Summer Financial Aid Available Online
Summer financial aid can now be used online at the NMC Bookstore! Available for all products online; simply select WebFinancial Aid at checkout.
Questions? Email us at bookstore@nmc.edu.
Michigan Legends and Lore: Stories from Shore to Shore Virtual Storytelling Program
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
See the Facebook Event post.
LegalShield Resources
Get answers to your legal and identity theft questions at the LegalShield website.
ORS Offering Online Retirement Seminars
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.
Kudos
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!
IAF hosts discussion on refugees & COVID-19
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…)
Online Book Buyback
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.
Success Story: Rising to the challenges of COVID-19
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.
Calling all Hawk Owl Heroes and Helpers
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.
IMPORTANT: Instructions on Time Reporting Using New Leave Codes
Dear all,
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?
- Complete the Request Form found at this link.
- Report time used in ADP
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.
- How do I request the use of the Expanded FMLA?
- Complete the Request Form found at this link.
- Report time used in ADP.
If you have questions about this, please contact Hollie DeWalt at 995-1350 or HDeWalt@nmc.edu.
Best Regards, Mark
—
Mark Liebling
AVP of Human Resources
1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-1342
Media Mentions for April 20, 2020
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.
GTPulse: Dennos Museum Center Teaches Kids in Quarantine How to Draw
9&10 News, April 20 (more…)
April 16 Virtual Town Hall video
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.
Internal Promotions
The following employee was promoted internally. Please join us in congratulating him! (more…)
Benefit Expansion under the CARES Act- HSA and FSA impact
Find a resource from Meritain Health on how the CARES Act impacts HSA and FSA plans HERE. See details about qualified expenses.
Priority Health- Important Message
The following message is from Priority Health:
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.
- See our updated COVID-19 resources and information page on these topics and much more.
TIAA – Member Resource Center
TIAA has created a web resource center with information, insights and expert analysis to help participants stay informed in this time of uncertainty.
Employee Anniversaries – April
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Summer Books Available
Summer books are now available online through the NMC Bookstore! Visit bookstore.nmc.edu for information on all required materials for summer classes.
Students wanting to use financial aid for their purchases will be able to do so starting April 27.
In-store pickup is not available at this time.
April 16 Virtual Town Hall Information
Good afternoon NMC community,
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.
—
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
Mail Collection Procedures
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.
Global Literature Reading Group to meet via Zoom April 16
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.
Please email npandolfi@nmc.edu for details on how to join!
Find more details on the Global Literature Reading Group here.
Media Mentions for April 13, 2020
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.
Nursing grads can work under temporary license
Record-Eagle, April 12 (more…)
Update for NMC Students: Governor extends “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order
Dear students:
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:
- Student Services including advising, personal counseling and free tutoring are also available. Online tutoring in math, Biology, A/P, Chemistry, Accounting, Spanish and Computers is available now. Zoom sessions are also available. Email tutoring@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1138 for help.
- Academic resources like an orientation to Moodle, NMC’s online course management system.
- A list of providers and mobile carriers offering free Internet service to students.
- Instructions for using online video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet (formerly Hangouts).
- The NMC Food Pantry, which can help supply you with food and personal items.
NMC Public Relations
Update for NMC Employees: Governor extends “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order
Dear employees:
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.
NMC Public Relations
Important update on summer classes
Dear students,
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.
The Advising Center can help you with class options or changes to your schedule. Call them at (231) 995-1040, email advising@nmc.edu, or schedule directly online through MySuccess (NMC student login required). Learn more about MySuccess here.
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.