HANCOCK — The day after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s declaration of a state emergency regarding the COVID-19 virus, Finlandia University is closing its residence hall and transitioning to online classes for the rest of the semester, University President Philip Johnson announced in a statement Thursday.

Students are required to leave the residence hall by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Prior to leaving campus, residents should communicate with Residence Life staff and follow published check-out procedures.

Guest visitation in the hall is barred immediately.

Dining services will continue through lunch on Tuesday. However, there will be an emphasis on go-to dining, with no self-service bars.

Face-to-face classes, labs and clinicals are cancelled Friday through Tuesday as faculty move their classes to Canvas, the university’s online learning platform, it said. Classes will resume using Canvas on Wednesday.

“Faculty understand that moving their courses to the online platform can be an unsettling disruption for students,” Johnson said in a statement. “In response, the University is building support tools and processes designed to encourage continuous learning and minimize disruption.”

Departments will determine how science labs, studios and clinicals will be delivered. Their respective deans and faculty will communicate those to the students.

Additionally, the spring 2020 sports season will be canceled.

Students in a second-half wellness course are asked to speak to their advisors regarding alternatives.

Graduating seniors are asked to continue working with their faculty advisors. Deans will work with faculty to ensure minimal disruption as they approach graduation.

High-risk faculty and staff are encouraged to seek ways to work remotely.

This request can be made to the Office of Human Resources at (906) 487-7339 or  alyson.delandsheer@finlandia.edu.  

Any student who has been exposed to a known case of COVID-19 or may be exhibiting symptoms of fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing is asked to report to Dean of Students Erin Barnett at (906) 487-7231 or  erin.barnett@finlandia.edu.

Anyone who is ill is asked to stay home.    

Administrative and other offices remain open and operations continue. Academic support and tutoring will be available via video and teleconferencing. Students receiving federal work study will receive guidance from the university in a separate email.

Campus events will be limited to 25 or fewer people unless othrewise authorized. The Honor’s Banquet scheduled for April 17 will not be held as currently configured. The university is investigating alternatives.

A decision on spring commencement will be made by April 3.

All university-related intrenational travel is suspended until further notice. University-related domestic air travel will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

For Finlandia students experiencing mental health concerns, Finlandia students are eligible for free counseling via Northstar. They can request an appointment at northstareap.com/appointment-request.

For further updates, check finlandia.edu/coronavirus.