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MSU to halt construction, suspend non-essential research due to COVID-19

March 24, 2020
<p>MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. speaks during an ASMSU General Assembly meeting in the MSU International Center on Jan. 16, 2019. </p>

MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. speaks during an ASMSU General Assembly meeting in the MSU International Center on Jan. 16, 2019.

Photo by Matt Zubik | The State News

Michigan State University ceased its construction projects and suspended any non-essential MSU research during the duration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order per an email from MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr.

The executive order that Whitmer released today called "Stay Home, Stay Safe" suspends all in-person operations that are not necessary to protect or sustain human life. This order goes into effect at midnight tonight.

Remote learning through finals will continue, employees are still asked to work from home when possible and research not impacted by the order will continue, Stanley said in the email. The actions will remain in place for the duration of the state government's order, which concludes April 13.

While the order does not impact classes, it does affect many MSU employees with jobs that don't allow them to work remotely, who now have to remain home.

MSU will continue to provide resources for students still living on campus, like take-out from dining halls while adhering to social distancing practices.

Eat at state also sent out an update following Whitmer's order, announcing some adjustments to campus dining. This includes the closure of all Sparty's and the 1855 Place Starbucks. Dining halls in each neighborhood will still be open: The Edge at Akers, Brody Square, South Pointe at Case, Thrive at Owen and The Vista at Shaw.

"I continue to be impressed by the responsiveness of our units across campus and around the state and the willingness to adapt during this unprecedented and fluid time," Stanley said in the email. "Each of you is instrumental to the daily work happening at our university."

This order was created in hopes to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and requires all Michiganders to stay within their residences except for specific circumstances.

In Stanley's email earlier today, he clarifies some of the terms of the order to the MSU community.

"The executive order references federal guidelines that specify as critical “colleges and universities for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing other essential functions, if operating under rules for social distancing.” This means today’s order does not impact our ability to continue offering classes in alternative and virtual settings or our decision to encourage employees who can do so to continue working remotely," Stanley said in the email.

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