March 18, 2020

Dear College Community,

As efforts across the state, the nation and the world intensify to contain the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), today I am announcing that all Kalamazoo Valley Community College buildings will close to the public beginning Friday, March 20 and most staff and faculty members will be released to work at home through April 12.

Only essential personnel should report to the college on Friday. The term, "essential personnel" is a phrase we normally use during natural disasters, and it refers to the personnel who keep the campus infrastructure running. In this context, I believe we need to interpret it as people whose on-campus presence (as opposed to work from home) is essential to support online/remote instruction and services for students, conduct financial transactions, provide communications and other functions of the college.

I have already been in consultation with the deans and cabinet and have developed a list of essential personnel. Those who have been designated as essential personnel have already been alerted. As the weeks progress, we will explore all options for off-site work.

This may change. Should I communicate that the college is closed outright, we may redefine "essential personnel."

It is mandatory that you remain in contact with and available to your supervisor during work hours for this time period. Full-time and part-time employees will continue to be compensated during this time frame. Additional information will be forthcoming.

You are shouldering a heavy burden of service in extremely trying times, and I do not ask this of you lightly. I appreciate your understanding as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in our communities. You have my greatest respect and appreciation.

Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph. D.
President