Northern Michigan University will begin planning for a return to face-to-face instruction for the fall 2020 semester. The NMU Board of Trustees today approved a proposal from President Fritz Erickson, with the assurance that the university will abide by state and federal recommendations and lawful orders.
“We will take all reasonable measures necessary to make classes, housing, dining, student events and all university activities safe,” Erickson said. “We do not take this decision lightly. We feel confident that every precaution will be taken to protect our entire campus community, while being able to provide a robust learning and living experience for students. We want to deliver the unique, personalized Northern experience that draws students here and that they have come to expect.”
"The Board is in strong agreement with the plan to resume face-to-face instruction this fall,” said NMU Board Chair Steve Mitchell. “We have great confidence that we will be able return to in-person instruction in a manner that is as safe as possible for our students, as well as all of the employees of NMU. We know everyone wants to be back on campus in the fall and that's why the board has passed this resolution letting everyone know that, unless some external force stops us, we will have face-to-face instruction at Northern in fall 2020.”
The board also approved eight new academic programs for the fall 2020 semester. The programs include master's degrees in computer science and 4+1 business administration; bachelor's degrees in music and dance; bachelor of fine arts degrees in theater technology and design, and musical theater; an associate degree in welding; and a certificate in cyber defense.
In other action during today's virtual meeting, the board:
-Agreed to present 2020 Board of Trustees Student Achievement Awards to the following: Jamie Kimble and Mark Holmgren, outstanding graduating seniors; Chloe Wilkinson, outstanding student, any class standing; Cody Mayer, outstanding nontraditional student; and Mindi Garrow, outstanding Global Campus student. Read the in-depth related story here.
-Authorized College of Business Professor Gary Brunswick's appointment as the Sam M. Cohodas Professor, effective July 1. More details will be provided in a separate release.
-Approved a $410,000 project to repair and resurface parking lots 4 and 5, which serve university apartments off Lincoln Ave.
-Reauthorized two Charter School Academies: J.K. Lumsden Bahweting Public School Academy for the term July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025; and Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy for the term July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022, with an opportunity to extend the contract by three years to 2025 if contractual obligations established by the Charter Schools Office director are met.
-Approved applications for Michigan Council on Arts and Cultural Affairs grants for the Emergency Relief Funds to support power and utility expenses for WNMU-TV and WNMU-FM.
-Confirmed the Technology, Learning and Communication notebook program annual purchase of 1,700 additional ThinkPad T495s, model 20QJ (to include warranty, engineering services, software imaging and shipping costs) and 150 Apple MacBook Pros, model Z0W4.
-Approved faculty appointments, tenure and promotions, effective in August 2020. These will be highlighted in a separate release at a future date.