A Message from President Walk: MMC’s Plan to Shift to Remote Instruction

Dear MMC Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I’m writing this afternoon to let you know that, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in New York, the College has decided to shift to remote classes after a brief transition period. Note that this is not a campus closure; business operations on campus will continue as usual. Please also note that there continue to be no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in the MMC community.

Below is the general plan of how we will proceed. This message to you will soon be followed by emails specific to students, faculty, and staff. I also encourage you to closely monitor your MMC email and www.mmm.edu/coronavirus. Questions and comments may be sent to Safety@mmm.edu.

TOMORROW: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 

• Classes will be held on campus as regularly scheduled.

TRANSITION PERIOD: Thursday, March 12 – Tuesday, March 17

• Students will not need to report to campus (with a few exceptions), because classes will be suspended.
• Faculty will attend on-campus sessions to prepare for remote education delivery.
• Business operations for all staff will continue on campus as usual.
• MMC community members are free to access campus as needed.
• Performances will be held as scheduled.
• Residence Halls and Dow Zanghi Student Health Center will remain fully open.

ADVISEMENT DAY: Wednesday, March 18

• As always, there are no classes on Advisement Day.
• Advisement will take place remotely (by telephone or other electronic means), not on campus.
• Business operations for all staff will continue on campus as usual.
• MMC community members are free to access campus as needed.

REMOTE EDUCATION: Thursday, March 19 – Friday, April 3

• All classes will be held remotely, not on campus. Faculty will deliver all courses via electronic channels.
• Business operations for all staff will continue on campus as usual.
• MMC community members are free to access campus as needed.
• Residence Halls and Dow Zanghi Student Health Center will remain fully open.

SPRING BREAK: Saturday, April 4 – Sunday, April 12

• There will be no classes, per the usual spring break schedule.
• Business operations for all staff will continue on campus as usual.
• MMC community members are free to access campus as needed.
• Residence Halls and Dow Zanghi Student Health Center will remain fully open.

IN-PERSON CLASSES RESUME: Monday, April 13

• In-person classes are expected to resume. Any changes in this plan will be communicated as far in advance as possible.

Again, emails specific to students, faculty, and staff will be sent shortly. These messages will elaborate on the plan above. You can also expect updates as the situation evolves. If you have questions or comments, please send them to Safety@mmm.edu.

I extend my sincerest thanks to our entire campus community for your teamwork in addressing this unprecedented challenge.

Sincerely,

Kerry Walk, Ph.D.
President

Published: March 10, 2020