The campus of Michigan Technological University is seen, empty, on Sunday. Tech announced temporary reductions in work hours or temporary unpaid leave for 119 employees, as well as moving summer track B classes online and canceling summer pre-college programs and athletic camps. (Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — About 119 Michigan Tech employees will be put on unpaid temporary leave or have their hours reduced due to the impact on reduced in-person operations on campus, President Rick Koubek said in an email to the campus Friday.

The employees will receive university health care benefits, keep any accumulated time off, and qualify for unemployment and federal relief packages, Koubek said.

Employees are encouraged to apply for financial support through the Husky Emergency Assistance Fund online or by calling 487-1567.

“Let me reiterate that these personnel actions are temporary and made through no fault of those affected,” Koubek said. “In most cases, employees will return to full-time status once we resume normal operations.”

The move follows hiring, spending and wage freezes implemented in early April. Koubek also announced last week he would take a 15% pay cut through 2020, while vice presidents’ pay was cut by 7%.

The university still has more budgetary issues to address when the MTU Board of Trustees meets this month, Koubek said.

Last week, he said the university was expecting a budget shortfall of $18 million — which could go as high as $38 million depending on enrollment, the state funding formula and whether face-to-face instruction resumes in the fall.

Koubek also announced Friday that summer Track B sessions would be moved online. Tech’s pre-college programs and athletic camps were also canceled for the summer.

“These decisions were necessary based on the continued ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ executive order and to allow our academic and facility teams time to prepare for a safe, in-person, on-time start to the fall semester under the new operating guidelines imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

As of now, Tech plans to gradually resume face-to-face operations over the next three months, though that will depend on state guidance and best practices, Koubek said.

When people do return to campus, social distancing guidelines will still be in place, Koubek said. Some moves being considered are reducing class sizes and modifying classrooms and courses; shifting dining services to include more takeout, grab-and-go and meal delivery; and creating more spaces for smaller collaborations and reducing large group gatherings.

Koubek said efforts against COVID-19 could also translate into making COVID-19 testing available, vigorously monitoring students in residence halls and the larger campus community for symptoms. If someone does test positive, the university would quickly respond by isolating the person and tracing their recent contacts.

A day prior to what would have been Tech’s graduation, Koubek said Tech would launch a 2020 commencement celebration web page on May 23.

“COVID-19 has altered our course, but not our destination,” he said. “We will continue to provide the very best hands-on, high-quality educational and research experience that we are known for. I am grateful for your dedication and determination to make that so.”