Northern continues adjustments in COVID-19 oubreak

Montana State University-Northern is continuing to make adjustments to its services when students come back from spring break next week to reduce exposure to novel coronavirus-19, including transitioning all classes including labs and clinicals to online presentation and asking students not to come back to the dorms if possible.

"As of this morning, there has not been a documented case of COVID-19 in Hill County," Chancellor Greg Kegel said in a statement posted and released Thursday. "My goal is to keep it that way."

Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton - who is one of Montana's 14 in-state confirmed cases as of Thursday - issued a directive to the public Montana University System campuses last week to transition as many classes as possible to online or other distanced-learning techniques to reduce exposure to the novel coronavirus.

The virus, first detected in China in December, has since spread throughout the world including all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath. People have been urged to use "social distancing," avoiding close contact with people, and to self-isolate if they have symptoms or may have been exposed to the virus.

Northern at first said it would transition classes to online formats, but most facilities would remain open.

Now, following NAIA recommendations, it has closed its gymnasium and weightrooms and restricted sports activities and recruitment - see a story in Thursday's edition of the Havre Daily News and online at http://www.havredailynews.com - and has made changes to its meal services - see a story also in Thursday's edition and online.

In Kegel's statement Thursday, he said the university is transitioning every class into an online format. All face-to-face instruction including lectures, labs and clinicals will be part of this transition.

He said Christian urged the heads of the MUS campuses Wednesday to reduce the student presence on campus as much as possible.

"In accordance with this request, I am asking all of our resident students to consider an alternate living arrangement," Kegel said. "Our residence halls are still open, but now is not the time to return to campus for your belongings. We have a response team in place that will ensure all of your property is safe and secure."

He said he also made the decision to close non-essential facilities and shut down activities on campus. The campus is still open for all university business, but wherever possible, the university will be providing services remotely via email, phone calls, and so on and will not be opening its facilities to the public.

"I want to assure all of our students that while this transition will be challenging, we are committed to providing you with a high-quality academic experience," he said. "Our Tutoring Committee is working diligently on an online platform that will provide you with real-time assistance. Our Financial Aid, Business Services and Library services will all be available to assist you and answer any questions you may have."

Kegel said the situation continues to evolve and change and he strongly encourages people to visit http://www.msun.edu/COVID-19 daily, for information on how the campus is responding.

"We will get through this together," Kegel said. "Now is the time to care for your communities, care for each other and care for yourselves. Be safe Northern."