Anyone planning to visit a Baker College, Culinary Institute of Michigan, or Auto Diesel Institute of Michigan campus must complete the appropriate COVID-19 Self-Certification Health Screening prior to arriving on campus. Please review the Self-Certification Health Screening Protocol document for more information.
Students experiencing financial hardships resulting from the Coronavirus National Emergency may qualify for federal emergency relief funding.
Dear BakerProud,
Baker College is working with Rite Aid to offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics at each of our campus locations. The clinics are open to all BC faculty, staff, and students. We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated if your healthcare provider deems it safe for you to do so.
Dates and times for campus vaccination clinics are listed below. To receive your COVID-19 vaccine, you must:
We’re excited to provide this opportunity for all employees and students. We strongly encourage you to schedule your vaccination as soon as possible. If you are able to get vaccinated before the scheduled dates, we highly recommend that you do so.
Dates, Times & Locations for On-Campus Vaccination Clinics
Sincerely,
BC Pandemic Response Team
Dear BakerProud,
We look forward to welcoming our faculty, staff, and students back to campus for the start of the fall semester on Monday, August 23. As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to progress in our state and local communities, we are cautiously optimistic about returning to relative normalcy for the fall semester. Your health and safety are our number one priority. Accordingly, we will continue to follow the most up-to-date guidance from the CDC regarding face coverings, social distancing, and handwashing to help prevent the spread of the virus on campus.
COVID-19 vaccination is a personal decision, and the College currently does not require anyone to receive a vaccine; however, certain programs (e.g., health science) may require vaccinations. We strongly encourage all faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated when eligible. We believe this is in the best interest of everyone in our campus communities. To find vaccine sites in your county, go to the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine website.
Housing will remain open to students this fall. The College has safely accommodated residence life students since the start of the pandemic and we will continue to adhere to best practices to ensure students receive a safe, enjoyable housing experience. Please view the academic calendar for a list of move-in dates and times for each campus.
The College will provide additional information about our return to campus as we move closer toward the start of the fall semester. We eagerly await the opportunity to come together again in person. Until then, let us all remain vigilant in doing our part to keep ourselves and others safe as this pandemic nears its end.
Sincerely,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College
Dear BakerProud,
We hope you are in good health and staying safe as this pandemic continues. Your perseverance despite mental, physical, and emotional fatigue and other challenges is simply remarkable. It is because of your commitment that we've experienced a successful and productive Fall 2020 semester.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday break, we want to remind you that all in-person classes will transition to virtual instruction after November 25. Classes that already meet virtually and online courses will continue as scheduled for the remainder of the Fall semester, which ends on December 13. We're confident this approach will help ensure the health and safety of our Baker community.
The Spring 2021 semester begins the week of January 18. In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, campus facilities will be closed on Monday, January 18, 2021. There will not be a spring break during the upcoming semester. The Spring semester ends on May 8. Please view the academic calendar for a complete list of dates for the Spring semester.
We greatly value the patience, flexibility, and cooperation you've shown throughout these unprecedented times. Even more outstanding is your diligence in keeping yourself and others safe. We hope you have a healthy and enjoyable Thanksgiving break.
For the latest information on our response to the coronavirus pandemic, visit the COVID-19 webpage.
Sincerely,
Baker College Pandemic Response Team
Dear BC Community,
The recent ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court regarding the Governor’s executive orders has raised questions about Baker College’s COVID-19 safety protocols. Throughout the pandemic, our utmost priority has been and continues to be the health, safety, and well-being of our campus community.
Each week the Pandemic Response Team (PRT) meets to discuss trends and practices to keep one another safe. Health experts and community leaders guide our decisions and subsequent safety procedures. As a result, the Supreme Court ruling has no bearing on our commitment to continue to follow the College’s safety protocols. The measures include wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and requiring health screenings before coming on campus. The COVID-19 webpage offers comprehensive resources and outlines processes, procedures, and practices backed by research.
Moreover, the College will stay the course and will follow the modified Spring semester schedule. The semester begins on January 18 and concludes on May 8. For additional information and important dates about the upcoming Spring semester, please refer to the academic calendar.
We each play a vital role in sustaining a healthy campus environment. We thank you for your ongoing commitment to keeping one another safe.
Sincerely,
Pandemic Response Team
Dear BakerProud,
First and foremost, we hope you and your family are healthy and well. We appreciate your diligence to keep one another safe during these unprecedented times; your resilience and the way you care for one another is inspiring.
Given the continued uncertainty, and after much deliberation, we are altering various Spring semester dates. Please know that our students, faculty, and staff’s health, safety, and well-being is the barometer used to guide our decisions. As such, we are making the following changes to the Spring semester.
We are still making final adjustments to the Academic Calendar and will provide additional communication. For now, please review the following key dates for the upcoming semester.
The protocol, policies, and procedures established for the Fall semester remain in place for the Spring semester. Our continued success, keeping one another safe, requires that we stay vigilant and follow safety measures to sustain our communities’ health, safety, and well-being.
The Pandemic Response Team will continue to provide updates, but additional information regarding the colleges’ response to COVID-19 is available at baker.edu/coronavirus.
BakerCares. Please stay safe and well.
Sincerely,
Pandemic Response Team
Baker College Community-
First and foremost, we hope you are healthy and staying safe during these unprecedented times. As we have been planning for the upcoming Fall semester, please know that our decisions are guided by the direction and recommendations of the Governor’s office, the CDC, and other health officials with the safety of our students, faculty, and staff as a priority. Baker College has identified a four-phased approach to reopening our campuses and will continue to operate in Phase II of our Return to Campus plan with some enhancements.
Specific to our instructional delivery plan, Baker College’s Fall semester will begin the week of August 24th with three instructional delivery methods:
The semester will end as scheduled on December 13th. However, the in-person classes will transition to virtual instruction after November 25th. Some lab courses will have adjusted meeting times to ensure we are able to utilize as much of the first 14-weeks of the semester as possible to meet the specific needs of the class. All online courses and virtual classes offered at scheduled class times will continue as normal for the full semester. Students will be notified of any changes to their class delivery based on their current schedule of registered classes.
Baker College is taking a multi-layered, phased approach to ensuring the health and safety of our Baker community in offering limited, in-person labs and classes on our campuses. We have been and will continue to follow state and local regulations and CDC and health official guidelines. These new safety protocols include the following:
Baker College and its outstanding students and employees have exhibited impressive agility, resilience, and strength as we have navigated this pandemic over the last five months. The quality of our nationally recognized Online College and the broad utilization of virtual instructional resources in all of our classes has positioned Baker College faculty and students for continued success. Baker College’s small class sizes will continue as we value the faculty-student interactions that occur in environments online, virtually, and in-person. Lastly, the College has invested in multiple resources to enhance our instructional and service capabilities to better serve our students.
Our success in keeping our entire Baker community safe and healthy requires everyone’s participation. We will be asking every staff, faculty, and student to do their part in taking care of themselves and contributing to the safety of everyone on campus. Please continue to monitor our COVID-19 webpage for additional information and updates.
BakerCares!
Pandemic Response Team
Dear Baker College Community,
I know you’re eager to learn about our plans for the fall semester given the current health crisis that has impacted our communities. First and foremost, we intend to be back on campus this fall to begin the academic year, as scheduled, on August 24, 2020. Over our 109-year history, we recognize that student interaction is a big part of the educational experience and we plan to support and curate safe spaces for our students and faculty to interact and develop connections, many long-lasting, when we return to campus.
As I have said repeatedly, the health, safety, and well-being of our Baker College community is our top priority. As such, I have commissioned a team that has prepared detailed plans to support the safe return to campus for in-person instruction. The team is comprised of college leaders operating under the guidance of public and private health officials. As part of our plan, measures are in place that address; social distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE), and contact tracing. We have modified our residence halls, classrooms, labs, and communal spaces as suggested by health officials.
Of course, there is no guarantee and it is difficult to predict what the future holds, but rest assured, we are prepared. We have adaptable plans with multiple contingencies that focus on safety while ensuring academic continuity.
We have learned many lessons over the past several months, and although the events are unprecedented, Baker College was able to respond quickly and provide our students with a safe environment to continue their studies. Given our rich history, agile faculty, and our students’ ability to persevere, I’m confident that we will continue to overcome challenges if they arise.
We look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Warm regards,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
Dear Baker College Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Baker College has commissioned a Pandemic Response Team (PRT) to lead the effort of reopening the college for campus-based instruction. The PRT is responsible for establishing processes that ensure the college can safely welcome you back on campus in accordance with guidelines outlined by health officials, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and state and local governments.
As part of our response to the pandemic, we have adopted a motto, BakerCares, that acts as our beacon or guide on the road to returning to campus. Over the past several weeks, Baker College has involved experts to participate in planning a safe return to campus. As we have stated repeatedly, the health, safety, and well-being of Baker College students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority. As such, the Preparedness and Response Plan (PRP) that was developed relies on the most recent health and safety guidance available and outlines multiple phases. The PRP will continue to evolve, including the decision to progress to the next phase.
The underpinnings of the PRP is in preparation to welcome you back to campus. Again, the PRT will continue to rely on experts and the campus community, but Baker College intends to welcome all students back on campus for the fall semester, if not sooner.
Further details will be shared in the days and weeks ahead, but additional information regarding our planning process is available at baker.edu/coronavirus.
Once again, we admire the ways in which you’ve cared for one another. We encourage you to continue to take precautions, limit physical distance, and follow CDC guidelines.
Sincerely,
The Baker College Pandemic Response Team
On March 24, 2020, the majority of Baker College’s workforce transitioned to working remotely. In conjunction with the Governor's Executive Order, Baker College campuses have minimal to no staff. On campuses that continue to serve residence hall students, the following roles and responsibilities are considered essential:
Baker College has taken significant steps to prepare as a campus community to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff as we continue with the daily activities of teaching, scholarship, and service with as few interruptions as possible.
Sincerely,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,
In light of the Governor’s executive order and the ongoing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Baker College will suspend on-campus operations effective on March 24, 2020. Until further notice, Baker College will continue to provide class and lab instruction in an online format. We are committed to providing the same level of service, whether on-campus or remote, and the college has made it easy for you to get help.
For now, the residence halls remain open; however, visitors are not allowed and large gatherings are still not permitted.
At this time, we have no confirmed case of COVID-19 on our campuses. We continue to remain vigilant by employing social distancing and following the guidelines issued by local and federal health officials. These are challenging times and our first priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our Baker College community. We want to thank each of you for your help, understanding, and cooperation during these unprecedented times.
Stay safe and be well.
Sincerely,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
Dear Graduating Class of 2020,
In response to the guidance provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Center for Disease Control, we’ve made a difficult but necessary decision to postpone the 2020 Commencement Ceremonies and all related events for the graduating Class of 2020. I share in your disappointment and understand that graduation is one of the highlights of your educational journey. When the time is appropriate, we will explore options for celebrating the Class of 2020 graduates. In the meantime, please continue to care for one another and heed the advice of medical professionals.
Again, thank you for your understanding and support during these unprecedented times. I am thankful for the Baker College community and BakerProud of our students as they continue their educational pursuits during these difficult times.
Best Wishes,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
Hello,
As a result of new guidance from the Center for Disease Control and the Michigan Department of Health, Baker College is suspending on-campus lab courses effective immediately. Below is an update on specific course delivery:
It is important that students remain engaged in their lab course work, that material is reviewed and reinforced, and there is continued focus on learning outcomes. Faculty will continue to communicate and provide instruction via Canvas in every lab course. Faculty will continue to engage students with supplemental resources, such as videos, articles, diagrams, and asynchronous discussions. In addition, faculty will be provided a communication template outlining student expectations for their lab course.
It will be important for Directors of Academic Affairs and Program Directors to visit the virtual classrooms at the end of the week to ensure students are receiving the instruction they need, and faculty are receiving the support they need, to drive achievement of learning outcomes. The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) is available as a resource for all faculty and program directors to support them in this transition.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jill Langen, PhD
Provost
Baker College System
There are unprecedented times and we appreciate your dedication and willingness to continue fulfilling the mission of Baker College. Our goal continues to be the delivery of quality education while protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our faculty, staff, and students. In light of the recent announcement to suspend on-campus lab instruction and employ social distancing by limiting campus staff, we would like to assure you that the college will continue to compensate our dedicated team.
As such, please find additional guidance regarding our compensation strategy:
Although we will have staff members on campus, the majority of our team is working remotely. Please be sure to keep in close contact with your colleagues and supervisor as we continue to operate the college and provide our students with a quality education.
Again, we admire the care and devotion that each of you has demonstrated toward our community during this tumultuous time. Please continue to be safe and well.
If you have any questions regarding payroll, please send an email to [email protected].
Sincerely,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
As a result of new guidance from the Center for Disease Control and the Michigan Department of Health, Baker College is suspending on-campus lab courses effective immediately. To the greatest extent possible, lab courses will continue online. However, there may be specific lab activities that will need to be made up at a later date. Details regarding the transition will be communicated directly to students by faculty within their Canvas course.
Although campus-based courses have migrated to online instruction, the college remains open. Clinical and internship courses will continue based on the organization’s availability. Contact your faculty with any questions or concerns. Additionally, residence halls remain open for students as needed.
These are unprecedented times, and we appreciate your understanding and flexibility as the situation continually changes. We are committed to maintaining the health, safety, and well-being of our campus community while continuing the educational mission of Baker College.
Sincerely,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
Dear Baker College Staff,
In support of the President’s system-wide message regarding social distancing and remote work, the Information Technology department would like to remind you that we have a robust suite of tools to support remote work.
Our Google Suite of products provides a powerful collaboration solution that encompasses Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Hangouts, and Meet. The suite of products allows you to meet, chat, call, create, edit, and access content from virtually anywhere and on any device. Given that many of you will begin working remotely, we thought it would be beneficial to highlight Google Hangouts and Google Meet.
For additional help with any of the Google Suite of tools, please visit our knowledge base article.
The IT Team will continue to provide support during regular business hours. If you need assistance you can reach us at:
For updates and the latest information, we encourage you to visit Baker College’s COVID-19 website.
These are extraordinary times. We are all taking essential steps to lower the probability of spreading COVID-19, and our highest priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our community.
Sincerely,
Jacqui Spicer
Chief Operating Officer
Baker College System
Dear Faculty and Staff,
To ensure the safety of our community, Baker College is moving quickly to promote and enable social distancing. On March 16, 2020, campuses will hold a meeting to discuss opportunities for faculty and staff to work remotely. The remote work arrangements will go into effect on March 17, 2020. The goal is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our community while allowing core campus operations to continue.
We are all taking important steps to lower the probability of spreading COVID-19. We encourage you to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, cough into your elbow or a kleenex, and stay at home if you are sick. Also, if you have traveled to a Level -2 or Level-3 country, you are required to notify Baker College and self-quarantine.
These are extraordinary times and we are counting on you to continue your diligent pursuit of fulfilling our mission, whether working on campus or remotely. It’s imperative that we continue to have an open dialogue, not only with your immediate supervisor but your Baker College colleagues as well.
We know many of you are directly involved in addressing this great challenge for our community. We are grateful for your dedication. Each of you is essential to Baker College’s mission. We are committed to doing everything we can to help keep you safe. Thank you for all the ways in which you look after our community and each other.
Sincerely,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
Dear Faculty,
Baker College appreciates your continued commitment to our students and their educational pursuits. As previously communicated, the College will be moving lecture courses to an online format beginning March 16th. Specific information regarding Baker College courses is provided below:
Online Courses: A significant number of courses offered by Baker College are delivered by our Online campus in a 100% virtual format. There will be no disruption to these courses and they will continue as scheduled.
On-ground Lecture/Didactic Courses: Courses scheduled as lecture-based courses will rely on a variety of virtual teaching strategies and tools to continue student learning. The College has long believed in utilizing a Learning Management System (Canvas) to support campus-based classes and is well prepared to leverage this tool. All courses have a Canvas component, and faculty are familiar with how to utilize the technology and teaching strategies. The courses will utilize the following resources as appropriate:
Lab Courses: All lab-based courses are limited in class size. Consequently, these courses will continue to be offered on campus.
Clinical/Student Teaching Courses: Clinical and student teaching courses will continue as normal and students are expected to attend unless otherwise directed. In a situation where site availability is closed, students will work with their instructor and/or program director to develop a plan for fulfilling the remaining program requirements. The plan will be submitted to the Provost. The College will defer to program accreditation requirements regarding clinical/student teaching requirements. This may include:
Internships: Internship/externship courses will continue as normal and students are expected to attend unless otherwise directed. If an internship/externship opportunity discontinues, the student will work with their faculty member and, in collaboration with the Director of Career Services, develop a plan for continued education.
Running Start Courses Offered at Partner High Schools: Courses will continue as normal and students are expected to attend unless otherwise directed. If the high school closes, the student is expected to follow the direction and policy of the high school.
Regardless of the course format, faculty are expected to have a high-level engagement when facilitating the virtual course. Faculty will promptly answer student questions or concerns, and ensure that learning objectives are met.
Academic services will continue to be provided on-campus and virtually.
To support faculty, multiple professional development opportunities will be available:
Sincerely,
Jill Langen, PhD
Provost
Baker College System
Dear Baker College Students,
Our goal continues to be the delivery of quality education while protecting the health and safety of our faculty, staff, and students. The changes we are announcing follow the guidelines provided by health officials, including the general public principle of limiting human interaction, especially in large groups.
Out of an abundance of caution, the majority of campus-based lecture classes will be suspended and move to an online format effective March 16. Baker College will remain open and will maintain normal business hours, with appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of the college community. Below is information related to courses, residence halls, and campus events.
Students (lecture courses, lab courses, internships, residence halls, and clinicals):
Events:
We want to make clear that we have no reported cases of COVID-19 on our campuses. We are acting now from an abundance of caution, to encourage the social distancing that authorities believe will be crucial to stopping the spread of the virus. This is a precautionary measure and our goal is to do everything we can to keep our community healthy.
We thank the many students, faculty, and staff who have been working with us during the COVID-19 outbreak. We know there are many questions and concerns as the situation continues to change rapidly, but be assured you will get the support you need. We will continue to keep you updated.
Sincerely,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
Dear Faculty and Staff,
Our goal continues to be the delivery of quality education while protecting the health and safety of our faculty, staff, and students. The changes we are announcing follow the guidelines provided by health officials, including the general public principle of limiting human interaction, especially in large groups.
Out of an abundance of caution, the majority of Baker College campus-based lecture classes will be suspended and move to an online format effective March 16. Baker College will remain open and will maintain normal business hours, with appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of the college community. Below is information related to courses, residence halls, campus events, and staffing.
Students (lecture courses, lab courses, internships, residence halls, and clinicals):
Faculty and Staff:
Events:
We want to make clear that we have no reported cases of COVID-19 on our campuses. We are acting now from an abundance of caution, to encourage the social distancing that authorities believe will be crucial to stopping the spread of the virus. This is a precautionary measure and our goal is to do everything we can to keep our community healthy.
We thank the many students, faculty, and staff who have been working with us during the COVID-19 outbreak. We know there are many questions and concerns as the situation continues to change rapidly, but be assured you will get the support you need. We will continue to keep you updated.
Sincerely,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
Baker College Community,
With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) now confirmed in the United States comes speculation about the impact this virus may eventually have in Michigan and, more specifically, our local communities. Although there are no confirmed cases in Michigan and the overall risk in the state remains low, we do want everyone to be prepared and to understand the facts and preventative measures. The information and links below will provide you with the most accurate and timely information about this health concern.
According to public health officials, the way Coronavirus (COVID-19) is spread is very similar to the flu or common cold. For this reason, we are encouraging our students, faculty, and staff to:
We have communicated with our local public health officials and we will alert students, faculty, and staff if we receive direction related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). While education is extremely important, the health and well-being of our students, staff, and community are far more significant.
With that in mind, we are preparing as a campus community to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff as we continue with the daily activities of teaching, scholarship, and service with as few interruptions as possible.
Sincerely,
Bart Daig, Ph.D.
System President
Baker College System
