Cardinals,
Our lens for preparing for your return continues to be in our Lasallian Catholic tradition, which is a compassionate and realistic approach that supports students staying socially connected and mentally healthy — not just free of coronavirus infection. Below are this week’s updates regarding fall return preparations.
Department of Fine and Performing Arts
Per an update from the department chair, the Department of Fine and Performing Arts (art and design, dance, theatre, and music) is moving forward with offerings as planned. However, productions and performances will be held without an audience. Everything will be done for an empty house and recorded for broadcast at a later time.
IHM Seminary
For the 2020-21 academic year, 60 men will be studying at the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Seminary. The university is working with the rector of the seminary to ensure space is available for social distancing. As a result, Saint Thomas More Chapel and the faculty dining room in the Toner Student Center will be reserved from time to time for the seminary.
Residence halls
The university is currently working on social distancing measures in the residence halls. Furniture in some common room spaces has been removed and replaced with study tables and other furniture that maintenance can more easily disinfect. Lockable common spaces (i.e., kitchens, study lounges, chapels, and cardio spaces) will be available to students by reservation only through residence hall staff.
Before heading to the laundry room, visit laundryview.com and search “SAINT MARYS UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA” (no apostrophe) to see if the laundry equipment is in use to ensure social distancing.
Unlike previous years, classes will not be held in Hillside Hall. In buildings which consist of residential and academic spaces, such as Saint Joseph’s and La Salle halls, specific entrances will be allocated for residential students only.
Dining
The Toner Student Center dining room has the capacity to seat a little more than 200 students. We hope to have a capacity number of the newly renovated Cardinal Club within the coming weeks. Within the Toner Student Center, multiple areas are being identified and set aside for eating areas to accommodate additional seating needs. These areas include, but are not limited to, the game room and the gym lobby. Outdoor seating, when weather permits, is also an option.
Job fairs
The on-campus student worker job fair has been canceled. All on-campus job opportunities will be listed in Handshake, our online job posting board. To access, first create an account, click on “jobs,” and begin your search. All available on-campus positions will be updated the first week of August. The Saint Mary’s Career Fair will be held virtually on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The director of Career Services is available via phone and Zoom appointments to assist with any questions you may have.
Public access to campus
Earlier this week, Saint Mary’s notified the Winona community that the walking trails and the Frisbee golf course will be open to the public starting Saturday, Aug. 1. Unfortunately, we will not be offering rental space or community programming on campus for the fall 2020 semester. Please see the press release for more information.