Central Michigan University has told students to stay home after spring break ends this week and take all classes online until at least March 20.

Cancelling on-campus classes comes as Michigan recorded its first two cases of COVID-19 in the Metro Detroit area and the same day Michigan State University took the same action.

There have been no identified cases of coronavirus at CMU.

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to The Morning Sun Please consider supporting local news; subscribe for only 99¢ for the first month.

"Out of an abundance of caution, and to prevent and contain the spread of the coronavirus, all CMU classes will move online after spring break through March 20," the university announced.

"This means students should not return to campus following spring break."

All face-to-face classes at our main campus in Mt. Pleasant — and at all of CMU’s satellite campuses throughout the U.S. with the exception of those on military bases — will move to an online format.

A decision regarding classes for the following week will be made by Thursday, March 19, at 4 p.m., officials said.

"The Emergency Management team, composed of leaders and subject matter experts throughout campus, is collaborating daily, focusing on preparedness and response," President Bob Davies told the university community.

"We continue to follow guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and our state and local health authorities."

The campus will remain open, and business operations will continue with appropriate measures to protect the health of the university community.

Below are guidelines announced by Davies:

Students and families

Residence halls will remain closed for all but international students and student-athletes until Sunday, March 22, at 9 a.m. However, the East Community (Celani, Emmons, Fabiano, Herrig, Saxe and Woldt Halls), Graduate Housing, Northwest Apartments and Kewadin Village, will remain open for students already on campus. Limited food service will be provided; more information about food service can be found on this website.

Students needing to retrieve essential items from their residence hall rooms may stop by their Residence Hall Director’s office on Sunday, March 15, or Monday, March 16, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to make arrangements to access their room; they will not be allowed to spend the night in their living unit, however. Students with any additional questions should call the Office of Residence Life at 989-774-3111.

Faculty and staff

Faculty will receive a letter shortly from Provost Mary C. Schutten, providing additional information and guidance for moving their classes to an online format. We are evaluating classroom experiences such as labs and performance classes, and the university will provide specific guidance in the coming days. Guidelines will be reviewed daily and updates and/or modifications will be shared as more information becomes available.

As campus remains open and operations will continue, staff are expected to report to work.

Additional information about COVID-19 reporting, guidance for managers and supervisors, employee-leave management, and associated workplace issues — including telecommuting options — will be sent in the coming days.

Events and services

All CMU-sponsored events or gatherings of more than 50 people are canceled through March 31 — this includes registered student organizations. Athletic events will follow NCAA and Mid-American Conference (MAC) guidelines.

No new events will be scheduled on campus through March 31.

Additional information on campus services through March 23:

The Student Activity Center is closed.

Park Library remains open.

The Counseling Center remains open and also provides online counseling services.

Travel

University-sponsored domestic travel through March 31 is canceled. Discretion should be used in booking further travel.

The restrictions of university-sponsored travel to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea, previously announced on March 3, remain in effect.

We continue to strongly recommend and encourage you to be cautious about your personal travel choices, particularly for international travel.

"As noted above, this situation is evolving every day, and all CMU guidelines are subject to change as we learn more," Davies said. "I appreciate your understanding and continued cooperation as we make necessary decisions to keep everyone safe."

Students and faculty were told to monitor the university's website for further updates or changes.

"I also want to thank the individuals and teams who are working countless hours to address this rapidly developing issue," Davies said.

"Thank you also to our students, faculty, staff and community for all you do to promote a safe and healthy Central Michigan University."