The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a statewide public health order on Sunday, Nov. 15. Due to the acceleration of the spread of COVID-19, Michigan will move back into phase 2 for at least the next two weeks. 

The order took into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 18, affecting operations at universities like GVSU. On that day, face-to-face classes shifted to remote delivery, one week ahead of GVSU’s original plan to go fully remote after Thanksgiving Break.

“The word of the semester has been ‘flexible’,” said President Philomena Mantella in an email sent to all GVSU emails Monday morning. “Thank you for all you are doing to make campus the best and safest it can be.”

Students enrolled in nursing and health care classes could potentially be the exception to these guidelines, as they are advised to talk to their advisors for information on in-person clinicals.

Students enrolled in education classes should get more information on how these guidelines after their teaching placements from their professors and advisors.

The university will remain open for the length of this new order, as efforts by appointing officers to further reduce workspace density and shift to remote work will continue in every way possible, consistent with current guidelines.

COVID-19 tests are available to those who come to campus at least once a week, as GVSU will pay for one test per person. Testing for those not experiencing symptoms will take place at the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses.

GVSU will also host a Spectrum Health testing site at the Commons on the Allendale Campus for those who have been experienced symptoms or have been directed exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Appointments for these testing sites can be scheduled through MyChart or by calling the GVSU Spectrum Health COVID Resource Line at (833) 734-0020.

For those with questions and concerns regarding GVSU’s plan to contain the spread of COVID-19, the GVSU COVID call center ((616) 331-4636) remains open on weekdays from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Personal health concerns should be directed to the GVSU/Spectrum Health 24-hour call center at (833) 734-0020