MARQUETTE, MI-- Northern Michigan University is making classes online-only until a majority of COVID-19 test results come back from the lab.
President Fritz Erickson says Northern is conducting about 7,700 COVID-19 tests of students, faculty and staff. About 7,300 have been completed, but the University has only received 3,800 results. Erickson says the lab processing the tests promised to return results in 24 to 48 hours but there’s been a delay in returns.
The Marquette County Health Department recommended NMU push back the start of the fall semester by a day and make the first week remote instruction only until more test results come back.
An online petition started by an NMU student also asked the administration to hold off on in-person classes until officials knew how many COVID-19 carriers are among the student body.
Classes now begin Tuesday.
Testing for late-arriving students is being held Monday.
