Academic Experience FAQs

We are prepared to continue MTU Flex as long as necessary to keep our campus and community safe.

Yes. Procedures and protocols have been developed to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, and staff, while also ensuring that students get the education and experience for which Michigan Tech is known. We expect that labs and facilities will be available, with appropriate safety measures.

Yes. Student Disability Services will be able to provide virtual support and resources. Students do not need to have documentation of a disability to meet with the coordinator. Incoming students should make a virtual appointment as early as possible in their first semester.

You can email questions and comments to mtuflex@mtu.edu.

If you are a student who has been placed in quarantine by the health department, you need to inform your instructors immediately to discuss course requirements and assignments. Mixed-modality instruction is not guaranteed in all classes during the fall 2021 semester and instructors are not required to provide remote instruction. If you are unable to contact your instructors, please contact the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@mtu.edu for assistance. Do not go to class if the health department places you in quarantine.

Regardless of Health and Safety Level, instructors may wear specially designed face shields while teaching class. Instructors will be expected to wear cloth face coverings to and from class, but will be permitted to wear specially designed face shields while teaching credit-bearing courses. The face shields will allow for better airflow and allow students to see the instructor's face.

In response to recommendations from the American College Health Association, Michigan Tech has changed our attendance policy so students who become ill will not be required to make unnecessary visits to a health care provider for the purposes of obtaining documentation.

These students will work with the Dean of Students Office for assistance and support. Each situation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but we are hopeful that even though a student is ill, symptoms will not be so severe that they are unable to keep up with classes remotely during the full period of isolation.

In addition, students no longer need to contact the Dean of Students Office for excused absences involving fewer than three consecutive days unless they missed a major assignment, examination, or other graded requirements of the class. Students can review the Attendance Policy for more details.

International Programs and Services (IPS) can give you helpful information about the international student experience at Michigan Tech, and also has a list of frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and how it may affect international students.

For specific questions regarding immigration, visa interviews, and travel, please email ips@mtu.edu. Be sure to check the US Department of State website for the latest on visa application, wait times, and other announcements.

Yes. However, the specifics of research activities will vary depending on the type of research activities, equipment, and whether fieldwork is involved. Research may also be impacted by the University's current Health and Safety Level.

If the Health and Safety Level has changed and you are not certain whether your research is impacted, contact your supervisor for guidance. Research-related updates are also posted to the COVID-19 Research Information page on the Research website.

The specifics of research activities will vary depending on the type of research activities, equipment, and whether fieldwork is involved. Here are some of many resources you can contact for more information:

•  Your graduate program director or department.
• Information Technology, for technology support to work remotely or on campus.
• The Graduate School resources archive, compiled to assist students with research and professional development.
• Michigan Tech Van Pelt and Opie Library offers information on the research process, reference help, citation and copyright documentation. It hosts workshops and consultations on citation software, data management, poster design, company research, etc. The library also provides remote access to electronic resources and research guides on special topics.

Master's students whose graduation is delayed because of research progress may want to consider converting their degree to a coursework option. The Graduate School can allow research credits to be considered toward a coursework degree. Please reach out to your graduate program director for additional details.

Yes, in almost all cases. Even when access to campus was restricted to essential personnel, students supported through assistantships funded through the University continued to be paid. Teaching assistants helped with online instruction; research assistants adapted to the online-only environment in a variety of ways. However, research involving interaction with human subjects is subject to restrictions that other research is not. If access to campus must once again be limited, funds to support this type of research may be delayed. Check with your program for details on whether you are likely to be impacted by this.

Michigan Tech is committed to ensuring that all students graduate in a timely manner. Research never goes exactly the way you intend. There are always unforeseen circumstances. Projects are constantly being reimagined and refocused. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. We are encouraging all students and faculty to examine their research goals and adjust so that students may finish their degrees in a timely manner.