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Saint Mary's Newsroom

Campus Connection

An update from the president to alumni and parents

Student Senate meeting minutes

Student Senate – March 9, 2021

Meeting called to order by President Kendall Archer at 7 p.m.

Prayer by Collin van Waardenburg

Members present: Cece Abel, Kendall Archer, Samantha Carlson, Larkin Clem, Jake Emeott, Sarah Fowler, Mary Furlong, Gabriel Graves, Riley Hall, Megan Kowalis, Jonathon Krull, Abigail Lang, Thomas Magnavite (proxy Keaton Cloven), Allison Moysis, Tara Nikolich, Lyanna Novak, Enitan Onayiga, Sophia O’Neil, Angel Sacta Espinoza, Joseph Schauf, Ryan Sotynich (proxy Trevor Mikyla), Collin van Waardenburg, Destiny Walker, Elijah Williams

Members absent: n/a

Members excused: Noah Kimel, Thomas Magnavite (proxy Keaton Cloven), Ryan Sotynich (proxy Trevor Mikyla)

Discussion items:

  • Budgets
    • Overview
      • Finance Committee makes a suggestion on how much to fund, this is in accordance with the bylaws and finance committee guidelines
        • Senators, please read these documents
      • The Executive Board approves the Finance Committee amount
      • Budget and recommendation is brought to Senate; they have the final say
      • Budget season funding is based on projected enrollment for next year 
    • SAC
      • Finance Committee
        • Recommended funding at $56,670
      • Club overview
        • Sarah Fowler, club president, present
        • The club puts on the majority of events on campus, free of charge for the students
          • Stress kits
          • Movie nights
          • Craft nights
      • Motion to fund at $56,670
        • Motioned by Joseph Schauf 
        • Seconded by Sophia O’Neil 
        • Passes unanimously
    • S.O.U.L.
      • Finance Committee
        • $4.50 per student per semester
        • Recommended funding at $8,500 
      • Club overview
        • Nolan Farnam, club president, present
        • Immersion/mission trip club
        • 32 students and 5 chaperones last year
        • The main cost is travel and housing
        • This funding helps cover some of these costs
      • Motion to fund at $8,500
        • Motioned by Lyanna Novak
        • Seconded by Joseph Schauf
        • Passes unanimously
    • Buddies
      • Finance Committee
        • $0.35 per student per semester
        • Recommended funding at $670
      • Club overview
        • Emma Ririe, club president, present
        • Money helps fund the transportation of buddies to and from campus
      • Motioned to fund at $670
        • Motioned by Joseph Schauf
        • Seconded by Collin van Waardenburg
        • Passes unanimously
    • SAAC 
      • Finance Committee
        • $0.90 per student per semester
        • Recommended funding at $1,700
      • Club overview
        • No club member/officer present
      • Motion to fund at $1,700
        • Motioned by Sophia O’Neil
        • Seconded by Abigail Lang
        • Passes unanimously
    • Student Senate
      • Finance Committee
        • $229 for supplies in the senate office for clubs to utilize
        • $40 for copies, name tags, etc.
        • $21,667 for special request and academic request funds
        • $6,548 for Res Life programming
        • Recommended funding at $28,490
      • Motioned to fund at $28,490
        • Motioned by Sophia O’Neil
        • Seconded by Joseph Schauf
        • Passes unanimously
  • Formal presidential nominations
    • Motion to nominate Jonathon Krull
      • Motioned by Joseph Schauf 
      • Seconded by Riley Hall
    • Mary Furlong
      • Motioned by Larkin Clem
      • Seconded by Sophia O’Neil
    • Megan Kowalis
      • Motioned by Samantha Carlson
      • Seconded by Keaton Cloven
    • Elijah Willaims
      • Motioned by Enitan Onayiga
      • Seconded by Lyanna Novak
    • Every candidate gave a two-minute speech on why they are running and discussed their goals as Senate president
      • The recording will be posted of these
  • Executive Board updates
    • Kendall Archer, president
      • Presidential election is next Tuesday!
      • Make sure to vote
        • The ballot will be in Monday’s CommUNITY, on QR codes around campus, and on SMUMN and SMUMN Senate Instagrams
      • Executive Board elections
        • More information will be coming in the upcoming weeks
    • Jonathon Krull, VP of Media and Communications and executive assistant
      • Senators, please make sure you attend the meetings. We need to make sure to have enough members to hit quorum to vote on budgets.
    • Angel Sacta Espinosa, VP for Campus Affairs
      • The deadline for capital improvements is tomorrow
        • Possibly extending this
    • Nicole Noreen, VP for Financial Affairs
      • Budget season is in full swing, the finance committee is meeting weekly
      • More budgets next week!
    • Destiny Walker, VP for Multicultural Affairs
      • No updates
    • Mary Furlong, VP for Academic Affairs
      • Hope you enjoyed the Wellness Day!
      • Next Wellness Day is April 28
    • Elijah Williams, VP for Student Life
      • Housing applications are due March 15
        • Deposit is due then as well
    • Megan Kowalis, VP for Public Affairs
      • Thank you for participating in Day at the Capitol!
    • Sarah Fowler, SAC president
      • PowerPoint Night on Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m.
      • Marble Trivia 8 p.m. on Friday, March 12
      • Quarantine Memorial on Saturday, March 13
    • Marisa Naryka, Adviser
      • No updates
  • Class officer reports
    • Freshman: No updates
    • Sophomore: No updates
    • Junior: No updates
    • Senior: No updates
  • Senator concerns
    • Vacuuming the air purifiers, what to do if the light is blinking?
      • Information forthcoming in an email next week
    • Will there be outdoor intramurals this spring?
      • They’re suspended until April 1 …
    • RSM concerns about stoves
      • Part of the coils have caught fire
      • The same thing has occurred in Brother Leopold
      • Maintenance will be contacted
    • Wi-Fi Issues
      • Occurring throughout campus
      • Issues with ClearPass
      • Some students cannot log in to the SMUMN Secure network
      • Please report this to the IT HelpDesk
  • Motion to adjourn
    • Motioned by Collin van Waardenburg
    • Seconded by Joseph Schauf
    • Time 7:48 p.m.

SAC events this weekend

The Student Activities Committee (SAC) invites the entire Saint Mary’s community to the following events:


PowerPoint Night
Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m.
Toner Student Center, Room 9

You’ve probably seen the trend … Are you passionate about something or just know an odd amount of information about a subject? Create your PowerPoint and be judged! Winners receive prizes.


Marvel Trivia
Friday, March 12, at 8 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom, Sign up

Spider-Man, Ironman, Thanos, Captain America, Deadpool. You know them, so come show us what you know! The top three winners will receive a Marvel backpack, a Marvel coffee mug, and a bunch of Marvel stickers.


Quarantine Memorial – Mug Cakes
Saturday, March 13, at noon
Game Room

Come to the game room to grab a free mug with a DIY mug cake included. Let’s remember all the at home cooking we did in quarantine with a sweet treat of your own.


March Madness
Tuesday, March 16 – times TBA
Toner Student Center

SAC is turning the TVs in Toner to the First Four games of March Madness!


Saint Patrick’s Day Raffle and Bingo
Wednesday, March 17

Raffle – lunch and dinner, Toner Student Center

Wear green on Saint Patrick’s day and automatically be entered into a drawing for a GREEN KUERIG! Look for a SAC member in Toner during lunch and dinner hours who will be handing out raffle tickets. The winner will be announced during Bingo. The winner does not need to be present to win, but you can get a second entry into the raffle if you participate in Bingo.

Bingo – 7 p.m., Virtual via Zoom, Sign up

This is a classic Bingo with a green twist! If you wear green to Bingo, you will be entered into the raffle for a green Kuerig!


Upcoming events

STEM Trivia – March 20 at 7 p.m., Zoom, Sign up

Wing Eating Contest with Chartwells – March 22 at 8 p.m., Dining Hall

Coffee and Cocoa – March 25 at 8 a.m., First Floor Saint Mary’s Hall

Mini Golf – March 27 at 4 p.m., SLC

Soap Making – March 31 at 7 p.m.


For more information, follow SAC on Instagram @smumnsac.

Questions? Email studentactivities@smumn.edu.

Receive the SAC weekly meeting invite and events list. 

Want to join SAC? Contact SAC president Sarah Fowler at safowl17@smumn.edu.

SAC gives back

SAC gives back

The Student Activities Committee (SAC) has made it a goal this semester to give back to our communities.

From the T-shirt exchange on Feb. 12, SAC was able to donate 97 pounds of canned and non perishable goods to the Winona Food Shelf. Additionally, SAC was able to donate 50+ T-shirts to The Clothes Shop, a program of Winona Volunteer Services. The food and T-shirts were collected by having students in the Saint Mary’s community exchange an old T-shirt or five non-perishable food items for a new Saint Mary’s T-shirt. Thank you to the students who participated and to the admissions office, athletics, and the alumni association for donating Saint Mary’s shirts for this event.

On Feb. 20, SAC also hosted a blanket-making event for students. Students were able to make a blanket to donate or make a cash donation to keep the blanket for themselves. From this event, SAC was able to donate five blankets to the Winona Police Department, 10 blankets to the Winona Humane Society, and 10 blankets to ACR Homes in the cities. Additionally, SAC was able to donate $100 to the Advocacy Center of Winona (formerly Winona Women’s Shelter) in honor of Women’s History Month.

The police department will use the blankets to give to children and families in the Winona community; the Winona Humane Society will send blankets home with newly adopted animals; and ACR Homes will use the blankets with differently abled patients who are in need of a cozy blanket. SAC thanks all the students who participated in the blanket-making event. This would not have been possible without them.

Over Easter Break, SAC is planning to do another service project. More details about this project will be announced soon, so stay tuned to SAC’s social media!

Winona Campus COVID-19 guest policies, updates, and reminders

Guest policy interim changes and gathering guidelines

We are changing, on an interim basis, our policies about how many students can be safely gathered in residence halls. 

Apartment guest policy

We will allow 10 students (including the roommates) with no more than two pods/apartments to gather. This new limit applies to apartments in Residencia Santiago Miller, Brother Leopold and Saint Yon’s halls. It is consistent with the executive orders for the State of Minnesota on social gatherings.  

Traditional-style residence hall rooms

For residence hall rooms that are not apartments, we will allow two guests per room.  

We continue to expect students to follow social distancing and mask wearing guidance. We hope that students will be safety conscious with these new guidelines. We’ll reexamine how students are doing with these relaxed requirements over the next two weeks and provide an update as necessary.

Guest policy – commuter students

Our off-campus/commuter students are now permitted to visit on-campus students in their residence halls.  

We will continue the policy that non-Saint Mary’s students are not permitted in the residence halls.

Residence hall common spaces reminder

All the common spaces in residence halls are open and available for students to socialize in — provided that occupancy numbers are adhered to. 

Outdoor gatherings in Residencia Santiago Miller and at fire pits

With the nice weather upon us, we encourage students to enjoy the outdoors for gatherings. Students are to adhere to the 15 outdoor gathering maximum with no more than three pods. This is consistent with the State of Minnesota executive order on outdoor social gathering. Students are to socially distance and wear their face masks, except when actively drinking, and to clean up after themselves. Open alcohol containers are permitted for students of age both at the fire pits and the Residencia lawn. 

We have moveable fire pits and pits in the bluff for student use. Students may gather in groups of 15 with no more than three households (i.e. students from an apartment or floor). You will need to adhere to the fit pit guidelines outlined in the student handbook. We have wood and starter available for student use. To reserve a moveable fire pit, contact Jo Nesler at jnesler@smumn.edu for a reservation. To use the fire pits in the bluffs, you will need to contact the director of Campus Safety, Tim Kauphusman, at tkauphus@smumn.edu. Please note that reservations for fire pits are required at least 48 hours in advance.

 

Plans for commencements, Reunion Weekend

While hopeful that we can come together in celebration in the not too distant future, we do not believe we can safely proceed with planning any in-person gatherings of several hundred people at this time. We are, however, working on re-fashioning some of our large gatherings into alternative smaller in-person gatherings. As we continue to work together to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 and monitor the speed of access to vaccinations, the university has approved the suspension or modification of the following events:

Winona May commencement

Minnesota COVID-19 guidance permitting, Saint Mary’s continues to explore options for some type of in-person commencement ceremony at the College for the Class of 2021. The Class of 2021 completed a brief survey about what commencement traditions are most important to them which will inform decision-making. State guidance on gatherings and COVID-19 mitigation efforts will, in all likelihood, preclude graduates’ families, friends, and other guests from attending. There is still a possibility that May’s commencement will have to be conducted virtually, if any surges in COVID-19 occur before commencement. We will continue to communicate with our 2021 college graduates about our planning and what is possible.

Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs June commencement

Saint Mary’s University has decided to again conduct its June commencement ceremonies for our Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs virtually. As it has for the two most recent commencements, graduates have been invited to order regalia and submit a photo for the virtual celebration on June 5.

June Reunion Weekend

Following state and federal guidance, we have determined we cannot safely accommodate the number of alumni expected to attend this June’s Reunion Weekend in Winona, which was planned to include special activities for the Class of 2020. We will honor this year’s deserving Alumni Award recipients virtually, and will look forward to in person gatherings post the pandemic. We will be working with the anniversary classes and the Class of 2020 about alternative virtual programming.

Again, we so wish that we were able to be unrestricted as we all want to be together to celebrate these momentous occasions. We remain steadfast and resilient and know we will be together soon.

Easter weekend travel information and Winona Campus events

With Easter weekend quickly approaching, we wanted to provide you with some updates.

As a reminder, on the Winona Campus, classes are in session Thursday, April 1, and Friday, April 2, until 1 p.m. each day and all day on Monday, April 5. Students are encouraged to celebrate Easter as a Saint Mary’s community.

Easter travel information

Students who elect to travel will be required to participate in a 10-day soft quarantine upon their return and participate in mandatory COVID-19 testing upon their return. The soft quarantine means that you may attend classes, visit the cafeteria, study in the library or other designated spaces, and work out. Student-athletes may participate in practices and strength and conditioning activities as scheduled by their coaches. Students are not permitted to have guests, visit other residence halls, or participate in in-person extracurricular activities.

Students who are traveling and wish to be tested for COVID-19 prior to their departure should contact the Jay Johnson Wellness Center.

All students traveling must participate in mandatory COVID-19 testing upon their return on Friday, April 9. Those unable to participate must contact Student Affairs and submit a negative test result to the Wellness Center by April 13. COVID-19 testing information will be sent directly to students traveling.

Students who fall into the following categories are exempt from travel-related quarantine and testing, if they have documentation on file with the Jay Johnson Wellness Center:

  • Tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days
  • Have been been vaccinated

We encourage you to submit your Easter travel requests by Wednesday, March 24.

Easter weekend events (not an exhaustive list)

Campus Ministry services

Catholic services:

  • Thursday, April 1, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, April 2, 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 3, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 4, Mass at 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Interfaith services:

  • Friday, April 2, at 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 4, at noon

Campus events

Thursday, April 1: SAC Easter Egg Dying, at 1 p.m.

Friday, April 2: The Passion of the Christ at 7 p.m. in the Page Theatre

Saturday, April 3: SAC Easter Egg Hunt at noon

Sunday, April 4: Chartwells Easter Celebration Brunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There are several more events in the works which will be published closer to Easter weekend.

Vaccinations: Winona Health walk-in clinic March 11

Based on new guidelines released by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Winona Health is expanding the criteria for its COVID-19 vaccination walk-in clinic.

COVID-19 vaccination walk-in clinic
Thursday, March 11, 8 a.m.
Parkview Office Building
855 Mankato Ave. in Winona
(Adjacent to the hospital)

The expanded criteria include:

65+ and:

Phase 1b Tier 2 populations, including:

  • Minnesotans with specific underlying health conditions: sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, those in cancer treatment or immunocompromised from organ transplant, oxygen-dependent chronic lung and heart conditions (COPD and CHF)
  • Targeted essential workers: food processing plant workers
  • Minnesotans with rare conditions or disabilities that put them at higher risk of severe illness

Phase 1b Tier 3 populations, including:

  • Minnesotans age 45 years and older with one or more underlying medical conditions identified by the CDC
  • Minnesotans age 16 years and older with two or more underlying medical conditions*
  • Minnesotans age 50 years and older in multi-generational housing
  • Essential frontline workers: agricultural, airport staff, additional child care workers not previously eligible, correctional settings, first responders, food production, food retail, food service, judicial system workers, manufacturing, public health workers, public transit, and U.S. Postal Service workers

This walk-in clinic is open to Winona and Fillmore county residents and Winona Health patients who live outside those counties. The clinic will be in the Parkview Office Building, 855 Mankato Ave., in Winona, adjacent to the hospital.

Please wear clothing that allows for quickly exposing upper arm without requiring privacy.

Winona Health has 400 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to administer that day. A photo ID will be required.

When coming to Winona Health for a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, each of which requires a second dose, a vaccination card is provided that confirms which vaccine was given, along with the date and location of the Vaccine clinic. A reminder card is also provided indicating the second dose appointment date and time. First and second doses are provided in the same location in the Parkview Office Building on the Winona Health campus.

Make 2021 a year of healing

Make 2021 a year of healing

This past year has presented challenges for all of us. Make 2021 a year of growth and resilience by participating in the Year of Healing with Dr. Amit Sood. This free, online program provides you with brief, daily emails to help focus your efforts.

“Each day offers you an insight, a question or a statement that invites a response … Develop self-kindness, discover inner strengths, cultivate greater gratitude, enhance relationships, improve focus, and live with deeper presence and purpose … ”

Consider taking 90 seconds each day to make 2021 a year of growth.

Visit Resilient Option to learn more.

Saint Mary’s touches hearts and minds with U.S.-Latin American Sisters Exchange Program       

Saint Mary’s touches hearts and minds with U.S.-Latin American Sisters Exchange Program       

During many times in history, Catholic Sisters have taken on the roles of healers, missionaries, and educators, building the foundations of America. Regarded as compassionate yet fearless, the Sisters have carried out service work against great challenges and impending threats. Small groups of Catholic sisters are continuing this legacy — even during an international pandemic — venturing into some of America’s poorest regions to build vibrant faith communities as part of the successful U.S.-Latin American Sisters Exchange Program.

The inaugural class graduated in 2019, with the newest class blossoming from a partnership with Saint Mary’s and the Catholic Extension Society. Funded in large part by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, more than 40 Latin American religious sisters from 15 religious congregations benefit from this latest partnership, which launched this past fall and will complete by spring 2025.

Sister Martina in class.

After formational training, the Sisters were assigned to mission dioceses in the U.S., prepared to minister among Latino immigrant populations while earning their degrees online and in a hybrid format from Saint Mary’s. Sisters participating in the program receive intensive pastoral leadership training and gain valuable ministry skills to strengthen the faith of the people they serve in communities ranging from Birmingham, Ala., to Stockton, Calif. Through their work, the Sisters serve families, provide religious education, and lead programs for women’s spirituality and young adult ministry. At the end of the program, they return to their Latin American congregations, which will benefit from their education and experience. The impact the women religious have within these communities is described as transformational, reflecting the role local parishes can play in communities.

“As a Latino, I can share how crucial it is for the Sisters to work toward an academic degree that can empower their own lives and the livelihood of the Hispanic population,” said Saint Mary’s program director, Robertolino Vargas Guerrero. “The Sisters routinely share that they are implementing these lessons immediately in their work. We are assisting them in fulfilling their calling.”

“We envision that this world-class education will benefit both the sisters and their respective religious congregations, because the sisters will not only be more equipped to serve as leaders in ministry, but also to potentially serve as leaders within their own religious congregations someday,” said Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension.

Father James P. Burns

The Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D.
President
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Comments?

Email: chahn@smumn.edu

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