EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University is assisting IHA and St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital by providing nearby, temporary living arrangements in the Village Apartment complex.

Starting this week, a building in the Villages, located on the northwest side of the EMU campus and easily accessible from Huron River Drive, will be available for physicians, nurses and health professionals as temporary living quarters.

“This helps to address a major issue for St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital and IHA, helping provide a nearby living space for their professionals who are working long hours in the face of the COVID-19 crisis and need a place to self-isolate,” President James Smith said. “This initiative is part of the University’s broad and ongoing support of our community and our health partners.”

"We are so thankful to our longtime partner and neighbor, EMU, who so graciously offered to provide this housing option as we look out for the health and safety of our health care workers," said Alonzo Lewis, president, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor and Livingston.

The health professionals will occupy a single building in the Villages complex. EMU students needing to remain on campus, such as international students or those who cannot return to their permanent residence, will not be housed in the same building.

In addition to the housing initiative, EMU nursing school staff and students are working in a variety of capacities at drive-through COVID-19 testing centers in Brighton and Ann Arbor. The University has also donated more than 100,000 pieces of cleaning and protective supplies to area hospitals.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.