COVID-19 federal emergency relief funding for students

Apr 1, 2020 | Intercom

Good afternoon NMC faculty and staff,

With the passage of the COVID-19 federal relief package, we are anticipating significant emergency relief funding for our students. We are waiting on details of how qualification and awarding will work (likely heavily weighted toward Pell eligible students). It will likely take a couple of weeks for Federal Student Aid to provide these details.

In the meantime, we would like to collect information on the need and use any funds we currently have to help if we can. If you speak with students and they talk about financial stresses – job loss, health issues, etc. please send an email to sfs@nmc.edu and we will add them to our list. Here are some of the uses stated in the CARES Act so far: food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. But let us know if there are other needs. We will use the list to reach out to them when we know more.

What they can do in the meantime:

• Complete an NMC Scholarship Application (currently open for Spring, Summer and Fall – one application) if they haven’t already
• Watch their NMC email and the COVID-19 page for announcements

We currently have some funds remaining for 2020 that we are awarding, so we may be able to consider them for NMC scholarships more quickly. In particular, we have funds for child care needs, so make sure to list that in your email to us if that is a need.

Again, please send an email to sfs@nmc.edu with the student ID, name, and nature of their emergency need (food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, child care, or other).

Feel free to share this with others.

Thank you!

NMC transitions face-to-face classes to distance education classes beginning March 16

Mar 27, 2020 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will suspend face-to-face classes starting Monday, March 16, 2020 until Monday, April 27, in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep students, faculty and staff safe.

All NMC classes will be delivered via distance education if possible. Some courses may not be able to be delivered via distance education, including some occupational and lab classes (e.g. culinary and welding.) Detailed information and instructions pertaining to each individual class will be communicated to students directly from the instructor. Students should regularly monitor e-mail for updates.

“NMC is committed to keeping our communities safe, while working to limit the disruption to learning as much as possible,” NMC President Nick Nissley said.

NMC has been monitoring and preparing for the community spread of COVID-19 since February, with input from partners in the Grand Traverse County Health Department, Munson Healthcare and state and federal health and emergency response agencies. The move to suspend face-to-face classes supports Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order late Thursday to close all Michigan K-12 schools from March 16- April 5. The governor identified that this is not only to protect the students and their families, but overall public health. As of today there are 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan.

“We at NMC support these efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus in our community,” Nissley said. ”I am proud to see our faculty and staff work diligently together toward the goal of transitioning learning to distance education delivery where possible. There is still work to do and we will continue to keep you informed of changes.”

Given the highly fluid nature of the situation, the best place to find campus updates is nmc.edu/coronavirus. NMC plans to resume face-to-face classes on campus the week of April 27, in time for students to take final exams. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic, however, this may change and NMC will continue to communicate via online messages, email and social media.

While classes are transitioning to distance education delivery, NMC’s four campuses: main, Great Lakes, University Center and Aero Park, are still open at this time. This includes all services and offices, the Dennos Museum Center and the Hagerty Center. Many services are available via phone, email and video conference, and staff are actively working to expand those options. Counseling services are available for students feeling overwhelmed or anxious. NMC’s two residence halls, East Hall and North Hall, as well as the NMC apartments will remain open and food service will be available for those students who want to remain on campus.

“While one of our goals is to limit the disruption to learning, this is an historic event. Our college community has always proven itself to be resourceful with a history of overcoming challenges, and I am confident that together we will continue that proud tradition now and into the future,” Nissley said.

Release date: MARCH 13, 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)

COVID-19 update for all employees: “stay at home” order

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.

NMC”s annual Retirement and Recognition Reception postponed

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.

Team Excellence and Staff Excellence Awards deadline extension

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!

Deadline extended – NMC required compliance training

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.

• Title IX: Bridges: Building a Supportive Community – (Refresher Course) Duration: 30 minutes
• FERPA – Duration: 30 minutes
• Computer and Information Security Awareness Training – (Full course) Duration: 52 minutes
• Bloodborne Pathogens – (Role specific training) Duration: 24 minutes

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!

COVID-19 update for NMC employees

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.