March 23, 2020
SVSU response to "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order
Dear campus community,
In light of Governor Whitmer’s executive order to “stay home, stay safe” through Monday, April 13, we are moving forward with plans to further reduce the number of staff reporting to campus, while maintaining University operations. Classes are continuing in the remote/online formats begun last week.
Many faculty and staff have been in a “work from home” environment since last week, and that will continue for them. Some individuals who had been reporting to campus now also will transition to work from home. All supervisors and staff should communicate with one another regarding expectations and accountability for assignments during this public health emergency.
A few hundred students continue to reside on campus. We will continue to serve them through Campus Dining, using “grab and go” service. University Police will be visible on campus as they continue to protect and serve the campus 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Campus Facilities staff will continue their important work to ensure sanitization and other critical services, though fewer of them will be reporting to campus on a daily basis. Due to the reduced staffing levels, we will be securing certain areas of campus, locking exterior doors, closing some restrooms, etc.
Faculty, staff or students who need a computer to complete their duties should submit an IT support ticket (mysupport.svsu.edu) or call 989-964-4225 and leave a voice mail. An IT staff member will be in touch to make arrangements for use of a loaned laptop.
Faculty and staff who experience problems with university equipment should submit an IT support ticket (mysupport.svsu.edu) or call 989-964-4225 and leave a voice mail. If a remote session fails to resolve the issue, an IT staff member will make arrangements to provide a loaned laptop.
We cannot stress enough the importance of social distancing, wherever we might be. SVSU is a friendly, welcoming place. In normal times, we hold doors open for one another, and we gather together in close proximity. These are not normal times. The most friendly, welcoming thing you can do right now, for yourself and others, is to shelter in place as much as possible; when you must interact with others, please practice social distancing and good hygiene.
Registered Student Organizations and all other student groups must suspend face-to-face meetings for the duration of the governor’s executive order. Many have already moved their meetings online.
At the same time, we know students, faculty and staff may be experiencing changes in our every-day routines and social isolation during this difficult time. Please reach out to your fellow Cardinals. Offer them a word of encouragement. Share ideas on how you are staying on top of your work and school assignments. Let’s stay connected, learn from one another and show one another – and everyone else watching us – how much we care.
Finally, to all of our students and alumni working on the front lines to respond to this pandemic: thank you. Our Cardinal family is supporting our state and our world as first responders, health care professionals, educators, IT professionals, business leaders, and in countless other ways. As a former criminal justice professor here at SVSU, I have heard from dozens of my former students working at the local, state and federal level. Their commitment to serving others inspires me and motivates me to ensure that we work together to continue to prepare the next generation of servant leaders.
Stay healthy. Stay home. Stay safe.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Bachand, President