SVSU is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment, which includes empowering our community with information. Next Tuesday, July 28, at 5 p.m., we encourage you to visit SVSU’s Facebook page and join us for a special webinar for SVSU students and their families. During this pre-recorded event, viewers will learn more about the NEST Plan, which includes campus safety updates and modifications to campus buildings, residence halls and classrooms. In addition, updates regarding academics, course delivery and student support services will be addressed. Viewers will be able to hear directly from our hard-working staff and faculty about the steps they are taking to enhance the student experience and offer flexible learning environments, both in lectures and labs. We are committed to supporting students and their families as we prepare for a safe return to campus, and we want to answer any questions you may have. Please submit questions or comments to nest@svsu.edu.
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SVSU’s commitment to providing students a safe return to campus next month is bolstered by the institution’s strengthened partnership with Covenant HealthCare.
The partnership predates the pandemic that led the university — and other institutions across the nation — to suspend in-classroom learning in March, but the emergence of COVID-19 provided the impetus for SVSU to seek additional services and consultation from the Saginaw-based health care provider.
Before the pandemic, the SVSU and Covenant HealthCare partnership included the establishment of a Covenant MedExpress site located on the university’s campus. Now Covenant MedExpress personnel there are equipped to test patients for the COVID-19 virus.
The SVSU and Covenant HealthCare partnership also initiated a reunion of sorts with an alumnus, Dr. Matthew Deibel. The Covenant HealthCare medical director has helped SVSU leaders determine specific policy decisions for the fall, including advice on university decisions relating to re-organizing furniture in campus spaces to create more room to practice social distancing. He also helped SVSU interpret regulations from state and federal government health agencies.
The SVSU and Covenant HealthCare partnership also led to SVSU providing its staff and faculty with access to Covenant HealthCare services focusing specifically on health-related workplace issues. Covenant helped SVSU as the university developed a self-screening process for faculty and staff. Soon, SVSU will finalize a self-screening process for students as well.
While faculty, staff and students will have access to an SVSU-based information phone line tasked with answering questions about the fall semester plans, any health-related questions will be forwarded to a Covenant HealthCare-based hotline staffed by medical experts. The SVSU NEST Info Line is available at (989) 964-2110.
Some 100 enthusiastic Cardinals who will be named NEST Ambassadors will assist with keeping members of the SVSU campus community healthy and safe when classes resume this fall. Already this summer, 34 students are signed up for the opportunity to be a NEST Ambassador and will be joined by another 60-plus students when orientation for the role begins Monday, Aug. 3. NEST Ambassadors will be assigned to serve in one of three specialty areas: Student Experience, Information Technology, and Health & Wellness. In addition to playing an integral role in carrying out the Cardinal NEST Plan, they also develop skills that will better prepare them for the workforce — skills such as critical thinking, initiative, attention to detail and teamwork.
Employees coming to campus... remember to check in daily at svsu.edu/dailyscreening.
COVID-19 testing is available at various locations in Michigan. Find one near you.
NEST Info Line
nest@svsu.edu
(989) 964-2110
Undergraduate Admissions
admissions@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4200
Graduate Admissions
gradadm@svsu.edu
(989) 964-6096