On-campus students: finishing Fall 2020 semester

This message from President Kavalhuna is for HFC students who are currently taking face-to-face (in-person) classes ON the HFC campuses during Fall 2020 semester. The recent order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services may affect the conclusion of your semester.

November 17, 2020

Dear Students,

You are receiving this message because you are taking face-to-face classes on the HFC campus, and a new order from the state government may affect how you finish those classes this semester.

First, let me say thank you for working with us through some difficult times, and for being flexible and understanding as we have had to change the way we teach some classes and provide services to you. I am very impressed by your dedication and your work to invest in your future through education. I support you, and I am here for you. Always feel free to tell me how you are doing and how we are doing supporting you.

Yesterday, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced a new Gatherings and Facemask order. The order will be in effect statewide from 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18 and will run through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8.

There are two things I want you to know about how this will affect you at HFC:

1. We are developing plans to finish the coursework for your face-to-face classes this semester. Because these plans are specific to the type of course and the requirements of the course, you will receive information about each course from your course instructor.

   If you have not heard from your instructor by Friday of this week, Nov. 20, please reach out to the dean or associate dean of your HFC School (see list below). Tell them what course(s) you have, who your instructor or instructors are, and ask for details about completing your courses. We are committed to helping you successfully complete your coursework.

   If you don’t know which School your classes are in, select the links below for a list of programs in each School.

   School of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development (BEPD):
   Dean Patricia Chatman, pchatman@hfcc.edu
   Associate Dean Keambra Pierson, kdpierson@hfcc.edu

   School of Health and Human Services (HHS):
   Dean Susan Shunkwiler, stshunkwiler@hfcc.edu
   Associate Dean Debra Szymanski, dszyman@hfcc.edu

   School of Liberal Arts (SoLA):
   Dean Janice Gilliland, jlgilliland@hfcc.edu
   Associate Dean Robert Yahrmatter, rayahrmatter@hfcc.edu

   School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM):
   Dean Janice Gilliland, jlgilliland@hfcc.edu
   Associate Dean Gillian John, gajohn@hfcc.edu

2. Our plans for Winter 2021 semester are currently proceeding as scheduled. The majority of Winter classes will be offered remotely. Classes that require in-person instruction are scheduled to take place on our campuses with the safety protocols we have implemented since we resumed limited face-to-face instruction in July 2020. These schedules may change as new information and health guidance is given. If you need help registering for classes for Winter 2021, participate in our Cyber Saturday Services event this Saturday, or email enroll@hfcc.edu.

The state government’s new order also includes restrictions on residential gatherings. For safety reasons, the order limits indoor gatherings to no more than 10 people from no more than 2 households. This may affect Thanksgiving plans for some of you. I hope you will consider the requirements of the order, and stay safe within your households.

In the midst of this difficult time, I encourage you to remain hopeful. Recent public announcements have indicated that one or more safe, effective vaccines might become available within the next year.

I know the past eight months have been hard for you. I know there are many things about our full campus community that you miss. I do too. I miss seeing you on campus, dropping in on your classes, and encountering you in our campus walkways and hallways, dining areas and sports events and gathering spaces. I very much look forward to the time when we will be safely back together. Until then, I ask you to continue doing all you can, in your work and in your life, to stay safe and to help others do so.

If you need support, please remember that we offer counseling services and other resources.

You can always reach me at the email below if there are ways I can help you.

Russ Kavalhuna
President
President@hfcc.edu