COVID-19 Information Archive
New Mexico Tech's guidelines, policies, and procedures have constantly evolved since March 2020. The information in the archive is here for informational purposes. Please visit the COVID-19 homepage for the most up-to-date information.
Update Archive
In compliance with the Governor's Office, New Mexico Public Health Order, and CDC guidance, as of August 2, 2021, Socorro County is considered an area of substantial COVID-19 transmission.
Effective Tuesday, August 3, NMT is requiring all students, faculty and staff to wear a mask in public indoor settings on New Mexico Tech property, including off campus offices. This expectation applies to all individuals, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, unless they are alone in an office, lab, classroom, or residence hall room.
Please note that this announcement supersedes all previous guidelines on campus.
The NMT COVID-19 Task Force will continue to monitor the guidance from the Governor’s Office, the NMDOH, and the CDC and update our COVID-19 requirements as conditions change.
Based on the latest research and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the May 14, 2021 update to New Mexico’s Public Health Order (PDF), fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to maintain six feet of distance or wear a mask in either indoor or outdoor settings on the New Mexico Tech campus.
However, all individuals who are unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated are still required, per New Mexico Public Health Order and CDC guidance, to wear a mask in public indoor settings, including on New Mexico Tech property. New Mexico Tech has implemented this guidance as of Friday, May 14.
For those of us who, although vaccinated, would like to continue to wear face coverings, New Mexico Tech supports your choice.
For more information regarding the New Mexico Department of Health’s updated public health order, please see the full announcement below or visit https://cv.nmhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/NCOV-PHO-20210514-.pdf.
If you have any questions regarding today’s announcement as it pertains to New Mexico Tech, please contact COVID/Pandemic Support Specialist Stephanie Plant at stephanie.plant@nmt.edu.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19.
NMT signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education and intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
New app features geo-fencing to effectively trace while ensuring user privacy
New Mexico Tech announced the release of its MinerSafe contact-tracing app that offers the highest level of user data privacy and security available on the market. The app uses geo-fencing to cover the entire university campus, but it does not track users when they are not on campus. Furthermore, the data is heavily protected and will be frequently purged in an ongoing process to ensure the privacy of those in the campus community.
MinerSafe has been approved by NMT’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence and verified by the Department of Homeland Security.
The MinerSafe app is free to use and is available now in the Apple App Store (MinerSafe), and it will be available to Android users within the next few days.
NMT requires that employees and students comply with the most current directives from the State of New Mexico regarding travel. New Mexico Tech-sponsored employee and student business travel is limited to mission-critical functions and official NMT travel request forms will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to best ensure the safety of the campus community. Please consult with your supervisor.
According to the current State of New Mexico Executive Orders, all persons who have arrived in New Mexico from another state or from outside the United States, are recommended to self-isolate or self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their entry into New Mexico or for the duration of their presence in the State, whichever is shorter. Travelers arriving in New Mexico are recommended to be tested for COVID-19 as promptly as possible following their arrival to New Mexico. (The current order of February 10, 2021 rescinds Executive Order 2020-075 and its mandatory quarantine).
Any visitor on the NMT campus must follow NMDOH guidelines, DHS guidelines, and CDC guidelines to help NMT limit the spread of COVID-19. Only visitors conducting essential business will be allowed. Prior to arriving on campus, all visitors are required to fill out and submit the NMT VISITOR ACCESS FORM to obtain permission to visit. If the visitor is symptom-free and has not been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days, they will be allowed on campus, provided they comply with all state and campus mandates.
Registration protocols for visitors attending 2021 commencement ceremonies are being finalized, but will be designed to safely accommodate graduates’ out-of-state and out-of-country guests to the extent allowed by NM Executive Orders, NMDOH guidelines, DHS guidelines, and CDC guidelines. More information will be available soon. Reach out to Steph Plant at stephanie.plant@nmt.edu or 575-835-5548 with specific questions.
New Mexico Tech has successfully performed COVID-19 Rapid Tests on almost all of its on-campus students and provided those students with a Health Compliance Certificate (HCC) and designated lanyard for the spring semester. In an effort to help minimize the spread of the pandemic on campus, Tech will also be conducting on-campus surveillance testing on an ongoing basis.
This spring semester, Tech is again working collaboratively with the NMDOH to offer on-campus testing every Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., in the Macey Center (901 Olive Ln.). These tests will consist of the less intrusive Curative oral fluid swab test. Demonstrators will show participants how to properly conduct this self-administered test where participants swab between their cheeks and gums and under the tongue.
This on-campus testing will be made available to Tech students and employees. If you are interested in receiving a convenient and less intrusive COVID-19 oral fluid test, please go online to https://curative.com/ and click Book Now to sign up for one of the available time slots on the desired day.
As of April 30, Socorro County is in Turquoise once more based on updates to New Mexico’s Red to Green Framework that recognize the importance of vaccination rates in a county.
State officials also announced on April 28 that New Mexico will adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance on facemasks in public. According to the NMDOH Current Public Health Order, masks are no longer required when exercising outdoors alone or with members of the same household or attending a small, outdoor gathering of fully-vaccinated individuals no larger than the applicable gathering limit. Unvaccinated people should still wear masks at small outdoor gatherings with other unvaccinated people.
Vaccination against COVID-19 is opening doors for us as individuals and as a community. If you are able to be vaccinated, we highly encourage you to schedule a free COVID vaccination by registering at www.vaccinenm.org. Reach out to Steph Plant, COVID/Pandemic Support Specialist, at stephanie.plant@nmt.edu if you need any help with making an appointment or getting transportation to an appointment.
What Does This New Order Mean for NMT's Campus?
- Masks are no longer required outdoors on campus when you are alone or with members of your household.
- Masks are no longer required when having a small, outdoor gathering of fully-vaccinated individuals on campus. However, those who are unvaccinated do have mask guidelines to follow.
- Small is defined as 10 or less if Socorro County is “yellow” and 20 or less if it is “green” or “turquoise.”
- If there is more than one unvaccinated person, the unvaccinated individuals should wear masks.
- Masks are still required to be worn by all people at large outdoor events (such as commencement).
- Masks are still required to be worn indoors on campus by all people, unless you are alone in a private office, lab, dormitory room, or apartment.
- Masks are still required for campus tours.
In indoor spaces, the vaccination status of other people and whether one is at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 is likely unknown. Therefore, the CDC says that fully-vaccinated people should continue to wear a mask that fits snugly against the sides of their face, that doesn’t have gaps, continue to cover coughs and sneezes, and wash hands often.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/participate-in-activities.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
The NMT COVID-19 Task Force has made a recommendation to the NMT Administration that all on-campus students be required to wear their Health Compliance Certificate (HCC) and designated lanyard through Sunday, February 14..
All NMT full-time and part-time students who come onto the NMT campus, take face-to-face classes/labs, work, conduct research, seek academic or student support services, or live in campus housing are required to prominently display their HCC and designated lanyard at all times. No NMT student will be permitted on campus through February 14, 2021, unless they are wearing their HCC and designated lanyard.
Any student who has not gone through the official NMT Spring 2021 Student Check-in process must check-in through the Dean of Student Office. In order to Check-in, students must:
- have a recent valid COVID-19 test (no earlier than January 21, 2021),
- documented negative test results, and
- contact the Dean of Students office (575-835-5880 or -5953) to complete their screening and make arrangements to get their HCC & Lanyard.
Any student found on campus without the require HCC and designated lanyard or not following other COVID-19 safety protocol may be subject to disciplinary action.
New Mexicans instructed to shelter in place through Nov. 30
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state health officials on Wednesday announced several tightenings intended to clarify the intent of the emergency public health order effective through Monday, Nov. 30, and to further underscore the imperative that New Mexicans must absolutely remain at home except for only those trips that are most essential for health, safety and welfare.
Nov. 13, 2020
New Mexico Tech Students, Staff, and Faculty,
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced this afternoon that a rapid rise in the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state has necessitated the re-enactment of a number of public health restrictions statewide. Here is the list of those restrictions:
- Shelter in Place - New Mexicans are to stay at home except for the most essential trips
- All non-essential businesses and nonprofits must cease in-person activities
- All essential businesses may remain open but must reduce their operations and in-person workforce to greatest extent possible
- Houses of worship may operate at 25% max occupancy or 75 occupants at any one time, whichever is smaller
- Essential retail spaces may operate at 25% max occupancy or occupants 75 at any one time, whichever is smaller
- Food and drink establishments may provide curbside pickup and delivery; on-site dining is prohibited
These restrictions go into effect on Monday, November 16, 2020 and will remain in place for two weeks, through Monday, November 30, in order to drive down infection rates and implement a three-tier county-by-county system using county-level public health data to establish “re-opening” benchmarks for each county.
Governor Lujan Grisham did not enact any new restrictions with regard to public or higher education, and, as such, New Mexico Tech will continue to provide its current modes of instruction with no changes.
I am instructing as many people as possible to work from home during this time. Please work with your supervisor to determine if that is appropriate in your situation.
Effective Monday morning, we are closing the golf course, swimming pool, and gym for the duration of these restrictions. Student dining at Chartwells is also moving to grab-and-go only, with the exception of delivery for students on campus in quarantine.
For more information, please see the NMT Resilient and Reopening plan for our campus, available here..
Federal and State COVID-19 Testing Opportunity for Socorro & New Mexico Tech
Updated Friday, Nov. 13
Note: Testing will continue at the New Mexico Tech parking lot on College Ave. near Leroy Place, but starting Saturday, Nov. 14 the testing times will be moved to 1-5 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, Nov. 11
Testing is still available to the public until all of the kits have been depleted. Please be sure to register for testing at https://www.doineedacovid19test.com.
Updated Wednesday, Nov. 4
*Please note* There have been some important updates to the new COVID-19 testing availability:
- Testing is now available for five days, from Thursday, Nov. 5, thru Monday, Nov. 9.
- New Mexico Tech is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to correct the times they have
listed as available on the registration website (https://www.doineedacovid19test.com). The site currently lists times from 1-4:30 p.m., but NMT-Socorro Test Site testing times are actually from 3-7 p.m.
- In order to assure you get tested on the day you've selected, pick any available time on the site for that day and come to the testing site between 3-7 p.m. with your confirmation number.
- The testing will be executed via a self-administered shallow nasal swab, not the saliva test as initially announced. This test is still less intrusive than the nasopharyngeal test.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 (See update above)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), NM National Guard, NMDOH, New Mexico Tech, City of Socorro, and Socorro County are teaming up to provide COVID-19 Saliva Testing on the New Mexico Tech campus. This less intrusive testing method will be performed on campus as a 3-day Drive-thru and Walk-up testing event starting Thursday, November 5, through Saturday, November 7, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at NMT’s parking lot on College Ave. near the intersection with Leroy Place (see map below).
The New Mexico Tech and Socorro community are encouraged to receive this free and convenient COVID-19 testing. If you are interested, please sign-up online at the following link: https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/.
The Socorro Public Health Office will also continue their Monday and Wednesday testing from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Oct. 18, 2020
New Mexico Tech Students, Staff, and Faculty,
The Governor of New Mexico has a statewide executive order in place that limits gatherings to no more than five people to limit the spread of COVID-19. It has come to my attention that anywhere between 50-100 New Mexico Tech students gathered this past weekend at multiple local, off-campus parties. As a consequence, I am physically closing the New Mexico Tech campus for Monday, October 19, 2020, for the day as a precautionary measure and to best limit any potential exposure to COVID-19. This campus closure will also provide critical time to allow our administration to understand the depth of the issues resulting from this activity.
Sept. 24, 2020
Faculty, Staff, and Students,
New Mexico Tech has recorded its first confirmed positive case of COVID-19 on campus. The individual who has tested positive is a student and is quarantined. New Mexico Tech is following all safety and health protocols and is working in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Health. We’re performing contact tracing for this individual, and, as a precautionary measure, two campus classrooms have been closed and are being disinfected.
August 18, 2020 12:45 p.m. MST
New Mexico Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Welcome to the beginning of a new academic year, one filled with promise and apprehension. To our new and returning students, as members of the New Mexico Tech’s community, you stand at the threshold of another significant step in your academic journey. I’m excited for the ingenuity, intellect, and work ethic you bring to our campus. More importantly, as an institution, we’re every bit as enthusiastic to provide you with the education, support, council, and guidance that our institution is renowned for nationally. As students, you are either launching or progressing towards one of the most valuable college degrees in the nation due to the exceptional professional and personal efforts of our faculty and staff.
New Mexico Tech, in full compliance with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's Executive orders, the New Mexico Department of Health, and the Center for Disease Control, has released its Phased Reopening Plans for its campus and facilities. Please see the following link for detailed information.
July 15, 1:15 p.m. MST
New Mexico Tech President Stephen G. Wells released a statement regarding Tuesday's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announcement reversing its proposed plans to restrict international student visas.
July 13, 3:45 p.m. MST
As New Mexico Tech continues to prepare a safe, healthy campus for the coming semester that complies with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Executive Orders and direction from the New Mexico Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control, the COVID-19 Task Force has issued updated policies for all NMT employees.
July 8, 4:55 p.m. MST
New Mexico Tech President Stephen G. Wells released a statement regarding the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announcement regarding International students.
PRESIDENT WELLS' JULY 8 STATEMENT
July 8, 9:15 a.m. MST
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently extended the state’s emergency public health order through July 15 and issued a severe warning about the risk of New Mexico being forced to re-enact more severe public health restrictions in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 across the state.
June 23 8:15 p.m. MST
President Wells has issued a memo outlining the key requirements for NMT's campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the following links for more information:
key requirements for NMT campus during the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 21, 10:15 a.m. MST
New Mexico Tech has released preliminary details of the university’s plans for Fall 2020 semester course instruction. Instruction will take place on campus, with a hybrid distance education option available to students as well. Details are available at the following link:
May 19, 8:30 a.m. MST
In keeping with New Mexico’s modified public health order, New Mexico Tech now requires that face coverings be worn by everyone while in public places on our campus. We are in the process of obtaining masks for faculty, staff, and all returning students in the fall.
As a reminder, all summer classes will be delivered via online instruction.
New Mexico Tech also continue to follow the guidelines of the original order with strict social distancing and the closure of high-intensity contact locations like the gym and the Fidel Center. NMT’s golf course has reopened with specific restrictions. The work-from-home order for Tech employees has been extended through the end of June, and NMT official out-of-state travel remains restricted. Anyone traveling to NMT’s main campus from out of state will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
April 28, 2:15 p.m. MST
New Mexico Tech has announced that the 2020 Commencement ceremony will be moved to Saturday, May 16, in order to accommodate the challenges of finishing the semester and conducting the ceremony online.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. France Cordova, a world-renowned scientist and former Director of the National Science Foundation. A resident of Santa Fe, Dr. Cordova is a longtime higher education administrator and is extensively published in astrophysics.
April 23, 6:15 p.m. MST
SANTA FE – On Wednesday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that the state's coronavirus infection rates are showing signs of flattening and state officials can slowly ease up on current business restrictions.
At the same time, Lujan Grisham warned that relaxing social distancing guidelines and other COVID-19 coronavirus public health orders too soon could reverse New Mexico's progress in slowing the virus' community spread. Lujan Grisham extended the public health emergency orders, guidance, and advisories issued by her and the Secretary of Health through at least May 15 and announced the creation of a 15-member Economic Recovery Council to advise the Governor's Office while creating a phased plan to safely reengage the New Mexico economy.
April 1, 5:25 p.m. MST
New Mexico Tech is resuming the Spring 2020 semester of instruction on Monday, April 6, via online course instruction. Students looking for information please click on the following link:
Essential businesses further restricted to limit gatherings; New Mexicans must stay home to prevent further spread of virus
April 6, 5:02 p.m. MST
SANTA FE – With COVID-19 cases still rising in New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday extended her public health emergency order and announced the extension of related public health orders to encourage social distancing and preserve safety equipment for health care workers. Per the order, all guidance and advisories issued by the governor and secretary of health are in effect through at least April 30.
The amended public health order further restricts business operations as a means of combating continued congregating in spaces outside the home. The order is effective 8 a.m., April 7.
As in the original public health order, New Mexicans are instructed to stay at home except for emergency or essential outings, and non-essential businesses that had been ordered to close in-person operations must remain closed.
The amended order includes a new requirement that all retail operations that are considered essential businesses – including grocery stores – shall limit occupancy in their retail spaces. The maximum number of customers in the retail space must be equal to 20 percent or less of the maximum occupancy of the retail space, as determined by the relevant fire marshal or fire department.
If and when customers are waiting outside of a retail space, they must do so in compliance with social distancing protocols including the requirement that they maintain a distance of at least six-feet from other individuals and avoid person-to-person contact.
Hotels, motels, RV parks, and other places of lodging shall not operate at more than 25 percent of maximum occupancy, per the amended order. This is reduced from 50 percent.
Additional entities that are deemed non-essential as part of the amended order and must cease in-person operations are automobile dealerships, payday lenders and liquor stores.
Businesses seeking clarity on essential or non-essential status may send inquiries to covid.exemption@state.nm.us.
ON ENFORCEMENT: Reports of non-compliance can be made to NMSP.COVID19@state.nm.us or to your local police or sheriff’s department's non-emergency line. The state of New Mexico will explore and put into use all mechanisms for enforcement. There are civil and criminal penalties for violating a public health order.
The extension also applies to a series of public health orders issued by Department of Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel because their duration was linked to the executive order. Those orders include:
- Limiting nursing home visitation (March 13);
- Limiting mass gatherings (March 16);
- Closing casinos, horse-racing facilities and restaurants and bars (except for pickup and delivery) and restricting hotel and motel operations (March 19)
- Closing all non-essential businesses and nonprofits (March 23);
- Prohibiting non-essential health care services to conserve personal protective equipment for COVID-19 workers (March 24);
- Regulating the sale and distribution of personal protective equipment due to COVID-19 related shortages (March 24).
The extension of social distancing guidelines is designed to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases overall and to postpone a surge in cases for as long as possible. The longer the surge can be delayed, the smaller it will be and the more time the state will have to increase the number of hospital beds and medical supplies.
ON FACE COVERINGS: The Department of Health has recommended that New Mexicans wear cloth, non-medical masks when traveling outside the home for essential outings in alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has advised “the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.” According to the CDC, cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children younger than 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.
A cloth, non-medical mask is not a replacement for physical distancing. An instructional video about how to make a non-medical face covering can be viewed here.
March 26, 6:25 p.m. MST
From New Mexico Tech President, Dr. Stephen G. Wells:
"On March 10th, I assembled a task force of individuals from across campus and in
the community to provide collective viewpoints, to help plan, and to enact New Mexico
Tech’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This team represents most of the key divisions
and components of our university, which provides critical advice and consultation
to the university president. This also includes recommendations from local medical
doctors. I can assure you that the individuals on this task force work effectively
as a team and work tirelessly to help keep our campus and our community healthy and
safe. The task force currently meets regularly every weekday morning from 9-10:30
am and other times as developments warrant.
If you are interested in tracking what issues are being addressed during the meetings,
we will make the meeting minutes available in the near future.
I have also provided the list of task force members below so that you may forward
questions, concerns and issues to the appropriate individual and then they, in turn,
can bring such issues to the meetings.
I know this has been a very stressful few weeks as we move quickly to address the
COVID-19 outbreak, and I’m grateful for your continued strength and patience. I want
you to know that we care about you and we realize you are trying to balance your efforts
with work, family, and stress, and we want you to know that we are here to support
you anyway we can."
Task Force Members:
Dr. Stephen Wells
Dr. Aly El Osery
Bruce Kite
Carlos Romero
David Manzano
Dr. Douglas Wells
Iver Davidson
James Scott
Joann Salome
Judith Mcshannon
Dr. Kevin Wedeward
Mitchell Tappen
Dr. Nelia Dunbar
Dr. Peter Mozley
Dr. Peter Phaiah
Dave Lepre
Dr. Randall Gann
Dr. Robert Balch
Dr. Thomas Engler
Thomas Guengerich
Dr. Van Romero
Dr. William Stone
Dr. Cleve McDaniel
Donald Monette
Mayor Ravi Bhasker
Joe Franklin
Scott Scarborough
Vanessa Grain
March 25, 2:56 p.m. MST
Starting March 24th, Skeen Library is closed to the public until further notice. Online resources are still available to those with an active library account which can access these materials. For more information, click here.
March 23, 2020 4:46 p.m. MST
Earlier today, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses and non-profits, as well as announcing that gatherings be limited to five (5) people maximum. The essential businesses are available in the New Mexico Department of Health's updated public health order.
March 19, 2020 5:08 p.m. MST
In order to best protect the health and wellbeing of NMT's campus and the Socorro community, the New Mexico Tech Library has closed to the public for the time being. The library will remain available to NMT faculty, staff and students. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
March 19, 2020 3:33 p.m. MST
It’s important that everyone on campus and in the Socorro community know that the university administration, faculty leaders, and support staff personnel are working diligently to ensure the health, safety, and security of everyone on campus. This is our top priority as we navigate the issues presented by the global COVID-19 outbreak.
The university’s leadership is meeting daily to ensure we’re taking the appropriate measures to maintain a safe working environment, as well as prepare to continue to deliver the highest quality of education and future continuity of business operations.
New Mexico Tech is not eliminating any jobs and currently has no plans to close the campus. All staff will continue to be paid as long as the university remains operational. We are working within the guidelines set forth by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to make sure we maintain operations. Our university is not only an educational and research institution, but also serves as a critical resource for the Socorro community.
In order to stem the spread of inaccurate information about NMT and our actions in regards to COVID-19, employees should talk directly to their supervisors for information. Students should check their email inboxes regularly and continue to visit this webpage. It’s important we all act responsibly in disseminating only accurate, up-to-date information.
If you come across information that is false, please let people know that we are doing all we can to maintain operations through these challenging times and refer them to https://nmt.edu/covid19/index.php for the most up-to-date information available.
Updated March 18, 2020 5:33 p.m. MST
President Wells announced today that New Mexico Tech has committed to two important decisions:
"First, we will be delivering both undergraduate and graduate instruction online for the remainder of the semester," President Wells said.
"Second, we are extending spring break for an additional week. Classes are now scheduled to resume on April 6."
The New Mexico Tech administration is working outthe details of this effort, and will share those details with you soon. "it’s important to me and the entire administration that you be informed of this decision as quickly as possible, President Wells said.
The extra week of spring break will ensure the necessary preparations to deliver the highest level of instruction possible, which includes providing full training for the online instruction system for both students and faculty alike.
New Mexico Tech is doing everything it can to allow students to earn their credits, stay on track, and complete their studies this semester.
Updated March 17, 2020 6:25 p.m. MST
New Mexico Tech's Academic Affairs Office has launched a new webpage which contains information specifically for faculty, staff, and students concerning New Mexico Tech's academic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's available at the following link:
Updated March 15, 2020 10:20 a.m. MST
Please read the following briefing (HTML), provided by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Higher Education Cabinet Secretary Kate O'Neill.
COVID-19 BRIEFING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS - PDF Version
Updated March 12, 2020 4:24 p.m. MST
President Wells announced today that New Mexico Tech is extending its spring break through the week of March 23 in order to do all we can to ensure a safe and healthy campus upon your return. We will continue to provide the highest level of academic quality when you return.
Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, March 30. The New Mexico Tech campus will remain open during the spring break extension. Faculty and staff work schedules are not affected by this extension.
This change in schedule will not affect the rest of the semester. Final Week will still be May 1-6. Commencement remains scheduled for May 9.
Please be sure to monitor your email inbox for updates about the nature and venue of the resumption of classes.
If you have any questions, please call the NMT Communication Office at (575) 835-5620 or email the office at communications@nmt.edu
Updated March 12, 2020
New Mexico Dept. of Health Public Health Order
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, in consultation with leadership at the New Mexico Department of Health and Cabinet Secretary Kathyleen M. Kunkel, has declared a state of public health emergency and has invoked the powers provided by the All Hazard Emergency Management Act and the Emergency Licensing Act.
These measures allow for enhanced public health advisory steps that New Mexicans should take to protect themselves, their families, and New Mexico communities from the potential occurrence or spread of COVID-19 in our state.
In addition, Secretary Kunkel has issued a Public Health Emergency Order prohibiting mass gatherings that bring together 100 or more people in a single room or connected space like auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, conference centers, and theaters.
New Mexico Tech will follow the Governor’s lead on all policies regarding COVID-19.
Under the executive orders from the Governor and New Mexico Department of Health, New Mexico Tech President Stephen G. Wells has restricted all business travel to out-of-state areas, and is urging you to exercise extreme caution with all personal out-of-state travel.
Also, all New Mexico residents are urged to:
- Continue taking precautionary steps to protect your individual health, such as:
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Clean “high-touch” surfaces daily with regular household cleaners
- Avoid sharing personal household items
- Remain home (“self-isolate”) if you are sick and call the Department of Health at 1-855-600-3453 if you are exhibiting any of
the symptomsofCOVID-19
- Those symptoms include fever, cough, or trouble breathing
Secretary Kunkel further advised the public to take the following preventive precautions in the Public Health Emergency Order:
- Avoid all non-essential travel including planes and cruise ships.Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Take everyday, preventative actions.
- Clean your hands often.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
- If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places - elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
- Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
- Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces ( for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and cell phones.)
- Avoid crowds, especially in poorly-ventilated places. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
New Mexico Tech has placed a temporary restriction on all international business travel and will be carefully reviewing all requests. In addition, we are also highly discouraging all business travel nationally within the United States to those areas that have experienced significant cases of confirmed COVID-19, such as California, Washington, and New York. We will be continually assessing all work-related travel to COVID-19 hotspots internationally and nationally for the foreseeable future. All NMT center directors and supervisors have been instructed to review and restrict international business travel for their employees as well. Finally for clarification, all international business travel on behalf of NMT must be approved by the Office of the President.
In a further step to help safeguard our community, NMT strongly discourages students, staff, and faculty from traveling internationally over spring break as well as for the remainder of the semester. This is a critically important issue for our international population, as they may encounter restrictions on returning to the United States, and consequently negative impacts to their U.S. visa status. If students, staff, or faculty travel internationally and encounter problems returning to the U.S., all costs associated with restoring U.S. visas or other such travel-related issues will be incurred by the individual and not New Mexico Tech.
Should a member of the New Mexico Tech community:
- travel to any international “hot spot” areas related to COVID-19 (i.e., China, Italy, etc.);
- during any travel (international or domestic) come in contact with someone known to display symptoms of COVID-19; or
- during any travel (international or domestic) come into contact with someone know
to have COVID-19 then:
the individual must NOT return to campus and must self-quarantine off campus for a period of 14 days, as well as follow protocol provided at sites such as the following CDC link:
CDC COVID-19 Prevention Information
Students should inform Acting Vice President for Student Life, Dr. Peter Phaiah, of their quarantine immediately by emailing him at peter.phaiah@nmt.edu. NMT employees need to notify, by email, their immediate supervisor before the quarantine takes effect.
Quick Links Archive
President Wells' Aug. 18 Campus Update
ICE Ruling Regarding International Students - July 8, 2020
New Mexico Extends Emergency Public Health Order July 8, 2020 (PDF)
New Mexico Tech President Wells July 2, 2020 Update
Fall 2020 Semester Preparation
Key Requirements for NMT Campus During the COVID-19 Pandemic June 23, 2020
NMT Offering On-Campus and Online Instruction Options for Fall 2020