Dear Students:
As seen on various media outlets several institutions around the country have experienced high positive test rates, others pivoted to online instruction the week prior to their planned opening, and in one case a major public institution had to close their residence halls and send everyone home in its opening week. Detroit Mercy is doing everything it can to avoid these kinds of developments, but the best social distancing plans and the closest attention to building disinfection cannot by themselves prevent COVID-19 transmission. It is obvious that no university, ours included, can reopen safely without students’ wholehearted cooperation.
To protect the health and safety of our community, we have put in place a number of new policies and expectations. There will be limits on the number of people who can gather in rooms and in informal settings, and we are capping attendance at all in-person University events. Many of the metrics we are using reflect the State of Michigan guidelines with which we are obligated to comply. Others metrics are based on our judgement, and that of public health experts on what is best for the safety of our community.
It is important to note that these policies and expectations apply to on and off campus activities and gatherings. Your off-campus behavior regarding COVID-19 safety measures is no less critical than compliance on campus. We strongly encourage you to be serious about protecting yourselves, your classmates and your families. The University will be holding you accountable to these expectations, on and off campus. Students, who conduct themselves in ways counter to the expectations of the University and state guidelines, will be jeopardizing their health and safety, the health and safety of others in the community, the on campus experience and possibly their standing as students at Detroit Mercy.
We understand your desire for a campus experience that is as normal as possible, and the University will revisit these policies as the situation evolves, and as the state of Michigan issues new guidelines. Likewise, we understand your desire to get back to the community of friends that you miss. Our best chance of offering you an on-campus experience depends on your care and concern for others and cooperation with University guidelines this fall.
Sincerely,
Monica J. Williams
Dean of Students/Deputy Title IX Coordinator
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 993-1028