Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

Update for students in residence halls

UPDATE 5/15/2020: PICKING UP BELONGINGS AND MOVING OUT OF RESIDENCE HALLS

We are tentatively planning for students to move out of the residence halls during the first and second weeks of June. This is subject to change pursuant to guidance provided by Governor Lujan-Grisham. Restrictions on travel from out of state and areas of increased positive cases to campus will be permitted based on the public health order in place at the time. As a reminder, students will be permitted to have only one person with them during move out and are now required to wear face masks or coverings.

Students will receive their move-out date assignment in their University email and will receive a phone call from a member of the Housing or Student Affairs team to confirm the day and time. We will also be implementing an express check out process in order to minimize the time needed to move out as well as an electronic option to renew their room assignment for fall 2020.

Additionally, we are exploring options to hire a professional company to pack up belongings and either 1) Store them on campus until in-person classes resume or 2) Ship them to out-of-state students who will not be returning to campus. These details are still being worked out.

If you would prefer to have your belongings packed up and stored or shipped, please communicate this to the staff member when they contact you via telephone.

4/20/20 update

An update on student housing and meal plan adjustments has been posted to https://www.nmhu.edu/housing-meal-plan-credit-adjustments/

4/13/20 update

Beginning Wednesday, April 15, coronavirus response communications will no longer be sent out daily and will be sent as needed.

4/13/20

City of Las Vegas curfew
The City of Las Vegas has imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. More information is online at http://lasvegasnm.gov/Proclamation%20of%20Civil%20Emergency.pdf

Coffee with the President
Join Provost Gonzales for as she guest hosts the virtual Coffee With the President on Zoom tomorrow at 11 a.m. at https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/887111467

4/9/20

Admissions documents
Until further notice, the Admissions Office will accept admissions documents in the form of screenshots and unofficial documents in lieu of official documents from domestic students at all levels. Students can submit their documents to admissions@nmhu.edu for admissions processing. For more information, call (505) 454-3394 email admissions@nmhu.edu.

Employee leave
Eligible employees may use accrued vacation hours instead of administrative leave with pay during the coronavirus period with supervisor approval. To avoid losing leave in excess of 240 hours (nonexempt, non-union staff) or 180 hours (nonexempt, union staff). To avoid losing excess vacation hours, leave must be taken on or before June 19, 2020. Contact Denice Spicer at dspicer@nmhu.edu or Steven Gonzales at segonzales@nmhu.edu for additional information.

Spring recess
The university will be closed Friday, April 9 for spring recess. Campus police will not provide access to buildings until April 13, and no coronavirus response updates will be sent until April 13 at 11 a.m.

4/8/20

• New Mexico Highlands’ Gene Torres Golf Course is closed to all activity.
• Join President Minner for his semiweekly virtual Coffee With the President on Zoom tomorrow at 11 a.m. at https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/887111467
• Beginning today, only one coronavirus response update will be sent each weekday at 11 a.m.

4/7/20

4 p.m. update

Purchase and check requests
All check requests and purchase requests need to be submitted to purchasing@nmhu.edu after you have obtained supervisor/fund holder approval. Please review the Business Continuity Plan page located at: https://www.nmhu.edu/coronavirus-covid-19-information/nmhu-business-continuity-during-covid-19/business-continuity-plan-purchasing-accounts-payable-and-budget/

11 a.m. update

Class withdrawal deadlines
Due to the COVID-19 situation, the following dates and process are now in place.

1. The last day to withdraw from a single course is April 17, 2020
2. The last day for a complete school withdrawal (all courses) is May 1, 2020
3. The Retroactive-Add approval policy/process:
4. Approvals will be determined by the instructor and appropriate dean
5. Evidence of approval may be through means such as email or other electronic submission
6. Retroactive Add for the second half of Spring 2020 will be April 13, 2020

Counseling services
Are you stressed about the coronavirus? That’s natural. If you feel you need counseling, Highlands employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program through the Solutions Group. Counselors are available. Employees, family members, and eligible dependents can contact (855)-231-7737 to schedule an appointment. The NMHU Student Clinic is available to provide counseling services to students. Students should contact the clinic at 505-454-3218 to schedule an appointment.

4/6/20

4 p.m update

• Highlands’ Recycling Center will only open Mondays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until further notice.
• Join President Minner for his semiweekly virtual Coffee With the President on Zoom tomorrow at 11 a.m. at https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/887111467.
• State and federal authorities are warning of an increase in scams through email and phone calls surrounding the coronavirus. Be vigilant about your personal information. Scam prevention tips are online at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0060-10-things-you-can-do-avoid-fraud

11 a.m. update

 Update schedule
Beginning Wednesday April 8, coronavirus response updates will be sent out once every weekday at 11 a.m.

Faculty and student training
The following trainings and seminars for faculty and students to help transition to distance and alternative learning are available this week:

• Wednesday, April 8 at 10 a.m.: David Esquibel from the Student Success Center will discuss accessibility tools in Zoom:https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/481600795
  This training is for faculty and students.
• Thursday, April 9 at 10 a.m.: Library online resources:https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/481600795
  This training is for faculty and students.

4/3/20

4 p.m. update

Faculty and student training
The Center for Teaching Excellence will be offering trainings and seminars for faculty and students as they transition to distance and alternative learning.

• Today: ITS and CTE hosted a follow up Ultimate Zoom Training:Here is the Recording
  This training is for everyone and covered Zoombombing.
• Monday, April 6 at 10 a.m.: ITS and CTE will host a Microsoft Teams training for faculty: https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/481600795
• Wednesday, April 8 at 10 a.m.: David Esquibel from the Student Success Center will discuss accessibility tools in Zoom:https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/481600795
  This training is for faculty and students.
• Thursday, April 9 at 10 a.m.: Library online resources:https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/481600795
  This training is for faculty and students.
• Highlands has engaged Aspect Consulting to provide instructional design support during our transition to alternative delivery modes. To request assistance please email: DL_NHMU_ID@aspect-consulting.com
• The CTE in collaboration with Highlands Undergraduate Enrichment (HUE) and ARMAS hosted a Microsoft Teams training for students.Here is the recording: this training is for students and teaching assistants.
  For more info contact Dr Kelly Trujillo (ARMAS) at kmtrujillo@nmhu.edu or Leon Bustos (HUE) at leonbustos@nmhu.edu.

Purchasing and Accounts Payable:
Check Request and Purchase Requisition PDF fillable forms can be accessed by clicking on the following link:https://www.nmhu.edu/coronavirus-covid-19-information/nmhu-business-continuity-during-covid-19/business-continuity-plan-purchasing-accounts-payable-and-budget/

Post Office and Central Receiving:
Starting Monday, April 6^th , the Post Office will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00am-11:30am.

Updates
This will be the last update until Monday, April 6 at 11 a.m.

11 a.m. update

Internet resources
A list of internet resources for students, faculty and staff is online at www.nmhu.edu/temp-internet.

Zoomboming prevention
As individuals continue the transition to online lessons and meetings, the FBI recommends exercising due diligence and caution in your cybersecurity efforts. The following steps can be taken to mitigate teleconference hijacking threats:

• Do not make meetings or classrooms public. In Zoom, there are two options to make a meeting private: require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests.
• Do not share a link to a teleconference or classroom on an unrestricted publicly available social media post. Provide the link directly to specific people.
• Manage screensharing options. In Zoom, change screensharing to “Host Only.”
• Ensure users are using the updated version of remote access/meeting applications. In January 2020, Zoom updated their software. In their security update, the teleconference software provider added passwords by default for meetings and disabled the ability to randomly scan for meetings to join.
• Lastly, ensure that your organization’s telework policy or guide addresses requirements for physical and information security.

If you were a victim of a teleconference hijacking, or any cyber-crime for that matter, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Additionally, if you receive a specific threat during a teleconference, please report it to us at tips.fbi.gov.

4/2/20

4 p.m. update

Summer courses
All Highlands summer 2020 courses will be delivered in an alternative format.

Class withdrawal deadlines
Due to the COVID-19 situation, the following dates and process are now in place.

1. The last day to withdraw from a single course is April 17, 2020
2. The last day for a complete school withdrawal (all courses) is May 1, 2020
3. The Retroactive-Add approval policy/process:
4. Approvals will be determined by the instructor and appropriate dean
5. Evidence of approval may be through means such as email or other electronic submission
6. Retro-Active Add for the second half of Spring 2020 will be April 13, 2020

Technical help for students
For students with technical questions regarding their courses, contact the ITS Help Desk at 505-426-2215

Strategies for online learning
NMHU students have free access to the online strategies for online courses at www.go2ie.com/onlinelearningstudent. To access online resources, go to the website, create an account, fill out the information about who you are and where you study, then start utilizing online orientation and student success workshops

How to spot a COVID-19 federal stimulus scam:
Government agencies are warning of a rise in scams surrounding the stimulus.

• Government agencies will not contact you through social media, phone, text, or email.
• Government agencies will not ask you to verify your personal information or provide banking information. It is not necessary to provide this information in order to receive your stimulus check.
• Government agencies will not ask for your Social Security Number.
• Government agencies will not contact you to get your funds “immediately” or “faster.”
• Government agencies will not ask you to pay a “processing fee.”

If a scammer calls or contacts you, don’t engage – hang up – delete the email – do not click on a link. Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.

11 a.m. update

Flexible spending account changes
The claims filing deadline has been extended for employees participating in the flexible spending account. Human Resources will email more information to account participants.

Stress webinars for HU employees
Additional webinars on managing your stress for state employees have been scheduled. To register for a live webinar, go to the date’s link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

• TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8238841143978875917
• TUESDAY, APRIL 7^, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/119628370550532877
• FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4862471832520680717
• TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5176567120204041741

4/1/20

4 p.m. update

Coffee with the president
Join President Minner for his semiweekly virtual Coffee With the President on Zoom tomorrow at 11 a.m. at https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/887111467.

Class plan due dates
Faculty: the Class Action Plan – COVID – 19  form (https://its.nmhu.edu/IntranetUploads/006828-CourseTrack-323202030130.pdf ) due dates are:

• Faculty send completed form to chair by April 2^nd
• Chairs send form to dean by April 3^rd
• Deans forward form to VPAA office by April 6^th

Please remember that if you are not changing your course in any way there is no need to complete the form.

11 a.m. update

Housing/meal plan funds
The Business Office is working on the calculations for student housing and meal plan refunds and will require a few more days to ensure accuracy, completeness and review of these complex calculations. Please watch for the University’s HU coronavirus update emails for any changes and we thank you in advance for your patience.

Sininger Hall
Sininger Hall is completely closed to all personnel until April 6.

Microsoft Teams training for students
The Center for Teaching Excellence in collaboration with Undergraduate Enrichment and ARMAS will be hosting a Microsoft Teams training for students April 2, 1 p.m. at https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/481600795 This training is for students and teaching assistants.

Employees on campus
Entry to all campus buildings and centers is prohibited without prior authorization from your direct supervisor AND campus police OR the center directors in the case of center employees. NO PERSON MAY ENTER A UNIVERSITY BUILDING WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, AND NO PERSON MAY WORK ON CAMPUS UNLESS APPROVED AS ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL BY THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. All authorized individuals, including anyone picking up campus mail, must call campus police dispatch at 505-454-3278 prior to arriving on campus and prior to departing. Approved visitors to the campus center MUST call their center director prior to arrival. Disciplinary action may be taken for anyone who violates this directive.

3/31/20

4 p.m. update

Zoom performance

A resource guide to improve Zoom performance is online at https://wiki.millersville.edu/display/instructdocs/Improving+your+Zoom+connection

Managing stress webinar

A free live webinar on managing stress presented by the state Employee Benefits Bureau is scheduled for tomorrow from 9-10. HU employees may register to attend the webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4708110295406754061. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

ARMAS availability

The ARMAS center has resumed full online operations. All ARMAS staff are available via email/phone during regular business hours.  In addition, Academic support for STEM courses is available to students through Microsoft Teams and Zoom. More information is online at www.nmhu.edu/armas/

11 a.m. update

• To improve the performance of Zoom sessions, turn your video off until needed.
• The Highlands Undergraduate Enrichment (HUE) will be offering mentoring and tutoring for the rest of the semester through Microsoft Teams, an Office 360 product available for all HU students. For more information, go to http://nmhu.edu/undergraduate-enrichment.
• The Language Learning Center will only be available through email starting April 1. For more information, go to www.nmhu.edu/llc.
• Join President Minner for his semiweekly virtual Coffee With the President on Zoom today at 11 a.m. at https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/887111467.

3/30/20

4 p.m. update

The Writing Center will only be available online through Zoom starting April 1 for students. To schedule an appointment, email writingcenter@nmhu.edu. See www.nmhu.edu/writing-center for more information. For other nonacademic offices’ availability and contact information, go to www.nmhu.edu/planc19

11 a.m. update

• If you receive a suspicious email, do not click on any links or attachments. Phishing attempts are on the rise across the country. Contact ITS if you have concerns that an email is legitimate. See more information at www.nmhu.edu/cybersecurity/
• Anyone who has traveled out of state during the break must self-quarantine and may not be on campus or at the centers.
• Starting today, two daily briefings will be sent out: one at 11 a.m. and one at 4 p.m.

3/27/20

5 p.m. update

• While the university’s main campus buildings and centers are closed except for authorized personnel, the operations of the university are still proceeding. Courses will continue March 30 in an alternative-delivery format. NO CLASSES MAY BE HELD IN HIGHLANDS MAIN CAMPUS BUILDINGS OR CENTERS.
• This afternoon’s Zoom training for faculty can be viewed online. ITS and CTE will host a follow up Ultimate Zoom Training Friday, April 3 at 1 p.m.
• Faculty, please contact your students today or over the weekend to let them know what to expect in terms of course delivery.
• This will be the last update until Monday, March 30 at 11 a.m.

11 a.m. update

Student laptops

A limited number of laptops are available for students without computer access. Email itshelpdesk@nmhu.edu for information.

Zoom training for faculty

Today at 1 PM, ITS and the Center for Teaching Excellence will be hosting the ultimate Zoom training for faculty. The Zoom address is in an email sent from the Provost’s Office yesterday at 2:05 p.m.

2 p.m. update

Timesheets

Hard copy timesheets will NOT be accepted until further notice. Please see below for more information. Timesheets Approvers: Ensure you approve all time electronically via Banner no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 30.

Courses

While the university’s main campus buildings and centers are closed except for authorized personnel, the operations of the university are still proceeding. Courses will continue March 30 in an alternative-delivery format.

 Employees on campus

Anyone authorized to be on campus must call Campus Police at 505-454-3278 upon arrival and departure. Center employees who are authorized to be at the center must contact their respective center directors.

3/26/20

5 p.m. update

Class action plan due dates

Faculty: the Class Action Plan – COVID – 19  form (https://its.nmhu.edu/IntranetUploads/006828-CourseTrack-323202030130.pdf ) due dates are:

• Faculty send completed form to chair by April 2^nd
• Chairs send form to dean by April 3^rd
• Deans forward form to VPAA office by April 6^th

Please remember that if you are not changing your course in any way there is no need to complete the form.

Zoom training for faculty

Tomorrow, March 27, 2020 at 1 PM, ITS and the Center for Teaching Excellence will be hosting the ultimate Zoom training for faculty. The Zoom address is in an email sent from the Provost’s Office today at 2:05 p.m.

2 p.m. update

• Hard copy timesheets will NOTbe accepted until further notice. Please see updates below for more information.
• Employees working on campus; please leave your trashcans outside your workspace doorway for more efficient services.

11 a.m. update

Fall 2020 registration dates extended

• Schedule changes/revisions due to Andrea Crespin by April 20, 2020 for processing.
• Schedule available for view online on April 27, 2020.
• Student registration for fall 2020 begins on April 30, 2020.

ITS help

Due to a volume of calls, all requests to ITS must go to the Help Desk at 505-426-2215 or itshelpdesk@nmhu.edu. More ITS service information is online at https://www.nmhu.edu/information-technology-services/

Employees on campus

Anyone authorized to be on campus must call Campus Police at 505-454-3278 upon arrival and departure. Center employees who are authorized to be at the center must contact their respective center directors.

3/25/20

5 p.m. update

• Please update your contact information, including emergency contact information, on Banner.
• Join President Minner for his semiweekly virtual Coffee With the President on Zoom tomorrow at 11 a.m. at https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/887111467.
• Are you stressed about the coronavirus? That’s natural. If you feel you need counseling, Highlands employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program through the Solutions Group. Counselors are available. Employees, family members, and eligible dependents can contact (855) 231-7737 to schedule an appointment. The NMHU Student Clinic is available to provide counseling services to students. Students should contact the clinic at 505-454-3218 to schedule an appointment.

2 p.m. update

Student health clinic
El Centro Family Health, provider at the NMHU Student Clinic, is expanding non-emergency medical and counseling services during the Covid-19 pandemic through telehealth services. Telelhealth brings care to your home regardless of where that is. On-site services are also still available at the Student Health Center when absolutely necessary. Established patients can be scheduled for their appointments by calling (505) 454-3218. New patients, including faculty and staff members, are being accepted as well. There will be additional steps that need to be completed to establish as a new patient, but El Centro has plans in place to support an increased need for medical and counseling support. Please note that the services do not have to be only related to the pandemic, but routine medical care and counseling is available as well. Additionally, all co-pays are waived for all patients to ensure that there are not any barriers to care.

Instructional design help
Highlands has engaged Aspect Consulting to provide instructional design support during our rapid transition to alternative delivery modes. Starting immediately, you may request assistance by sending an e-mail request to: DL_NHMU_ID@aspect-consulting.com. Your message will be assigned to an instructional designer who will contact you to set up a session. For the next week, availability is not confined to normal business hours. Instructional designers will be available in the evenings and weekend. Due to the urgency of our current circumstances, the focus will be on methods to get “up and running” as quickly as possible. Please note, this may differ from approaches such as Quality Matters or other standards designed for normal times.

Instructional designers from Aspect are knowledgeable and experienced with D2L/Brightspace and Zoom.  They can assist with a wide variety of tasks from helping to plan student assignments and activities to advice on content resources.  The goal is to assist you in quickly developing a teaching experience that allows you to continue to offer students the best opportunity to learn given these unexpected circumstances.

Direct deposit

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to set up direct deposit to ensure you receive your paycheck in a timely manner. Direct Deposit Authorization Forms are online at https://its.nmhu.edu/IntranetUploads/000375-DirectDepos-216201880657.8.16.pdf and send it to hr@nmhu.edu. Verify both the routing and account numbers on the form and return the completed form along with a voided check or official bank communication. HR will contact you by phone to ensure you are making this request. The deadline for returning the form is March 27, for your direct deposit to go into effect on the next pay date of April 3, 2020.  Future checks will then be direct deposit; until, you cancel in writing. All cancellations will also require two weeks’ notice before the direct deposit is stopped.

11 a.m. update

Hard copy timesheets will NOT be accepted at this time until further notice. Human Resources/Payroll is committed to ensuring regular on-time payroll processing.  We need your help to ensure we meet the President’s commitment to do no harm to our employees during this critical time.

Non-Exempt/Hourly Staff must accurately complete and submit a timesheet electronically via Banner before the submission deadline, Monday, March 30, no later than 10 a.m. Non-exempt/hourly staff must use the Administrative Leave w/ Pay (ADL) earn code to report hours if you are not able to work from home via the Temporary Telecommute Agreement.  For hours worked while telecommuting from home, please use the REG earn code.

Exempt Staff should still report leave exception hours if applicable.  The deadline to report vacation and/or sick leave (leave exception) is March 30, no later than 10 a.m.

Hourly Student Employees must accurately complete and submit a timesheet electronically via Banner before the submission deadline, Monday, March 30, no later than 10 a.m. Students may use the ADL code to report paid administrative leave. For hours worked while telecommuting from home, please use the WST earn code. Supervisors: For the week of March 16 – 20 students are able to claim up to 40 hours. The week starting March 23 students can claim up to 20 hours per week.

Timesheets Approvers: Ensure you approve all time electronically via Banner no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 30.

Guides are online to help employees and supervisors complete web-based timesheets:

Approval guide for supervisors:

https://its.nmhu.edu/includes/onlinedocs/display.html?quicklink=6837

Employee instructions:

https://its.nmhu.edu/includes/onlinedocs/display.html?quicklink=6448

If you have any problems accessing, entering, reviewing, or approving timesheets please contact us HR.

3/24/20

5 p.m. update

• Faculty and staff who need to retrieve items from their offices and teaching spaces must follow the following protocol: contact your dean or supervisor so that a list can be created of all the individuals needing access. The list will be sent to Campus Police, and you will be contacted by police staff to schedule the time and date you can come on campus to retrieve your property. The items should be limited to only be things necessary to work or teach off campus.
• Students with campus post office boxes: If you need your mail forwarded (temporary or permanent), please fill out a USPS change of address form at: https://moversguide.usps.com/mgo/disclaimer?referral=UMOVE. Information on mail currently in post office boxes will be available in a later update.
• If you receive a suspicious email, do not click on any links or attachments. Contact ITS, and we can advise you if the email is legitimate. You can also check with the sender, if you know the sender. See more information at www.nmhu.edu/cybersecurity/

2 p.m. update

• With campus buildings secured, information on how to contact the following nonacademic offices is online at www.nmhu.edu/planc19: Post Office and Central Receiving; HR and Payroll; ITS; Purchasing, Accounts Payable, and Budget; Facilities: HU Cares; ARMAS; Registrar’s Office; and Career Services. The page will be updated as needed.

11 a.m. update

• While the university’s buildings are closed, the operations of the university are still proceeding. Courses will continue March 30 in an alternative-delivery format.
• The Higher Learning Commission is delaying its focused visit, originally scheduled March 30-31, until the fall. No rescheduled date has been selected.
• The Board of Regents meeting scheduled for this Friday is cancelled and will be rescheduled.

3/23/20

5 p.m. update

In alignment with Gov. Lujan-Grisham’s March 23 directive, New Mexico Highlands University’s main campus and centers are closed until further notice beginning March 24 with the exception of essential employees. Effective immediately, essential employees are the NMHU Police Department, residence hall staff, food service providers and others deemed essential by the university president. Nonessential employees will be required to perform work at home as directed by their supervisors pursuant to their temporary telework agreements (https://its.nmhu.edu/includes/onlinedocs/display.html?itemid=6809). The Provost’s Office and faculty are continuing to develop alternative delivery for courses when they resume March 30. Please check your Highlands email and the website at www.nmhu.edu/c19 for continuing updates.

2 p.m. update

• STUDENTS LIVING IN RESIDENCE HALLS: Reminder, students who have not received prior approval to remain living in the residence halls are not permitted to be on campus. Rooms are secured and access will not be granted until notice is provided by the Dean of Students Office. NMHU is working to ensure that members of the campus community who are required to remain on campus are protected from community spread. In the rare instance that a student needs to access belongings for the specific purpose of completing their academic courses, an email with all of the following information should be sent to housing@nmhu.edu: name, student ID number, residence hall and room number, cell phone number, student’s current physical location, item needed and explanation for request. A decision as to whether the items needed are essential will be made. If approved, a time will be scheduled individually with the student to obtain their essential academic property.
• The Cashier’s window will be closed until further notice. Please submit all questions regarding payments to sar@nmhu.edu or call 505-454-3444. All payments, if possible, will be redirected to our online processor, TouchNet. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Checking & Saving Account payments are accepted on TouchNet. Any checks, money orders, or cashier checks will need to be sent to: NMHU, Attn: Cashier’s Box 9000, Las Vegas, NM, 87701. Do not send cash in the mail. Please submit any SAR/Cashier documents via email to sar@nmhu.edu, if you have a hard copy document and are unable to scan and send via email, please send it to the post office for routing.
• Student Employment: Supervisors should assign work for students that allow them to telecommute from home. If the school/department does not have work that the student can do from home, Career Services will provide supervisors with some work from home options for students. Supervisors should contact Kino Hurtado (tahurtado@nmhu.edu) at Career Services for telecommute assignments. Should telework not be available for students, the students will be paid administrative leave. Students are eligible to work their regularly approved hours per week and must submit an electronic timesheet via Banner Web Time.

11 a.m. update

• STUDENTS: Highlands has minimized its services in response to the pandemic; therefore, the university will be prorating housing and meal plan charges. If you do NOT have an outstanding balance on your student account, you may be credited for the unused days and meals available to you. If your refund exceeds your balance, you may be eligible for a reimbursement. If you did not receive federal financial aid (Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Student Loans) and wish to apply the credit to the fall 2020 semester, you may do so. Please log into your self-service banner to review your account. For additional questions regarding your student account please email SAR@nmhu.edu.

• Please join Provost Roxanne Gonzales Tuesday, March 24, at 11 a.m. on Zoom at https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/887111467 as she discusses current plans for alternative course delivery.

• The Albuquerque and Rio Rancho Centers are closed to the public Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27. However, inquiries for the Rio Rancho Center should be directed to riorancho@nmhu.edu or (505) 891-6900. Albuquerque/Social Work inquiries should be directed to Joanne Martinez, Office Coordinator, jmartinez@nmhu.edu or (505) 260-6181; Marian Najar, Student Support Specialist mrnajar@nmhu.edu (505)260-6191; Helen Robertson, Library Associate hsrobertson@nmhu.edu (505) 232-6000

3/20/20

5 p.m. update

• This will be the last regular update until Monday, March 23 at 11 a.m.
• A headline on the Las Vegas Optic’s website incorrectly stated Highlands campus is closed. Highlands is still open with limited access to buildings.
• This has been a hectic and uncertain week for many people. Remember, self-care is important in times like this.

2 p.m. update

• A person with flu-like symptoms was in the Felix Martinez building. Out of an abundance of caution, New Mexico Highlands is closing Felix Martinez completely until further notice.
• The residence halls are closed to everyone except students who have had prior approval to remain. Students may not return to campus to retrieve their belongings until notified to do so by the Dean of Students Office.
• If any faculty or staff member or student needs access to a locked building, with the exception of residence halls, contact, Campus Police at 505-454-3278.

11 a.m. update       

• All university buildings are closed to the public.
• Please update your contact information, including emergency contact information, on Banner.
• The Student Accounts Receivable office will be mailing out all student reimbursement checks today. No reimbursement checks will be available for pickup at the cashier’s window. If a check has a NMHU or international address, SAR staff will be contacting recipients.
• The Career Services Office will be closed to walk-in traffic until further notice. Information on services the office provides and means it can provide them during the coronavirus pandemic is online at https://www.nmhu.edu/career-services/
• Starting Monday, March 23, until further notice, the Post Office and Central Receiving Department located at the Student Center will limit hours of operation to 9-11 a.m. and will be available only by email at centralreceiving@nmhu.edu from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Deliveries will only occur Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1-3 p.m. or as needed, in order to maintain social distance as much as possible. If you have any questions or urgent requests, please contact centralreceiving@nmhu.edu. To limit interruption of mail received from the post office, the staff will begin issuing each department a mailbox with a key. Please assign one representative from each department to maintain and be the custodian of the key.  If you need to drop off mail, place it in a secure envelope and place in the drop box located at the post office and clearly state to whom the envelope needs to be delivered. More information about mail deliveries to students who are not on campus will be sent out at a later date.

Update 3/19/29

5 p.m. update

• Many of our students utilize financial assistance to attend Highlands. Due to the complexities of this pandemic, we are awaiting guidance from the U.S. Department of Education to determine how the university should proceed with reimbursing housing and meal plan charges. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
• The HU Foundation offices will only be accessible by email at lrcdebaca@nmhu.eduor by phone at (505) 454-3248 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Anyone submitting check requests, please send via email.
• All Highlands buildings are closed to the public.

2 p.m. update

• All human resources/payroll interactions will only be done by one of the following modalities: previously arranged appointment (Please call first 454-3308.), Zoom (web), email, and phone. HR contact information is available online at www.nmhu.edu/human-resources

• Information regarding the San Miguel County COVID-19 drive-up testing site at the corner of Legion Drive and Old National Road: Residents accessing this drive-through site are encouraged to call the NMDOH Coronavirus Hotline (1-855-600-3453) before arriving to assess symptoms and travel history. Residents accessing the drive-through testing site must meet the following criteria:
1-If you have symptoms-fever, dry cough, and/or shortness of breath
2-If you have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
3-If you have recently traveled outside of New Mexico or the country

11 a.m. update

• The 2020 commencement ceremonies will be rescheduled. More information will be provided at a later time.
• The Student Accounts Receivable office will only be accessible by email at sar@nmhu.edu or by phone at (505) 454-3444 during regular hours, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. The cashier’s window will remain open during regular hours, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Anyone submitting any SAR-related documents, please send via email or leave them at the cashier’s window.
• The Wilson Complex is closed to everyone except for faculty and staff residing in the building.
• Be internet aware. There are many scams/phishing attempts circulating. Please see www.nmhu.edu/cybersecurity for precautionary measures.
• New Mexico Highlands will no longer accept facilities rental requests until further notice.
• To the extent possible, please use online tools like Zoom to conduct campus meetings.

Update 3/18/20

5 p.m. update

• Students who live on campus and are away for break: We are encouraging you to remain home and not return to campus to remove your property until instructed by the Dean of Students Office. Campus police and housing staff will be doing room checks to ensure no perishable food remains, that rooms are secure, and access to rooms is blocked. Further instructions as to how and when property can be picked up will be forthcoming as the situation unfolds. Students who have been authorized to remain on campus will be contacted on an individual basis to ensure they have the necessary support. More information will be forthcoming regarding possible reimbursement for housing and meal plans.
• The Rio Rancho and Albuquerque centers will reopen for employees Monday, March 23.
• Please join President Minner tomorrow at 11 a.m. for a Zoom virtual Coffee with the President. The zoom link is https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/887111467

2 p.m. update

• All campus events are canceled through the end of the semester. No decision has been made at this time regarding commencement.
• REMINDER: Effective March 30, New Mexico Highlands will transition all classes to distance or alternative delivery through the end of the semester, May 8. Details will follow from the Provost’s Office.

11 a.m. update

• The Donnelly Library will be closed to the public until further notice.
• Hewett Hall is closed. Anyone needing police or security service can call the campus police office at 505-454-3278, on NMHU cisco phone service 5555, or at the video call box at Hewitt Hall 1103 National Avenue. Anyone needing HELP NM can log on to its website at www.helpnm.com.
• For supervisors: if you have an employee who needs to work remotely, please fill out the Temporary Telework Agreement at https://its.nmhu.edu/includes/onlinedocs/display.html?quicklink=6809 and discuss all matters related to the arrangements. Supervisors should use good judgement and discretion to determine telecommute arrangements with each employee depending on the work needs of the particular unit.
• The NMHU music building is closed.
• Join President Minner Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. for Zoom virtual Coffee with the President. The zoom link for all sessions is https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/887111467.
• ITS is warning emails scams are increasing. BEWARE OF CORONAVIRUS SCAMS: Please be on heightened alert that cyber criminals are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic. Fraudulent emails are claiming to sell products to cure or treat coronavirus or offering a coronavirus protocol. Please see more information at www.nmhu.edu/cybersecurity.

Update 3/17/20

5 p.m. update

• The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will only be accessible by email at financialaid@nmhu.edu or by phone at (505) 454-3318 during the extended spring break. If you are submitting financial aid documents, please send via email or leave in the secure drop-box provided outside our office.
• The Archuleta Fitness Center will be closed from March 18 until further notice.

2 p.m. update

• Are you stressed about the coronavirus? That’s natural. If you feel you need counseling, Highlands employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program through the Solutions Group. Counselors are available. Employees, family members, and eligible dependents can contact (855) 231-7737 to schedule an appointment. The NMHU Student Clinic is available to provide counseling services to students. Students should contact the clinic at (505) 454-3218 to schedule an appointment.
• Effective March 30, New Mexico Highlands will transition all classes to distance or alternative delivery through the end of the semester, May 8. Details will follow from the Provost’s Office.
• The Office of the Registrar will only be available via email and phone until further notice. No walk-in traffic will be allowed. The Registrar’s Office hours of service will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. via email at registrar@nmhu.edu or telephone at (505) 454-3232 or (505) 454-3233. A box will be outside the Registrar’s Office doors for drop-off documents. Please allow up to a 24-hour response time during the work week.
• The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will only be accessible by email at financialaid@nmhu.edu or by phone at (505) 454-3318 during the extended spring break. If you are submitting financial aid documents, please send via email or leave in the secure drop-box provided outside our office.

11 a.m. update

• Until further notice, the Purple Brew coffee shop will be open to the public and the HU community from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for to-go orders only.
• The NMHU Natatorium will be closed beginning Wednesday March 18 until further notice.
• Hewitt Hall will be closed to the public starting Friday March 20.
• Until further notice, the Office of Admissions will be available Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. only through email admissions@nmhu.eduand by phone (505) 454-3394.

Prevention Tip:

Avoid sharing personal items. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Update: 3/16/2020

5 p.m. update

• For anyone who has recently traveled out of state, HU requests that you consider a self-quarantine work from home for 14 days from the day you return. While on self-quarantine employees are expected to complete their work and to discuss the workload with their supervisors.
• For students who have requested to remain living on campus and received approval, food service is available on a brunch (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and dinner (4-6 p.m.) schedule. Students will be able to pick up a to-go meal but will not be permitted to remain in the dining hall to eat. Highlands will provide different food options to the best of our ability in an effort to meet various nutritional needs. University employees (faculty and staff) will be permitted to purchase a grab-and-go meal as well. At this time, we do not have the capacity to continue supporting the community lunches. They will be postponed until further notice.
• To preserve university resources and limit building traffic, all New Mexico Highlands main campus buildings except for Donnelly Library and Hewett Hall are closed to the public and only open for Highlands faculty, staff and students.

Prevention Tip:

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day. High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

2 p.m. update

• Highlands University implemented a recorded phone information line for daily coronavirus response updates. The phone number is 505-426-2297.
• Updates will be emailed weekdays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The webpage www.nmhu.edu/c19 will be updated as needed.
• President Minner will be scheduling more frequent Zoom sessions with the campus community. Details will be provided later.
• The state Public Education Department is updating a list of meal sites for school-age children. The list is online at https://www.newmexico.gov/education/

Prevention Tip:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• If you are experiencing symptoms associated with the coronavirus, email corona@nmhu.edu.
• The Rio Rancho and Albuquerque Centers are closed until March 19 due to a person who might have been exposed to the coronavirus. The Santa Fe Higher Education Center is closed through April 5.
• A decision to reschedule this year’s commencement ceremony will be made by Friday, March 20.
• Payroll checks will not be available for pickup for employees who have night signed up for direct deposit; they will be mailed. To ensure prompt delivery of future paychecks, please sign up for direct deposit (go to https://its.nmhu.edu/IntranetUploads/000375-DirectDepos-216201880657.8.16.pdf to access the form. Please send the  completed copy to segonzales@nmhu.edu and dspicer@nmhu.edu. All authorization forms must be accompanied with a verification document which include but are not limited to, a voided check, direct deposit form, and Banking Identification card. These documents must include the name of the Financial Institution, ABA Routing Number, and Account Number. An HR representative will phone to verify it is indeed coming from the employee).
• Face-to-face courses will be transitioned to alternative delivery March 30. Further details will be sent to faculty and students this week.
• Stay informed. Log on to https://cv.nmhealth.org/ for the latest coronavirus developments in New Mexico.

Update: 3/13/2020

• New Mexico Highlands University, including centers, is extending spring break by one week. (Students, please visit the webpage, Remote Class Guide 2020 For Students for more information.
• Students who were approved to work up to full time next week may do so.  They should coordinate with their supervisor for work assignments.  After next week (when classes would have resumed) their employment returns to the part-time level they normally work.
• All HU travel, including athletic travel and home competitions, is cancelled, but may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
• The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) has announced the suspension of all spring championship and non-championship competitions and travel through April 6^th as a result of the rapidly developing information and decisions related to COVID-19.
• Please see NM Department of Health travel recommendations at http://cv.nmhealth.org/travel-recommendations/

• Contact and business information for nonacademic units (Admissions, ITS, the Business Office, library, and more) is available on an overview page and on each unit’s home page

• Instructions for students to log into Brightspace and Zoom

• Faculty resources

• All main campus and buildings are secured until further notice except for employees who have been deemed essential personnel. If you have been notified you are essential personnel, you must contact Campus Police at 505-454-3278 upon arrival and departure. Essential personnel at the centers must contact their center directors.

• Students who need access to their residence halls to pick up materials necessary to taking classes must contact the Housing Office at housing@nmhu.edu

Highlands employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program through the Solutions Group. Counselors are available. Employees, family members, and eligible dependents can contact (855) 231-7737 to schedule an appointment. The NMHU Student Clinic is available to provide counseling services to students. Students should contact the clinic at 505-454-3218 to schedule an appointment.

• All events scheduled for the remainder of the spring are cancelled.

• This year’s commencement ceremony is postponed and will be rescheduled for a future date.

• The Higher Learning Commission’s focused visit, originally scheduled for March 30-31 has been postponed and will be rescheduled for the fall.

• Updated New Mexico Department of Health reports
• Official Coronavirus updates and information from the CDC

• The safety of our students, faculty, staff and campus visitors;
• The continuation of our core mission: teaching our students;
• Strive towards the least impact for our students and employees, including regular, on-time payroll.

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
June 24, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/vuVuPrj9rUhISInH73nTRb4FQ4bUaaa803JK__oKnkpb64maCQg3xYdKeCMXOdzf

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation:
June 18 coffee cancelled.
President Minner did not hold his weekly update Thursday, June 18 since he was attending the legislative special session in Santa Fe.

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
June 11, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/28xPEJup7HtIR5XJzhHaUKcxPq3Peaa81CYe-voIyUggWPPnIrLMu8ywiDC-IoGZ

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
June 4, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/zNJyKZrc0mFLe9bB8xvEU5wAL468X6a81HRK-PQLnR0dyzt6OSZX9fJkWZKneyiY

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
May 28, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/4N5eKLDrz3pIU7Pg8VjQX4QDEb25X6a82idL_vELnhoX0vr8nPVaW8Eve4yEIlga

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
May 21, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/u-VQf7rS63JJH6Pm7h7BRYsgJ8P8eaa81iVN8_MEnk-NgyVjtN52NbOtqHO7X8ZZ

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
May 14, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/2Mp-AaPN3UlLUJXRwhvgUZIYGMfneaa8gSIWrKdZzUbqYGOPJ4hm0VB1Fi4V9kPB

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
May 8, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/1fVFIpby2WdOWoXy6R3DfZx4Pb7eaaa823Ae_KAEn0__6dBi5U85LGO2E0FAS8WN

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
May 1, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/tel1D4DZ_W9OWKPt0njfWbN6QNu6X6a81CkY_aEJnk6mjMHYUTmXsIkfLMRf4zHZ

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
Apr 23, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/58xMMJzr1G1IXJHk1VrtZf84Jtnfeaa81nRM8vRezU_8tmmMExstmLEmEyZKmpKz

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
Apr 16, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/6pNHBY7d8kJOY9Lg41GDSpQvB47dX6a81HUYrqJZy0uJCOnqXwXYC9a8CWH9HBOq

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
Roxanne Gonzales
Apr 14, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/2P1cF4juyVxOfJ30sRndev8rIKjdX6a8hCkf_fYFnx5FwqAF008vfDqM_JsEYf1_

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
Apr 9, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/psckK53MqEhOG53WxkzYc5YZNaLreaa82idKrKEPnUoWrOiqUEZvyekbKBbVN4uL

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
Apr 7, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/xPBNALGu8UJJTtLr7h_ncPILLKrpX6a80SBP_PQEyUwfGWaPZxA1nE4TZQ9iVXy4

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
Apr 2, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting Recording:
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/29R4CI_Jq0pLeNLvwl3Cap4EAd3beaa8hCQY_PsLyyB-mMXt-S7IhuNfDruXn-M

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
Mar 31, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom meeting recording
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/4eEtMajx22ROfKvXyWbUSvMYPpWmaaa8hHBK-aZen0nMTyWWZ8KNpCt9zloei2Sj

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
March 26, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom meeting recording
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/3Zx8Iaz2rmNLcLOTzlH7WfcDLLnIX6a81SMeq_ENxRya3KK1hdrNqQ4KKCJ2boZX

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
Roxanne Gonzales
March 24, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom meeting recording
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/2vEoKKD99UNIQqPj51rOC5YdP4v9aaa80yIZ8vZYyEdFJHOUUEz81pFvIm8sUN_Q

President’s Cowboy Coffee & Conversation
March 19, 2020 11 a.m.
Zoom meeting recording
https://nmhu.zoom.us/rec/share/vpR2JOus-XpJT9Ln0H3-CrcGHZbeaaa8hyRNr6cNyoIO6iCl75vqh8m_wwIZq1c

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