Message from President Brennan

Dear Maine Maritime Academy Community,

I would like to thank everyone for their patience and clear thinking as we address this challenging time brought on by the COVID-19 virus. We continue to closely monitor developments in the ever-changing virus landscape and take action in consultation with faculty, staff, local, state, and national officials.

First, I would like to reassure you that there are still no reported cases of COVID-19 on the Maine Maritime Academy campus, in Castine, in Hancock County or the surrounding counties. The Maine CDC continually reassesses risk levels with regard to COVID-19, which remains unchanged in Maine, which is in contrast to other states. We are acting on local conditions to make local decisions for our campus. Of course, we are monitoring trends regionally, statewide and nationally.

We have taken additional steps to restrict travel and cancel or modify the size/venue of our gatherings to further reduce social contact. Our faculty is already making strides towards preparation to move courses to alternative modes of instruction.  The COVID-19 Response Team has been working through the weekend monitoring developments and preparing alternative modalities as response dictates.

When our actions do not mirror those of other institutions, it is because we live in different environments — ours being more rural, generally isolated, and in an area with no reported cases of the virus. Nevertheless, in this rapidly changing environment, the COVID-19 Response Team will continue to assess local conditions affecting our campus and you should expect further guidance.

The guiding principles that I have articulated remain front and center:

• First and foremost, the health and safety of the campus community, including our Castine neighborhood, will be our top priority.
• We will sustain our educational mission to ensure that all of our students can successfully complete their spring semester academic requirements, and that may require alternative modes of instruction.
• We will continue to assess and monitor the situation alongside public health and state and local officials.

I fully understand and appreciate the anxiety that many in our community are experiencing in this challenging environment. As rapid decisions are made nationally, statewide, regionally and locally, it can be unnerving — if not disorienting.  I want to assure you that we remain committed and focused on health, safety, and our educational mission. Thank you for your exemplary leadership, extraordinary patience, outstanding cooperation and strong focus on the mission of Maine Maritime Academy.

Sincerely,
President Brennan

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Message from Mark Coté to Faculty and Staff

Greetings Faculty and Staff,

Due to a number of questions over the weekend, I wanted to clarify one part of the email HR sent out this past Friday.  If you feel the need to self-isolate and not be on campus due to a compromised immune system or other concerns, please email HR (carrie.margrave@mma.edu), with a cc to your Department Chair, Director or Vice President, with the following information:

1. Your name
2. Please describe the issue that would require you to not be on campus
3. Your basic plan for the duration of your self-isolation period
4. Your location, with contact information, for your self-isolation

Note that for faculty, you will be expected to work with your students to stay current with your courses while you’re away from campus.  After emailing HR as discussed above, you should contact all of your students via Canvas and/or email to start that process and ensure that your Department Chair is aware of your plans and progress.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this.  Your assistance will allow us to manage the impact of this situation on our campus.

Please stay informed of further guidance by following updates on the MMA website, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,
Mark
CAPT Mark Coté, USN(Ret) PE
Acting Provost/Academic Dean

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Message from Mark Coté to Students

Good Afternoon MMA Students,

Due to a number of questions over the weekend, I wanted to clarify one part of my email from this past Friday.  If you feel the need to self-isolate and not be on campus due to a compromised immune system or other concerns, please email my Executive Assistant, Cindra Leeman (Cindra.leeman@mma.edu) with the following information:

1. Your name
2. Please describe the basic issue or issues that would require you to not be on campus
3. Your location, with contact information, for your self-isolation

Note that in each situation, you will be expected to work with your instructors to stay current with your coursework while you’re away from campus.  After emailing Ms. Leeman as discussed above, you should contact all of your teachers via email to start that process.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this.  Your assistance will allow us to manage the impact of this situation on our campus.

Please stay informed of further guidance by following updates on the MMA website, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Prof. Mark Cote
CAPT Mark Coté, USN(Ret) PE
Acting Provost/Academic Dean