attended NMC from 2013-2014 before transferring to Western Michigan University for her nursing degree, knew she had the skills to help both patients and overwhelmed hospitals in COVID-19 hot spots. She felt called to go where they were desperately needed.
Next week, she is. Havens, 24, has accepted a six-week traveling nurse position in a COVID-19 ICU unit at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. She was able to find a job within two days of deciding to leave Kalamazoo.
“I am completely humbled by this opportunity and ready to give everything I can to help fight this terrible virus,” Havens posted on Facebook announcing her move.
She will arrive in New York on the heels of 2015 nursing graduate and adjunct instructor Callie Leaman (left). Leaman, an ER nurse at Munson Medical Center, arrived in the epidemic’s epicenter Tuesday. She is working in midtown Manhattan at New York University Langone Health in a COVID-19 ICU unit.
Havens has not yet cared for any COVID-19 patients at her current hospital, Bronson Methodist, but she and her colleagues have researched how the disease has progressed in countries ahead of the U.S., studying patient presentation and care protocols.
“I don’t know if anything will really prepare me,” Havens said. For instance, Mount Sinai is establishing a tent annex in Central Park, directly opposite its building, to care for patients.
At NMC Havens took nursing prerequisite courses, including cell plant and ecosystem biology and chemistry. She remembers instructor Greg LaCross’s classes as among her favorites. She was also on the Dean’s List.
“I have no doubt she has made a difference in people’s lives, especially now, when our healthcare workers are so needed,” LaCross said.
She first considered going to Detroit, another hot spot, to help out her home state. But Detroit hospitals weren’t taking first-time traveling nurses. A licensing issue cropped up when she considered Chicago. But her qualifications were welcome in New York.
Havens begins work at Mount Sinai April 14. Her contract runs through May 31, though she expects it will likely be extended. It’s been most difficult to find affordable housing, though she thinks she’s found a temporary place. It’s a half-hour commute from the hospital, so she hopes the city keeps public transit running. She feels as ready for the challenge as she can be.
“I don’t have any kids, I’m not married. It’s just me and a dog. I’m the perfect candidate to go,” Havens said.
Her dog, Zaas, will stay with her parents in Interlochen. As for the general public, “Keep quarantining, and if possible, try and donate blood,” Havens said.
Do you know a helper or hero with NMC connections? Please share stories of students, instructors, alumni and community members stepping up during the COVID-19 epidemic by emailing publicrelations@nmc.edu.
While the Dennos Museum Center remains closed, our staff has been working hard to make programming available online for you and your family. Upcoming concerts will take place Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 11 at noon.
The Live & Local Concert Series is presented by the Dennos and Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology to bring some much needed musical entertainment to your living room. We believe strongly in supporting our local musicians, and invite you to join us on Facebook Live to do the same. Featuring four local singer-songwriters, this could be the beginning of an ongoing series, so stay tuned. You can also visit crosshatch.org/emergency to support their local artist relief fund.
Greetings NMC Community! I hope this finds you well, and healthy!
In these times of self-quarantines and social distancing, we need to continue to find ways to connect with one another. What better way to do that than through music? And since we can’t make music in person, how about connecting virtually in our inaugural NMC Virtual Choir?
Answers to questions you may have:
I’m not the world’s best singer… could I still be a part of this? OF COURSE! This project is about connecting and creating community – the more the merrier! (Don’t worry, we can “fix it in the mix.”)
What will I need (equipment/technology) to record my video? A computer or laptop with a webcam, headphones that can plug into your computer, and an internet connection. (Sorry phones and tablets won’t work.)
Will I be able to review my video before I submit it? Yes! You will be able to review your video before submitting. And, you are able to re-record as many times as you wish until you’re satisfied with your video!
Can I submit more than one video? Sorry no. Please only submit one video – pick the voice part that’s most comfortable for you.
How will this work? I’ve attached a PDF of the piece we’ll be singing. Here are links to practice/reference recordings for each voice part. (I have also added this to the NMC Music App – You can download the app here for free.) There are several seconds of silence at the beginning of each track. We will need that later for video/sound synchronization.
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.
In the surreal times we are living through, get lost in the absurd trials of a man-turned-donkey due to his own inept experiments in witchcraft.
Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism by Anne Case and Angus Deaton
Non-fiction/Economics
A well-researched book arguing that the capitalism that lifted people out of poverty is now destroying blue-collar America. The authors propose solutions to make it work for all. Read it online now at ebookcentral.proquest.com/ (login required).
At Home: A Short History of Private Life / Bill Bryson Non-fiction/History
A personal compendium of fascinating facts suggesting how the history of domesticity has shaped our lives, language, and ideas.
Dangerous Laughter: Thirteen Stories / Steven Millhauser Fiction/Short Stories
Millhauser’s diverting stories concern themselves with how communities respond to unsettling phenomena and shifting norms, usually combining a sense of wonder, thrill and threat.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation / Ottessa Moshfegh Fiction
A young woman’s foray into a self-imposed and well-medicated year of isolation. Enough similarities to the current shelter-in-place to make this darkly funny story far more relevant than it might normally be.
Little Weirds / Jenny Slate Non-Fiction/Memoir
Jenny Slate is known for her Netflix special “Stage Fright” and as an actor in “Obvious Child.” Her extraordinary yet-strange writing style is full of light and hope and laughter.
Etymologicon / Mark Forsyth Non-fiction/ Linguistics
Fans of Mark Forsyth’s Inky Fool blog on the oddities of the English language will enjoy this interesting and funny book on etymology.
The Women of the Copper Country: a Novel by Mary Doria Russell.
Historical fiction
Set in 1913, the wife of a miner leads a strike against deadly labor practices and unfair wages in the company town of Calumet. Written by the New York Times best-selling author of The Sparrow.
The Wolfkeeper: Stories by Carolyn J. Lewis,
Fiction
Carol Lewis was an Old Mission Peninsula native, and her work is rooted in Northern Michigan culture and history. The book was published by Mission Point Press after her untimely death in 2019.
The Odyssey by Homer, Translated by Emily Wilson. Audiobook.
Classical Fiction
The first woman to publish a translation of the 3,000 year-old Odyssey, Emily Wilson presents the epic poem clearly with enough modern language making it understandable. Read by actress Claire Daines.
If you’re in need of a secure WiFi connection, you can still log on to NMC’s WiFi network from your vehicle while in NMC parking lots, despite the campuses being closed through April 31. For the strongest WiFi signal, refer to these maps. For the best WiFi reception, park as close to the building as possible, and park facing the building.
WiFi is also available in downtown Traverse City through a partnership between the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority and Traverse City Light & Power, though the connection has a 60-minute time limit. Online sources for locating other free WiFi hotspots include Yelp, Wi-Fi Space, WiFi Map and Wiman. (Note that many are password-protected.)
Also, multiple Internet Service Providers and Mobile Carriers have agreed to provide free Internet to K-12 and college students or unlimited data for 60 days beginning March 13, 2020. Learn more here.
We know there are many of you helping students, helping each other and helping the community during this unprecedented time. Share these uplifting stories by emailing them to publicrelations@nmc.edu to help raise our spirits and bring us closer together as we work toward our common goals.
Over the last few months, in between her nursing shifts in a Kalamazoo hospital’s medical intensive care unit, Karissa Havens (right) followed the worsening COVID-19 epidemic as it swept from China to Europe to the United States.
She will arrive in New York on the heels of 2015 nursing graduate and adjunct instructor Callie Leaman (left). Leaman, an ER nurse at Munson Medical Center, arrived in the epidemic’s epicenter Tuesday. She is working in midtown Manhattan at New York University Langone Health in a COVID-19 ICU unit.
While the Dennos Museum Center remains closed, our staff has been working hard to make programming available online for you and your family. Upcoming concerts will take place Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 11 at noon.
Attention NMC Students, Staff, Faculty and Northern Michigan Community Members with children at home!
The Golden Ass / Apuleius (
Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism
At Home: A Short History of Private Life / Bill Bryson
Dangerous Laughter: Thirteen Stories / Steven Millhauser
My Year of Rest and Relaxation / Ottessa Moshfegh
Little Weirds / Jenny Slate
Etymologicon / Mark Forsyth
The Women of the Copper Country: a Novel by Mary Doria Russell.
The Wolfkeeper: Stories by Carolyn J. Lewis,
The Odyssey by Homer, Translated by Emily Wilson. Audiobook.