COVID-19 Resources for Faculty and Staff
Northern Michigan University is working diligently to keep faculty and staff informed about the decisions and actions it is making regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Human Resources has assembled a list of resources for all employees, including things such as:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
- Telecommuting Tips and Checklists
- Managing Your Stress and Anxiety
- Supervisor Resources
Returning to Work
Before returning to campus to work, each employee is required to review NMU's Preparedness and Response Plan. The plan includes important information including NMU's workplace infection controls, proper use of PPE, and the steps to take if you receive a COVID-19 diagnosis. After reviewing the plan, employees will be required to attest that they understand NMU's COVID-19 safety protocols.
Official University Communications
The university's formal method of communicating decisions made about related to the pandemic is email to your NMU account.
COVID-19 Testing
Northern will be conducting free COVID-19 nasal swab testing for students, faculty and staff between July 27 and August 15 during NMU’s Passport to Campus event.
All NMU employees are required to test, either during the Passport to Campus event or with another test provider of their choice, before they return to work on campus. Only tests conducted on or after July 27, 2020 will be accepted.
Passport to Campus testing will occur in 20 private bays located within the Northern Center ballrooms and will take approximately five minutes. To promote social distancing, you will register for a time slot to check in. The time slots between 8 - 9 am are reserved for individuals with higher risk for COVID-19 complications.
Test results for Passport to Campus will be available to each participant through the Passport to Campus application. Positive results and guidance will also be conveyed directly by the Health Center staff. If you test positive, follow the recommendations of your health provider.
Employees who test outside the Passport to Campus event must provide evidence to Human Resources. Human Resources is available to provide information about accommodations or medical leave.
If you have symptoms or possible exposure, do not go to work
Contact Human Resources if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Contact your supervisor if you:
- feel unwell,
- are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or
- believe you have been exposed to someone with the COVID-19 virus.
If you develop symptoms while you are at work, call or email your supervisor, or wear a mask to inform your supervisor from a minimum six-foot distance. You will be required to go home. For medical emergencies, call 911. Your supervisor will file a confidential form that will be submitted to the NMU designated reporter.
Daily Self-Screening Questionnaire
Each day, by reporting to work on campus, employees are attesting that they have reviewed the questionnaire, feel well, do not have apparent COVID-19 symptoms, and do not know that they have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual.
- How do I feel physically?
- Have I recently developed any of these ailments, unrelated to any other health issues I have?
- Cough, newly developed or worsening
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills or repeated shaking with chills
- Feeling feverish or have fever above 100.4F*
- Muscle aches
- Abdominal pain
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Recent loss of smell or taste
- Could I have been exposed?
- Someone in my household has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is displaying symptoms
- I know that I have been exposed to someone with COVID-19
*Employees can pick up 10 disposable thermometers from the NMU Police Department
This questionnaire does not replace the judgment of healthcare professionals.
Workplace Hygiene & Cleaning Requirements
- When on campus, all employees will wear face coverings when in shared spaces and interacting with others.*
- Frequently wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer.
- Additional personal protection equipment may be requested from your supervisor or the NMU Safety Department.
- When returning to work and on a daily basis, clean and sanitize your high-touch surfaces.
- Use cleaning supplies supplied by the University.
- Adhere to signs noting the maximum number of individuals allowed in small spaces.
- Discuss with your supervisor or facilities staff any concerns you may have.
- See the complete plan for details on classrooms, labs, public spaces and other special use areas.
- Practice social distancing; stay six feet away from people who do not live in your household.
*Contact Disability Services (students) or Human Resources (employees) if a medical exemption is required.
Tentative Facility Re-Open Plan
Northern’s campus will remain mostly closed until Aug. 3. Facilities will open in a phased approach as follows. More details and dates will be provided as they become available, but this is the tentative schedule for the various phases.
Week of July 6
- Studio 102 (Harden Hall ) – only for faculty who need to record fall semester lectures.
Week of July 13
- One athletic weight room in the Superior Dome, approved by Safety Committee. Limited hours, supervised by NMU strength and conditioning coach.
- Center for Student Enrichment (safety plan approved)
Week of July 20 (some departments in these facilities already on site)
Departments in the following facilities can begin requesting employee access to their offices if supervisors have completed their Safety Committee walk-thru, made required space changes and had their employees complete the “Return to Work” attestation process. The buildings will remain closed to the public.
- C.B. Hedgcock
- Cohodas Hall
- Gries Hall - NMU Health Center only
- Services Building
- West Science – (faculty offices, Speech & Hearing Clinic - needs approval of safety plan)
Week of July 27
Departments in the following facilities can begin requesting employee access to their offices if supervisors have completed their Safety Committee walk-thru, made required space changes and had their employees complete the “Return to Work” attestation process. The buildings will remain closed to the public.
- Art and Design Building (not Devos Art Museum, classrooms or labs; faculty/staff areas only)
- BEAR Center for summer program (safety plan submitted)
- Gries Hall (faculty/staff areas only; HC already open)
- Harden Hall (on July 29 due to July 28 planned power outage; not Archives, Fieras or Sundre until Aug. 17)
- Jamrich Hall (not Starbucks or classrooms)
- Superior Dome (coach/athletic training and other staff offices only, no Dome walking)
- Weston Hall (not classrooms or labs)
- Whitman Hall (not the Commons or classrooms)
Week of Aug. 3
All non-residence hall campus facilities re-open to the public. Departments are expected to have their public areas staffed from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
These remaining campus areas will re-open providing they have completed their Safety Committee walk-thru, made required space changes and had their employees complete the “Return to Work” attestation process can request employee card access to their offices.
- NMU Archives
- Beaumier Heritage and Alumni Welcome Center
- Berry Events Center
- DeVos Art Museum
- Forest Roberts Theatre
- Jacobetti Complex (not classrooms or labs)
- McClintock Building
- Northern Center
- Thomas Fine Arts (not classrooms or labs)
- All remaining spaces in academic facilities
- PEIF Rec Center (no showers/saunas, locker room use only for changing clothes) -- providing state mandate regarding gyms has been lifted
- Most NMU outdoor spaces, including Lincoln Street practice fields, tennis courts
August 8-13
NMU’s residence halls reopen to the general student population on Saturday, Aug. 8. Individuals or teams who need early housing must work with NMU Housing and Residence Life in advance to make arrangements. Northern Lights Dining and CatTrax reopen Saturday, Aug. 8, and the Wildcat Den on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Week of Aug. 17
Fall classes begin on Monday, Aug. 17. Reopening that day are the following NMU eateries: Fierars, Melted, Starbucks and Sundre.