2020 Update Archives

November 16, 2020

Important Update: Michigan Emergency Order Impact on Campus Effective Wednesday

To the Kettering Community, 

There is nothing more important than your health, and that of those around you. We understand that you are weary of the restrictions placed upon your lives by COVID. We all are. However, the number of people contracting this disease is growing quickly, and catching it will be deadly for some. Please keep wearing your mask, keep appropriate distance in social situations, and first and foremost care for yourself and those around you.

Last night, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), issued a new emergency order that enacts a three-week pause on various types of gatherings within the State of Michigan.  

The order, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, is not a stay-home action like the one imposed this past Spring. But it does include specific language directed at universities requiring them to suspend in-person classes as well as most extracurricular activities over the next three weeks. It limits indoor and outdoor gathering sizes, as well as places a number of conditions on the use of certain facilities on our campus, such as gymnasiums and dining facilities. It does NOT, however, require Universities to cease operations or to require students to leave the University. 

Below are important updates of what the University will do to be in compliance with the order effective this Wednesday:

• Campus will remain open and operational. 
• There are no changes at this time to the Fall Term schedule.
• All classes will be held virtually through Dec. 8. All face-to-face delivery of classes will be suspended. 
• Any on-campus events during this time will need to be postponed or held virtually, including all meetings of student organization and clubs.
• Thompson Hall will remain open.
• Dining services in the Sunrise Room, BJ’s and Einstein’s will continue to operate per posted schedules, but as take-out only.
• Indoor gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people with outdoor gatherings limited to 25 with social distancing and masks worn at all times. Seating in communal areas, including the Pool-vilion, BJ’s and dining rooms, will be modified to accommodate these limits.
• The Library will remain open, subject to revised occupancy and distancing requirements.
• The Recreation Center will remain open subject to revised operating limitations consistent with the order. All in-person fitness classes, intramural activities and club sport practices will be canceled for the remainder of the term.
• Employees approved and directed to work remotely should do so. See your supervisor or Human Resources for clarification of your status if needed.

The University will continue to closely monitor the situation and communicate any updates to the campus via email. The COVID-19 Response Team will also provide an update on our operations during Tuesday’s Virtual Town Hall.

COVID-19 Testing Availability

The University made prior arrangement some months ago to obtain an in-house rapid testing capability, going so far as to acquire the required assay equipment. We were recently informed by Abbott labs, however, that the State of Michigan has ordered the reallocation of most supplies of their assay chemistry to what it deems are high-priority areas and facilities. Abbot has informed us that as a result we will not receive for the foreseeable future the assay chemistry we ordered months ago. We will notify the campus via email if this situation changes.

Due to an increase in demand throughout the state, and the limits that this demand is placing on the supply of PCR test kits available to universities, our on-campus PCR-based testing through Helix must first be reserved to support our contact tracing activities and our scheduled testing of individuals suspected of having been exposed to COVID-19. There are, as a result, no open, drop-in testing dates scheduled for on-campus at this time; if this changes, the campus community will be notified by email. 

There are many locations within our community other than on-campus where students or employees may be tested, however, and many do not require a doctor’s order, and/or may be obtained at no cost. Those needing to be tested before traveling for Thanksgiving are encouraged to use one of these testing centers. These may be searched at the links below:

• Testing locations in and around Flint at Michigan.gov. 
• Genesee County COVID-19 page for local updates, information and resources.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has offered guidance on students returning home for the holidays, you may find it at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
Be well.

Warmest Regards,

Dr. Robert K. McMahan

President and Professor of Physics

Chair of COVID-19 Response Team

November 3, 2020

Contact Tracing Update

Out of an abundance of respect for the health of our community, and to give our teams sufficient time to ensure that all individuals potentially exposed recently were identified and tested, we temporarily suspended our delivery of face-to-face instruction on-campus for three days: Friday, Oct. 30, through Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

We have successfully completed contact tracing for our established cases, and as a result, two fraternities as well as a few individuals are currently in quarantine. These individuals and the two houses will quarantine for a period established by the Wellness Center; after which they will be retested before they are permitted to return to campus.  

All students who have been identified, contacted, and tested through contact tracing should remain in self-quarantine until they have been released by the Wellness Center, pending their test results.

We are continuing to test specific individuals this week in both the Abbey and with drive-through testing. These tests are by appointment only. Students who elect to get tested outside of the University are asked to report the results to the Wellness Center, employees who do so are asked to report their results to HR.

All University test results are posted on the Case Reports page on our website at fenxiong.net/covid-19/case-reports.

Campus Operations Resume Wednesday

The quarantine for Thompson Hall residents ends tonight. Students in Thompson Hall not contacted through contact tracing will again be permitted to access campus as of tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 4.

We will return to normal class operations (meaning, as we were before this week’s pause) tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The number of cases in Michigan and in the U.S. more broadly continues to increase. It has never been more important that everyone in our community observes all COVID-19 safe personal and group practices, including wearing face coverings, keeping gatherings small, washing your hands, and continuing to minimize your opportunities for exposure.

Maintaining this discipline is especially important in group living environments. In-person gatherings greatly increase the potential risk of becoming infected with or spreading COVID-19. 

Thank you to all members of our community who have been following public health guidelines and who have been working to keep our community healthy.

November 2, 2020

COVID-19 Testing Scheduled Tomorrow

Free testing by appointment for students, faculty and staff will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 in the Abbey. This is not open or walk-up, and you must have an appointment.

• Click here to schedule a testing time. Appointments are available every three minutes.
• Those with appointments should enter the Campus Center through the main front doors, and will be required to complete your daily health check.

Human Resources and the Wellness Center are reaching out directly to those identified through contact tracing with specific instructions and details for drive-up testing. These individuals should not attempt to be tested in the Abbey.

The University is working with Helix to schedule more testing later this week. Details will be shared as soon as they are available.

If you are unable to get tested at this time but need a test, contact the Wellness Center if you’re a student and Human Resources if you are an employee.

October 29, 2020

Dear Members of the Kettering Community:

We are in a fight against COVID. To be successful, we must commit to being personally responsible and to being an accountable member of the Kettering and Flint community. We have worked hard to provide our students with the opportunity to return to campus for face-to-face instruction. It is important for students to realize that our efforts are not just for their benefit and that of their fellow students, but for everyone on our campus and in our city as well. 

If we are to continue in-person, every one of us must commit to following the health and safety recommendations we have established not just on campus, but in the dorms, classrooms, fraternities and sororities, independent houses, and in the community. This includes informing the Wellness Center promptly, completely, and without hesitation when you suspect that you may be ill, or if you know of possible COVID exposure in our community; keeping records of attendance at events, gatherings, clubs, and classes to facilitate and speed contact tracing; protecting yourself and others in high-traffic areas or settings where physical distancing isn’t possible; adhering to capacity limits in social situations or group dining, and, modifying your actions and encouraging others to do the same as guidelines and recommendations change over time.

Recent Events on Campus

As reported in earlier communications from the COVID Task Force, over the past several days, through our surveillance and voluntary testing of faculty, staff, and students, we have identified a small number of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in our community. Of these one is a faculty member, 5 are members of a fraternity, and one is a resident of Thompson Hall. Three additional students attended an off-campus party that put them at risk for exposure. All have been contacted, and quarantined/isolated/departed campus as appropriate, and contact tracing for all is underway.

Specifically:

• The individual in Thompson who tested positive left the residence hall voluntarily and returned home shortly after their test result was received. That person is not on campus.
• All students involved in the off-campus party have tested negative.
• Because we could not reliably determine which students might have been exposed to the individual who tested positive, we restricted access to Thompson Hall, and required all residents to remain in the Hall. We then instituted mandatory COVID testing of all residents, those at highest risk on Monday, those at lower risk on Tuesday. We also extended testing on Tuesday more broadly to include voluntary surveillance testing of the community. Over 277 individuals were tested on Tuesday alone.
  • Yesterday we learned that all of the tests for residents of Thompson Hall were negative.
  • Unfortunately, we also learned at the same time:
    • That five members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity tested positive, and
    • that a number of students who live in Thompson Hall participated in Rush activities at the fraternity.
    • We are unable therefore to relax our restrictions on Thompson Hall residents as we had planned until those potentially exposed at the fraternity can be identified and contacted. That process is underway.
• Also, unfortunately, the tests of Thompson Hall residents we performed earlier this week were done too soon after this latter exposure to detect potential virus transfer at the fraternity, since tests performed earlier that 4-5 days after exposure are unreliable and have very high false negative rates.
• The faculty member who tested positive has not been on campus or in class since receiving their test result. Four other faculty members as well as a number of students with whom they were in close contact have or are being contacted and testing for all has been arranged. 

Next Steps

Out of an abundance of respect for the health of our community, and to give our contact tracing and Wellness Center colleagues sufficient time to ensure that all individuals potentially exposed in one of the situations described above have been identified and tested, I believe it is prudent to pause and temporarily suspend our delivery of face-to-face instruction on-campus for three days: tomorrow, Friday, October 30, through next Tuesday, November 3. Unless the situation changes, normal class operations will resume on Wednesday, November 4.

During this period classes are not cancelled. The University will be open. We are simply moving all classes to virtual only instruction. However, movement of students on campus during this time will also be restricted to the Campus Center for meals, and to Thompson Hall for residents only. The AB and Mott buildings will be closed to students without the express permission of the Dean of Students. The Recreation Center will be closed to all users. Faculty and staff should continue to operate as before.

During this period, all students are encouraged to remain in place, observe all COVID safe personal and group practices, and limit their contact with others until classes resume next Wednesday, November 4.

Testing Friday

Open COVID-19 testing will be available from 9 a.m. to noon in the Abbey for students or employees who have NOT been tested this week. If you were tested Monday or Tuesday of this week, please do NOT attempt to be retested during this time unless directed by the Wellness Center or HR.

Human Resources and the Wellness Center are reaching out directly to those identified through contact tracing with specific testing instructions. These individuals should not attempt to be tested in the Abbey.

For those who were not tested on Monday or Tuesday, but who wish to be tested, no appointment will be necessary. You will however only be able to enter the Campus Center to access the Abbey through the main front doors, and you will be required to complete your daily health check before you do so. If you believe you have been exposed to the virus, or you present other symptoms of infection, do not come to campus. Instead, students should contact the Wellness Center and employees the Department of Human Resources for further direction.

Thank you for your diligence and for your commitment to make this a successful term for the entire Kettering Community. We cannot achieve this without your help.

Dr. Robert K. McMahan

President and Professor of Physics

Chair, COVID-19 Response Team

October 29, 2020

Results of This Week's COVID-19 Testing

The following are updates related to recent COVID-19 testing held on campus:

• A total of 277 students and employees were tested Monday (Oct. 26) and Tuesday (Oct. 27).
• A faculty member self-reported a positive test and is in self-quarantine off-campus until receiving two negative results. Contact tracing is occurring now.
• Five members of Delta Tau Delta have tested positive, and the contact tracing process is happening now.
  • The house is in quarantine, and all members will be required to be tested and take all classes virtually with no access to campus. Testing will be conducted at the house today for members.
  • IMPORTANT: Delta Tau Delta recently held Rush events on Oct. 20 and Oct. 22. ANYONE who participated in these events should restrict their activities and contact the Wellness Center immediately at (810) 762-9650 to schedule a follow-up COVID-19 test. You should do so regardless of whether or not you were tested recently for other reasons.
  • We are in the process of scheduling further open testing dates and times for the campus. These will be announced as soon as information is available.
  • Those who tested positive will be required to have TWO negative test results before being allowed back on campus. Identified contacts and those currently in quarantine as a precaution will be allowed back on campus following one negative test result. Student Affairs is coordinating with the chapter president to provide guidance, support and services to house members during the quarantine.
• At this time and until further notice, Thompson Hall residents remain restricted to Thompson Hall and the Campus Center. A small number of  Thompson Hall students still need to be tested or need to be retested; these students are being contacted and will be scheduled for (re)testing immediately. 
• All of the students who attended an off-campus party the weekend of Oct. 16 have received negative tests.

As we’ve said before, there is no reason for anyone in the community to be unduly concerned at this time. Protocols and procedures developed as part of our Safe Return to Campus plan have been put into place immediately to identify, notify, and isolate positive cases and any direct contacts. Students and staff are overwhelming following safety guidelines to keep our community safe.

We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves.

Temperature Checks Required Before Entering Campus

As part of the University’s safety protocol, everyone must take their temperature BEFORE arriving on campus, and certify they have done so with our sign-in app. 

Don’t violate the trust of other campus community members by just swiping the question to make it go away — help ensure the safety and health of your classmates and colleagues by taking your temperature each day and answering all questions on the health check HONESTLY and ACCURATELY. Whether or not you have a fever higher than 100.4 is the first question on the daily health check for a reason.

Answering all questions is part of our shared commitment to the health and safety of everyone on campus. It is vital that everyone is honest and accurate in the daily health screening. This is a compact of personal responsibility you undertake as part of the Kettering community, and accurate completion of the check a condition of accessing University facilities and resources.

Everyone will have their temperature checked at entry points to campus in addition to showing their green screen approving them to enter campus.

October 27, 2020

Thompson Hall Update, Other Possible Exposures Are Negative

• The Thompson Hall student who tested positive continues to self-quarantine off campus and has not been on campus since being tested on Oct. 22. All identified direct contacts of that student were tested on Monday, Oct. 26 and the remainder of Thompson Hall residents are required to get tested during today’s open testing (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Abbey). No appointments are required, and any student, staff or faculty wanting to be tested may also go at this time.
• Until the results of testing are known and have been evaluated, Thompson Hall residents will be restricted from other areas of campus, with the exception of limited and scheduled access to the Campus Center for food service. A special hour has been designated for Thompson Hall residents to safely participate in today’s outdoor Learning Commons beam signing event from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• They will continue taking classes virtually, and the no-visitor policy remains in effect. 
• Testing results are expected to be received within 48 to 72 hours.
• Students are NOT being asked to move out of Thompson Hall nor is Thompson Hall closing.  
• The off-campus student who first tested positive Oct. 5, then retested positive again has retested negative twice now and will be allowed to return to campus. 
• All 23 members of an off-campus fraternity that were quarantined last week have tested negative after potential exposure to a COVID-19 positive visitor to the house during the weekend of Oct. 16-18.
• Three students who were self-isolating out of an abundance of caution after attending an off-campus party have all been tested. Two have tested negative (though one who is a Thompson Hall resident will be retested due to possible exposure), and the third has been retested following an inconclusive result. 

Per University policy, any students in quarantine are not allowed on campus until they have received a negative test result. Anyone who tests positive must have two negative test results before returning to campus. 

The University continues to evaluate and provide more testing availability and dates. If you are a student who needs or wants a test outside of a scheduled date, please contact the Wellness Center. If you’re an employee, please contact Human Resources.

October 25, 2020

Positive Case in Thompson Hall

A Thompson Hall student resident that has not been on campus since Oct. 22 has tested positive. 

That student and any of that student’s direct contacts have been identified, contacted, and are currently under quarantine per our protocol.

We have scheduled required COVID-19 testing on Monday and Tuesday for ALL Thompson Hall residents. In addition, any faculty, staff or student on campus who wishes to be tested may also do so during this time. 

As a precautionary measure and until further notice, we are also restricting access to Thompson Hall to Thompson Hall residents only. No non-resident visitors will be permitted at any time without specific advance authorization from the Dean of Students.

Until the results of testing are known and have been evaluated, Thompson Hall residents will also be restricted from all other areas of campus, with the exception of limited and scheduled access to the Campus Center for food service. 

During this period, all Thompson Hall residents will attend classes virtually, and the Provost has notified the Faculty of this situation and its potential to impact students' access to classes and labs.

NOTE: Contrary to rumor, students are NOT being asked to move out of Thompson Hall nor is Thompson Hall closing.  

Furthermore, there is no reason for anyone in the community to be unduly concerned at this time. Our staff response to this situation has been prompt and comprehensive, and our students have responded with maturity by following our protocols and directions. We are following protocols and procedures developed as part of our Safe Return to Campus plan, and this situation is evolving consistent with that planning.

We will continue to provide updates to the Campus community as the situation evolves.

October 23, 2020

Recent Positive Now Negative, Other Possible Exposures

• The off-campus student who first tested positive Oct. 5, then retested positive again has been retested again this week and is now negative. The student will remain off campus until a second negative test has been recorded. Identified potential contacts have been tested and are negative.
• Twenty-three members of an off-campus fraternity are quarantining after potential exposure to a visitor to the house last weekend recently tested positive. They have been tested and are awaiting results.
• Three off-campus students currently are quarantining out of an abundance of caution after attending an off-campus party this past weekend. They have been tested and are awaiting results.

Any students in quarantine are not allowed on campus until they have received a negative test result. Anyone who tests positive must have two negative test results before returning to campus.

Uptick in Reported Symptoms, Resources and Testing Availability

The Wellness Center is reporting a recent increase in reported flu-like symptoms that could also mimic COVID-19 symptoms. All students and employees who are experiencing any symptoms should be tested and NOT come to campus. Click here for the CDC identified symptoms.

The University will offer free COVID-19 testing (no appointment necessary) on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Abbey of Campus Center.

Additionally, the official state of Michigan website now offers a quick, easy way to find testing availability throughout the state that includes options for those with no insurance or doctor’s note as well as no cost. Click here and type in your zip code to find locations, hours and other details. 

Students with ANY concerns – physical or mental – can schedule appointments with the Wellness Center’s nurse and counselor via phone (810-762-9650) or by emailing wellness@fenxiong.net. Students also can call 855-774-4700 for 24-hour counseling. 

For more resources offered by the Wellness Center and in the Genesee County area, click here. 

Employees who need support or help can contact the University’s provider Ulliance at (800) 448-8326. The service is free, confidential and available 24/7.

Visitors On and Off Campus

As detailed above, an entire fraternity must quarantine because of exposure to a COVID-19-positive, non-Kettering visitor that was invited into their house over a number of days. 

In order to stem an outbreak on our campus and keep all of us safe, the University enacted and still maintains a no visitor policy for the campus without prior approval from Human Resources and strict screening protocols in place. 

Anyone that is not a Kettering student or employee is considered a visitor and subject to the policy. This includes family members, contractors, guests and professional acquaintances.

Off-campus and communal living students and employees are STRONGLY encouraged to adopt this same policy.

October 16, 2020

COVID-19 Testing Results From This Week

Of the 107 students and employees who were tested on October 12 and October 13, all were negative with the exception of the October 5 positive student who was retested and remains positive. The positive student will not be allowed on campus until after receiving two negative follow-up tests.

Also included in testing this week insufficient sample retest from an employee on October 5 (result was negative).

All testing results are documented as soon as results are received on the University website’s Case Reports page. Since June, the University has provided more than 2,000 free COVID-19 tests to the Kettering community. As updates are available, they will be communicated promptly and directly via email and posted on the website. Please see below for Testing and Reported Cases Protocol.

The University continues to schedule testing as needed. Students requesting a test outside of scheduled dates can contact the Wellness Center, and employees can contact Human Resources.

False Rumor About Mask Violations

Recent rumors of the University enforcing mask-wearing by hiring photographers to catch students without masks and fining students for not wearing masks are FALSE. 

To be clear, everyone is required to wear a face mask over their noses and mouths while on campus. That has been the requirement since the return to campus for the Summer Term, and that has not changed. Also, even with a face mask on, everyone must socially distance (six feet apart). 

Everyone is encouraged to remind their classmates and colleagues to wear their masks as the rules and guidelines are there to protect all of us.

If we are to continue to be the exception to what other schools are dealing with and keep COVID-19 off our campus, we must continue to be proactive, responsible, and diligent in our safety practices.

Pool-vilion Guidelines

Anyone using the Pool-vilion tents outside the Campus Center must abide by campus requirements for face masks and social distancing. In addition, you are asked to follow the guidelines posted inside both tents.

Tables, chairs and heaters are not to be moved. Chairs are not to be added to tables to accommodate more people at the table. The tables and chairs are placed in specific locations to be socially distanced for the safety of our community. 

If you turn on a heater, please turn it off when you leave.

Anyone wanting to host a meeting or event in the Pool-vilion tents can email events@fenxiong.net to schedule a time.

October 9, 2020

Contact Tracing Update

The off-campus student who tested positive during optional testing on October 5 remains in self-isolation. As part of the contact tracing process, the University is communicating and scheduling tests for those who may have potentially been in contact with the student.

Results from Tuesday, October 6

All 81 students and employees who were tested on October 6 were negative.

All testing results are documented as soon as results are received on the University website’s Case Reports page. Since June, the University has provided more than 2,000 free COVID-19 tests to the Kettering community. As updates are available, they will be communicated promptly and directly via email and posted on the website. Please see below for Testing and Reported Cases Protocol.

Additional Open Testing For Students Next Week

Free COVID-19 testing will be available to all and any students from 1:15 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12 in the Abbey (Campus Center). This is walk-in, no appointment necessary testing that takes no more than five minutes and is painless.

You may have heard that being tested is painful, so you might have been reluctant to use our free testing service. The test the University uses is both highly accurate, and not at all painful! You may experience a slight momentary discomfort, but is not that bad. Just ask anyone who has had one here. And the benefit of being tested can be huge - for you, for your friends and loved ones, as well as for the Kettering community as a whole. If you haven’t been, please get tested!

As more testing dates are scheduled, communication and details will be sent directly via email and shared with the entire community in the University’s internal newsletter, Bulldog Weekly. Students requesting a test outside of scheduled dates can contact the Wellness Center, and employees can contact Human Resources.

October 7, 2020

Fall Term Testing Results

In preparation for Fall Term, the University offered free COVID-19 testing to all students, faculty, and staff.

During the period of October 1-5, 573 tests were conducted. All results were negative with the exception of one positive case of an off-campus student during optional testing on October 5. That student and those with sustained exposure are in self-isolation and will not be allowed on campus until after receiving two follow-up tests with negative results. The contact tracing process on that student began immediately upon notification of the test result. In addition, there was one employee test with insufficient sample that is being retested (counted as part of overall testing, but not negative or positive).

All testing results are documented as soon as results are received on the University website’s Case Reports page. Since June, the University has provided more than 2,000 free COVID-19 tests to the Kettering community. As updates are available, they will be communicated promptly and directly via email and posted on the website. Please see below for Testing and Reported Cases Protocol.

Stay Safe Requirements

The University commends and is proud of everyone taking advantage of the free COVID-19 testing. Through your actions on and off campus, you have shown self-responsibility and a shared commitment to keeping Kettering safe.

In doing so, everyone must continue to adhere to required safety protocols including wearing of a mask and social distancing at all times while on campus (and strongly encouraged to do so off campus). This includes social distancing of six feet with a mask on while in enclosed areas like d-spaces, offices, interior corridors, exterior smoking zones, and other common areas.

Testing and Reported Cases Protocol

If cases of COVID-19 are identified within the campus community, the University is using protocols outlined in the Fall Term 2020 Safe Return to Campus Playbook to identify potential exposure, to contact trace and to quarantine impacted individuals. (The Playbook and other updates are available at fenxiong.net/covid-19).

Due to privacy and other concerns, not all details of the University’s response to a particular incident will be made public, but we are committed to providing our community with timely and current information as appropriate regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on our campus.

As testing dates are scheduled, communication and details have been sent directly via email and shared with the entire community in the University’s internal newsletter, Bulldog Weekly. Students requesting a test outside of scheduled dates can contact the Wellness Center, and employees can contact Human Resources.

October 2, 2020

Thompson Hall Move-in This Weekend

All students and their families coming to campus for this Saturday and Sunday’s Thompson Hall move-in have been asked to practice enhanced social distancing prior to arrival on campus.

In order to maintain a safe environment for our campus and community, guidelines including designated time blocks for check-in, testing location, guest limitations (one guest may assist move-in which will last one hour), room assignments and more have been directly communicated with all incoming residents.

All students will receive a Return to Campus kits that includes: Two washable Bulldog face masks, hand sanitizer, a no-touch tool, a lanyard with ID holder, and a forehead thermometer. Thompson Hall residents will receive their kits during move-in this weekend. All other students can pick up a kit at one of the designated building entrances when they first come to campus.

Important Reminder – When You Arrive On Campus

By entering campus, you agree to comply with all Safe Return practices.

• Everyone is required to follow specific critical safety guidelines and practices at all times including:
• Wear a face mask (covering nose and mouth).
• Visibly display your Kettering ID on you at all times.
• Practice social distancing.
• Self-monitor for symptoms.
• Take your temperature and answer health questions each day you will be on campus at: safereturn.fenxiong.net. Everyone should bookmark this site on your phone or tablet for easy access (log in is required).

Additional COVID-19 Testing Availability For Employees

Next week’s optional COVID-19 testing for off-campus and Greek Life students has been expanded to include any and all employees who were unable to be tested this week.

The test, which lasts no more than five minutes and is painless, is conducted in the Campus Center building’s Abbey Room (second floor from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6. Sign-up is required and can be scheduled using this link: COVID-19 Test Registration App.

Employees can sign up to be tested during the afternoon of Monday and anytime Tuesday. Students can sign up for any time during both days.

In addition, any member of the Kettering community who has not been tested is strongly encouraged to do so.

Employees (which includes full-time, part-time, casual and Kettering University student workers) and residential students of Thompson Hall are required to undergo free COVID-19 testing on campus before the beginning of Fall Term 2020. Off-campus residents (including Greek Life) and returning students are strongly encouraged to also be tested.

Testing is also required of previously tested faculty and staff on campus for Summer Term who will be on campus during Fall Term.

September 25, 2020

What You Need To Do Now

All incoming students regardless of living arrangements are asked to practice enhanced social distancing for two weeks prior to arrival on campus. 

The enhanced social distancing period has begun for all students enrolled in the fall, including incoming residents of Thompson Hall and all students residing off-campus, regardless of group affiliation or residence.

Steps to be taken include:

• Monitor your health for any symptoms of COVID-19 as defined by the Center for Disease Control including fever, cough, trouble breathing or other symptoms. Full list of symptoms can be found here. If you are symptomatic or have had a positive COVID-19 test within 14 days of your scheduled arrival on campus, you should delay your travel plans and contact the Wellness Center for further directions.
• Self-report and seek medical attention immediately if symptomatic.
• Wear a face mask at all times when in public.
• Minimize contacts outside your home, self-quarantine to the greatest degree possible.
• Maintain six feet of distance from others when outside.
• Avoid all gatherings of groups outside of your home.
• Avoid all forms of public transportation.

In addition to these precautions, students or employees who have traveled internationally or those arriving from states with more than 10% COVID-19 positive testing rate on a seven-day rolling average, will be required to self-isolate for a minimum of seven (7) days before arriving on campus. You should use the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center through its website link “Testing Trends Tool” to determine the status of the state from which you will be traveling.

What You Are Required To Do While On Campus

By entering campus, you agree to comply with all Safe Return practices.

• Everyone is required to follow specific critical safety guidelines and practices at all times including:
• Wear a face mask (covering nose and mouth).
• Visibly display your Kettering ID on you at all times.
• Practice social distancing.
• Self-monitor for symptoms. 
• Take your temperature and answer health questions each day you will be on campus at:  safereturn.fenxiong.net. Everyone should bookmark this site on your phone or tablet for easy access (log in is required).

Extended Hours For COVID-19 Testing Dates 

Hours have been extended to accommodate employees and students needing free COVID-19 testing. All testing is free and will be conducted in the Campus Center building’s Abbey Room (second floor). 

Sign-up is required for all dates except for Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4 when Thompson Hall residents and new students will be tested during move-in. For all other dates, employees and students should use this link to schedule an appointment: COVID-19 Test Registration App. 

Updated testing availability:

• Monday, September 28: Employees and any student wanting to be tested (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Tuesday, September 29: Employees and any student wanting to be tested (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
• Thursday, October 1: Employees and any student wanting to be tested (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
• Friday, October 2: Employees and any student wanting to be tested (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
• Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6 – Optional, yet strongly recommended, testing for any returning students (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Employees (which includes full-time, part-time, casual and Kettering University student workers), residential students of Thompson Hall and new students are required to undergo free COVID-19 testing on campus before the beginning of Fall Term 2020. Off-campus residents (including Greek Life) and returning students are strongly encouraged to also be tested.

Testing is also required of previously tested faculty and staff on campus for Summer Term who will be on campus during Fall Term.

September 18, 2020

Mental Health Resources For Students & Employees

Free services to help students and employees deal with anxiety, stress and other mental health concerns are available now and for the upcoming Fall Term.

Students – The Wellness Center provides individual counseling to students who experience psychological, behavioral or learning difficulties whenever they occur – this includes COVID-19 related issues. A nurse and counselor are available for in-person and Telehealth appointments 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To make an appointment to see the counselor in person, by phone or virtually, call the Wellness Center at (810) 762-9650. Students can also call the Student Assistance Program (SAP) at (855) 774-4700 anytime to speak directly to a licensed mental health specialist.

Employees - The University’s employee assistance provider, Ulliance, is available to any employee or a family member facing personal or professional challenges. This free and confidential service is available 24/7 by calling (800) 448-8326.

Additional recommended support on various subjects can be found online at the nonprofit Mental Health America website:

• Transition to Remote
• Life On Campus
• How to Handle Being Back at Home (tips for both students and employees)

Additional COVID-19 Testing Dates For Fall Term

September dates have been added for additional testing for employees and students. All testing is free and will be conducted in the Campus Center (room locations TBD) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Employees (which includes full-time, part-time, casual and Kettering University student workers), residential students of Thompson Hall and new students will be required to undergo free COVID-19 testing on campus before the beginning of Fall Term 2020. Off-campus residents (including Greek Life) and returning students are strongly encouraged to also be tested.

Testing is also required of previously tested faculty and staff on campus for Summer Term who will be on campus during Fall Term.

Dates for testing:

• Monday, September 28 and Tuesday, September 29: Employees and any student wanting to be tested (sign-up required, link to be sent via email)
• Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2 – Employees and any student wanting to be tested (sign-up required, link to be sent be sent via email).
• Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4 – Thompson Hall residents and new students during Move-In (no sign-up).
• Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6 – Optional, yet strongly recommended, testing for any returning students (sign-up required, link to be sent be sent via email).

Thompson Hall – Looking Ahead To Winter/Spring 2021

The University has received some inquiries about whether or not the current suspension of our first-year student on-campus residency requirement will be in place for Winter/Spring Terms 2021. We will continue to monitor the situation locally, statewide and nationally throughout this next term and will communicate any decisions as early as possible to help students and their families plan accordingly.

Reminder: Masks, IDs Are Required While On Campus

Per University policy for Summer Term and Fall Term, all students and employees are required to wear masks and abide by six-foot social distancing guidelines while on campus. This includes in common areas, study spaces and elevators. In addition, Kettering IDs should be visible at check-in.

September 11, 2020

The COVID-19 Response Team and University leadership continue to closely monitor
the local, state and national situation in consultation with health experts and in
accordance with government guidelines. If conditions change, the University will alter
plans to ensure the safety of the campus community.

Fall Term 2020 classes begin on October 5.  As the University’s COVID-19 Response
Team prepares to welcome students, faculty, and staff back to campus, please carefully
review these updates.

Required COVID-19 Testing for Fall Term

Employees and residential students of Thompson Hall will be required to undergo free
COVID-19 testing on campus before the beginning of Fall Term 2020. Off-campus
residents (including Greek Life) are strongly encouraged to also be tested.

This does include faculty and staff who currently are on campus for Summer Term and
previously tested who will also be on campus at any time during Fall Term.

Testing dates are as follows:

• October 1-2 – Required testing for faculty and staff who will be on campus for Fall Term.
• October 3-4 – Required testing for Thompson Hall residents during Move-In.
• October 5-6 – Optional, yet strongly recommended, testing for off-campus residents (including Greek Life).

Recreation Center Now Open With Limitations

The Recreation Center has reopened as of Wednesday, September 9. Facility hours are
from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
To comply with Governor Whitmer's executive order of last week, the Recreation Center is open with the following restrictions and guidelines:

• All patrons must have their Kettering ID card. No ID, No entry.
• ALL patrons must wear a mask at all times, except when showering.
• Upon entering, patrons will be required to show their green screen from the daily health check app (or complete a health questionnaire) and have their temperature taken.
• If you feel ill, do not come to the Rec Center. The following areas are limited to 10 participants at a time: Free Weight Area, Track and the Group Exercise Room/Fitness Room.
• Email recservices@fenxiong.net for reservations. Otherwise, space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• There will be only two access points to the Recreation Center:
  • Front doors
  • Doors adjacent to court 4 and the outdoor free weight area.
• The outdoor free weight area will continue to operate as it has been for the last 2 months. However, during inclement weather, equipment will be available on gym court 4. Masking and social distancing rules will apply.
• The pool, steam rooms, racquetball courts, squash court, hot tub, weight room and student lounge will be closed.
• Fitness classes will continue to be held in the pavilion. However, during inclement weather, they will be moved to gym court 2. Masking and social distancing rules will apply.
• No guests are permitted (guest passes, rentals, etc.).
• Patrons should wipe down all equipment before and after use.

Have questions? Call the Rec Center at (810) 762-9REC.

September 4, 2020

The COVID-19 Response Team and University leadership continue to closely monitor the local, state and national situation in consultation with health experts and in accordance with government guidelines. If conditions change, the University will alter plans to ensure the safety of the campus community.

Fall Term 2020 classes begin on October 5.  As the University’s COVID-19 Response Team prepares to welcome students, faculty, and staff back to campus, please carefully review these updates.

Fall Term 2020 Playbook Now Online

The Fall Term 2020 Playbook is now available online in a downloadable .pdf form as well as search able sections on the University’s redesigned website. 

Please read and familiarize yourself with this important document. The Playbook outlines our preparations for everyone’s safe return to campus in October, as well as our expectations as a community for how we will operate once the term begins. There are a number of important changes in this version; in developing it the COVID-19 Response Team incorporated lessons learned and community feedback received during our successful summer term.

Included in the Fall Playbook:

• Requirements for social distancing and face coverings while on campus.
• Monitoring and reporting COVID-19 status or symptoms, and participation in contract tracing. 
• COVID-19 testing availability for all students, staff, and faculty, including free and required testing criteria.
• Delivery and instruction of academic courses.
• Attendance policies for classes (in-person and virtual).
• Travel Restrictions and Requirements
• Dining services, events, and gatherings, both on and off campus.
• Other important information covering both on- and off-campus operations, pre-arrival preparations, and move-in.

The Playbook is a living document and is revised frequently, so please review it regularly for changes.

Recreation Center

The Michigan governor recently issued Executive Order 2020-176 which permits gyms and pools in certain regions in the state to reopen under specific restrictions and conditions as early as Wednesday, September 9. We are currently evaluating this order and how it may impact the operations of our Recreation Center. We wish to make this important resource available to the community, and will announce any changes or possible opening of the center as soon as appropriate. 

August 28, 2020

The COVID-19 Response Team and University leadership continue to closely monitor the local, state and national situation in consultation with health experts and in accordance to government guidelines. If conditions change, the University will alter plans to ensure the safety of the campus community.

Fall Term 2020 classes begin on October 5.  As the University’s COVID-19 Response Team continues to finalize details for the fall, please carefully review these updates.

Co-op Adjustments to Remain Same for Fall Term

The current Co-op special circumstances policy put in place the Summer Term will be applied for Fall Term as well. Co-op credit will be given for Co-op that is at least four weeks (160 hours) with the approval of the Director of Cooperative Education. Students who work less than four weeks (160 hours), are seeking Experiential Learning consideration or have other circumstances should contact their Co-op manager to discuss the situation. For more information and details, go to fenxiong.net/covid-19/co-op.

Course Delivery for Fall Term

Similar to what was offered in Summer Term, courses will be delivered in face-to-face (with live video streaming) and virtual:

• Face-to-Face Classes: A majority of the classes are to be offered face-to-face. To provide the best in-person class experiences to the students and to ensure the safety of faculty and students, all face-to-face classes will not exceed the classroom size with social distancing guidelines in place.
  • For the classes and labs that enrollment does not exceed room capacity, all students can attend, in person, all class and lab sessions. For large classes that enrollment exceeds the student capacity of a given classroom, faculty will contact students with information about attending face-to-face classes before the term starts and when the class roster is finalized.
  • If a student chooses to take a face-to-face course via “Live Video Stream” (defined below) for the term, the student must inform the instructor during the first week of classes. The instructor may assign the vacant seat to another student who wishes to take the class face-to-face. Once the choice is made, respective attendance policies apply.
• Live Video Streamed Classes: All face-to-face classes will be live streamed and recorded as supplemental learning materials.
• Virtual Classes: A small portion of the classes will be offered virtually via Bb Collaborate. Classes (with a few exceptions) offered virtually do not have lab components associated with them. An exception is those classes (very few) that only use computer labs for modeling and simulations. All computer labs are made virtual so that students can remotely access them from their own computing devices. 

New for Fall Term will be the implementation of a policy in which both in-person and virtual attendances will be taken. Enforcing attendance not only encourages the students’ participation, but also is extremely important for contact tracing in case a possible exposure is discovered.

Details regarding classroom capacities, labs and more will be in future updates and the Fall Term 2020 Playbook. 

Thompson Hall Move-In for Fall Term

Thompson Hall Move-In for Fall Term 2020 is scheduled for October 3-4.  Existing safety procedures and policies utilized for Summer Term Move-In will be repeated, including these key highlights:

• All students will receive appointment times for arrival and move-in.
• Before arriving on campus, residents will be required to take their temperature and answer health questions
• If a student does not feel well, is currently sick or answers “yes” to any of the health questions, they are asked to remain home and contact the Director of Residence Life at reslife@fenxiong.net for alternative move-in arrangements.
• Any student that does not pass the on-campus screening will meet with the Dean of Students to develop alternative plans.
• All Thompson Hall residents are required to undergo COVID-19 testing during move-in.
• More than one person may accompany a student to campus and will be required to be screened. But only one identified helper will be allowed to physically go into Thompson Hall with the student for the move-in process. For the safety of our residential community, we are limiting the amount of people in Thompson Hall. Any additional supporters will be asked to wait in the Sunset Room (CC).
• All residents will be assigned single rooms.
• Social distancing and safety protocols will be enforced
• In addition to the standard Return-to-Campus kit (two washable Bulldog face masks, hand sanitizer, a no-touch tool, and a forehead thermometer), students will receive one welcome kit with:
  • Student’s ID card and lanyard (ID must be worn while on campus)
  • Parking permit
  • Other items normally received during New Student Orientation

More move-in details have been communicated directly by the Office of Student Affairs with students and their families this past week. 

Reminder - Open Testing Available September 2

Free COVID-19 testing will again be made available to any student or employee who is concerned about potential exposure to the coronavirus or who simply would like the peace of mind of being tested.

Open testing will be from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Abbey (Campus Center). No pre-registration is required, but participants must present their Kettering ID.

August 21, 2020

The COVID-19 Response Team and University leadership continue to closely monitor the local, state and national situation in consultation with health experts and in accordance to government guidelines. If conditions change, the University will alter plans to ensure the safety of the campus community.

Fall Term 2020 classes begin on October 5.  As the University’s COVID-19 Response Team continues to finalize details for the fall, please carefully review these updates. They include important information related to how you will need to prepare in advance of arriving on campus, as well as campus procedures and protocols to follow once you do.

Open Testing Available September 9

Free COVID-19 testing will again be made available to any student or employee who is concerned about potential exposure to the coronavirus or who simply would like the peace of mind of being tested. The test is painless, easy, and takes about 5 minutes. 

Open testing will be from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Abbey (Campus Center). No pre-registration is required, but participants must present their Kettering ID. Stop by at any time during the testing hours to take advantage of this opportunity. If you have not yet been tested, or if you have been in situations recently that may have exposed you to the virus, we encourage you strongly to be tested now. If you experience symptoms prior to this testing date, don’t wait. Stay in place, and if you are a student, immediately contact the Wellness Center at (810) 762-9650, or if you are an employee, immediately contact HR at (810) 762-9933.

Thompson Hall Move-In

Move-in to Thompson Hall is scheduled for October 3-4.  Move-in details will be communicated directly over the next couple of weeks as appropriate to students and their families. These communications will come directly from the Office of Student Affairs.

Before You Arrive On Campus - Preparations Begin September 19

All incoming students regardless of living arrangements will be asked to practice enhanced social distancing for two weeks prior to arrival on campus. This is a change in our practice from the Summer Term. It reflects what we have learned and recognizes the challenges imposed by varying infection rates across the country in areas from which our students will be traveling to campus.

The enhanced social distancing period will begin Sept. 19 for all students enrolled in the fall, including incoming residents of Thompson Hall and all students residing off-campus, regardless of group affiliation or residence. The intent of this precaution is to limit the opportunities for exposure in all groups prior to coming to campus and to identify any potential illness in those coming to campus before other members of the community might be exposed to them.

What will you need to do between September 19 and October 5?  

• Monitor your health for any symptoms of COVID-19 as defined by the Center for Disease Control including fever, cough, trouble breathing or other symptoms.  Full list of symptoms can be found here.
• Self-report and seek medical attention immediately if symptomatic.
• Wear a face mask at all times when in public.
• Stay home.
• Maintain six feet of distance from others when outside. 
• Avoid all gatherings of groups outside of your home.
• Avoid all forms of public transportation including subways, buses, Uber/Lyft, etc.

Obviously, if you are symptomatic or have had a positive COVID-19 test within 14 days of your scheduled arrival on campus, you should delay your travel plans and contact the Wellness Center for further directions.

In addition to these precautions, students or employees who have traveled internationally or those arriving from states with more than 10% COVID-19 positive testing rate on a seven-day rolling average, will be required to self-isolate for a minimum of 7 days before arriving on campus.  Consistent with the University travel policy instated July 28, you should use the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center through its website link “Testing Trends Tool” to determine the status of the state from which you will be traveling. 

All individuals arriving on campus will be required to abide by existing University safety guidelines, including wearing a mask at ALL times while on campus, social distancing, daily health checks and self-reporting of illness or symptoms. For more information on these, please refer to the University’s COVID-19 website.

Initial Fall Term 2020 COVID-19 Testing 

Free COVID-19 testing will again be available to the campus community in the fall. Testing is typically conducted on as-needed basis, but the University will also continue to offer a number of walk-in open testing opportunities for all members of the community over the course of the term.  

The following dates have already been established to provide testing services for incoming students and employees for Fall Term 2020: 

• October 1-2 –Required testing for faculty and staff who will be on campus for Fall Term.
• October 3-4 – Required testing for Thompson Hall residents during Move-In.
• October 5-6 – Optional, yet strongly recommended, testing for off-campus residents (including Greek Life).

Testing locations may vary, and testing dates are being scheduled for late September for those who have traveled internationally or from a state with 10% or higher consistent with our travel policy. Updated information will be communicated when it is finalized.

August 14, 2020

The COVID-19 Response Team is currently finalizing the Fall 2020 Playbook for Our Safe Return to Campus. Please stay alert for update emails from the University; they will provide you with vital information and updates for Fall Term. These communications are designed to keep you updated and informed. You may find additional information on topics covered in them on the University’s website and my.fenxiong.net. Make sure that you also are signed up for Kettering Alerts; we use these to notify you immediately of time sensitive information or of changes.

We put in place a number of critical procedures to ensure the safety of our campus during the Summer Term, and our community has demonstrated daily its commitment to these. We are proud of our students, faculty, and staff. Our students living on and off campus, in Greek residences and in private houses, in Thompson Hall and Campus Village, have all shown remarkable maturity and personal responsibility as well as commitment to helping keep our community safe. It is because of how we have responded as a community that we are able to move forward with our planning to welcome B-section back to campus this Fall.

The new Fall Term 2020 version of the Playbook will feature many of the same policies and procedures currently in place for Summer Term. Importantly though, some of these will not be the same, because we are updating them to reflect evolving health guidelines, feedback from our community, and our operating experience.

Included in the Playbook (when it is published), as well as in the weekly update emails you will receive from the University, will be information you will need to know when you return to campus including daily health check and entrance details, classroom structures, facility cleaning, additional meeting spaces, Thompson Hall move-in, testing availability and contact tracing procedures, and more.

Our success is dependent on all of our actions, that includes staying informed and staying safe – on and off campus. We are confident everyone will continue to be an example of commitment to our community’s well-being and to each other.

August 6, 2020

On July 31, three students received COVID-19 free testing after visiting the Wellness Center. The results of those tests were received Aug. 5, and one has been identified as positive (the other two were negative).

That student, who lives off campus, has been asked to self-isolate and is not allowed on campus until retested by the University. Contact tracing conducted by the University in coordination with Genesee County health officials is currently underway. Any students, faculty or staff who may have had direct contact with the student will be notified and asked to self-isolate.

In addition, on Aug. 5, another student presented symptoms and was tested immediately. This student and roommates have been asked to self-isolate and will not be allowed on campus until results are confirmed (typically 3-5 business days). As a precaution, the initial contact tracing process has also begun on this student.

August 3, 2020

The COVID-19 Response Team continues to work with Genesee County Public Health Department and with the Office of the President to adapt to the situation as it evolves and to provide our community with the most current information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The University is fully committed to the health and safety of its entire community, and will continue to closely monitor this situation and any others that impact our campus.

The quarantine of two Greek houses instituted earlier this month has been lifted. Testing of all residents of both living groups provided by the University on July 28 returned negative results in all cases.  Additional testing offered to all Greek residents on July 30 also produced all negative results.

The University commends the leadership and membership of the two quarantined greek organizations, Sigma Chi and Alpha Phi, for the proactive and significant ways in which they acted voluntarily when exposure of their communities to the coronavirus was suspected. The University is proud of the serious and consistent way that our off-campus and Greek life residents are implementing safety measures and distancing guidelines in their houses as well as the way that all of our students, faculty, and staff are complying with our safety protocols when on campus.

Additional testing dates will be scheduled during the term, as they are details will be shared with the entire community via email and in the University’s internal newsletter, Bulldog Weekly. Faculty, staff, or students wishing to request a test outside of regularly scheduled dates may do so by contacting the Wellness Center, employees should contact Human Resources. Current campus status and case reports may always be found at fenxiong.net/covid-19/case-reports.

Additional recent updates communicated directly with students and employees last week include:

Classroom Safety and Face-to-Face Instruction

At the beginning of the Summer Term, the University implemented a last-name based rotating protocol for face-to-face instructions. The purpose of this protocol was to guarantee most students would have an in-person learning experience while ensuring the safety of our faculty and students. After two weeks, some students have elected to take all classes virtually. After careful assessment of current classroom capacities, the University has decided to lift the restriction of this last-name based schedule and allow all students to participate in-person classes under the following conditions:

• Students must obtain permission from the course instructor to attend all in-person sessions.
• All classrooms must not exceed their capacities.
• The requirements of wearing face coverings (masks, face shields, etc.) and maintaining social distancing do apply to classroom activities and instruction. Therefore, all faculty and students must wear a face mask or face shield and maintain social distancing during class instructions. (Note: This message has been communicated directly to all students via email from Academic Success Center).
• The University has received confirmation from the State of Michigan that the “social gatherings of 10 people or less” rule outlined in a recent executive order by the Governor only applies to indoor social activities. This restriction does not apply to classes, sports practices or other academic related activities. There are no restrictions or size limits on academic activities.
• The requirements of wearing face coverings (masks, face shields, etc.) and maintaining social distancing do apply to classroom activities. Therefore, all faculty and students must wear face coverings and maintain social distancing during class instructions.
• For more information on the Governor’s executive order related to face masks, click here.

Travel/Study Abroad

• Effective July 28, 2020 and until further notice, students and employees who choose to travel to another state in the U.S. with a COVID-19 positive testing rate of 10% or higher on a seven-day rolling average must take one of two safety measures prior to returning to campus, either: (1) self-quarantine for 14 days without symptoms of COVID-19 arising, or (2) self-quarantine for a minimum of 7 days and then be tested for COVID-19 with a negative test result. To determine the positive testing rate for a given state, the University will utilize the data supplied daily by the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center through its website link "Testing Trends Tool." If the state traveled to is shown to have a positive testing percentage of 10% or higher on the day of return, students and/or employees will have to take one of the two safety measures outlined above before returning to campus. During any quarantine period, employees will need to move to working remotely, and students will be required to take courses virtually (all are being offered via livestream). Employees with questions can contact HR, students should speak to the Wellness Center.
• After much deliberation and careful review of the current situation in Europe and globally, it has been determined that it is in the best interest of the students to cancel study abroad for the Fall 2020 term. Students enrolled in our Fall 2020 programs were notified of this decision last week. The decision to cancel the European and South Korean programs is based on the University's risk management policy, which includes the cancellation of programs in countries that have been identified by the CDC as a Level 3 combined with other indicators, such as State Department travel warnings, support and services available at host institutions, ease of travel, and other pertinent decision points. The Office of International Programs (OIP) is looking at the option of offering one or two online classes through host institutions. Students can email studyabroad@fenxiong.net with any questions and to schedule a virtual meeting to discuss options.

July 28, 2020

Effective immediately (July 28, 2020) and until further notice, students and employees who choose to travel to another state in the U.S. with a COVID-19 positive testing rate of 10% or higher on a seven-day rolling average must take one of two safety measures prior to returning to campus, either: (1) self-quarantine for 14 days without symptoms of COVID-19 arising, or (2) self-quarantine for a minimum of 7 days and then be tested for COVID-19 with a negative test result. To determine the positive testing rate for a given state, the University will utilize the data supplied daily by the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center through its website link  "Testing Trends Tool."  If the state traveled to is shown to have a positive testing percentage of 10% or higher on the day of return, students and/or employees will have to take one of the two safety measures outlined above before returning to campus. During any quarantine period, employees will need to move to working remotely, and students will be required to take courses virtually (all are being offered via livestream. Employees with questions can contact HR, students should speak to the Wellness Center.

July 10, 2020

To the Kettering Community

All of us at Kettering University are excited to welcome our students, staff and faculty back to campus for the summer term and the start of a new academic year. We have been preparing together for this moment for months, and we have developed a comprehensive plan for reopening the university safely. This plan, and our safety guidelines for reopening, are outlined in the “Safe Return to Campus Playbook” posted on the Kettering website. If you have not read it, I ask that you do so now. It contains important information that you will need to know before you return to campus as well as descriptions of what you can expect when you do.

Ultimately though - and this is important - no plan can ensure our safety as a community, unless we each take personal responsibility to act sensibly. Our actions, and the respect that we demonstrate for each other through them, are what will determine how successful we are.

Our success in reopening safely will depend critically upon the individual actions taken by all of us each and every day, and our individual commitment to act responsibly at all times in the face of the pandemic. This also means we have to carry the same behaviors into our lives off campus that we observe on it.

We are not alone and our actions during the pandemic can and do significantly impact others. They can either jeopardize, or help ensure, the safety of those around us. This means we must commit to wearing masks, observing social guidelines and distancing, and behaving on and off campus in ways that limit the exposure and spread of the coronavirus – not just for us, but for those around us. It means adapting; it means that group activities that you may have traditionally participated in may need to be rethought, and in some cases postponed. Why? Because one careless event can change the course of the pandemic in our community, and that will impact all of us.

Do we wish that things were as they were a year ago? Yes, of course we do, but they are not. Things will return to normal eventually, but until then, our ability to assemble as a University community will be impacted by the course of the pandemic around us, and by our individual behaviors as members of this community - and the expectations we set of each other.

This spirit is captured best in a truism that I saw recently, and that you will see appear frequently across campus:

My mask protects you, and your mask protects me.

It is up to all of us to live our values as a community and to take personal responsibility to reduce the risk to those in our community. It is essential that we all comply with the outlined guidelines and critical safety measures we have put into place. While on campus, everyone will be required to follow specific guidelines and critical safety practices at all times — mask wearing, social distancing, proper hygiene and self-monitoring for symptoms.

We know that the situation will continue to evolve. We have listened to you during the pandemic and our planning has been guided by your feedback. We have created options for students who aren’t comfortable living or learning on campus to continue to do so virtually. We have empowered our employees who can work remotely to do so if they are still able to provide exceptional support for our students and campus community. We are ready to alter our operations further if required.

I encourage everyone to stay updated and informed by regularly checking your email, visiting the University’s website and my.fenxiong.net, and signing up for Kettering Alerts.

We are all in this together, and I know that through all of this we are going to have a great year.

Welcome back, Bulldogs!

Dr. Robert K. McMahan
President and Professor of Physics

Return to Campus Kit pick-up

Everyone will receive one Return-to-Campus kit that includes two washable Bulldog face masks, hand sanitizer, a no-touch tool, a lanyard with ID holder, and a forehead thermometer.

• Thompson Hall residents will receive theirs during check-in this weekend at Move-in (instructions and agenda for Move-in have been emailed directly)
• Off-campus residents can pick theirs up from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday (July 13) and Tuesday (July 14) outside the main Campus Center entrance.
• Employees’ kits have been delivered to their offices and/or departments.

Daily health check and entrances:

Everyone must wear a face mask and Kettering ID while on campus (Return to Campus kits that everyone receives will include a lanyard and ID holder). Additionally, everyone returning to campus will be required to take your temperature and answer health questions each day which can be accessed online via a smartphone/tablet app at safereturn.fenxiong.net. Based on your answers to the questions, you will receive approval to come to campus (indicated by “green” color screen with approval message) or be directed to stay home or stay in your residence room and contact the Wellness Center (indicated by “red” screen with message to call Wellness Center).

You will then show your smartphone/tablet screen at the designated entrance to be allowed on campus (please see below for entrances as others will be deactivated).

To make it more accessible, you can bookmark the link or add the app to your mobile device's home screen. You can also find a direct link on the home page of my.fenxiong.net.

How to Create a Website Link on your iPhone Home Screen

• Launch Safari on your ‌iPhone‌ & iPad‌
• Navigate to the site where you want to create a Home screen shortcut (safereturn.fenxiong.net/).
• Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing out of it) at the bottom of the screen
• Scroll down to the list of actions and tap Add to Home Screen. (If you don't see the action, scroll to the bottom and tap Edit Actions, then tap Add next to the Add to Home Screen action. After that, you'll be able to select it from the Share Sheet.)

How to add a link to your Android device

• Open the Safe Return to Campus web page by clicking safereturn.fenxiong.net/.
• Tap the menu icon (3 dots in the upper right-hand corner) and tap Add to Home screen.
• You'll be able to enter a name for the shortcut and then automatically add it to your home screen.

If you do not have a smartphone, contact the HR Office at (810) 762-9933 for instructions about how to complete the daily health screening process.

Designated building entrances will be accessible only with Kettering ID from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Additionally, the main front entrances to the AB and the Campus Center will be accessible from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• AB: Use northeast ground floor entrance (near FIRST Robotics area)
• Campus Center: Use southwest ground floor entrance (“pizza doors”)
• Mott Center: Use main entrance on north side of building
• The tunnel between Campus Center and AB will be available for use.

Playbook for Our Safe Return to Campus Updates

Updates have been made to the Playbook for Our Safe Return at fenxiong.net/return2campus. You can download a pdf of the entire Playbook or search for specific topics on the web page. Information specific to students and/or employees also has been emailed directly to them. The following sections of the Playbook have been updated this past week:

• Thompson Hall Move-In instructions for arrival, picking up Return to Campus kit, screening, testing and more
• Contact email for requesting cleaning services
• Recreation Center facilities, services and events to be held outdoors
• Guidelines for Student Organization/Club Meetings
• Additional testing availability for employees and off-campus residents
• Testing requirements for on-campus Co-op student employees.

June 26, 2020

Coordinated by our CVPrepare Task Force, teams from across the University have been working for over two months researching, identifying, and implementing safety procedures to enable our safe return to campus on July 13.

These steps, guidelines, and processes are outlined in our Playbook for Our Safe Return, which is now online at the University’s website at fenxiong.net/return2campus.  In addition to a downloadable version, sections can be searched to easily find relevant and important information.

The Playbook details the many steps we will take to:

• Ensure the physical and mental health and safety of students, staff, and faculty as well as our Flint neighbors
• Deliver the high-quality, excellent education and learning experience our students expect and deserve
• Provide direction and clear expectations of the University to its internal and external community
• Demonstrate and reinforce Kettering Values of:
  • Respect for teamwork, honesty, encouragement, diversity, and partnerships with students
  • Integrity including accountability, transparency and ethics
  • Creativity fostering flexibility and innovation
  • Collaboration across disciplines and with all partners
  • Excellence in all we do

Divided into sections focusing on Students, Academics, and Employees, the Playbook address all aspects of University operations, including:

• Extensive and ongoing cleaning and safety measures being taken
• Daily health check protocol and free testing availability
• Thompson Hall move-in and risk mitigation procedures
• Guidance for off-campus residents and Greek life
• Course delivery options and structure (face-to-face, live-streaming, and virtual)
• Classroom and lab use guidelines
• Updates on multi-use facilities such as the University Library Rec Center, Atwood Stadium
• Technology support
• Availability of student services support including ASC, University Library, Wellness Center, etc.
• Dining and food service protocol (Sunset Café, C-Store, BJ’s Lounge and Grill, and Einstein Bros. Bagel)
• Required policy for outside visitor or contractor access

As we near July 13, we will continue to evaluate and monitor factors that might impact or change our plans. When and if circumstances warrant a change, we will respond immediately. Updates will be regularly posted to the website and communicated directly to the Kettering community.

June 19, 2020

The following campus update provides important information and guidelines for a Safe Return to Campus for Summer Term, starting July 13.

Kettering University is excited and ready to welcome faculty, staff, and students back to campus. On Monday, June 15, identified essential employees began a phased-in return. As safety and operational preparations are underway for the start of Summer Term, the goal is to deliver the highest-quality, most flexible learning experiences while ensuring the highest level of safety for our entire community.

In addition to the classroom social-distancing modifications and Academic Support Services availability announced on June 15, the following update directly addresses course delivery and lab structure for Summer Term.

Course Offerings and Structure

In order to provide the valuable in-class learning experience students want and expect as well as provide the flexibility and adherence to social distancing and safety guidelines, lectures will be delivered in two modalities during the Summer Term: Face-to-face (with live video streaming) and Virtual.  In some cases, students will attend face-to-face sessions on an alternating basis to limit class size.  The video live-streaming of classes will enable all students to actively engage and participate in face-to-face courses and with their in-class peers.

As faculty and student safety is our top priority, larger courses offered as face-to-face instruction will be divided so that class size does not exceed 25 students to ensure personal attention and quality interaction between faculty and students. A small number of classes will remain virtual to ensure classroom resources are available for face-to-face instruction. This strategy will allow us to maximize classroom use efficiency by prioritizing major courses in face-to-face delivery mode.

• Face-to-face: A majority of the classes are to be offered face-to-face. These classes include a vast majority of the major courses with a few exceptions (please see Virtual Classes below).

o   To adhere to social distancing and safety guidelines, students will be divided into two groups and designated certain days of the week for a certain group to take face-to-face lectures. The Academic Success Center (ASC) will reach out to students directly with their schedule details in the coming days.
o   All face-to-face classes will not exceed 25 students with very few exceptions (based on classroom size).
o   All face-to-face classes will be live streamed and recorded as supplemental learning materials.

• Virtual: A small number of (mostly elective) courses will remain virtual via Bb Collaborate.

o   This strategy enables us to prioritize the available classrooms to accommodate those face-to-face major courses without overwhelming students’ schedules. An exception is those classes (very few) that only use computer labs for modeling and simulations.
o   Specialty computer labs will be made available virtually so that students can remotely access them from their own computing devices.

Labs 

Lab work is essential to the success of all Kettering students. Our students thrive through Kettering’s educational model which places equal importance on theory and practice. 

• To comply with social distancing requirements, we will form two-student lab teams and alternate student members for in-lab experience on an odd and even week basis.
• Senior capstone projects will be offered face-to-face and social distancing requirements will be strictly enforced.
• All general computer labs will be temporarily closed for use, and software applications can be accessed through KUCloud.
• Specialty computer labs will be set up as virtual computer labs that can be accessed remotely.

June 15, 2020

The following campus update provides important information about including safety measures and modifications to classrooms and labs and academic support services put in place for Summer Term and the phased return to campus of employees.

As students and faculty prepare for Summer Term, starting July 13, the University is committed to ensuring their successful completion of their academic goals and experience while providing the highest level of safety.

In response to feedback and in adherence to health and safety guidelines, the University has outlined the following to welcome them safely back to campus, based on the current guidelines for social distancing and capacity limits.

Safety Provisions for Classrooms and Labs

In addition to modifications made to physical spaces to allow for safe social distancing and sanitation (detailed below), some classrooms with face-to-face instruction have been identified as stationary – meaning faculty rotate locations without requiring students to move between rooms.

• Classrooms and Labs will meet the following specifications:
  • Seating arranged to meet the social distancing requirements and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.
  • Protective shields installed on instructor’s stations.
  • Capability for live streaming of classes.

• D-spaces and general computer labs in the AB and Mott Center will be temporarily closed. Access to general computer lab machines will be provided over the network through KUCloud.
• Students will be required to wear face masks in all campus buildings, classrooms and labs (Every student will be provided two washable Bulldog cloth face masks in their Return to Campus kit).

Academic Support:

• All academic support offices will be open and staffed during normal business hours.
• Other face-to-face student and faculty services will be provided on a limited basis, by appointment only.
• ADA accommodations will continue to be provided by the ASC to students with documented needs.
• Opening of the Library for group activities (e.g., study groups) is to be announced.

Phased Return of Identified Essential Employees Starting Monday, June 15:

• Employees will be required to self-report health status via a special smartphone app to be approved to return to campus.
• Upon approval and arrival, they will utilize identified entrances, wear masks at all times in public areas and when more than one person in a work area, and practice safe, social distancing.
• Free optional COVID-19 testing for employees will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 15, and Tuesday, June 16.

Please note that all updates are provided in current status, FAQs, and more posted on fenxiong.net/covid-19.

June 5, 2020

The following campus updates address important issues relevant to students, staff, and faculty.

Employee Phased Return Starting Monday, June 15

• As stated in last week’s update, only employees designated by their department head as deemed essential in providing student-centric services to prepare for the start of the Summer Term will be on campus; all other employees are to continue to work remotely. This arrangement will then be monitored and adjusted in light of new developments and needs.
• Workspace modifications are underway and will be completed by June 12. 
• Optional free COVID-19 testing for employees (conducted on campus in mid-June; dates and details to be announced).
• Required free COVID-19 testing of all employees to be working on campus during Summer Term (conducted in early July prior to the beginning of the term; dates and details to be announced). 
• Free COVID-19 testing encouraged for employees working remotely (conducted during early-July prior to the beginning of the term).
• Employees will be required to wear face masks while on campus in public spaces and any workspace when more than one person is present.
• There will be daily temperature testing of employees upon arrival on campus.
• Social distance sign placement and continued extensive cleaning throughout campus continue.

Co-op Requirements and Alternative Thesis Option (Current Students):

• New information for students related to Co-op and non Co-op jobs affected during this time has been sent directly to students and posted on the website.
• The University has developed an alternative thesis option to allow graduating students in the 2020 Spring and Summer terms to use a faculty-guided “Culminating Reflection Project” in lieu of a traditional thesis. This information has been sent directly to students and posted on the website.
• For details, go to fenxiong.net/covid-19/faqs.

Safety, Social Distancing, Sanitation:

• Thompson Hall

  • Thompson Hall dorm rooms (unoccupied since April) have undergone maintenance services and thorough cleaning and disinfection.
  • The following will be implemented for Summer Term with the upcoming arrival of students.
    • A combination of electrostatic mist and/or spray-on disinfectant will be used to clean surfaces.
    • Twice daily disinfecting of all bathrooms, lounges and common areas and high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, faucets, toilets, etc.
    • Disposable disinfection wipes will be available at the front desk for students to wipe down commonly used items such as cell phones, laptops, controllers, etc.

• Classroom/labs:

  • Room capacities are being reduced with chairs being removed from some larger classrooms and plexiglass shields are being installed as appropriate.  
  • Classrooms are being fitted with lecture-capture equipment so courses can be delivered synchronously by virtual platforms.
  • Plans are to only utilize classrooms with two doors - one for entrance only, the other for exit-only.

• Dining Services

  • June 19 will be the last day for current food operations in Sunrise and C-store until reopening after Zero Section (June 19-July 10). Einstein’s remains closed through early July (reopening details are being finalized now). 
  • Additional social distancing and safety measures continue to be implemented including signage, sneeze guards, etc.

• Bulldog face masks: 

  • In response to multiple requests, the University is working to provide additional Kettering branded face masks for sale in the C-store and online within the next few weeks.

May 29, 2020

Today’s update comes from Tom Ayers, who as Vice President for Administration & Finance, oversees Human Resources, campus facilities, maintenance, dining services, and safety among other departments. 

 As we plan for the return of students to campus for Summer Term, our overarching goal is excellent service with excellent safety.  The University is committed to providing excellent services to students and constituents while providing excellent safety for everyone. 

In the coming days and weeks, we will provide more information on expectations and guidelines for how we all operate when we are on campus based on our mutual commitment to Kettering values.  This will include topics such as the use of face masks, points of entry/exit to buildings, and adjustments to dining services.  Recognizing that we may be of diverse opinion about the need for any particular approach to safety, we will ask and expect everyone to follow the issued guidelines out of a sense of respect for other members of our campus community.  We are confident that the entire Kettering community will rise to this challenge and diligently work to maintain a safe environment for all.

The following campus updates address issues relevant to students, staff, and faculty.

Remote Working Extension to June 15

• In accordance with Governor Whitmer extending the Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order through June 12, the University will delay the beginning date of employees transitioning back to campus until Monday, June 15.  Additional information for department heads regarding transitioning staff back to campus will be forthcoming from the Human Resource Office.  Our objective is to have those employees deemed essential and who must be on campus to provide excellent service begin a phased return to campus in mid-June as appropriate for the start of the Summer Term with all other employees continuing to work remotely. This arrangement will then be monitored and adjusted in light of new developments and needs.

Safe Return to Campus Preparations currently underway:

• Safety equipment

  • We have acquired Bulldog branded face masks for all employees and students.  Two of these washable masks will be given to every employee and student. Additional paper face masks have been acquired to be available at multiple locations across the campus in case there is a need for anyone, such as a visitor or someone forgetting their Bulldog mask.

  • Additional hand sanitizer stations are in the process of being installed across the campus.

  • All employees and students will receive a special Return to Campus Kit that includes Bulldog face masks, hand sanitizer, no-touch tool, forehead thermometer strips, and more.

• Social distance measures

  • Signage to identify and remind us all to appropriately social distance are being placed in various higher traffic areas, restrooms, and at elevators and stairways.

  • Workspace modifications are underway in consultation with department heads and will be completed ahead of June 15. These safety precautions include the installation of sneeze guards, relocation of furniture, addition of pedestrian barriers, etc.

• Testing

  • Hand-held infrared thermometers have been purchased to assist in screening processes.

  • Access to free on-campus COVID-19 testing has been arranged sufficient to serve all employees and students.

May 18, 2020

To the Kettering Community:

I hope that you and those around you are well and healthy.

In preparation for our return to campus for A-Section next term, we are going to begin sending to you a regular stream of communications via emails just like this one. These emails will outline the actions we will be taking as well as the protocols and changes to our operations that we will be making to ensure that we return to a safe working and learning environment in the summer.

They will also speak to how conditions on campus or in the Flint community might impact the operations of the University and to how the protocols we are enacting are responsive to CDC and government guidance.

Starting next week, these emails will arrive at least once a week (look for them each Friday), but as we get closer to the first day of classes you may begin to see more than one a week. Please take time to read them. They won’t be long, yet each one will contain important information that you will need to know before we return to campus. They will also include information that will answer questions that you may have, and links to additional materials that you should also take time to review. At the bottom of each one will also be an email address that you can use if you have further questions about the subject of the email. 

We are excited to welcome the Kettering Community back to campus.

Beginning with the summer term and the opening of the 2020-2021 academic year on July 13, we will return to face-to-face instruction on campus consistent with guidelines and best practices at that time.  

Thompson Hall will reopen to students at the beginning of the summer term as previously scheduled. However, for summer term 2020 we will suspend our 1st year student on-campus residency requirement, allowing entering students to elect either to live in Thompson Hall or to commute to campus if they feel more comfortable doing so. 

Remote work for employees continues through May, with phased return of employees in June and July.

We have been working tirelessly as a community to prepare for the day we reopen campus.  

Teams of faculty, staff, and students drawn from across the University have been working steadfastly for over two months to research, evaluate, monitor, and define the steps we will need to take over the coming weeks to ensure our safe return to campus while delivering the educational experience that our students expect once we do. 

These teams are currently refining elements of our return-to-campus plan. This Playbook for Our Return to Campus will be shared with the University community when it is ready for distribution in mid to late June. While we are doing this planning, though, know that we are also acting - purchasing needed supplies, making changes to workspaces and classrooms, and procuring the ability to do broad, on-demand testing of faculty, staff, and students.

Our Playbook will address a wide range of University operations, including:

• Academics, including courses, scheduling and use of alternative course delivery
• Academic, dining, on-campus residential, and common space redesign to facilitate social distancing
• On-campus testing and contact tracing, including pre-testing, testing during the term, isolation, and provisions for medical care and isolation/quarantine if needed
• Residential living and off-campus housing 
• Wellness including mental and physical well-being 
• Student activities, Greek Life, and Clubs 
• Dining services
• PPE supplies and equipment
• Enhanced cleaning and sanitization

Many of these topics will also be addressed in future emails. In all of our plans we are guided by our core values as a community, as are the actions we take:

• Respect for teamwork, honesty, encouragement, diversity, and partnerships with students
• Integrity including accountability, transparency and ethics
• Creativity fostering flexibility and innovation
• Collaboration across disciplines and with all partners
• Excellence in all we do

When we return to campus, we all know that we will not be returning immediately to the normal we left behind in March, but those days will come again. Until then, our ability to operate on campus safely will depend in large part on each of us assuming personal responsibility to act in ways that ensure the safety and health of our community and supporting others to do the same. If we all take this responsibility to heart, we will create – together – a path to the future that is anchored in our values – and the one that shows what it means to be Kettering Built. 

Stay Well.

Dr. Robert K. McMahan

President and Professor of Physics

May 1, 2020

In response to student feedback, Kettering University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan has announced that undergraduate students completing coursework in the winter and spring terms of this academic year will be permitted to opt for an alternate grade designation on a class-by-class basis. 

Highlights from his May 1 email to students include:

• Once the spring term ends, faculty will post A-F grades as normal for their students. Grades for winter term have already been posted.
• All undergraduate students will be allowed to choose, by individual course, to take the letter grade that has been assigned, or to translate that grade to one of the following: 

• • “P” (Pass) for grades A to C-  
  • “LP” (Low Pass) for a grade of D (including D+)
  • “NC” (No Credit) for an F letter grade.
• The default for all students will remain our normal A-F grading system.  So, if a student does not specifically elect the P/LP/NC option for a course, the issued A-F grade will be recorded on the transcript and used in the computation of the GPA as normal.
• Upon designation by a student, the Registrar’s Office will convert an issued grade to a P, LP, or an NC on the student’s permanent transcript.  P, LP, or NC grades will not be used in the calculation of a student’s GPA.  
• A student choosing to receive a LP in a course rather than a D or D+ may use that grade to satisfy Kettering pre-requisite or degree requirements or choose to retake the course for letter grade replacement credit in the future. The LP grade will not be used in the calculation of a student’s GPA.
• If a student elects to take a P, LP, or NC grade in a course, the change on their transcript, once made, will be permanent and cannot be reversed.
• The University will delay the awarding of spring degrees by two weeks to allow students in their final term sufficient time to make an alternate grade election decision. 
• Consistent with Kettering’s grade change policy (which does not permit grade changes after degree completion), this option will not be available to students whose degrees have already been awarded.
• FN (F for non-attendance) grades may not be modified and will be recorded on the transcript as normal.
• Choosing to take a P, LP, or NC grade in a course will not affect a student’s ability to receive academic honors and distinctions, their academic standing, or their scholarship eligibility, as these grades will not affect a student’s GPA.  
• The University will revert to its normal A-F grading system upon our return to on-campus delivery in summer 2020.
• The Registrar will send direct communication to students to outline the specific procedure for making alternate grade elections.
• All students should carefully consider the implications of choosing a P/LP/NC grade.  Many graduate schools and professional degree programs will not accept Pass/Fail or P/LP/NC grades for prerequisite courses. Pre-med students are especially cautioned as medical schools often do not accept these alternate grades on core science classes. 
• Student with questions are encouraged to speak with their advisor or the Academics Success Center (ASC).
• The window for students to change their grade designation will be:
  • Winter Term Election Period: May 18 – May 29
  • Spring Term Election Period: June 29 – July 10 

April 24, 2020

Update From President McMahan

Summary

Consistent with our commitment to do so by April 20, we now are able to make a number of decisions concerning the operation of the University through the remainder of the spring term as well as into the start of our new academic year. These, along with updated information on our plans for 2020 Commencement, are summarized below and detailed in the text of this letter.

• Virtual delivery of all courses will continue through the remainder of the spring term.
• For employees currently working remotely from home, we will continue this working arrangement through the month of May and then begin a phased return to on-campus work in June; however, employees in roles essential to reopening the University may be asked to return at an earlier time depending upon our operational needs and as government guidelines permit.
• Planning for this return will take place through the month of May. In May, we also may begin to permit a return to work on-campus for approved employees as the situation and government guidelines permit.
• For employees currently working on-campus in support of essential operations, we will continue our current working arrangements, which include social distancing, environmental cleaning, and disinfection procedures.
• Beginning with the summer term and the opening of the 2020-2021 academic year, we intend to return to face-to-face instruction on campus in a manner consistent with prevailing guidelines at that time.
• Thompson Hall will also reopen to students at the beginning of the summer term as previously scheduled. However, for summer term 2020 we will suspend our 1st year student on-campus residency requirement, allowing entering students to elect either to live in Thompson Hall or to commute to campus if they feel more comfortable doing so.
• We are exploring the creation of hybrid courses and laboratory sections with the goal of permitting students to convene in smaller groups when they do come to campus. We may also opt to reduce the number of courses taught during the summer and fall to create a nimbler learning environment in support of this goal.
• We will move our 2020 Commencement ceremony to Saturday, October 10, 2020.
• We have created an emergency fund to provide financial assistance to Kettering University undergraduate and graduate students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Currently enrolled Kettering students can find details on eligibility and how to apply onmy.fenxiong.net.

Together as a community we have demonstrated in our response to COVID-19 that in the face of a crisis we act creatively and effectively with flexibility and determination. The times are uncertain, but our dedication to our students is not. Looking forward into our next school year it is certainly possible that we may have to respond to some further disruptions well into the summer and fall of 2020, and if we do, some of the plans outlined in this letter may need to change. But whether they do or not, know:

• We are ready and prepared to respond to any future disruptions, and we can and will pivot between face-to-face and remote instruction if and when necessary to protect the safety and health of our community and minimize the disruption to students.
• We are very excited to welcome all new Bulldogs, current students, our faculty, and staff back for the 2020-2021 academic year.

I hope this finds you and yours well.

In an earlier email, I wrote to you that we would communicate on April 20, 2020 our plans for the remainder of the spring 2020 term and for Commencement. We established the April 20 decision date with an eye towards ensuring [1.] that our planning for the remainder of the term was not reactionary but rather driven by appropriate and thoughtful consideration of the situation as it has evolved, and [2.] that our actions prioritize the safety and health of our community while also supporting our students’ successful progress to graduation.

We are living through these complex times together, so we do understand the anxiety that everyone feels about the current situation along with how and when we will return to more normal operations. However, there are also many things about which we can be very proud.

I am particularly proud of the magnificent way in which we as a community have reacted to the challenges we have faced. We have made a very successful transition to the virtual delivery of all of our courses and student services for the spring term. Our faculty and staff have been tireless in their efforts and steadfast in their dedication to our students.

We have created new programs, virtual labs, courses, and opportunities for our students, alumni and their families. Our custodial, grounds, maintenance, shipping & receiving, and campus safety teams have provided essential on-campus operations with excellence. We have raised and are distributing emergency funds to our students dealing with financial hardship, and our alumni and families have been generous in their gifts to help make this possible.

We have supported our community in myriad ways, including by donating and creating critically needed supplies to local hospitals, volunteering across the community, and working with Hurley Medical Center and the Mayor of Flint to create a drive through COVID-19 testing facility at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium.

Critical to our success has been the flexibility, support, and patience of our families and students as we have accomplished all of this and more in just a few weeks’ time.

Thank you.

We remain committed to returning to on-campus delivery of our classes and services as soon as it is prudent to do so, respecting government guidelines as they evolve, and with the safety and health of the Kettering community always front of mind. We continue to maintain a comprehensive website covering our operations and our response, including a detailed FAQ and external links. You may find it at thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19. This site is updated daily; but, if after reviewing it, you still have a question, please email it to covid-19@fenxiong.net. We also continue to monitor social media and to respond there as appropriate.

We appreciate your understanding as we work rapidly to meet all of the widely varying needs of our community under these conditions. Consistent with our commitment to do so by April 20, we now are able to make a number of decisions concerning the operation of the University in the spring and summer terms.

These, along with updated information on our plans for 2020 Commencement, are detailed below:

Spring Term

• Virtual delivery of all courses will continue through the remainder of the spring term. We will not resume face-to-face delivery on campus on May 4 as originally hoped but will continue to deliver all courses virtually through the end of the term.
• All academic and business operations of the University will continue during this period taking appropriate measures to protect the health of all on our campus and in our community.
• On-campus operations will continue on a limited basis, but most University buildings will remain closed.
• Thompson Hall will remain closed to students through the end of the term. The residence hall will undergo repair and repeated disinfection in preparation for future occupancy.
• Account credits and/or refunds will be issued to impacted students for the loss of access to room and board over the remaining weeks of the term.
• A reduced meal service will be available to our students who for personal reasons needed to remain in our community during the spring term, although service hours will continue to be limited. Meals will be provided to-go only.
• Students will not be permitted on campus prior to the opening of summer term in July, with the exception of the Campus Center for the purposes of accessing the Wellness Center, Campus Safety or our take-out meal service. During this period, all student activity centers, e.g. the SAE Garage, t-Space, etc. will remain closed and no access by students will be permitted. Exceptions to these restrictions must be approved in writing by the President or the Dean of Students.
• Student Support services will continue to be delivered virtually through the remainder of the term.
  • The Student Life Office provides student engagement support through clubs and organizations, Greek Life, Recreation Center, Residence Life, Health and Counseling and the Office of Multicultural Student Initiatives at (810) 762-9871 or studentlife@fenxiong.net;
  • The Registrar’s Office provides remote help for students’ registration issues, drop/add requests, and other requests related to student record management. (810) 762-7476 or registrar@fenxiong.net
  • The Academic Success Center (ASC) engages students and addresses their needs in advising, ADA accommodation, etc. (810) 762-9775 or academicsuccess@fenxiong.net
  • The Office of International Program (OIP) manages international student affairs, travel related requests and issues, study abroad preparation, and international partnership management. (810) 762-9869 or international@fenxiong.net
  • The Library provides support to faculty and students in accessing library resources virtually including electronic textbooks. (810) 762-7814 or library@fenxiong.net

Phased Return of Employees to Campus in June

• For employees currently working remotely from home, we will continue this working arrangement through the month of May and then begin a phased return to on-campus work in June; however, employees in roles essential to reopening the University may be asked to return at an earlier time depending upon our operational needs and as government guidelines permit.
• Planning for this return will take place through the month of May.
• In May, we also may begin to permit a voluntary return to work on-campus for approved employees as the situation and government guidelines at the time permit.
• Phased reactivation of the Recreation Center and Campus Dining will also occur in May and June consistent with government guidelines at the time.

Academic Year 2020-2021

We are very excited to welcome all new Bulldogs, current students, our faculty, and staff back for the 2020-2021 academic year. We anticipate returning to face-to-face, on-campus delivery of instruction with the opening of the summer term in July.

As we do, however, depending upon the circumstances and relevant government guidelines at that time, we may also need to implement prudent social distancing measures in the delivery of our courses and in our labs, facilities, and housing, as well as restrict temporarily some non-academic campus activities or modify how we conduct meetings and orientation activities such as convocation.

• Beginning with the opening of the summer term, we will return to face-to-face instruction on campus in a manner consistent with prevailing guidelines at that time.
• We are evaluating the creation of hybrid courses and laboratory sections in the summer (and possibly fall) term with the goal of permitting students to convene in smaller groups when they come to campus. We may also opt to reduce the number of courses taught or delay laboratory sections within the term to create a nimbler learning environment in support of this goal.
• Thompson Hall will reopen to returning students for move-in as scheduled at the beginning of the term, however, for summer term 2020 only:
  • We will suspend our 1st year student on-campus residency requirement.
  • All entering 1st year students may elect to live in Thompson Hall or to make other arrangements for housing or to commute to campus if they feel more comfortable doing so.

Commencement

Commencement is a culminating and very important recognition of the enormous accomplishments of our graduates. We do believe that significant sectors of the economy will have reopened at the time in late June that Commencement was originally scheduled. However, as Commencement also represents a large and concentrated public assembly of several thousand people (among whom would inevitably be individuals at higher risk), we now believe that holding the ceremony in June is unlikely to be prudent or permitted.

Under these circumstances, we believe it far better to move the ceremony and its associated events to a later date rather than replace it with a lesser set of experiences closer to the originally scheduled date.

We understand that whatever new date for the ceremony we choose, it will regretfully conflict with the plans of some. Our decision has been informed, however, by surveys on this topic that we have conducted of our graduates and their families.

• We will hold our 2020 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, October 10, 2020.
• Our Honors Banquet will be held the evening before on Friday, October 9, 2020.

The 2019-2020 graduating class is quite large, and many of you have also expressed concerns about the availability of guest tickets to the ceremony. Understandably, our graduates wish to celebrate with all of those who have made their achievements possible, and we wish to make this possible by accommodating as many guests as possible. Given the size of the class, and depending upon demand for tickets, this may ultimately require us to divide the event into two separate ceremonies held at different times on the same date.

• In the near future, we will survey our graduates and their families to assess the demand for guest tickets on this new date. Based upon these results, we will make a decision as to the number of ceremonies we will hold on commencement day.

Kettering Student Emergency Fund

We have created an emergency fund to provide financial assistance to Kettering University undergraduate and graduate students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Students who are experiencing unanticipated financial hardships related to securing basic needs (e.g. housing, food and academic materials or technology), loss of co-op wages, tuition, and other specific situations may be eligible to receive funding. Currently enrolled Kettering students may find details on eligibility and how to apply on my.fenxiong.net.

Thank you to all who are working so hard to ensure the safety of our community and the continuity and integrity of our operations. Please continue to check the University website (http://thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19) regularly for updates. We will continue to communicate with you as the situation evolves and more information becomes available.

April 17, 2020

The Kettering University Student Emergency Fund has been established to provide financial assistance to current undergraduate and graduate students impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.

Students experiencing unanticipated financial hardships including basic needs (housing, food and academic materials or technology), loss of Co-op wages, tuition expenses and other situations identified in the online request form at my.fenxiong.net are eligible for funds. Applicants must be currently enrolled and provide documentation to support the need.

Students were notified of this development via email earlier this week. Those with questions or concerns can reach the Financial Aid team directly at finaid@fenxiong.net or schedule a virtual meeting with a team member through the application form.

For more details, go to news.fenxiong.net.

April 14, 2020

Kettering University's Atwood Stadium in Flint will host drive-through, appointment-only COVID-19 testing conducted by Hurley Medical Center starting this Wednesday (April 15). Testing will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and run as long as state and medical officials deem necessary. Patients must call Hurley's hotline at (810) 262-3685 to get an appointment for the testing. In order to get an appointment, they must meet Michigan’s statewide testing criteria. Read the full story at news.fenxiong.net. 

April 8, 2020

Kettering University is extending its current temporary remote work period and associated staffing arrangements through Friday, May 1, 2020, with only those in roles classified as "essential" working on campus and/or making occasional trips to campus to maintain University operations. Supervisors will continue to work with their staff on scheduling and responsibilities as they have since the initial remote work period was instituted by the University.

The University is open, and employees are expected to continue to support the needs of the University and its students as we have begun our Spring Term (in a virtual learning format for the first four weeks). Further extensions of this remote work period, if required, will be included in future communications. Employees with questions can contact Human Resources at askHR@fenxiong.net or by calling 810-762-9891 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. EST. (Please leave a voicemail if we are unable to answer when you call).

April 2, 2020

From the University

• An online chat has been launched with members of the University’s Admissions team responding immediately to questions from prospective students about application status, enrollment information, financial aid opportunities and more. fenxiong.net/undergraduate-admissions
• Students and authorized users who are experiencing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, can contact Student Accounts (studentaccounts@fenxiong.net) to review deferred payment plan options.
• Students who have been approved by the Office of International Programs or the Student Life Office to live in Campus Village Apartments will be able to pick up a free hot lunch along with dinner for that evening and the next day's breakfast. This carry-out only service will be provided from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Sunset Room. Essential employees still on campus can also take a free hot lunch to go during the same time.
• The C-store is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for non-cash sales.
• The Library on campus is now closed, but the University’s virtual library will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday (closed Saturday).

Local/state

• Mayor Sheldon Neeley issued an executive order establishing a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily curfew for the city of Flint effective April 2 and ending May 1. For more details, go to cityofflint.com/covid-19/
• The state of Michigan has established a webpage, michigan.gov/fightcovid19 to provide an updated directory of volunteer opportunities throughout the state. Medical, community, public health and senior citizen care are among the categories which also includes information on donating blood and a request form for those needing assistance for older adults.

March 24, 2020

To: The Kettering University Community

Subject: 2020 March 24 – Spring Term Scheduling

Executive Summary of Changes Detailed in This Letter

We greatly appreciate your patience as we work as rapidly as possible to meet all of the widely varying needs of our community under these conditions. Consistent with our commitment to do so as early as possible, we now able to make a number of decisions concerning the operation of the University in the spring term. Primary among these are:

• Students are not exempted from the Governor’s stay-at-home order. While it is in effect (March 24 – April 13) students, other than those approved to reside in Thompson Hall, will not be permitted on campus.

• Spring term will begin as scheduled on April 6.

  • April 6-10: Academic Preparation Week using Virtual Delivery

  • April 13 through at least May 1: Regular Course Schedule using Virtual Delivery

• No later than Monday, April 20, we will communicate the decision to further extend virtual delivery in the term or to transition to face-to-face on campus delivery on May 4.

In earlier emails, I wrote that we would communicate to the Kettering community our plans for beginning the next semester as early as possible, but no later than April 8. We established this date to give us time to ensure that our response is appropriate to the situation, that we were remaining in compliance with the wide range of federal and state regulations, and that our students’ progress to graduation would not be adversely impacted by any actions we took.

We are not on the same schedule as other universities in Michigan or the U.S. These schools are on a semester calendar, which means they are in the middle of their second and final term of the year; whereas, we are in the last week of our third term, and are preparing for exams and the beginning of our fourth. They end their academic year in May, and have a long summer hiatus until the beginning of their fall term; we end our spring term in mid-June, and have only two weeks until we begin our summer term in early July.

We are proud of our differences because they produce such amazing outcomes for our students. This means we need to respond differently from other institutions to this situation. We have had to develop our own plans that are specific to the needs of our students in both A and B sections, and then to make sure that we are able to execute them effectively.

We understand the anxiety that everyone feels about the current situation, because we are all living this with you. These situations are hard on all of us. We regularly communicate with you – even while the situation may be developing and outcomes are changing – in this hope of providing insight into not only what we are doing, but why.

For example, yesterday the Governor issued a stay at home order for the entire state of Michigan. Only two days before that, her office told us definitively that this option was not being considered. Events are moving that quickly. We anticipated it and have been preparing for it, nonetheless. In compliance, we have now limited campus activity to essential functions.

Our commitment to you is and always has been to act to protect the safety and health of the Kettering community while responding appropriately and responsibly to the situation as it evolves. No single letter can contain all of the information you may wish to see, nor can it answer every question possible in a community this large. However, we also maintain a website with a tremendous amount of information on our operations and our response, along with external links to even more. You may find it at thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19. This site is updated daily; but, if after reviewing it, you still have a question, you may email it to covid-19@fenxiong.net. We are also monitoring relevant social media and will respond there as well.

We greatly appreciate your patience as we work as rapidly as possible to meet all of the widely varying needs of our community under these conditions. Consistent with our commitment to do so if possible, and earlier than originally anticipated, we now able to make a number of decisions concerning the operation of the University in the spring term. These are detailed below:

Detailed Timeline of Changes to the Spring Term Schedule

Effective Immediately

• Students are not exempted from the Governor’s stay-at-home order, therefore while it is in effect (12:01 a.m., March 24 – April 13):

  • Students, other than those approved to reside in Thompson Hall, will not be permitted on campus. Exceptions to this must be approved in writing by the President or the Dean of Students.

  • All student activity centers, e.g. the SAE Garage, t-Space, etc. are closed and no access by students will be permitted.

Between Today and April 6

• Residence halls will close March 28.

  • Students approved to reside on campus will be supported as usual in our residence halls and dining facilities until that date.

• Any student needing to remain on campus in Thompson Hall after March 28 must obtain explicit written approval to do so from the Dean of Students. Students should contact the Office of Student Life (or the Office of International Programs for international students) to obtain this authorization.

• After March 28 and through the break, a reduced meal service will be available to those authorized to stay in Thompson Hall, although service hours will be limited. Meals will be provided to-go only.

• Under specific provisions of the Governor’s stay-at-home order, the campus will continue to operate on a limited basis, but most University buildings will be closed.

April 6 – May 1: Week 1-4 of Spring Term 2020

• Spring term will begin as scheduled on April 6.

• All course content will be delivered virtually during this period.

• Last day to add or drop courses for the term will be April 15.

• Last day for course withdrawal for partial refund will be May 10.

• No later than Monday, April 20, we will communicate the decision to further extend virtual delivery in the term or to transition to face-to-face on campus delivery on May 4.

  • If we return to on-campus delivery on May 4:

    • Thompson Hall will reopen to returning students on May 3.

    • On-campus delivery under our regular schedule will resume on May 4.

  • If we do not return to face-to-face delivery on May 4:

    • Virtual delivery will continue until a return to campus is reasonable and prudent, lacking assurance of which we will commit to delivering instruction virtually for the remainder of the term.

• Under specific provisions of the Governor’s stay-at-home order, the campus will continue to operate on a limited basis, but most University buildings will be closed while the order is in effect. Our University will remain open during this period and our operations will continue with appropriate measures to protect the health of all on our campus and in our community.

Detailed Course Delivery Schedule by Week:

Week 1 (April 6-10) Academic Preparation Week

• Delivery during this period will be virtual only.

• Assignments in the first week will be substantive and count toward the term credit.

• Course syllabi, including a detailed course plans, course expected outcomes, and other relevant course information will be uploaded to the Blackboard no later than April 4.

• Class activities will be held during the scheduled class (and lab) times.

• No exams or quizzes will be administered during the first week and no homework or projects will be assigned during the first week.

Week 2-4 (April 13-May 1) Regular Course Schedule

• Delivery during this period will be virtual only.

• During this period labs will be conducted via simulation on KUCloud (kucloud.fenxiong.net) or other alternative methods.

• Lectures will be delivered synchronously using the Bb/Collaborate platform.

• Class activities will be held during the scheduled class (and lab) times.

• Student Support services will be delivered virtually.

  • The Registrar’s Office will provide remote help for students’ registration issues, drop/add requests, and other requests related to student record management. (810) 762-7476 or registrar@fenxiong.net

  • The Academic Success Center (ASC) will continue to engage students and address their needs in advising, ADA accommodation, etc. (810) 762-9775 or academicsuccess@fenxiong.net

  • The Office of International Program (OIP) will continue to manage international student affairs, travel related requests and issues, study abroad preparation, and international partnership management. (810) 762-9869 or international@fenxiong.net

  • The Library will continue to provide support to faculty and students in accessing library resources virtually including electronic textbooks. (810) 762-7814 or library@fenxiong.net

Beyond May 1

Week 5 (May 4) Anticipated Return to Face-to-Face on Campus Operations

• Thompson Hall will reopen to returning students for move-in on May 3./p>

  • As appropriate, account credits and/or refunds will be issued to impacted students for the partial loss of access to room and board over the first 4 weeks of the term./p>

• Virtual Delivery will end and we will return to face-to-face instruction on campus on May 4.

Why Are We Not Moving Now to Virtual Delivery for the Entire Term?

At this time, given our best evaluation of our situation in light of information we are receiving from federal and state agencies, we believe we will be able to return to on-campus, face-to-face delivery and to permit returning students to return to Thompson Hall after May 1, six weeks from now. Should the situation change in the interim and make such a return inadvisable, we are preparing to deliver the entire term virtually.

Many of our undergraduate courses have significant laboratory or hands-on, project-based components. There are currently no readily available virtual replacements for many of these. We are working to identify virtual alternatives where they exist, and to develop those that do not. We remain strongly committed to the value of a hands-on, laboratory-based education for our students, so it is our hope to return to normal operations if prudent to provide that experience for our students.

What is the status of Commencement?

At this time, we continue to hold open the possibility of holding our Commencement ceremony as scheduled in June, as it is the ultimate celebration and recognition of accomplishment for all of our students. However, since Commencement represents a large and concentrated public assembly it may not be possible to hold Commencement as scheduled even if we have returned to face-to-face course delivery. We will update the Kettering community as our plans for this become clearer.

Cooperative Education

We have received reports that some co-op companies have begun to adjust placements this term as they implement remote work plans and adjust their operations in response to COVID-19. Each organization’s response has been different and we continue to encourage our students to engage actively with both your co-op employer and with your co-op manager.

The admissions and cooperative education teams have been reaching out to admitted students, current students, and active co-op partners to gather insight and to provide coaching and guidance. The number of impacted students has so far been fairly limited, however, we have plans in place to assist students and incoming students grappling with this situation.

Some students originally scheduled for a coop term in the spring may instead choose to enroll in classes for that term. We are closely monitoring this and are prepared to add class sections as needed to make it possible for them to do so.

We are also working to secure external sources of gap funding for students impacted by COVID-19. More will be communicated on this in the near future.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as the University responds to this challenging situation. Thank you to all who are working so hard to ensure the safety of our community and the continuity and integrity of our operations.

Please continue to check the University website (http://thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19) regularly for updates in addition to public health advisories on the virus which may be accessed through our website as well. We will continue to communicate with you as more information becomes available.

Thank you & Warmest Regards,

Dr. Robert K. McMahan

President and Professor of Physics

Chair of COVID-19 Response Team

March 20, 2020

To: The Kettering University Community

Subject: 2020 March 20 – Planning for Next Term

This email contains important information about spring term 2020; please read it in its entirety.

First, I am pleased to let you know that our complete schedule of courses is being delivered smoothly and virtually via Collaborate across all programs without major incident and with no outstanding issues. Final exams will be delivered next week, on schedule.

Our academic departments report broad participation and satisfaction by students and faculty with the transition, and ASC has continued to help students with advising and their thesis, working with over 200 students this week alone, almost all virtually. Critical student-facing functions on campus are in operation, and many staff are working remotely, while all areas are supporting core on-campus levels of activity.

Finally, our students on Study Abroad have all been safely returned to the U.S. and all but the last two (who are in transit home in the US), to their homes. We have applied for and received State Department approval for virtual learning for our J-1 Visa holders, ensuring that the status of our students from other countries is not impacted by our move to virtual delivery. On-campus courses for our students who are unable to study abroad next term have been scheduled and set.

Even our eSports team is going strong, with students still attending practice even though it's virtual and distributed.

Due to everyone’s hard work, flexibility, agility, creativity, dedication, and engagement, we have made these transitions quickly, effectively, successfully, and without compromise to our curriculum or delay in our student’s progress to graduation. Thank you. Together we have made this happen.

Planning for Spring Term

We have accomplished a remarkable amount over the past weeks, and we have done so with great success. As we look forward to next term, it is important that we encourage and assist each other to continue this great work – and given our success so far, I am confident in our ability to provide a comprehensive virtual learning experience for our students well into the spring if it is required.

We have demonstrated our ability to take on great challenges together. Spring term will present new ones. But I am certain that we will be able to build upon what we have already accomplished to meet them.

The COVID-19 Response Team continues to meet daily and virtually, and we have been actively coordinating with Academic Affairs to develop specific plans for the structure of next term. Specifically, we have begun to establish the sequence and decision points around the beginning of the term and the beginning of instruction.

The Provost will communicate to the campus details of the transition plan for next term to faculty and students early next week. In advance of that, I wanted to give you a sense of that plan, along with why proceeding in the way it outlines is important.

Looking ahead, we are going to need to navigate not only the possibility of beginning next semester using virtual delivery, but also how to do so while remaining in compliance with the wide range of federal and state regulations that determine our students’ eligibility, among other things, to receive financial aid. In addition, our accreditors, both HLC and specialized ones like ABET, have content and time standards that they have not relaxed and to which we must conform, even in this time of disruption. These make it impossible for us to change certain aspects of the term, such as the length of our academic year, without their approval in advance. Federal reporting requirements mandate we receive advance approval for many others.

We have no long summer break over which to absorb large shifts in our schedule. And the spring term in particular ends with Commencement, a culminating event in the lives of our students for which our families and we prepare far in advance.

Revised Spring Term Schedule

Taking all of these issues into consideration, I believe we would create far too much disruption for our students (in a time of already so much) if we delay the formal start of the term to April 13. But we can delay the formal start of instruction to April 13 even with an April 6 term start date, by requiring that the 1st week of the term be used for formal academic and preparatory purposes outside of class. And importantly, if we begin the term this way, we will also ensure that there is no interruption in our students' financial aid or changes in their eligibility.

Therefore, we will begin the term (but not direct instruction) officially as originally scheduled on April 6. First week, from April 6-10, will be allocated to academic preparation work, including reading or other virtual assignments by the faculty, but with no class meetings scheduled. All relevant course materials for each class will be available to students on Blackboard no later than April 4 to ensure that the full week is usable. Over this Academic Preparation Week, we will also confirm our readiness to deliver virtually 100% of the spring curriculum without compromise on April 13.

The end date for the spring term, Commencement, as well as most deadlines and response dates during it will remain unchanged. We will however, add an additional week to drop/add and the tuition refund date schedule. Changes to some due dates or billing processes have the potential to impact students’ financial aid, and we are committed to act in ways that do not. Any modifications to these along with explanations for them will be communicated directly to students and their families by the University over the next week. (The date of Commencement is unchanged under this schedule, however, we must all anticipate that the date of Commencement might still change - or even be suspended - if required to ensure the safety of our community under this evolving situation. )

In summary, next term will begin as follows:

• We will begin spring term as scheduled on April 6, 2020.
• The first week of the term will be assigned to Academic Preparation, which means all courses will need to have all relevant materials posted in Blackboard by April 4.
• Formal direct instruction will begin on April 13.

Given the rapidly evolving nature of the situation in which we all find ourselves,we have made no decision at this point if face-to-face instruction will resume on April 13, or if we will continue to deliver all courses virtually for some period thereafter. In either event, direct instruction will begin on April 13. An announcement on when we hope to open Thompson hall toreturningstudents will be forthcoming as well.

Our University remains open and operations continue with appropriate measures to protect the health of all on our campus and in our community. We continue to monitor and evaluate our situation and will communicate to the campus community no later than April 8 our intent to reconvene and reestablish face-to-face on-campus delivery on April 13. Please know that we do understand and are sensitive to the fact that the timing of these decisions impacts the ability of our students and their families to make plans for the term and for Commencement. We will make every effort to communicate our decisions as early as possible, but no later than the date(s) identified.

Please continue to check the University website (http://thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19) regularly for updates in addition to public health advisories on the virus which may be accessed through our website as well. We will continue to communicate with you as more information becomes available.

Thank you & Warmest Regards,

Dr. Robert K. McMahan

President and Professor of Physics

Chair, COVID Response Team

March 18, 2020

To: The Kettering University Community

Subject: 2020 March 18 - Co-op; Preparations for Possible Shelter in Place

I am so proud of us as a community.

The way that this campus has transitioned to virtual delivery, the way that faculty and staff have adapted so successfully and quickly to new technologies, often having to redraft courses or re-engineer approaches to work in a matter of hours. Absolutely spectacular. Thank you.

But it is also important that we remember and recognize that the work that has made all this possible didn’t start only recently. Many of our colleagues in IT and Kettering Global, in the Registrar’s office, the Library and the Academic Success Center, in International Programs and Student Life – and in many other areas across the University – have been working for years to upgrade our systems, to add capabilities, to enhance student success and implement tools in support of it, and to create whole online enterprises, tools, and training built on standards of excellence. The groundwork they laid and their dedication to our collective future are paying dividends for us all now, and are making a smooth transition to virtual delivery and work possible. Thank you.

We have more challenges ahead of us. But with the team we have, I know we will get through them, stronger and even better than before for having met them. I can think of nowhere else I would rather be in this moment than here, at Kettering University, with this team. With you. Thank you.

I Would Like to Speak Directly to Students for a Moment about Co-op

I know many of you are watching the impact that COVID-19 is having on the stock market, and many of you have already received specific instructions from your co-op employer on how they intend to manage their operations during this period.

A few of you have also reported to us that some co-op companies have already begun to adjust placements this term as they implement remote work plans and adjust their operations in response to COVID-19. I am sure that you are wondering how these changes might affect your future term co-op placements, too.

The current situation is extraordinary. To navigate it will require agility and flexibility from all of us as our employer partners manage through a truly unique set of circumstances. Each organization’s response will be different, including their approach to their co-op students.

I would encourage you to take this opportunity to engage actively with both your co-op employer and with your co-op manager. If you are working now, it is important to understand the policies and guidance of your employer; if you need assistance in this, our co-op managers have experience coaching our students through challenging situations.

Our co-op managers are in communication with our partners as well. They are, among other things, gathering the latest information on upcoming placements as well as current ones. Your co-op manager will be reaching out to you, but if you have questions now, don’t wait to hear from them. Start the conversation.

In general, please check our COVID-19 University website (http://thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19) regularly for updates in addition to public health advisories on the virus. These may also be accessed through our website. We will continue to communicate regularly with you as more information is available, and, if you haven’t done so already, please read my letter to campus on March 16, which contains specific information.

Preparations for Possible Shelter in Place

At the present time, there remain no identified cases of COVID-19 at the University nor in Genesee County. As the virus continues to spread in Michigan, and as the volume of testing increases significantly (which will reveal previously undiagnosed cases), we may expect this situation to change. There are currently 110 recorded cases in the state, and, sadly, now one death. The Governor of Michigan has been taking a very aggressive stance against the spread of this virus in our state, and we may also assume that this will continue.

If the experience of other states is a guide, we may expect the Governor to eventually issue shelter-in-place orders for some counties in our state to help curb the person-to-person transmission of the virus. In the event such an order is issued, travel will be severely limited, and depending upon the specific parameters of the order, may be prohibited except for very specific purposes, like going to the grocery store.

At present, even though we have moved exclusively to virtual delivery of courses and many of our faculty and staff are working remotely, a significant number of students have opted to remain on campus in local housing or in Thompson Hall.

Students

Typically, “shelter in place” orders do not prevent students from moving out of student housing facilities to reside somewhere else. However, a shelter-in-place order, should it come, may be expected to make it more difficult for students intending to ultimately travel home to do so. At this time, we have no direct information that this order is to be issued for Genesee County, or that it is even being considered. But experience suggests we must be prepared for this eventuality, and the order is likely to come, if it does, with little or no advance warning.

Even under such circumstances, please rest assured that we will keep residence and dining facilities open so long as there is a need to do so, however:

• Students still in residence at the University are strongly encouraged to return home as soon as possible and without delay if you are able to do so.

And in the event that a shelter-in-place order is issued for Genesee County:

• Thompson Hall will remain open and operational, and students who feel safer in University housing or who have made arrangements to stay in University housing through the break will be permitted to do so.
• Our food service will remain open as well, but it may be operated under reduced hours or provide a more limited form of food service.

Faculty and Staff

In the event that a shelter-in-place order is issued covering Genesee County, all faculty and staff will receive emailed instructions on remote work arrangements and procedures. Staff in on-campus roles that support student-facing functions that cannot be offered remotely like housing, dining, the Wellness Center, Campus Security, facilities, custodial, IT, etc. are normally exempt from such an order.

Therefore, under such an order, our campus would continue to operate on a limited basis, but most University buildings would be closed. The majority of our employees reside in Genesee County; however, we recognize that some employees may live in other areas that themselves may be covered by a shelter-in-place order when Genesee County is not, or vice-versa, and we will manage these situations individually should it become necessary.

Please continue to check regularly the University website (http://thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19) for updates in addition to public health advisories on the virus which may be accessed through our website as well. We will continue to communicate regularly with you as more information is available.

Thank you & Warmest Regards,

Dr. Robert K. McMahan

President and Professor of Physics

Chair, COVID Response Team

March 17, 2020

We continue to monitor official CDC and Public Health recommendations as well as local/state/federal government policies that impact our Kettering Community.

Today’s updates:

• There are no identified cases of COVID-19 at the University nor in Genesee County at this time.
• Kettering Dining Services is open to students (whether resident in Thompson Hall or off-campus), staff, and faculty but on a full-service, take-out only basis and not to the public.
• All seating and activity areas of BJ’s are open, but the food service in BJ's is closed.
• The University Library remains open to students, staff, and faculty, but is closed to the public.
• Everyone is encouraged to practice safe social distancing while in community spaces such as the library.
• We understand the delay in the start of Spring Term to April 13 impacts planning and travel and that you may have questions on how this impacts the end date for the term. The University has made it a priority to address promptly and will announce a decision as soon as possible.
• Questions about the University's response to COVID-19 that are not covered by materials on this website now may be sent directly to covid19@fenxiong.net.
• The University's Auxiliary Services and Custodial/Grounds team are diligently working around the clock to ensure the safety of those on campus by regularly sanitizing and disinfecting all common areas.
• Kettering University and Hurley Medical Center are parterning on opening a COVID-19 drive-through testing center at Kettering University's Atwood Stadium; more details will be released soon.

Virtualization Support for University Software and Specialized Laboratories

Over the past several years, Kettering has made signiicant investments in software, hardware, networks and Kettering Global. Together these support ubiquitous computing and virtual course delivery across the University, and are now also available to support remote learning and remote work.

An 60 second introductory video explaining how to use these resources may be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs9BlAeGp-o&feature=youtu.be and a list of Kettering software available from anywhere in the world may be found at: http://my.fenxiong.net/page/employees-working-remotely.

The Kettering Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The Kettering VPN allows remote access to Kettering network drives, Banner Administrative Tools, and Evisions products such as Argos, Intellicheck, and FormFusion. VPN can be used to connect from offsite to your work machine, or simply access enterprise resources. If you have all of the software you need to do your work installed on your computer, VPN is the better choice. Learn more about VPN.

KUcloud

If the software you need to do your work is NOT installed on your computer, KUCloud is the best choice. KUCloud is a virtualized computing cluster and supercomputer that is accessed using a virtual desktop app you run on the device of your choice. When you use KUCloud, the software runs on the cluster, not on your machine. Only a remote desktop app runs on your device, so you can use the software on KUCloud from any device that supports the app - and many kinds of machines and tablets do. Want to run advanced CAD software on an iPad? You can with KUCloud.

In addirtion, in support of this period of virtual course delivery, a number of specialized campus computer labs (like the GL Computing lab in the AB) have also been temporarily converted to virtual desktops using the capabilities of KUCloud. This means you can use these computers remotely, just like you were in the lab. Learn more about which labs are available and how to access them through KUcloud.

Resources for Telecommuting and Remote Work

Information on technology resources, services, and equipment to enable the success of Kettering University's distributed workforce and learning community may be found on Bulldog Central’s Employees Working Remotely web page or this help sheet.

If you need IT support for an issue related to telecommuting or remote work, please contact the technology Help Desk with any questions or for assistance with using remote technology at (810) 237-8324 or helpdesk@fenxiong.net.

March 16, 2020

To: The Kettering University Community

Subject: 2020 March 16 Update: COVID-19 Coronavirus

First, let me begin by speaking to you personally. I understand how uncertain you feel about the future of the spread of COVID-19, and about the impact of the changes we are putting in place to address it. I, like you, am experiencing this for the first time, and everything we hear in the media adds to the sense of uncertainty we all feel. It is easy for this uncertainty to become fear, and for fear to arouse feelings of anxiety. It is happening to all of us.

We are all living this with you. We care deeply for you, our colleagues, and our students, and we are working to do everything we think is wise to protect the health and safety of our community during this unprecedented public health challenge. We are strong, as a community and as a nation, and we will come through this successfully. Social distancing doesn’t mean that we can’t reach out to each other – and I know you are, because I see it every day.

We know you want answers. What makes us all feel better is finding answers to the questions that are distressing us. We are working hard to provide them, and to do the right thing, in the face of events that are changing very quickly. Sometimes we simply don’t have them, though. Often we do but sometimes changes in the situation happen so quickly that we have to stop writing a communication on an issue in mid-stream because changes require us to completely rethink our approach.

This situation is extraordinary and it requires action on our part; but it also requires calm and focus. We are a strong community, and we share a passion for the uniqueness that is Kettering and for our students and mission. COVID-19 has not changed that - nor will it. I have seen countless acts of graciousness and caring in our community and throughout our leadership over the past few weeks as this issue has emerged. My trust and confidence in all of us to act in the best interests of our students and each other has only strengthened and grown as a result.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our mission and to our students during this time. I know many of you are putting in many extra hours and assuming new responsibilities to help us as a community to address the many challenges this situation presents. And you are doing this during a time of heightened fear and insecurity, while also managing your own private uncertainties and pressing family issues.

Through your actions, you have shown abundantly and clearly your commitment to and your passion for Kettering. Again, thank you.

We have taken many substantial actions over the past weeks, and undoubtedly, there will be more that we will need to take as the situation evolves. Our COVID Response Team, which has members drawn from across the University, has been meeting daily to make sure our response is appropriate and to evaluate all of these approaches.

A university is very complex and has many moving parts, and we are bound not to get everything right the first time over the next few weeks. You may wonder why we have done certain things and why we have not done others. Given how quickly the situation is changing, we all feel challenged to keep up. But we, like you, are working very hard to get everything right.

The actions we have taken and are taking in response are substantial, but please know that they are not taken lightly. As the situation in our community evolves, we will continue to change to meet any challenges we face with the safety and success of you, your family, our students, and community kept front-of-mind.

Today, I would like to announce the following changes to our operations:

Virtual University Operations

The work that our staff carries out each and every day is comprehensive and varies widely, and we recognize the work of many of our faculty and staff requires being on campus. There are important on-campus operations that must be sustained to support our educational, residential, and research functions.

However, there are those who are able to work remotely. In order to continue, in the face of an evolving situation, and to act always to protect the health and safety of our community, Kettering is instituting an initial optional remote work period beginning Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, April 3. Further extensions of this period, if required, will be included in future communications.

During this period, area supervisors have the option and broad flexibility to establish work schedules and remote or on-campus work requirements under criteria approved by their respective Vice President. Individual remote work decisions, schedules, and assignments for staff will be made by area supervisors; reporting requirements for these decisions will be established by their respective Vice President.

Your supervisor will be in direct contact with you this week about how your unit or functional area will manage your specific responsibilities during this period. Laboratory staff will receive specific direction from their deans and department chairs. For those in key, on-campus operations that must continue, your supervisor in these areas will communicate directly with you to ensure that these services continue.

Staff pay and benefits during this initial remote work period will not be affected. Supervisors have broad discretion to create strategies appropriate to their area, including staggered on-campus and virtual assignments, etc. I am suspending any need for staff to execute a formal Remote Work Agreement during the period, however, you and your supervisor must agree on work expectations and communication protocols if you are working remotely.

With many staff working remotely, does this mean that campus is closed? No, Kettering will not cease all operations and there will be members of the community living on campus and staff engaged in operations that must continue. During this time, we will continue our cleaning, disinfecting, social distancing, and other best practices to keep our campus safe.

And again, if you are ill please stay home and if you become sick at work, especially with respiratory illness, please leave work and contact your health care provider.

Changes to Group Meetings Policy

Consistent with the CDC's recently updated guidance on large meetings, we are modifying our group meeting restrictions as follows, effective immediately:

• ALL on-campus events over 50 persons are cancelled. This applies to both University affiliated or externally organized events. All exceptions must be approved by the Office of the President, regardless of the current state of planning or commitments made.

Dining Hall and Recreation Center Closures

Earlier today, Governor Whitmer issued a broad Executive Order[1] ordering the closure of a wide range of public accommodations and facilities. Our dining hall, recreation center, and FIRST Center appear to fall under the Governor’s definition of a public “educational” accommodation as defined in the order.

• Effective 3 p.m. today and continuing through 8:00 a.m. on April 1, 2020, I am closing the Recreation Center, the FIRST Center, and all in-dining seating in dining areas.
• The Sunrise room is to operate take-out only, and BJ’s and Einstein’s are to close. The seating in BJ’s and the area itself will remain open for use, but there will be no food service at that location.
• All access to any of our facilities by members of the public, meaning those without a university affiliation, is withdrawn until further notice.
• Subject to future announcement, we are currently evaluating the ability of Einstein’s to offer take-away dining only, and if feasible, Einstein’s will remain open during the prescribed period under this restriction, in compliance with the Governor’s order.

Please continue to check regularly the University website (http://thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19) for updates in addition to public health advisories on the virus which may be accessed through our website as well. We will continue to communicate regularly with you as more information is available.

Thank you & Warmest Regards,

Dr. Robert K. McMahan

President and Professor of Physics

Chair, COVID Response Team

[1] http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIEOG/2020/03/16/file_attachments/1401753/EO%202020-9.pdf

March 13, 2020

Neither the University nor Genesee County have a known case of COVID-19 at this time.

The General Information Section below contains important information about our current operations and restrictions in-place. The University’s COVID Response Team continues to meet regularly to monitor developments and decisions made that impact our students, staff, and faculty.

In-person Classes Suspended

As of 6 p.m. March 13, all in-person classes have been suspended and will be replaced for the remainder of the term with other alternative or virtual learning and examination options. Our students have been encouraged to return home if possible. A majority of our residential students have either already left campus or made arrangements for lodging off-campus. For those remaining, all campus facilities, including residence and dining halls, will remain open and available.

Employees and University Operations

Our University remains open and operations continue with measures in place to protect the health of all on our campus and in our community. We will maintain normal operations unless otherwise indicated, and faculty and staff who are not experiencing symptoms of illness are expected at work as usual.

Late Thursday (March 12), Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the three-week closure of all public and private K-12 schools throughout Michigan starting Monday, March 16.We recognize this decision will impact many of our employees and will be sharing communications over the next few days with our faculty and staff that address this and other COVID-19 related issues. This information will be shared with our employees via email and posted on the my.fenxiong.net intranet.

The work of many of our faculty and staff requires being on campus. However, for those who are able to work elsewhere remotely, we have asked that they coordinate with their supervisors to  begin preparing for remote work should this become necessary in the weeks ahead.

University Dining and Housing, Facilities

Residence halls will remain open until March 28. Students remaining on campus will be supported as usual in our residence halls and dining facilities.

The Sunrise Room has moved from self-service to full-service. The take-away (“Grab and Go”) of normal portions will be permitted without penalty to encourage individual diners to disperse and not congregate in large groups in the dining room.

Students who are unable to return home and who wish to remain on campus in the Thompson Residence Hall must contact the Office of Student Life (or the Office of International Programs for international students) to obtain approval to remain beyond March 28. As this situation continues to evolve, residential, university, and dining programming on campus may be limited after March 20.

Extra cleaning and sanitation of all areas has increased, in particular in areas of high usage including the dining facilities and library.

Questions?

Please contact Kettering University Communications at: communications@ketttering.edu

March 12, 2020

To: The Kettering University Community

Subject: 2020 March 12 Update: COVID-19 Coronavirus

This message contains important information, please read it in its entirety.

Current Status: Neither the University nor Genesee County have a known case of COVID-19 at this time.

Our COVID Response Team formed in late January has been meeting regularly since then. Over the past week it has been intensely evaluating a wide variety of sources of information on the spread of the virus in our nation and incorporating guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others.

Unlike many of the public institutions in Michigan which are currently on spring break, or returning from it, we are in a critical time in the academic term – 9th week. Next week, 10th week, our students normally are completing final work in all of their courses, and in many cases A-Section seniors are completing final requirements for graduation. Often the work in 10th week is capstone in nature and therefore has a disproportionately large weight in the calculation of final grades. And finals week follows in 11th week.

Disrupting the delivery of courses at this time cannot be done casually and must be done reflecting the true nature of the risks involved. We are committed to acting on objective evaluations of data and not the emotions of the moment or media pressure, to using the best factual information available to us, and to incorporating the mission and particular nature of our institution.

This means we do not do what other institutions are doing simply to conform but only if our evaluations and the information available to us merits a similar response. We recognize that the response of a large public university with 47,000 students is not necessarily appropriate for us, but neither do we discount it. We have been evaluating the spread and virology of the COVID-19 outbreak since January, and our response to date has reflected these evaluations and this philosophy.

Above everything else, in this situation we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our community by minimizing the potential spread of the disease while honoring the commitments we have made to our students to deliver an educational opportunity without compromise. We also prioritize maintaining campus access to the greatest extent possible, especially for students who must complete requirements to receive their degree this spring.

There are no cases of COVID-19 on our campus or in our community at this time. Given our current understanding of the distribution and spread of the virus in the US, we believe that in the future there will most certainly be cases in our area, however. In that event, we are mindful that the student population in universities represents one of the least vulnerable to developing severe coronavirus illness, but it also represents one of the most conducive to its spread. So, we also have considered that the presence of a large cohort of students, who themselves may be at low relative risk for serious disease, may represent through spread a much greater risk for our faculty and staff./p>

Today we are announcing a series of changes that reflects these priorities with the goal of limiting the interaction of large groups of people, following updated guidance from the CDC and the State Department.

Study Abroad

On March 11, 2020, President Trump issued a broad set of restrictions on travel to and from Europe. These restrictions apply to foreign nationals only, and they specifically limit travel to the US by residents of 26 countries. On March 11, the CDC issued a Level 3 declaration for all countries in Europe.

In response, and consistent with the criteria for our travel restrictions, we are making the following difficult but necessary decisions:

• All Study Abroad programs scheduled for the Spring term 2020 are cancelled.
• All Incoming Student Exchanges are cancelled (except for in-country students, see below).
• All overseas Kettering students and U.S.-based faculty and staff will be returned home as soon as possible.

We understand the disappointment of impacted students with this decision; however, we are acting to ensure your safety and well-being, and we are committed to doing everything possible to help you with this transition. We have developed individualized plans for each of our impacted students, and the Office of International Programs will contact each student individually over the coming days to discuss their specific situation and mitigation plan.

And consistent with State Department Recommendations:

• Incoming in-country exchange students will be permitted to remain and continue the program in the spring as long as they have observed our quarantine requirements.

We have students currently overseas in programs in a number of countries. The needs of each of these students are unique and we are making plans for each student individually to ensure that they return safely and that there is minimal disruption to their academic progress.

Campus Events and Visitors

On March 11, 2020 the University issued the following restrictions, effective until further notice:

• If you are planning a large (>100 person) university event on or off campus in March or April, you must notify the Office of the President (president@fenxiong.net) of that plan.
• ALL on-campus events over 100 persons are cancelled. This applies to both University affiliated or externally organized events. All exceptions must be approved by the Office of the President, regardless of the current state of planning or commitments made.
• The Science Fair, scheduled for the campus this weekend, has been cancelled.

Visitors to campus are asked to respect our efforts to protect the health and well-being of our community and to not come to the campus if they are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has either traveled to a CDC identified Level 2/Level 3 country or is ill.

Campus Response

Our University remains open and most University operations will remain unchanged, with the following exceptions (subject to future modification) that take effect Friday, March 13 at 6p.m.

Guidelines for the Remainder of the Term

To our faculty, we realize these changes ask you to shift how you deliver your courses very late in the term, if not in some cases completely rethink how you teach. We are making these changes, however, to minimize the risk of promoting the amplified spread of the COVID-19 virus across the Kettering community:

• At 6p.m. on Friday March 13, all in-person classes on our campus will be suspended, to be replaced for the remainder of the term with other alternative or virtual learning and examination options.
• All resident students are encouraged to return home if it is possible depending on their personal circumstances. Students who have already left, or will be leaving, should not plan to return to campus until further notice.
• Faculty and instructors should inform all students in their courses how they intend to manage this final two-week period. The Provost will issue guidance shortly to the faculty on how to manage this transition, and incompletes or other deferrals of requirements for completion should not be used.
• Faculty are encouraged to use all available virtual and alternate technologies to complete the final week of the term, and to modify their grading policies if required to accommodate the disruption of delivery in 10th week. All faculty will receive an email from Provost Zhang addressing a variety of academic issues that follow from the decision to move to alternative instruction.
• Students will receive information directly via email from their deans and/or specific faculty regarding any specific information for their courses.
• Given the hands-on nature of many of our classes and project completion requirements for degree completion, individual deans will communicate specific course completion requirements and expectations to their faculties as appropriate.
• More details, including those covering the final learning experience, will be provided by the Provost’s Office

All campus facilities, including residence and dining halls, remain open and available to students during this period.

Final Exams – 11th week

• Final exams will be delivered consistent with instructions provided by the Provost.

Spring Term 2020

• The start of Spring term 2020 will be delayed by one week to April 13th.
• No decision has yet been made to move the campus to virtual course delivery in the Spring term. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and communicate to the campus community no later than April 8th on whether the University will reconvene and reestablish face-to-face on-campus delivery on April 13th, or if we will transition to a period of virtual delivery of coursework and assessments for some portion of the Spring term.

University Dining and Housing, Student Communications

• Residence halls will remain open until March 28. Students remaining on campus will be supported as usual in our residence halls and dining facilities.
• The Sunrise Room will move from self-service to full-service. The take-away (“Grab and Go”) of normal portions will be permitted without penalty to encourage individual diners to disperse and not congregate in large groups in the dining room.
• Students who are unable to return home and who wish to remain on campus in Thompson Hall must contact the Office of Student Life (or the Office of International Programs for international students) to obtain approval to remain beyond March 28.
• Residential, university, and dining programming on campus may be limited after March 20th.

Student Extracurricular Activities

• Effective March 13th, all student extracurricular activities including university travel, competitions, events, programs, performances, intramurals, meetings, etc., both on and off campus, are cancelled through Monday, April 13.

Employees and University Operations

Our University remains open and operations continue with appropriate measures to protect the health of all on our campus and in our community. We will maintain normal operations unless otherwise indicated, and faculty and staff who are not experiencing symptoms of illness are expected at work as usual.

• Kettering Dining Services and University Housing will remain operational.
• We have been working closely with local health care providers to ensure that we are prepared to transfer individuals suspected of having COVID-19 to local health care facilities, and we have in place processes to aid in the timely delivery of assistance for our students and employees. We have emergency response protocols in place, and have proactively ordered supplies and developed plans for handling potential illness on the campus.
• We recognize the work of many of our faculty and staff requires being on campus. However, for those who are able work elsewhere remotely, please work with your supervisors to begin preparing for remote work should this become necessary in the weeks ahead.

Human Resources will be sending out an email to all staff in the near future to provide additional, more detailed guidance on work-related questions you may have.

We know many questions remain unanswered. We appreciate your patience and understanding as the University responds to this challenging situation. Thank you to all who are working so hard to ensure the safety of our community and the continuity and integrity of our operations.

This is a rapidly evolving situation, so it is important to continue to check regularly the University website (http://thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19) for updates in addition to public health advisories on the virus which may be accessed through our website as well.

We will be publishing specific points of contact for questions on the website in the near future, so please look for those and we will continue to communicate regularly with you as more information is available. The situation is evolving, and we will continue to make any changes to our operations to support the health and safety of our community.

Thank you & Warmest Regards,

The COVID Response Team

March 11, 2020

To: The Kettering University Community
From: The Kettering University COVID-19 Response Team
Subject: 2020 March 11 Update: COVID-19 Coronavirus

Neither the University nor our county in Michigan (Genesee) have a known case of COVID-19 at this time.

As of late Tuesday night, two presumptive cases of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) were identified in Michigan (one in Oakland County, the other Wayne County/Metro Detroit). According to Governor Whitmer, these cases still need to be confirmed by the CDC, but we must presume that regardless, we will soon see active cases in Michigan and the region.

Thank you for the calm and care that you are demonstrating as we work together to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our community.

Our COVID Response Team formed in late January has been meeting regularly since then. During that time, it has been closely monitoring the latest information on the novel coronavirus and taking proactive and prudent measures to ensure the health and safety of our community consistent with the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The University also has academic and business continuity plans that will be activated if needed.

The University is following the advice of Public Health authorities and at this time classes and events on campus continue. Regular updates will be posted on the University’s website and communicated internally to the campus. This is a rapidly evolving situation, so it is important to continue to check regularly the University website (http://thb4.fenxiong.net/covid-19) for updates in addition to public health advisories on the virus which may be accessed through our website as well.

We will continue to communicate regularly with you as more information is available. The situation is evolving, and we will continue to make any changes to our operations to support the health and safety of our community.

Health Services

The University, including the COVID Response Team and the President, are in regular contact with area medical experts and local health care facilities. The University has in place action plans to provide support for students, faculty, and staff if and as needed.

All of the Kettering community is asked to continue to self-monitor for signs of the flu/influenza or COVID-19. We ask any student, faculty, or staff member who meets the CDC criteria for concern (found at http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html) to self-isolate and avoid contact with others, except to get medical care.

For faculty and staff, if you are concerned about someone in the workplace who is ill and exhibiting flu-like symptoms or have concerns about safety in your workplace, please speak with your supervisor. Employees in the workplace who are ill with flu-like symptoms should advise their supervisor, stay home, and seek appropriate medical advice.

The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 and the flu is through prevention:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Sneeze and cough into your sleeve or a tissue which you use only once before discarding
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if you are sick

If You Feel Sick

Call ahead before visiting your health care provider or the Wellness Center. Do not go to campus, work, or public areas or use public transportation. Students should call their primary health care provider or the Wellness Center on campus at (810) 762-9650; faculty and staff should call their primary health-care provider.

When you call, tell your provider that you have or suspect you may have COVID-19. This will help them direct you appropriately as well as to take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

Campus Events and Visitors

As the outbreak progresses, it may become necessary to move to a broader implementation of social distancing practices across our campus. The COVID Response Team is currently assessing upcoming events on campus for impact on our community. If you are planning a large (100+ person) university event on or off campus in March or April, please notify the Office of the President (president@fenxiong.net) of that plan.

Otherwise, previously scheduled events on campus have not been canceled or postponed. This is subject to change as the situation evolves.

Visitors to campus are asked to respect our efforts to protect the health and well-being of our community and to not come if they are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has either traveled to a CDC identified Level 2/Level 3 country or is ill.

University Response, Alerts

If we find it prudent to suspend on-campus activities in whole or in part, you will be notified through the University’s campus-wide alert system, Kettering Alert. Please review your notification settings on the Kettering Alertmy.fenxiong.net webpage to make sure your settings are correct.

Kettering Alert will also be used to inform students, staff, and faculty when there are updates to existing programs and/or significant changes to the status of COVID-19 in the region. The alert, which will come in the form of an email and text will not be used unless there is important information the entire campus needs to know.

Alternative Instruction

While it is not possible to predict exactly what will happen, we can use the experiences of other campuses in our planning. In more heavily impacted areas of our country, such as the Pacific Northwest or New England, we are aware that a number of universities and colleges have announced forms of physical closures and moves to virtual learning, but many institutions in those same areas remain open.

We will also see larger institutions in Michigan do this as well, as they represent large concentrations of people in an environment where social distancing may be especially difficult. Smaller institutions like Kettering are fundamentally different in nature, however, and our response will not simply mimic the response of others, but will be developed taking those differences into account. If the experience of other states is a guide, we may see large public institutions in our state close, while many smaller private ones, located in different areas of the state, are able to remain safely open.

We are preparing for this eventuality, but do not believe such action is warranted at this time at Kettering.

Our faculty and students have asked about possible impacts to instruction and what steps they should take. As we have continued to monitor the progression of COVID-19 in Michigan, we have also been developing and implementing a broader plan to account for a variety of scenarios, including actively training and supporting our faculty to offer all courses virtually in the event that we find it prudent to suspend campus academic operations. Our faculty have responded to this challenge unreservedly and are moving quickly to create course images in Blackboard for all courses while also refreshing their skills in using the asynchronous and synchronous collaboration tools provided by the University like Collaborate.

Obviously, ceasing on-campus face-to-face instruction will have profound disruptive effects on our students that simply moving to virtual instruction will not mitigate, and we are mindful of this in our planning. Laboratory and project-based classes may have to be delayed and the progress of students impacted. Moving to a fully virtual course delivery model in short order for an institution that is founded on personal face-to-face attention is a formidable task. Fortunately, over the past several years we have built a world-class virtual capability in Kettering Global, and through Kettering Global we have resources to help faculty and students work remotely in the event of an unexpected campus closure. Members of the Kettering community are presently working tirelessly to support such a transition.

But keep in mind that even without a formal closure, brief interruptions to our operations for cleaning or other targeted response is a likely scenario.

We know many questions remain unanswered by this communication, and we are working to provide answers and scenarios covering all of them in this rapidly evolving situation. We appreciate your patience and understanding as the University responds to this challenging situation. Thank you to all who are working so hard to ensure the safety of our community and the continuity and integrity of our operations.

As our plans and approaches mature, in consultation with medical and public health experts, as well as our own academic affairs team, we will keep you informed. Even as we face a rapidly shifting and evolving range of issues to address, I know that our shared commitment to the well-being of our community will always guide our actions.

Thank you & Warmest Regards,

Dr. Robert K. McMahan
President and Professor of Physics
Chair, COVID Response Team

March 4, 2020

University Statement on COVID-19 Coronavirus

Kettering University’s top priority is always for the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff – on and off campus.

As of March 4, 2020, no cases of COVID-19 have been reported at Kettering University nor are we aware of any in the state of Michigan, however, the University is closely monitoring relevant developments and reports for changes in status. University leadership has been engaged in planning on multiple levels to ensure that the University is prepared and has appropriate measures in place to prioritize safety, provide alternative instructional opportunities and more.

Upcoming on-campus events that have been previously announced will proceed as scheduled at this time, though the University asks anyone intending to visit campus to be mindful of their own health status and considerate of others. We ask that anyone who has traveled to identified areas of concern or who is experiencing symptoms of influenza or COVID-19 not attend any on-campus event or visit campus.

As part of the University’s commitment to the safety of its community, President Robert McMahan has announced the following effective immediately and until further notice.

Travel

• The cancellation of all University-sponsored travel for faculty, staff and students to countries the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies as Level 2 and Level 3 risks for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Countries currently at these levels are China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan.
• The cancellation of all University-sponsored travel to all identified Level 2 or Level 3 countries in the future upon the date of identification by the CDC regardless of the state of planning or the nature of any commitments made in support of that travel. Previously issued approvals for any travel falling under this exclusion will be rescinded.
• These restrictions also apply to all in-transit travel through affected locations.
• Any student, faculty or staff member planning future University-related travel overseas (irrespective of CDC status) must follow existing approval processes as outlined by the Office of International Programs (OIP), observing any temporary restrictions imposed by the University, even those applied after plans have been made and confirmed.
• All University-sponsored visits by individuals, including visiting scholars and students, originating in or travelling through a listed country must be cancelled and rescheduled. This applies to all visits and visit types regardless of the stage of planning.
• Any student, faculty or staff member who has returned from a CDC identified Level 2 or Level 3 country within the last four weeks or who has been exposed to someone who has traveled to one of those locations should contact the Office of International Programs for specific instructions.
• Faculty or staff travelling to countries added to the list while they are in country will be required to self-quarantine in a University prescribed manner for a minimum of 14 days upon their return and before they will be permitted to return to campus.

While Kettering’s policies do not regulate personal or non-University-sponsored travel, they do regulate the conditions upon which individuals will be allowed to return to campus afterward. All members of the community planning to travel internationally are strongly urged to carefully consider their travel plans.

Any faculty or staff member engaging in personal travel to or from any Level 2 and Level 3 country, including Italy, Japan, South Korea, China and Iran (1) is required to report that travel to the Office of International Programs prior to departure and (2) will be required to self-quarantine in a University prescribed manner for a minimum of 14 days before they will be permitted to return to campus.

Any faculty, staff or student on University-sponsored or personal travel to countries designated as Level 2 or Level 3 by the CDC while they are in country will be required to self-quarantine in a University prescribed manner for a minimum of 14 days before they will be permitted to return to campus.

Faculty and staff are asked to consider limiting discretionary domestic travel until further notice, including conference travel.

Students are strongly encouraged to avoid personal travel to these areas as well.

Students who do choose to undertake such travel will be required to self-quarantine in a University prescribed manner for a minimum of 14 days before being permitted to return to campus.

Study Abroad Programs and International Students

At this time our travel and study abroad programs to Germany and Spain have not yet been impacted. But this may change as circumstances warrant. Students in these programs who have concerns about their status should contact the Office of International Programs in AB Room 3340 or via international@fenxiong.netor (810) 762-9869.

To date, our partner institutions in Germany and Spain have not communicated any concerns to us regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their operations or student programs, and at this time they do not expect to make any changes to their program plans or availability as a result. In the event that some or all of our programs are ultimately cancelled or postponed, the University will work with all impacted students to develop appropriate continuation options for them for the term(s) they were scheduled to be on exchange.

The University will continue to monitor and evaluate official recommendations and information regarding the spread and nature of COVID-19 and will not hesitate to cancel a program if assessments indicate doing so is warranted. Cancellation considerations include whether to cancel programs pre-departure or after departure. In the event that changes impact students already abroad, the University will determine whether to bring students home or assist them in remaining in place, based upon the recommendations of these official sources. If there are changes, all participants will be notified immediately.

Provisions and plans coordinated by the Office of International Programs also are in place for international students and colleagues currently in residence at the University.

Influenza

The Kettering community is encouraged to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommendations for preventative actions to reduce the risk of developing influenza, which has similar symptoms to COVID-19. The CDC recommendations as well as additional information on the current influenza season may be found on the CDC website at:  cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2019-2020.htm

February 11, 2020

Dean of Students. Coronavirus Update

As an international community of faculty, staff, and students, we recognize that some are anxious, uncertain, or have family dealing with this now global health crisis, commonly known as coronavirus.

Even as no cases of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) have been reported at Kettering University or in the state of Michigan, we continue to closely monitor the latest developments and reports.

It is important to note that we are also in the middle of a very active influenza (flu) season. The symptoms can be very similar to the coronavirus and include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends the following preventative actions to reduce the risk of developing influenza:

• If you feel sick, do not attend classes or work.
• Contact your medical provider if you have a fever, respiratory distress, and/or flu-like symptoms.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow, shirt sleeve, or a tissue (not your hands). Throw used tissues into the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid sharing food, cups, utensils or other items.
• Treat all bodily fluids as potentially infectious.
• Eat a well-balanced diet, get adequate sleep, and get a flu shot.

The University Wellness Center (located next to BJ’s) is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be contacted by calling (810) 762-9650. If you have serious or ongoing symptoms, you are encouraged to go to your family doctor or urgent care.

Below are some useful links and websites:

• Novel coronavirus FAQs in my.kettering
• CDC – coronavirus updates
• World Health Organization – coronavirus updates

At this time, travel and study abroad programs have not been impacted. But this may change as circumstances warrant. If there are changes, participants will be notified. Those planning future university-related travel overseas must follow existing approval processes as outlined by the Office of International Programs (OIP).

The OIP is available to answer questions and provide support to international students, staff, and faculty. The OIP office is located in the AB building (Room 3340) and can be reached by emailing international@fenxiong.net or calling (810) 762-9869.