Announcements & Updates

Dear Cleary Community,

Cleary University is hosting two virtual town halls for students and families to answer questions and discuss fall safety protocols. Health officials, Varsha Mougdal M.D. and CEO John O’Malley from St. Joseph of Mercy Livingston Hospital, will attend these town halls and will be addressing questions and concerns related to a safe return to campus in the fall. We hope students, staff, faculty, parents, and community members will take time to join this informative session. Please see the Zoom meeting details below.

1. August 4, 2020, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting Link: https://cleary.zoom.us/j/98287717351
Meeting ID: 982 8771 7351

2. August 10, 2020, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Join Zoom Meeting Link: https://cleary.zoom.us/j/98164717297
Meeting ID: 981 6471 7297

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WHAC STATEMENT ON FALL SEMESTER SPORTS

The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) presidents met Friday, July 31, 2020 to discuss the fall semester of intercollegiate athletics in the WHAC and NAIA.

In the tradition of providing a positive student-athlete experience, the WHAC presidents voted to:

Move championship events in women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s cross country to the spring of 2021. Dates to be determined at a later time.

Provide a fall and spring competition schedule for student-athletes in these sports based on participating conference institutions.

“During these uncertain times, we understand and fully support the difficult decision made by the NAIA and WHAC,” said Heather Bateman, Vice President of Student Affairs and Athletic Director.

Cleary University is currently implementing safe practices and protocols to ensure our student-athletes can compete as safely as possible this fall. We are working with our local and state officials to provide the most competitive experience within the guidelines put forth by the NAIA and WHAC. Additionally, Cleary University honors all athletic scholarships previously awarded to student-athletes regardless of changes to the athletic season.

“This year has presented many challenges for all of our students and many are dependent on awarded institutional aid to progress in their education. As an institution deeply committed to the holistic well-being of our students, all domestic or international student-athletes will maintain their previously awarded aid regardless of the many twists and turns of the season. We wish our student-athletes a safe athletic season and we hope they seize the opportunity to thrive in a year characterized by tremendous change” said Interim President and Provost, Emily Barnes.

Bateman continues, “We are committed to competing this fall in conjunction with other conference members to develop a competition schedule that provides our students with the platform to compete.”

Please reach out to Heather Bateman if you have any questions at hbateman@cleary.edu, or by calling 800-686-1883 x.1701.

Dear Cleary Community

We are steadily preparing for the start of the semester and are looking forward to students returning to campus safely this fall.

Starting June 15, 2020, the campus will be open! Small groups may visit and tour campus; however, until all operations resume on-ground, all visitors must call in advance to schedule an appointment with the appropriate coach, faculty, or staff member. We will be open daily 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

All visitors should enter the Lyons building to sign in; we ask that visitors wear a mask upon entering the building and continue wearing it for the duration of their visit. Masks must be worn while inside Cleary campus buildings.

Read below on information regarding fall 2020 operations, recent updates to the CARES Act and the start of the fall 2020 athletic season.

July 10, 2020 UPDATE: Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds

In March of 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act, which includes the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. This fund is intended to provide aid for crisis-related expenses such as health care, housing, food, and educational expenses. Cleary was pleased to be selected as a fund recipient; we are in the process of dispersing funds directly to students. Students receive funds through a determination based on the receipt of forms of federal assistance (SEOG, Pell, and Title IV). For information or if you have questions, please contact the Business Office: businessoffice@cleary.edu.

• CARES ACT Student Grants Reporting
• FFATA Report

June 12, 2020 UPDATE: Athletics, Lake Trust Stadium, and the Wellness Center

In adherence to recently released NAIA plans for the fall 2020 athletic season, Cleary athletics teams may begin practices August 15, 2020. Any activities construed as a practice are prohibited until this date per the NAIA. Conditioning activities may resume as long as they are meet Cleary guidelines and are not official practices as defined by the NAIA. Beginning on August 15, 2020 student athletes may practice, consistent with health and safety protocols determined necessary by Cleary.

Look for further instructions regarding safety measures, procedures and operations regarding Lake Trust Stadium (LTS) and the Wellness Center after July 1, 2020, from Heather Bateman, VP and Dean of Student Affairs.

June 12, 2020 UPDATE: Residence Halls

Most students have removed personal belongings from Cleary residence halls. We are disinfecting, making repairs, and preparing rooms for students to move in during August.

Early athlete move-in begins August 14, 2020, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Fall move-in for all students will take place on August 22, 2020, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The University will communicate additional instructions throughout the summer regarding safety measures, procedures, and packing lists. For questions about fall move-in or the residence halls, contact Heather Bateman, VP and Dean of Student Affairs: hbateman@cleary.edu.

Fall 2020 Courses

Cleary University is adopting an early start, early finish approach to fall courses to prevent further spread of COVID-19. All courses, in-person or multi-format, will resume starting August 24, 2020. In-person instruction will end on November 25, 2020. Since many students travel over the Thanksgiving holiday break, we will finish the last three weeks of the semester remotely, to reduce the risk of spreading illness due to travels.

In an effort to meet a variety of health needs and risk levels, Cleary is making available a number of scheduling options to accommodate students with underlying medical conditions; they will be able to attend courses online or in multi-format. We ask that students who are living in residential housing or participating in athletics attend courses on-ground as scheduled.

Events

All campus events will resume on August 1, 2020. Leading up to that date, we will communicate new protocols, safety measures, and procedures. For questions about fall events, contact Heather Hewitt, Director of Food Service: hhewitt@cleary.edu.

Safe Start Task Force

Our Safe Start Task Force is developing safety measures, procedures, and operational guidelines for the 2020-2021 academic year. This group is in charge of implementing strategies to start the semester as safely as possible. We are taking every precaution to ensure students, faculty, and staff are able to return to campus safely. Please review Cleary’s Anticipated Operational Alignment Plan for the coming academic year. These anticipated plans are likely to change as more information is provided by the state of Michigan.

We look forward to welcoming our community back to campus!

Sincerely,

Dr. Emily Barnes
Interim President & CEO/Provost & CAO

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, Heather Bateman, at hbateman@cleary.edu or by phone at 1-800-686-1883 x1701.

Dear Cleary Community

While there remain many unknowns, we have plans for reopening the campus safely for the fall. Thank you for your patience as we navigate the many twists and turns of these unprecedented times.

Fall 2020 Courses

All courses regularly scheduled in-person or multi-format will resume starting August 24, 2020. All in-person instruction will end on November 25, 2020 (Thanksgiving break). Many students travel over the Thanksgiving holiday break, so to reduce the risk of spreading illness due to travels, we will finish the last three weeks of the semester remotely.

Students with underlying medical conditions have a number of scheduling options for attending courses online or in multi-format; however, if you live in housing and participate in athletics, we ask that you attend courses on-ground as scheduled.

Athletics, Lake Trust Stadium, and the Wellness Center

We are still waiting for the NAIA and the WHAC to release their plans for the fall athletic season. We will provide updates as soon as possible. Starting August 1, 2020, Lake Trust Stadium (LTS) and the Wellness Center will open for practices and scrimmages. Heather Bateman, VP and Dean of Student Affairs, will release further instructions regarding safety measures and procedures.

Events

All campus events will resume on August 1, 2020. We will communicate new protocols, safety measures, and procedures over the next month. If you have questions about fall events, please contact Heather Hewitt, Director of Food Service, at hhewitt@cleary.edu.

Residential Halls

Most students have removed personal belongings from the residential halls. We are disinfecting, making repairs, and preparing rooms for residential students to move in during August. Early move-in begins on August 14, 2020. We will communicate further instructions over the next month regarding safety measures and procedures. If you have questions about fall move-in or the residential halls, please contact Heather Bateman, VP and Dean of Student Affairs, at hbateman@cleary.edu.

Groups, Tours, and Visitors

Starting June 15, 2020, small groups may visit and tour campus; however, until all operations resume on-ground, all visitors must call in advance to schedule an appointment with the appropriate coach, faculty, or staff member. All visitors will be required to wear a mask upon entering closed spaces and maintain social distancing during their visit. This decision is effective until further notice.

Testing

At this time, we do not plan to require students to submit health test results before returning to campus. However, the NAIA or the WHAC may set protocols requiring student-athletes to follow certain guidelines. We will communicate this information as becomes available.

Our Safe Start Task Force

Our Safe Start Task Force is working through safety measures, procedures, and operational guidelines for the coming semester. This group is in charge of implementing strategies to start the semester as safely as possible. Rest assured that we are taking every precaution to ensure students, faculty, and staff are able to return to campus as safely as possible.

We wish you the very best as you continue the summer semester via remote learning, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the fall.

Sincerely,

Dr. Emily Barnes
Interim President & CEO/Provost & CAO

Dear Cleary Family,

Congratulations to Cleary’s Class of 2020 as our graduates navigate new workplaces, and thank you to all who helped finish our spring semester in unusual circumstances but stronger than ever. Summer term is remote, and in full swing as Cleary faculty work hard to connect and engage in the all-virtual environment.

We know you have questions regarding the Fall semester. Will students, faculty, and staff return to campus at the scheduled time? Will the campus community be able to open safely? How will things be different? Is Cleary on course to continue growing and thriving?

The short answer is YES! We have full expectations that Cleary will be open for classes as scheduled on August 24th.

A longer answer depends on many conditions, guidelines, and recommendations from the CDC and state officials, and we cannot yet answer in as detailed a fashion as we would like.

For now, here are some details we can share, with more to come as the situation evolves:

Will 2020 graduates celebrate commencement in the fall?  Do we know when it will take place?
Our tentative reschedule date for 2020 spring commencement is October 10, 2020. This date remains tentative as we wait to learn more about the state’s maximum capacity guidelines and parameters for gatherings. If we are able to hold commencement on this date, we will.

Will housing be open for the Fall?
Yes! We will open residence halls for the Fall semester and schedule safe move-in procedures for all residential students.

Will we have a full athletics program in the Fall?
This remains uncertain. Cleary will have a Fall athletics program as long as it is safe to do so and falling in line with state guidelines. We are closely monitoring updates, and we are committed to following guidelines from the NAIA and the WHAC.

What is the CARES Act and how does it affect me?
The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provides funding to Cleary to provide emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing financial challenges and struggling to make ends meet. Students do not need to apply for this assistance. Cleary will distribute these funds to eligible students when we receive the funds. Please contact the business office at businessoffice@cleary.edu if you have questions about this grant.

Will classes be on-ground in the Fall?
Yes, under certain conditions. Most classes will be available in an on-ground setting in the Fall, with increased remote and multiformat options. We are awaiting approval to offer a reduced course schedule to limit the opportunity for virus transmission in case a second wave of the pandemic spikes In later fall.

We will implement safety measures and procedures to ensure classroom safety. Some options include limited classroom capacity, remote and multiformat options, and additional measures to keep faculty and students as safe as possible.

Our Safe Start Task Force is in the process of developing operating procedures.

We realize the Cleary experience will be different in the Fall. As part of a larger community, we are responsible for our impact on others, especially those in more vulnerable situations. With cooperation, understanding, and respect, the Cleary community can rise to any challenge we face.

More information will come your way as soon as we have news to share. Thank you for pledging your trust to Cleary University.  We can’t wait to see you again soon!

Sincerely,

Dr. Emily Barnes
Interim President & CEO/Provost & CAO

Hello Cleary Community,

We hope you are staying healthy and adapting to the necessary changes of this time.

Since amending our spring 2020 campus operations due to Michigan’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order, we have fielded questions regarding our plans for summer and fall semesters. Please understand that this situation is continually evolving, and changes may come as new information is available.

Classes

Effective April 20, 2020, all in-person instruction is suspended until the end of the summer 2020 semester (August 16, 2020). All staff and faculty who are not critical to on-site operations are required to work remotely until further notice.

Athletics

Effective April 20, 2020, all non-conference and conference games are suspended until the end of the summer semester, including practices, team gatherings and workouts. Athletic department leaders will send updated communication regarding scrimmages planned for the month of August.

Events

All campus events are cancelled until further notice. Spring 2020 commencement has been postponed, and we are working on rescheduling this event.

Residential Halls

At this time, very few students remain in residential housing on campus. Move-outs are scheduled for May 2020. Students who have personal belongings remaining in housing units will receive information soon about move-out dates directly from Student Affairs.

Travel

All work-related travel is suspended until the end of the summer 2020 semester.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate through these challenging times. We wish you the very best as you continue with your semester via remote learning.

We look forward to welcoming you back in the fall. To the Class of 2020, we congratulate you!

Jayson Boyers, President & CEO
Emily Barnes, Provost & CAO

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, Heather Bateman, at hbateman@cleary.edu or by phone at 1-800-686-1883 x1701.

Dear Cleary Students,

We’re writing with an important update to our academic policies related to grades for the spring semester: Cleary University will provide students the option to receive their spring semester course grades as either Pass/No Credit or as letter grades. This includes 16-week courses for the Spring semester and 8-week courses for the Spring B term. This policy exceptions are only for those Spring 2020 courses currently in session.

The University’s decision to adopt these interim academic policies was made in consideration of the great complexity in your lives since the coronavirus outbreak. From differences in technological resources at home to work-life changes to caring for ill family members to homeschooling kids – many of you are facing inequities and stress in your lives that are no doubt impacting your ability to perform at your best academic level. While we are committed to delivering your academic courses in a distance learning format, we believe providing this flexibility in grading, and allowing you to choose the grading system that is best for your situation, will enable you to progress in your degree program to the best of your ability.

Because each student’s circumstance is unique, however, we strongly encourage you to contact your academic advisor (studentsuccesscenter@cleary.edu) to talk through and give thorough consideration to your options.

How will taking a Pass/No Credit impact my GPA?

Pass or No Credit grades will not be factored into the GPA calculation. Pass courses will earn credit. No Credit courses will have no credit assigned and therefore, those hours will need to be retaken. Seniors and students in their final semester should be especially mindful of the consequences of a No Credit grade given the potential impact it could have on their ability to graduate.

How are Pass/No Credit grades determined?

Any course in which an undergraduate student has earned a C- or above is eligible to be converted to a Pass grade based on the student’s choice. Graduate students must earn a B- or above to be eligible to receive a Pass if they choose.

When do I need to decide if I want a letter grade or Pass/No Credit for a class?

Students may convert any course grade to Pass/No Credit between now and May 15 (one week beyond the posting of final grades). At the end of the spring 2020 semester, faculty will submit final letter grades as they would at the end of any other term. This gives students one week to make a decision about whether to accept the final letter grade or to convert the grade to a Pass/No Credit status.

*We want to be sure students make informed decisions and consider all the possible implications of their choices, so we encourage them to be in touch with their advisor. Students who are planning to apply for graduate school should also consult with their advisor about the advisability of using the Pass/No Credit option versus the letter grade.

Will a Pass grade count toward my degree requirements?

Yes. All courses for which students earn a Pass grade will count toward degree requirements and support forward academic progression for both undergraduate and graduate degrees*. This action overrides some programmatic policies for this semester only. Students may elect this option including those required courses in their major, for this semester only.

*Some degree programs and classes may have specific grade requirements for certification. In addition, some graduate programs are offering other flexible options. We strongly encourage students to first consult their advising support team before making a determination.

If I’m on academic probation, how does the grade choice impact my situation?

If undergraduate or graduate students on probation elect the Pass/No Credit option, their probation period is immediately extended to the following semester. If students on probation are doing well and believe their grades will raise their GPA, they may elect to use the letter grade. Again, we suggest students discuss the option with their instructor or advisor if uncertain.

We are so proud of the way our entire Cleary community has rallied together to ensure your academic progress continues during these unprecedented times. Along with our dedicated faculty and staff, no one has worked harder, nor been more resilient than each of you as you navigate the various shifts in your life because of the coronavirus pandemic. We believe in you and your ability to move forward even through these challenges. We’re here with you every step of the way and are doing everything we can to help you achieve your academic goals.

Take good care of yourself and your family.

Sincerely,

Emily Barnes, Provost and CAO

Regina Banks-Hall, Dean, Graduate and Professional Studies

David Hayes, Dean, Undergraduate Studies

Hello Cleary Community,

We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus situation, and the CDC and state recommendations. Out of an abundance of caution, we are implementing additional steps to protect our students, faculty, and staff.

Classes

Effective March 16, 2020, all in-person instruction is suspended until the end of the Spring 2020 semester. Additionally, all staff and faculty members who are not critical to on-site operations are required to work remotely until further notice.

Athletics

Effective March 16, 2020, all non-conference and conference games are suspended until the end of the semester, including practices, team gatherings, and workouts on and off campus.

Events

Due to the recent recommendations from the CDC, Spring 2020 commencement has been postponed. We will make every effort to reschedule.

Residential Halls

During this time, students should return to their permanent place of residence. For those not able to go home, we will continue to fully support students in our residence halls and dining facility. As a reminder, all food service is offered through the Johnson Center. Breakfast kits will be provided for each week. Lunch is offered between 12-1 p.m. and dinner 5-6 p.m.

While the campus will remain open, events with an attendance of more than 50 people are suspended through the end of the semester. We will announce reschedules as possible when the crisis subsides.

Travel

All work-related travel is suspended until the end of the semester. University-related non-essential domestic travel is also suspended until the end of the semester.

In-state travel is permitted to perform one’s essential job duties and does not require special permission, but non-essential in-state travel to large events like conferences should not occur. University-related domestic travel out-of-state will be limited to business-essential travel between now and the end of the semester. Even for business-essential travel, permission is required and can only be granted by a Vice President or the Cleary President and must be approved before a trip begins.

Jayson Boyers, President & CEO
Emily Barnes, Provost & CAO

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, Heather Bateman, at hbateman@cleary.edu or by phone at 1-800-686-1883 x1701.

Dear Cleary Community,

As we are closely monitoring the expansion of the coronavirus, which continues to spread to neighboring areas, Cleary University takes a high level of caution and offers the following announcements:

Classes

Due to the recent expansion of confirmed cases in the state of Michigan, all in-person instruction and classroom settings are suspended and moving to distance learning beginning today, March 13, 2020. This suspension is effective until April 6, 2020. We will reevaluate this decision on an ongoing basis and will share information as we have it.

Residential Halls

During this time, we strongly encourage social distancing, and students may return to their permanent place of residence. For those not able to go home, we will continue to fully support students in our residence halls and dining facilities. However, we are limiting communal dining and enabling students to take food to residential halls.

Wherever our students are, we encourage them to follow preventative public health measures recommended by health departments and the CDC. For more detail, visit here.

Staff & Faculty
At this time, the university is focused on making the transition to distance learning. We will provide more communication in the coming days regarding remote options for employees.

Events

All events have been canceled until April 6, 2020. We will make a determination about large-scale events after this date as the situation unfolds.

Travel

All university-related travel is suspended. This includes any trips scheduled to depart between now and April 6, 2020. Any staff or faculty member who has recently left the country or traveled for any reason must self-quarantine for at least 14 days before returning to campus.

Athletics

Effective today, March 13, 2020, all non-conference and conference games are suspended until April 6, 2020. We will reevaluate this decision before April 6, 2020.

This is a time for our community to come together, and I remain confident in our ability to navigate this difficult and uncertain period.

Jayson Boyers, President & CEO
Emily Barnes, Provost & CAO

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, Heather Bateman, at hbateman@cleary.edu or by phone at 1-800-686-1883 x1701.

Dear Cleary Community,

As the public health situation rapidly evolves, we continue to monitor the situation and prepare our campus to protect the health of all Cougars. It is critical that we remain calm and use reliable data to drive our decisions.

Classes at Cleary

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Cleary is transitioning all face-to-face instruction and coursework to a multiformat course structure. The multiformat course structure enables students to choose to attend their scheduled course in-person, remotely, or both, depending on personal preference or the need to meet with professors. Students will receive additional communication from their professors via Canvas.

This transition to multiformat classes will last until Monday, April 6, 2020. We will continually evaluate the status of this situation, sharing updates or modifications as more information becomes available.

Athletics, Residential Life, and Food Service

The campus will remain open during this time. We will not close our residential halls or force students to leave. However, students may choose to return to their permanent residence.

Additionally, all non-conference athletic competitions and scrimmages are cancelled until further notice.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, we are limiting communal dining in cafeterias and enabling students to take food to residential halls.

Here are the additional steps we are taking:

• Implement enhanced cleaning procedures to sanitize campus buildings and meeting spaces.
• Identify ways to facilitate self-isolation for affected individuals.
• Increase cleaning procedures of gathering spaces and provide dining options in ways that promote social distancing.
• Limit non-essential travel.

Travel

If you are currently in an international location that is impacted by a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advisory, we encourage you to isolate yourself for two weeks before returning to campus.

We recognize there are many logistical questions related to these decisions, and we are working to address them. Our priority remains the health and safety of our campus and community. Your cooperation helps ensure appropriate responses institution-wide during this rapidly changing situation.

The coronavirus situation is evolving daily. Providing fully remote learning for many classes will be a change, but we are greatly prepared thanks to our LMS, Canvas and other options for virtual learning. We are grateful for the faculty and staff who will be implementing this change. We appreciate your understanding and continued cooperation.

Please continue visiting cleary.edu/coronavirus for information. We have added a toll-free hotline to address questions from students, faculty, staff, and parents: 800.868.1883.

It is our desire to be proactive in keeping everyone healthy and safe and continue the important work of the university.

Sincerely,

Jayson Boyers, President & CEO
Emily Barnes, Provost & CAO

To our Cleary community,

As we learn of the continued spread of COVID-19, our top priority is to protect our Cleary community and slow the spread of COVID-19 as best we can. We take our cues from public health organizations locally, at the state level and nationally. We are actively monitoring the situation while preparing our campus to ensure the continued health and safety of all Cougars.

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