UMSI COVID-19 Updates and Resources

To the UMSI community:

During these difficult times, I am reminded daily of the strength of our community and its members. However, this does not preclude individuals having tough days or struggling to manage ongoing challenges. It is important to ask for help and to take good care of ourselves. Together, we are continuing to teach and learn, to conduct research, to admit new students and support current students, and to manage our operations. As a community we can help each other, particularly when we can adjust priorities and schedules to care for family and friends in addition to ourselves. I am proud of both aspects of our community and know that these are the characteristics that will see us past the pandemic and onward to future success.

This page provides a hub of UMSI information and links related to our efforts during COVID-19, along with select links to official information sources and campus services. If you missed or want to review any of my daily emails to the UMSI community, you can access them here. I invite you to review the information and links below, make use of resources we are offering such as the UMSI Community Help Network and bookmark this page for future reference.

As always, Go Blue!

Tom Finholt

For official information and news on COVID-19, please visit the following sites:

It is normal to feel some anxiety and stress during this time, whether you are a student, a staff member or a faculty member. It is important to actively engage in self-care and stress reduction. If your level of stress and anxiety is interfering with your daily functioning, regular sleep, etc., please reach out for additional support. The resources below support well-being and offer assistance with a range of issues and concerns including emotional, physical, financial and more.

Dean Finholt's Daily Emails: Daily emails from UMSI Dean Thomas Finholt to UMSI faculty, staff and students
U-M Student Life Well-being Guide for Students: Stress reduction tools, virtual well-being events, directory of support resources
First Generation Student Resources during COVID-19: Academic support, wellness, housing, financial and social support
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) COVID-19 Update: Individual and group counseling and consultation services
Rackham Resources for Graduate Students during COVID-19: Academic policies, research and scholarship, programming and financial support
U-M Human Resources Guide to Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mental, emotional, physical, and financial support resources
MHealthy Resource Coach for Financial Challenges: Consultation and assistance with housing, utilities, child/eldercare, debt/budgeting, community services, food and nutrition
Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office: Individual and group counseling and consultation services
U-M Poverty Center Michigan COVID-19 Pandemic Resource Guide: Local, state and federal support resources for food, childcare, housing and utilities, transportation, health and medical, unemployment and more.

Important note: If you are in crisis, please call the Psychiatric Emergency Room at University of Michigan at (734) 936-5900 or dial 911. Students can also seek Crisis Support through the U-M CAPS Office.

UMSI COVID-19 Community Help Network

The UMSI Community Help Network offers a network of support and help to members of our community, including students, staff and faculty. While you should continue to rely on existing support (for example, students connecting with OASA advisors for academic advising, emergency loan requests, etc.), UMSI students, staff and faculty can use this form to request help or offer help as a member of the UMSI community. Through the form, you can confidentially share a need or request help with special challenges you are facing due to the pandemic, such as information, resources, support, or assistance. You can use the same form to share ways you are able to help others in the community.

UMSI courses are continuing remotely in online formats through the end of the winter 2020 semester and for spring/summer courses. Finals will be delivered online. Academic, engaged learning and career development support is continuing remotely for all students.

UMSI faculty instructors and Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) can find information and guidance for remote instruction, technical support and more via the UMSI Teaching Resources Canvas site.

Current students

Services and support are available to all current students, including academic advising, mental health services, emergency funding, online learning support and more.

UMSI Office of Academic and Student Affairs

If you need help or aren’t sure where to start, contact the UMSI Office of Academic and Student Affairs (OASA) at umsi.studentlife@umich.edu.

For announcements and resources, see degree program-specific Canvas sites (BSI, MHI, MSI, PhD) for residential programs, including a module on each site titled, “Virtual Resources and Support During COVID-19” which includes this student resource guide among other resources.
Academic advising appointments can be made through iTrack.
For course registration or enrollment questions, email umsi.registrar@umich.edu.
Visit https://www.si.umich.edu/programs/student-life-umsi/graduation for updates on plans to celebrate 2020 graduates.

Career Development Services

For urgent career-related and/or internship matters, email umsi.careers@umich.edu. Career Development Office (CDO) staff members are offering virtual advising and drop-in hours to assist with career planning and with job or internship search. Career advising appointments can be made through iTrack. Access to CDO resources and support can be found in the CDO Canvas site.

Engaged Learning Programs and Co-curricular Projects

For information or guidance on on-going programs, course and co-curricular projects, please email the Engaged Learning Office (ELO) at umsi.engagement@umich.edu. ELO staff members are available for individual consultation appointments through iTrack.

Prospective students

The School of Information maintains our commitment to supporting students who may be impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and this commitment extends to prospective and admitted students. Admissions staff and current students are available to advise prospective and admitted students, understanding that the current situation is creating unexpected challenges for many people. We are working to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff and faculty while continuing to provide important resources, updates, and support as you consider joining the UMSI community. Please look here for details on our programs and admissions contact information.

During this time, University of Michigan and UMSI continue to support research and scholarship activity that can be conducted remotely, while allowing minimal access to laboratories and enacting temporary restrictions on face-to-face human subject research. U-M Researchers are involved in studying many aspects of the pandemic and funding is available to further this work. UMSI research administration and U-M research support units remain operational. Visit the following links to learn more:

University of Michigan Research during COVID-19: FAQs, News, Index and Funding
UMSI Research-Related COVID-19 Information, Resources and Links (For UMSI Faculty/Staff/Students)

Recruit students for jobs and internships

The UMSI Career Development Office (CDO) stands ready to assist employers with recruitment and student engagement efforts using remote strategies. More details are available here.

Host student projects

Organizations, U-M departments, alumni and others are welcome to learn about fall project opportunities at umsi.info/clientopportunities. To set up a time to discuss opportunities to host or mentor a student project, please email umsi.client.engagement@umich.edu.

Career support for alumni

Some alumni may be experiencing their own job concerns as executive orders affect businesses and essential work. Through the Alumni Association, the university offers resources to help with job support, including best practices for working remotely and career development webinars. Visit alumni.umich.edu/career.

Support the UMSI Student Emergency Fund

While we all face challenges and changes in routine at this time, some students may face additional difficulty due to housing or food insecurity, reduced or lost employment, and additional family care responsibilities while trying to continue courses online. UMSI has created an emergency relief fund to assist students struggling financially. For those who are able, UMSI welcomes and appreciates contributions to our Student Emergency Fund.