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NMU restricts on-campus visitors due to coronavirus

MARQUETTE, MI--   The following is an email from Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson to the campus community:

NMU Students, Faculty and Staff,

Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, stated on national television last Sunday (Oct. 18) that the next 6-12 weeks are going to be “the darkest of the entire pandemic.” I’d like to tell you for certain that the prediction doesn’t apply to NMU, but that would not be wise. While Northern’s COVID-19 cases are relatively low, they are increasing. And, Marquette County’s rates are rising to match other hot spots of the Upper Peninsula. Wisconsin, on our border, is the epicenter of the U.S. pandemic right now. That is why we are imposing a two-week pause for guests on campus, beginning 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Nov. 6. The graphs below were provided by the Marquette County Health Department. Please note the red and dark orange. 

To do what we can to mitigate from community to campus, we are putting the following guest restrictions in place, effective 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Nov. 6:

·       On-campus visits and tours for prospective students, including student-athletes, and their families scheduled for this time period are suspended and will be rescheduled or moved to a virtual format.  

·       Two Saturday, Oct. 24, events will go on, but with modifications. Make a Difference Day will only include leaf raking for senior residents in the City of Marquette. The Center of Student Enrichment will provide the rakes and bags so there is no contact with the homeowners. The Marching Band’s performance at the Superior Dome will be streamed live for all, including parents who were scheduled to travel to campus. 

·       Non-NMU individuals coming onto campus for university business during this period must be approved by the appropriate division leader, this includes anyone who was previously approved. It is strongly recommended that meetings, presentations, and events be rescheduled or moved to a virtual format so we can limit the number of guests on campus over the next two weeks.

·       The PEIF is being closed to all non-NMU individuals. Only NMU students, faculty and staff rec members will be able to use the facility during this period. Community and family recreation sports members will receive an extension on their memberships to cover the lost access to services during the restricted period.

·       Reserving NMU facilities space for non-university purposes is suspended and reservations cancelled through Nov. 6. This includes space in the Northern Center, Berry Events Center, PEIF, Superior Dome and Jacobetti Complex. Cancellation of space does not include contracted renters, although these areas will need to restrict off-campus clients and visitors as well. Barnes and Noble-NMU and the Wildcat Den will remain open to NMU students, faculty and staff.

·       The Superior Dome community walking program will not begin as it was scheduled to do during this time period.

·       On-campus job interviews scheduled for this time period should be moved to a virtual format or rescheduled.

These restrictions will be reevaluated at the end of the month based on what’s happening with the COVID-19 rates in Marquette and the region. Now is when we must be exceptionally diligent in our efforts to keep COVID-19 at bay. We are in Week 10 with a goal to not have to switch to remote learning this semester. You know what that means: wear your mask (properly) indoors and outdoors when you’re near people, social distance and avoid large gatherings, wash your hands frequently, limit your travel, and stay home when you do not feel well or are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.  Nov. 24, the last day of classes, is 5 weeks -- just 34 days -- away.

Stay safe,
Fritz Erickson, NMU President

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.