Lawrence Tech continues to adopt a cautious, reasoned and flexible response to the COVID-19 pandemic by following federal, state and local guidance while continuing to deliver a world-class education to our students. As the fall semester winds down, we want to applaud your efforts in returning the campus to full operations.
As you know, OSHA has announced an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring employers with 100 or more employees to mandate vaccines or weekly testing. This ruling was scheduled to take effect on January 4, 2022, but is currently paused pending challenges in the federal courts.
At this time LTU employees are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and to upload proof of vaccination via the goCanvas app. We will continue to monitor this situation and will communicate updates as needed. If the ETS is upheld by the courts LTU will provide a detailed compliance policy and assist employees in order to reach compliance through appropriate means.
Jim Jolly, J.D.
Assistant Provost
Over the past 18 months, Lawrence Tech has adopted a cautious, reasoned and flexible response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The University has been diligent in following federal, state and local guidance while continuing to deliver a world-class education. As we prepare for the Fall 2021 semester and a return to full campus operations, we know that we all must continue to be diligent. We also know this is a constantly evolving situation and we will continue to monitor and modify our guidelines and protocols as necessary. Our guidelines and protocols follow and mirror the guidance and directives from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD). As these agencies evolve their guidelines and directives, LTU will follow suit.
Accordingly, as of now, and following these above agencies' current directives, the following guidelines and protocols will be in place for our students, faculty and staff during the fall semester:
- Face Coverings/Masks: Given the above agencies' current directives and guidance, and since Oakland County's current COVID-19 transmission rate falls into the "Substantial Transmission" category, face coverings or masks are required indoors for all individuals (vaccinated or unvaccinated). If the above health agencies change their guidelines and directives, LTU will adopt these. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated are expected and very strongly encouraged to wear masks at all times. The University is fully supportive of individuals, regardless of vaccination status, who choose to wear face coverings/masks. Housing and Athletic students will receive further instruction on additional masking protocols from the Athletic or Housing Departments.
- Social Distancing: At this time, social distancing is not required. However, food and drink will not be allowed in classrooms.
- Vaccinations: At this time, only residential students and athletes are required to provide evidence of vaccination. These student groups will receive further instruction on additional COVID-19 protocols from the Athletic or Housing departments. Although other groups are currently not required to be vaccinated, all students are encouraged to submit their vaccination records. This will help the University community during COVID-19 tracing scenarios by omitting the tracing of individuals who have been vaccinated. In addition, there will be further opportunities for students, staff and faculty to be vaccinated on campus. On-site vaccinations will take place on August 6 and August 19. You will be able to choose to receive the Johnson & Johnson or Pfizer vaccine. Please keep in mind that those receiving the Pfizer vaccine will need to return 3 weeks later for their second shot, which will also be offered at LTU. If you are interested in taking advantage of this, please email studean@ltu.edu.
- Daily Health Screening: The Daily Screening through GoCanvas will still be required for everyone in the Fall semester. For visitors/vendors, they can complete the paper version of the Daily Screening and forward it to the LTU Business Services department.
- Inside Gatherings: Internal gatherings should be limited to our own internal events (recruitment events/welcome back events/etc.) and will be consistent with all health agencies' guidelines. We will continue to deny any external groups from holding events here for the fall semester to minimize any potential risk.
- Fall Classes: LTU will fully return to offering classes in person for both undergraduate and graduate students at the same rate we offered them prior to the pandemic.
- Cleaning/Sanitizing: Facilities will continue to follow our upgraded cleaning protocols, as well as having sanitizers available in the classrooms. If anyone needs any product, please contact Campus Facilities. The hand sanitizing stations in the hallways will continue to be maintained as well, and we encourage everyone to use them as much as possible, along with washing hands regularly.
- Travel: Business travel within the U.S. is allowed. At this time, Business travel outside the U.S. is not encouraged; however, is allowed, except for those countries listed as Level 4 by the CDC on the travel risk list.
We continue to be very impressed with your dedication, resilience and creativity throughout what has been the most difficult academic year for higher education in recent history. We would also like to congratulate and thank all of you for concluding the past academic year successfully with great outcomes.
We look forward to a productive and successful 2021-22 academic year!
Tarek Sobh, PhD, PE
Provost
Linda Height
CFO
As you are aware, the State of Michigan continues to experience a very significant surge in COVID-19 cases. The impact has been significant on many in our community. With safety as our top goal, the University is announcing the following:
1. Spring 2021 classes will remain online for the remainder of the semester. If you have a laboratory or studio class, the Dean of your College and/or the class instructor will communicate with you regarding the delivery modality for these courses, which might be online, hybrid, or in-person for the remaining part of the semester.
2. All athletic competitions and practices are canceled for the Spring 2021 semester.
3. Residence Halls and Dining Services will remain open through May 8, 2021, and residential students are allowed to continue living on campus.
4. On Friday, April 16, 2021, the Oakland County Health Department will vaccinate students on campus. If you have not already done so, please register for your vaccine at: COVID - 19 Vaccination Registration by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
We wish you all good health and thank you for all your efforts and cooperation in navigating this extraordinary academic year.
Best wishes for a great rest of the semester and good luck with your exams. Let's finish this semester strong!
Tarek Sobh, PhD, PE
Provost
Dear Faculty and Staff,
I hope all is well with you.
As an FYI, please find enclosed an email that was just sent to all students at LTU regarding an LTU student vaccination opportunity.
We continue to diligently work on trying to set up additional vaccination opportunities for faculty, staff and students and I will continue to update the campus community should there be more opportunities for LTU to provide on or off-campus vaccinations.
Thank you for all your hard work through out the pandemic and I am looking forward to great Summer and Fall semesters!
Stay well and best wishes,
Tarek Sobh, PhD, PE
Provost
Dear Students,
I hope all is well with you.
As the Spring semester nears completion, our University is taking the following steps to provide members of our community with additional opportunities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the Fall 2021 semester and to ensure a safe return to campus by the Fall 2021 semester:
1. We are excited to announce that Lawrence Technological University is receiving a limited supply of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine. Students who currently reside on campus and intending to register for classes this Fall will receive first priority for a vaccine. Vaccinations are currently planned to be given on Friday, April 16, 2021. If you are interested in receiving this vaccination, please complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Survey by Monday, April 12. Selected students will receive scheduling information on Tuesday, April 13, via their LTU email.
2. All students living on campus in residence halls for the Fall 2021 semester must be vaccinated. Verification of your vaccination must be provided to the Residence Life office two weeks prior to your move-in. Exceptions will be made for students who seek a religious or medical exemption.
3. All student-athletes, whether they live on campus or not, will be required to be vaccinated by August 1, 2021 in order to participate in athletics during the 2021-22 school year.
4. If you have not done so already, please register online via the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccinations site for additional vaccination opportunities.
We will continue to update the campus community should there be more opportunities for LTU to provide on or off-campus vaccinations. In the meantime, thank you for all your help with keeping the campus safe, and best of luck in your final exams. Let's finish the semester strong!
Stay well and best wishes,
Tarek Sobh, PhD, PE
Provost
Kevin Finn
Dean of Students
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff –
Our goal this spring semester was to provide our students with as much of a traditional university experience as possible during these unusual times while maintaining safe practices. Although there are many encouraging signs in the battle against COVID, and as millions of Americans receive the coronavirus vaccine, we are starting to see a light at the end of the long tunnel of the pandemic, there is now, unfortunately, a substantial increase in COVID-19 positivity rates in the State of Michigan and in the Lawrence Tech community.
As a result, beginning on Tuesday, March 30, all classes will be delivered virtually through Monday, April 12, 2021. All NAIA athletic practices and competitions are cancelled through April 12, 2021. In-person instruction will resume on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
I understand this is another unwelcome development in a long and difficult year, but your wholehearted cooperation and observance of appropriate precautions is critically important in ensuring that we limit the spread of the virus and provide our students with the best opportunity for a positive on-campus experience for the remainder of the spring semester.
On a final note, beginning Monday, April 5, all Michiganders age 16 and up are eligible to receive a COVID vaccine. Please be sure to set time aside and register for your vaccination appointment. You can “Save Your Spot” at https://oaklandcountyvaccine.
Thank you for your efforts and let’s finish the academic year strong!
Stay well and best wishes,
Tarek Sobh, PhD, PE
Provost
Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Parents, and Friends –
Happy new year and best wishes for a productive and successful spring semester. We’re glad to welcome our students back!
As you may have read elsewhere, Lawrence Tech is providing face-to-face instruction this semester as much as possible, augmented, when necessary, with hybrid and e-learning courses. Students have overwhelmingly told us that face-to-face learning is the method they prefer. A Lawrence Tech education, with its remarkable return on investment, is still very much worth the effort, even during the pandemic’s disruptions.
We’re very confident in offering face-to-face learning under appropriate conditions because of the splendid diligence our campus community showed in following health and safety protocols during the fall semester. However, the pandemic is not over. We need to continue wearing masks, practicing social distancing, limiting social activity, washing hands frequently, disinfecting our environments, and other safety procedures. Very importantly, these measures need to be followed not only on campus but off campus as well as at events, jobs, gatherings of friends and family, at restaurants, while shopping, and more.
We’re all very interested in the rollout plans for the COVID-19 vaccine. This phased rollout likely will take a number of months to complete. First priority are front line healthcare workers, emergency personnel, and the elderly. It ultimately fans out to all of us as a larger supply of vaccines become available. Please watch the news and contact your local health department or your personal healthcare provider when it is appropriate for you to make an appointment for your vaccine inoculation. The latest vaccine information can be found at:
- Oakland County: https://oaklandcountyvaccine.com/
- DHHS: Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
While the pandemic continues to affect all of us, in these difficult times I am heartened by your patience, cooperation, and the ways we work together to overcome any obstacles. Keep up your good efforts and know how much we’re cheering for your continued progress and accomplishments.
Sincerely,
Virinder K. Moudgil, PhD
President and CEO
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST
I hope that you find yourself well as we approach the halfway mark of the academic year. This year has presented the Lawrence Tech community with many challenges, yet we have persevered and will continue to do so. Placing high priority on health and wellness, I have made a decision to delay the start date of the spring 2021 semester.
The spring semester will begin on Tuesday, January 19, immediately following Martin Luther King Day. After consultation with numerous members of the LTU community, I have also decided to cancel the mid-semester break. These changes will help to ensure that we are healthy before returning to campus and limit potential exposure to illness. The semester end date of May 7, 2021, will remain as previously scheduled.
Universities in Michigan and throughout the nation have taken similar steps to ensure the safety and well-being of their communities. At LTU, we will continue to implement appropriate safety measures and prepare for a successful spring semester. More information will be provided to you very soon. I sincerely thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to Lawrence Tech.
Stay well and best regards,
Tarek Sobh, PhD, PE
Provost
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST
Earlier tonight, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer updated the State of Michigan on the latest restrictions and mitigations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, Lawrence Technological University will make the following switches immediately, as of today (November 15, 2020) through the end of the Fall semester (December 17, 2020):
- All in-person, face-to-face instruction, including labs. and senior projects, is being replaced by online instruction through the end of the semester, December 17, 2020. Students should communicate with their college Dean if they need further details regarding course instruction.
- All courses currently delivered online will continue as scheduled.
- Students residing in University Housing units will receive further updates tomorrow from the Dean of Students office.
- All NAIA athletic practices and competitions are cancelled through November 29, 2020. Student-athletes will receive communications on the resumption of practices and competitions from the Director of Athletics later this week.
Thank you for cooperation and understanding. Be safe!
Tarek Sobh, PhD, PE
Provost
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Dear Colleagues,
As you have heard, LTU has decided to deliver all classes online beginning Monday, November 16, 2020, in light of the increase in COVID cases in Michigan. There are some lab courses and senior projects which will remain on campus through November 24, 2020.
For employees, you should continue to follow the work schedule that has been approved by your supervisor in each of your individual departments. Our last day of work before Thanksgiving will be Wednesday, November 25th, and then we come back to work on Monday, November 30th.
Linda Height
Chief Financial Officer
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST
Dear Faculty and Staff,
Our goal this semester was to provide as much of a traditional university experience as possible during these unusual times while maintaining safe practices. We have consistently monitored the virus in our community and adjusted our practices as deemed appropriate. It has recently become apparent that there is an increase in COVID-19 positivity rates in the State of Michigan and in the Lawrence Tech community, leading us to make an adjustment to our semester schedule with the goal of mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Beginning on Monday, November 16, 2020, all classes will be delivered virtually for the remainder of the Fall 2020 semester. Laboratory courses and senior projects in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Information Technology, and the College of Engineering will be an exception and will remain on-campus through November 24, 2020. The College of Architecture and Design will identify the classes that will remain on-campus through November 24, 2020 and communicate these exceptions directly to its students.
Residence halls and dining services will remain open through their originally scheduled and communicated dates. These actions will hopefully allow us to do our part as Blue Devils and help slow the spread in our community.
I hope that you are well and thank you for your efforts.
Tarek Sobh, PhD, PE
Provost
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Dear Faculty, Staff and Administrators,
Beginning Monday, August 24, 2020, all employees must complete a Daily Health Screen for any day that you are physically on the LTU campus using the GoCanvas app. This replaces the old method of completing a GoogleDoc.
You should be receiving an email shortly from noreply@ltu.edu with the subject of “Invitation to Join GoCanvas”. The email contains a link to "Download" the app and a link for "Password Request". Both links should take you to a page on gocanvas.com
Please make sure you do the following:
1) Install the GoCanvas application on your mobile device, use the link from the email to request a password, and use the newly created password to sign into the GoCanvas application
2) Review and sign the LTU COVID-19 pledge. The pledge affirms your commitment to reducing the spread of COVID-19. It also highlights mandatory behaviors such as masking and social distancing while on campus. Everyone needs to sign and agree to the LTU COVID-19 Pledge, but it only needs to be completed once.
3) Complete your Daily Health Screening. This is not optional. It must be completed prior to your arrival on campus for the first time that day, excluding today. You cannot be on campus if you have not completed the Daily Health Screening. The Daily Health Screening will provide you with one of two potential results:
-
Good to Go: This allows you to be on campus for the day of the completed screening. If you wish, you can screenshot this to keep with you.
-
Stay at Home: Your screening has not cleared you to be on campus. Your supervisor will contact you to review your screening results and identify next steps.
Staff and Administrators who choose not to complete the Daily Health Screening will be in violation of the Employee Conduct and Work Rules. Repeated violations will result in progressive discipline according to our Handbook policies.
Faculty are also required to complete the Daily Health Screening, in accordance with University policies.
[Health screening app instructions]
Thank you for your commitment to the safety of our campus community and best wishes for a productive fall semester.
Linda L Height
VP Finance & Administration
Deshawn Johnson
Associate VP, Human Resources
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Return-to-Work Reminders
The Office of Human Resources outlines some important Return-to-Work Reminders for all employees as the university re-opens our campus community.
Please be assured that HR is here to answer your questions please contact Starlett Sinclair, Senior Manager Benefits and HRIS, at benefits@ltu.edu for employee benefit questions. Feel free to contact Deshawn Johnson, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, at djohnson@ltu.edu for managerial issues related to this matter.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Telecommuting Policies and Procedures
Lawrence Tech is pleased to announce a Telecommuting Policy and Procedure for staff and administrators. We consider telecommuting a viable, flexible work option for rare cases where it is mutually agreed upon that both the employee and their job is suitable for such an arrangement. Telecommuting may be appropriate for some employees and their jobs but not for others. Immediate supervisors, and their supervisors, are responsible for making this determination and completing a Telecommuting Arrangement form in DocuSign - Envelope 12.
Telecommuting Policies and Procedures [PDF]
For interpretation of this policy, please contact Deshawn Johnson, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, on extension 2117 or at djohnson@ltu.edu.
HUMAN RESOURCES ANNOUNCEMENTS
COVID-19 Sparks Anxiety
When facing uncertain times, feelings of stress and anxiety will undoubtedly be running high. ACI Specialty Benefits, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider has created a brief video to share with our community on how to manage stress and anxiety due to coronavirus concerns. In addition, ACI’s EAP video chat sessions with licensed mental health clinicians provide convenient access to care during this time of social distancing.
The Employee Assistance Program is available to full-time employees covered under the life insurance plan. Members may access the EAP benefits with MyACIonline. For personalized crisis consultation or specific questions, please reach out to ACI directly at 800.932.0034 or email info@acispecialtybenefits.com.
Additional Resources:
EAP Coping with a Traumatic Event
EAP COVID-19: How to Prepare
EAP Legal and Financial Wellness Services
EAP COVID-19 Support
ICYMI - Lawrence Tech Offers Clinical Counseling Services
Clinical Counseling Services is available to assist you as we deal with the stress and anxiety of COVID-19 on our campus and global community. To schedule an appointment email us at clinicalcounseling@ltu.edu. We will be in touch to set up an appointment via Zoom and have you fill out any necessary paperwork. We are also scheduling any regular or ongoing appointments you may have had. Please refer to the attachment and links below as they contain links to the MySSP app and to helpful resources to support your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.
Additional Resources:
Strategies for coping
Coronavirus anxiety resources
Coronavirus Q&A
Stay Safe and Healthy,
The Office of Human Resources
CLINICAL COUNSELING SERVICES
Clinical Counseling Services is available to assist you as we deal with the stress and anxiety of COVID-19 on our campus and global community. To schedule an appointment email us at clinicalcounseling@ltu.edu. We will be in touch to set up an appointment via Zoom and have you fill out any necessary paperwork. We are also scheduling any regular or ongoing appointments you may have had. Please refer to the attachment and links below as they contain links to the MySSP app and to helpful resources to support your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.
Additional Resources:
Strategies for coping
Coronavirus anxiety resources
Coronavirus Q&A
Dr. Jeffrey Betman
Christy Schulze, LLPC
USE OF STUDENT EMPLOYEES DURING STAY HOME, STAY SAFE
LTU student employees are classified as non-essential and will not be working on campus during the current “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. In most cases, student employees can not complete their job functions off-campus. Exceptions to work off-campus as a student employee must be approved by the Dean of Students. Only supervisors can request an exception. Supervisors should email studean@ltu.edu. Please provide the first and last name of the student, and the necessary work responsibilities. An approval or disapproval will be communicated within 24 hours.
DAILY HEALTH SCREENING REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE ON CAMPUS
The Oakland County Health Department has required all businesses still open during this time to have a screening mechanism in place for any employees who are onsite. This is a daily screening requirement that is effective beginning today at noon.
For the benefit of yourself and our LTU Community, and to be in compliance with the Oakland County Health Department Order of 3/25/2020, this form must be completed for every day you are on campus. Your information will be protected and made available only to those meeting the order requirement. It is your responsibility to complete it, and follow the instructions below. We will be reviewing the data to be sure you are in compliance.
Here's the link for the Daily screening form.
https://forms.gle/QAsiybg5tjB41HFr6
If there's someone coming to campus from the outside, you may complete this form on their behalf. Thank you for your cooperation!
Linda Height
Vice President, Finance and Administration
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Office of Human Resources is here to answer your questions. If you have a medical condition that would make you a high or very high exposure risk, please contact Starlett Sinclair, Senior Manager Benefits and HRIS, at benefits@ltu.edu.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Lawrence Tech's number one priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, guests and community partners. This communication is an addendum to email correspondence sent from President Moudgil on March 10 and 11.
As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) affects local communities, many employees are inquiring about work-life balance matters. Below, we outline some important reminders as the university tackles this worldwide phenomenon.
Employees Who Have Definitely Been Exposed to the Virus
Employees who show symptoms can use available paid sick days as usual; and may qualify for FMLA depending on the duration of the illness. Refer to both the Employee Handbook Addendum (i.e., policy 509) and Employee Handbook for Administrators, Faculty and Staff (i.e, policy 1013) for more information. FMLA Source, our third party administrator, created a special bulletin to share with our employees regarding Leaves of Absences - see attached.
Leaves of Absences
One of the primary questions related to the coronavirus outbreak is whether leaves taken due to COVID-19 qualify for protection under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The answer depends on a few factors. In the event that an employee has been quarantined at home or elsewhere, the key question will be: Is that employee symptomatic and showing signs of the illness? FMLA Source, our third party administrator, created a special bulletin to share with our employees regarding Leaves of Absences - view bulletin.
Employees Who May Have Been Exposed to the Virus
Employees that are not feeling well are reminded to seek treatment for non-emergency illness through their medical provider or Telehealth Services, which is offered to Health Alliance Plan (HAP) participants.
K-12 School Closures and Its Affects on Employees
Parents with kids in grades K-6 can use available paid personal and vacation days at their discretion, as usual. Refer to the Employee Handbook Addendum (i.e., policies 506 and 510) for more information.
Work-Sponsored and Personal Travel
International work-sponsored travel by faculty and staff is prohibited without permission from their direct supervisor. Employees who have personally traveled to or from CDC designated countries listed as Level 3 (or have plans to) are required to notify their direct supervisor and submit this form.
Working Remotely
There are certain positions that are critical to LTU's on-going business operations that require job duties to be performed on campus. These positions will not be approved to work remotely. Conversely, there are other positions that are equally important, but can be performed remotely in extenuating circumstances on a temporary basis. Remote access will only be granted to certain positions at the discretion of department supervisors with final approval by the Office of Human Resources. IT Services and eLearning Services have assembled a resource to help the LTU community prepare to conduct our business remotely.
Virus-Related Challenges
Employees who are reluctant to come to work for personal reasons but are not ill are encouraged to reach out to our Employee Assistance Program.