NMU Faculty and Staff,

Last night’s (March 12) announcement by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to close all K-12 schools throughout the state has obviously challenged many working parents across Michigan, and certainly here on campus, regarding care for their children. This action by the state impacts all of us at Northern as we pull together to ensure that members of our NMU community have their immediate needs met. Thus, the plan below.

We understand that the K-12 and related childcare closures may impact a number of our employees who do not have viable longer-term daycare options. Employees in this situation should work with their department heads to determine whether alternative work arrangements can be managed (e.g. modifying work hours, telecommuting, etc.).  Creativity to keep employees working in some capacity is encouraged.

If there are no options for alternative work arrangements, employees will not be required to use annual leave time to cover the K-12 closure through April 5. However, employees will be required to use any remaining personal leave days and dependent care leave days. The definition of dependent care leave is being expanded to include caring for dependents impacted by the K-12 closure for this unique situation. Once these banks are depleted, any remaining time will be paid as regular paid time through April 5.

Please note that due to health and safety reasons, our standard practice remains not to allow children to attend work with their parents.

We have also received a number of questions regarding telecommuting options for other employees on campus. We are currently developing plans that will ensure that our technologies will support a large number of employees working remotely. However, at this time, the university remains open, and it is important we maintain the on -campus operations needed to meet the on-going needs of the NMU community. We understand we are dealing with a fluid situation and may need to make a different decision in the future. We have a general plan for the university to do that. We are now starting to meet with department heads to more specifically address the possibility of how work can be managed remotely as it relates to each unit, as well as how we will support the essential on-campus services that will still be required.  I appreciate your input to your department heads as we continue to work through these scenarios.

Being creative and caring in how we meet the needs of our employees – today for the K-12 working parents – while still keeping the university open and operational meets Governor Whitmer’s request that Michigan colleges and universities do everything they can to keep their faculty and staff employed during this challenging period. That is one of our top priorities.

If we all pull together, flex our innovative thinking, and stay focused on keeping everyone healthy and safe, we can do this. I thank you for taking on whatever role you have to as an NMU employee to help the University as a whole successfully navigate the COVID-19 coronavirus situation.

I know there are questions. Please watch our coronavirus website for a Frequently Asked Questions section, which we hope to have posted later today or by Monday, as well as updates from me and others.

And, please, I can’t stress this enough – PLEASE stay home when you are sick.

Fritz Erickson, NMU President

Leslie A. Warren Dean | Library and Instructional Support Northern Michigan University 906-227-2117 1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI 49855 Pronouns: she, her, hers