Saint Mary's Newsroom

In January, the U.S. Department of Education announced additional funding under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II). The funding is allocated to ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic at colleges and universities. Saint Mary’s University has been awarded a total allocation of $2.8 million for 2021, with $830,548 allocated for student grants that prioritize students with exceptional financial need, such as those qualifying for Federal Pell grants. The remaining funds are allocated for institutional expenses related to COVID-19 operations.

Federal guidance on the utilization of the CRRSAA funds was not received from the Department of Education until last Friday, March 19. Saint Mary’s prioritized the issuance of student grants and will now focus on reviewing the parameters governing the utilization of the institutional portion of the funds.

Similar to the CARES Act, passed in March 2020, Saint Mary’s University will direct its student grants to undergraduate students, most of whom are not eligible for other forms of relief under CRRSAA.

Saint Mary’s is allocating student grant awards on the basis of economic need, defined as the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated by the 2020-2021 FAFSA. Grants will be issued in amounts ranging from $750 to $2,000 for full-time students and $375 to $1,000 for part-time students. Student grants totaling $845,625 will be disbursed to 815 eligible students on March 24, 2021.

The Federal Department of Education provided guidance and parameters for distributing the student grants under CRRSAA:

• Funds are restricted to Title IV eligible students.
• Funds are to be prioritized for students with exceptional need, such as those qualifying for Federal Pell grants.
• Funds can only be retained on student accounts by colleges and universities with the students authorization.
• Funds are not taxable as income to the recipients.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, passed on March 11, contains additional funding for higher education. Saint Mary’s has not yet received an award notification of its allocation under the Act. Similar to the allocation of the CRRSAA funds, once guidance is available, Saint Mary’s will develop a plan to utilize the funds within the federal guidelines.

In response to questions about our Twin Cities Campus emergency preparedness as it relates to the trial of Derek Chauvin, the following is provided to assist you in planning for an emergency, such as a campus lockdown and shelter in place or a campus evacuation.

An emergency response team has reviewed the university’s emergency response protocols and continues to monitor the status of the trial and any related unrest. Any action taken on campus will be communicated by phone, text, email, and the phone paging system. Please make sure your emergency contact information is up to date in the portal.

If you’re on campus, take a moment to assess your surroundings and familiarize yourself with exits and designated shelter areas in the building. Plan for alternative routes to get home in the event of road closures.

In the event of a lockdown and shelter-in-place situation, please use the following as guidelines:

• Shelter in your office or classroom and lock the doors, or move quickly to a safe location such as the designated tornado shelter area in your building. In the event of an active shooter, turn off lights, silence phones/computers, and remain quiet.
• Shelter in place until campus safety has given the all clear to resume normal activities or until directed to evacuate the building and campus.

In the event of an emergency campus evacuation, please use the following as guidelines:

• Follow directions of Campus Safety personnel and their designees.
• Remain calm.
• Bring only essential personal items and work items with you in the event of long-term campus closure.
• Be prepared to use your alternate routes home.
• Follow traffic laws.
• Monitor the situation upon safe arrival at home.

If it is determined necessary to close the campus for a period of time, we will do our best to make this determination the evening prior and notify you through email and text. Please monitor your email in the morning prior to traveling to campus for any updates.

Finally, if you are on the Twin Cities Campus and notice something of concern, please contact Campus Security at 612-720-0417.

Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies will not take place this summer again. Returning participants will resume their curriculum when the program returns in-person in 2022 and will be joined by the incoming class of 2024.

Brother John Johnston Institute of Contemporary Lasallian Practice will be reimagined to a virtual gathering that will occur July 12-16.

Lasallian Social Justice Institute (LSJI) will be reimagined to a virtual “Come and See” experience that will occur July 18-23.

More information will be released later, but if you are interested in participating in one of these virtual events, please contact me at smarkham@smumn.edu.

A big THANK YOU to Saint Mary’s faculty and staff for helping to reach our goal of 40% participation during the faculty and staff campaign drive. Time and again it is truly awe-inspiring to see the devotion employees have to ensuring our students’ success. Furthermore, the ability to rebound to our pre-COVID participation rate not only helps assure granters and other funders of our dedication, but also shows our tenacity to keep moving forward. Great job, all! For a few fun facts about this year’s campaign, visit connect.smumn.edu/giving/faculty-and-staff.

In addition to March being designated Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day is recognized on the 8th. The International Center would like to invite the Saint Mary’s community on the Winona Campus to celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout history and the world through participation in a trivia contest highlighting a variety of female achievements.

A $40, $15, and $10 Target gift card will be awarded in each of two categories, faculty/staff and students. In the spirit of friendly competition, participants are asked to refrain from using the internet to assist with answer choices. Contest ends at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 26.

Complete the trivia questionnaire

By Mackenzie Moller

Saint Mary’s Winona students bring a new perspective to Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for A New World” during the new world of COVID-19. Theatre performances are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, March 25-27.

“Songs for a New World” is a song cycle that takes people through the journey of what it means to be courageous and take control of our destiny to ultimately create a new world for ourselves, said Judy Myers, director.

Although many shows during COVID-19 are virtual, Saint Mary’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts is able to invite a small internal audience to attend in person. All performances will also be live streamed.

All evening performances will start at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:45 p.m. Additionally, there will be a matinee at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, and doors will open at 2:45 p.m.

The audience will be restricted to no more than 50 people to ensure that safety procedures are followed. All Saint Mary’s students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend the performance in person; registration is required to ensure that the 50-seat limit is not exceeded.

Masks must be worn by audience members throughout the entire performance. Abundant seating is available to ensure that those in attendance are able to sit at least 6 feet apart.

Everyone is invited to watch the livestream of our performances.

Tickets are $5 for adults, but are free for Saint Mary’s students, faculty, and staff.

Purchase tickets and get more information