KCC students and employees,
Late last night, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced there are two confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) in Michigan. Gov. Whitmer also declared a state of emergency for all of Michigan in an effort to maximize efforts to slow the spread. These efforts will include participation from and have impacts upon higher education institutions across the state.
This afternoon, in a conference call with Kellogg Community College and other community colleges, Gov. Whitmer advised institutions to consider tele-learning (online delivery) wherever feasible and to cancel or postpone all large gatherings, conferences and sporting events where 100 or more people are anticipated. This guidance is in effect for at least the next 30 days.
Kellogg Community College is actively taking steps to follow the state’s guidance and will announce specific actions in the coming days regarding face-to-face classes, upcoming campus events and facility availability. Gov. Whitmer is expected to make public announcements regarding a variety of coronavirus prevention and mitigation actions this evening and in the coming days.
As of today, KCC is suspending all non-critical College-related travel through April 30 as a preventive and precautionary measure. KCC is defining critical travel as any travel sponsored by or conducted on behalf of the College — to any destination by any means — that is necessary for institutional compliance, individual job requirements or required training. Employees are advised to work with their respective directors/chairs and Accounts Payable to initiate processes related to travel cancellations regarding arrangements that have already been made. Students who have signed up for KCC field trips through April 30 should contact their respective instructors/advisors for additional information.
While there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the College’s service area of Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties, KCC’s proactive mitigation efforts are being managed by a team of personnel and leadership from all divisions. This team remains in communication throughout each day and is closely monitoring the following:
- Operational and prevention guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Department of Education
- Updates from Gov. Whitmer’s Covid-19 Task Force on Education, covering K-12 public schools and universities and colleges
- Local, state and national news coverage of the outbreak
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention situation information, which is updated at least once per day
- Public health guidance from health departments in Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties
- Updates from organizations related to higher education, including the Higher Learning Commission
As the situation evolves, KCC will provide communications to employees and students via KCC email and post information on the KCC Coronavirus web page at www.kellogg.edu/coronavirus.
Sincerely,
Eric J. Greene
Chief Communications Officer