Dean's Office Communication on COVID-19 - 2020-03-11

Dear COM faculty, staff and students,

In light of recent events surrounding the confirmed coronavirus cases here in Michigan and President Stanley’s update announcing the transition of all coursework to virtual instruction, we are working hard to ensure the health and safety of all of our faculty, staff and students. While the university continues to remain open and maintain its operations, we will stay committed to addressing many of the questions and concerns you have related to specific programs and processes here in our college.

Many of the measures outlined by the university and our college are part of an overall public health strategy to help slow down the spread of this virus. While the university is recommending that undergraduate students consider returning to their permanent place of residence to complete coursework, we understand that many of you in our college may find yourselves in situations where this may not be immediately possible due to the nature of your classes and work here. Special arrangements may be required for teaching labs, performance courses, clinical settings and internships. Keep in mind, our overriding objective is to have students complete courses and stay on track for success.

As for maintaining overall operations as a college, we urge faculty and staff to continue to work under general employee/staffing policies unless the university dictates otherwise. We will keep you informed. Some resources available now include Guidelines for Maintaining Critical Functions and Services, Telecommuting: A Guide for Employees and Supervisors and KeepMSUWorking.

To ensure continuity in all that we do, some immediate items being addressed include:   

• Clarification on what is considered essential and non-essential travel
• Additional guidance on pre-clerkship and clerkship curriculums
• Modifications to pre-college, admissions and student life activities
• Faculty development and CME activities
• General employee and staffing provisions

Direct instruction will be sent out via email on these items to students, faculty and staff with more details and related contingency plans, as needed. Pre-clerkship students will receive separate instructions and can access updated class information on the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine website.

Furthermore, the following events are being cancelled, changed or postponed. Additional details will be emailed in the near future.     

• Match Day – While the in-person event is being cancelled, a virtual Match Day is being planned so stay tuned for more information.
• Faculty Assembly – This is still being held on Wednesday, March 18 but will be conducted virtually.
• Fee Follies – This event may be rescheduled on a later date.

Again, we will continue to work collectively with all of you and the university overall and will share more information as it is available.

Sincerely,

Andrea Amalfitano D.O., Ph.D.
Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine