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Campus ConnectionAn update from the president to alumni and parents
Student Senate meeting minutes – March 2, 2021
Student Senate – March 2, 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, Noah Kimel (proxy Breanna Tews), Megan Kowalis, Jonathon Krull, Abigail Lang, Thomas Magnavite, Allison Moysis, Tara Nikolich (proxy Danielle Harris), Lyanna Novak, Enitan Onayiga, Sophia O’Neil, Angel Sacta Espinoza, Joseph Schauf, Collin van Waardenburg, Destiny Walker, Elijah Williams
Members absent: none
Members excused: Noah Kimel (proxy Breanna Tews), Tara Nikolich (proxy Danielle Harris), Ryan Stoynich
Discussion items
- Executive board updates
- Kendall Archer, president
- Thank you for following COVID guidelines; we’re doing well!
- Wellness Day is Tuesday, March 9
- Senate is still meeting
- Presidential election
- Petitions due Monday at noon
- Tuesday nominations at Senate
- Petitions due Monday at noon
- All elections
- The ballot cannot be sent out in a mass email this year
- Entry points are: QR codes around campus, CommUNITY email (link in the issue on Monday before, won’t go live until Election Day), posted on @SMUMNSENATE Instagram, tabling on election day during lunch
- Jonathon Krull, VP of Media and Communications and executive assistant
- No updates
- Angel Sacta Espinosa, VP for Campus Affairs
- Capital improvements are live!
- Nicole Noreen, VP for Financial Affairs
- Budgets start next week
- The finance committee has met for the first round of budgets
- Destiny Walker, VP for Multicultural Affairs
- No updates
- Mary Furlong, VP for Academic Affairs
- Wellness Day on Tuesday, March 9
- Elijah Williams, VP for Student Life
- New discernment houses on campus
- Apartments in Saint Yon’s Hall
- Applications open now, reach out to Student Affairs with questions (applications close March 12)
- Apartments in Saint Yon’s Hall
- Commuter students will be receiving a survey soon; please fill it out
- Document coming out soon in regards to the on-campus food pantry
- New discernment houses on campus
- Megan Kowalis, VP for Public Affairs
- Dress business casual for your Student Voices meeting with MN legislature
- Sarah Fowler, SAC president
- Alcohol Tile Art on Thursday, March 4, in the Game Room
- Women’s History Movie on March 5
- Among Us Tournament on March 6
- Monday passing out stress kits
- Marisa Naryka, adviser
- No updates
- Kendall Archer, president
- Class officer reports
- Freshman: No updates
- Sophomore: No updates
- Junior: No updates
- Senior: No updates
- Motion to adjourn
- Motioned by Joseph Schauf
- Seconded by Collin van Waardenburg
- Time 7:14 p.m.
SAC events this weekend
The entire Saint Mary’s community is invited to the following events:
Alcohol Tile Art
Thursday, March 4, at 7 p.m., in the Game Room
Feeling crafty? Want to make a coaster or cute decoration for your room? Come make tile art with us!
“On the Basis of Sex” – Movie Screen and Discussion
Friday, March 5, at 8 p.m., in the Common Room
In collaboration with the Wellness Club, SAC presents a movie to honor women’s history month. “On the Basis of Sex” is a true story based on the iconic supreme court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Enjoy some refreshments, a good movie, and a fruitful discussion after.
Among Us – Campus Game
Saturday, March 6, at 4 p.m., via Zoom — sign up
Spaceships … tasks … IMPOSTERS! Help us find out who they are and connect with your fellow crewmates across campus! Be on the lookout for crewmates across campus as well in the days leading up to the game!
Upcoming Events:
PowerPoint Night – Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m. in Toner 9
Marvel Trivia – Friday, March 12, at 8 p.m. via Zoom; sign up
Make Your Own Mug Cake – Saturday, March 13, at noon in the Game Room
Saint Patrick’s Day Bingo and RAFFLE – Wednesday, March 17, at 7 p.m., via Zoom; sign up
(Wear green on Saint Patrick’s Day to be entered into the raffle.)
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.
Introducing your 2021 orientation leaders
The New Student Orientation and Registration (NSOR) staff is excited to introduce the orientation leader staff for the 2021 NSOR season.
Executive orientation leaders:
- Katie Pierpont, Biology, Pre Med.
- Jordan Keeley, Leadership and Pre Physical Therapy
- Noah Xing, Finance and International Business
Orientation leaders:
- Ashley Streveler, Elementary Education
- Caroline Cummings, Business Intelligence and Analytics
- Catie Schiltz, Biology and Pre Physical Therapy
- Cheyenne Carlsen, Psychology and Criminal Justice
- Emilie Serna, Literature
- Emily Henderson, Elementary Education
- Emma Doering, Theatre: Musical Theatre Track
- Enitan Onayiga, Psychology and Criminal Justice
- Josie Borchert, English
- Juoleanne Ladao, 3+2 Physicians Assistant Program
- Maddie Mora, Biology, Pre Physicians Assistant
- Maria Flynn, Public Relations and Digital Media
- Becca Fabozzi, Spanish and Marketing
- Sydney Klausler, Elementary Education
- Tiwonge Kafera, Biology, Pre Med
The orientation leaders guide incoming students through virtual NSOR, Welcome Weekend, and the first five weeks programming. Orientation leaders will start training at the end of March and will be supervised by Tricia Dobrient, coordinator of NSOR, in the Student Success Center and First Generation Initiative Office.
Lasallian symposium about justice is April 7
To commemorate the legacy of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, the mission officers of the Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities (LACU) will present “Justice in the World and the Mission of Lasallian Education Today: Enacting the Common Good” on Wednesday, April 7, the feast day of De La Salle. This virtual symposium will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Justice in the World, the 1971 Synod of Bishops’ social teaching document, and address Circular 412, The Educational Service of the Poor and the Promotion of Justice (1980), of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
Faculty, staff, administrators, and students from all Lasallian ministries, not limited to those involved in higher education, are most welcome to join what promises to be an engaging and informative online symposium.
Employee guidance for personal time off and travel
As we approach the spring and Easter weekend, we have received many questions about university protocols around personal travel for vacation and visiting family for Easter. Generally, we discourage all non-essential travel, particularly to locations which may be experiencing an increase in average daily COVID-19 cases.
If you do travel, please practice the safety protocols of social distancing, wearing a face mask, and regular hand sanitizing, plus any additional protocols required for the area you are visiting. Upon returning, please consider the health of our students and your colleagues. If you were not able to practice all safety protocols while away, you are encouraged to quarantine at your home for at least 10 days. If you are able to complete the required activities for your position from home remotely during this quarantine, please do so. If you are not able to complete the required activities for your position remotely, then additional vacation time will need to be used to cover your quarantine period. Please work directly with your supervisor regarding your particular situation. Questions can be sent to hr@smumn.edu.
Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, employees are encouraged to utilize their vacation time. Vacation time is an important benefit to allow employees to relax and refresh. Connect with your colleagues to think of creative ways you can utilize your time off with a stay-cation and take advantage of the outdoor activities in our area.
Please note, unused vacation does not accumulate from year to year. Exempt (salaried) employees must use their allocated vacation time prior to the end of the fiscal year on May 31. Non-exempt (hourly) employees must use their allocated vacation time prior to their anniversary dates.
Response to state path for COVID-19 vaccinations
The state of Minnesota released the information below on Feb. 25, 2021, about the state’s path to vaccinate all Minnesotans for COVID-19. You will note that higher education is not listed anywhere on this path, meaning neither students or employees of colleges and universities have been identified as a priority group for vaccination by the state. The university has already reached out to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Representative Gene Pelowski, and Senator Jeremy Miller to express the university’s significant concern and disappointment with this failure to identify higher education as a priority for vaccination. While we appreciate all that MDH has done to work with the university throughout this pandemic, this lack of attention to higher education in vaccine distribution is very disappointing, especially as we try to prepare for fall 2021 and address the significant COVID-19 fatigue our faculty, staff, and students are feeling. We are advocating with MDH and our local legislators on this issue and will keep you posted on any new developments.
State Lays Out Path to Vaccinate All Minnesotans
As more vaccine arrives in Minnesota, the state is laying out a path to vaccinate all Minnesotans.
Governor Tim Walz announced today that Minnesota will vaccinate at least 70% of Minnesotans age 65 years and older before expanding eligibility to other groups, and aims to reach this goal by the end of March.
Once 70% of the state’s seniors have received the vaccine, Minnesota will expand eligibility based on underlying health conditions and workplace exposure risk. Minnesota will move forward with phases of vaccine eligibility based on science, medical evidence, and federal guidance:
Visit the state’s Who’s Getting Vaccinated page to learn more about the phases and when you will become eligible.
As vaccine supply increases, it will become easier than ever to get a shot. Until then, it’s important to take easy steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. Wear your mask, stay 6 feet away from others, wash your hands, and get a COVID-19 test if you need one. When it’s your turn, get your vaccine. After you’ve had your shot, continue following these safe practices to protect your neighbors while they wait for their vaccines.
Winona Campus students stay active and engaged despite COVID-19
Students on Saint Mary’s Winona Campus have found creative ways to stay connected and engaged, despite the many challenges presented by COVID-19. In fact, more than 100 events have been approved through the COVID-19 gathering form, which students are asked to complete before hosting an in-person event.
“Our students have shown so much creativity and initiative as they have planned, proposed, and hosted in-person gatherings and events,” said Ann Merchlewitz, J.D., senior vice president and general counsel. “Their compliance with COVID-19 protocols have allowed events to occur safely while also offering opportunities for the students to foster their sense of community during these difficult times.”
Examples of events held on campus include, sledding, skating, night skiing, T-shirt exchanges, coffee and cocoa, mug cakes, succulents, Zoom movie nights, Super Bowl party, outdoor prayer, PowerPoint Night, and more.
Although Saint Mary’s is encouraging events to be moved to a virtual platform when possible, events such as these have been made possible when guidelines such as wearing masks, social distancing, gathering outdoors, or staying in small groups are followed.
If students have questions about gatherings, they can reach out to James McGuire, coordinator of Recreation, Involvement, and Student Engagement (R.I.S.E.), at jsmcguir@smumn.edu.
Photo caption: Students recently took advantage of the ski trails surrounding campus and went night skiing with Brother John Grover, FSC, Environmental Awareness Center coordinator.
Saint Mary’s rolls out proposed B.S. in Nursing, announces new leader
Saint Mary’s University’s proposed new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will prepare you for one of the most in-demand and growing careers in the country.
The new B.S. in Nursing degree stems from market research and an identified need in the workforce and is part of the university’s ongoing expansion in its successful healthcare-related academic offerings
“We know with the changing demographics and aging of the workforce, there’s continued need for nurses and nurse anesthetists, particularly in rural areas,” said Todd Reinhart, Sc.D., dean of Sciences and Health Professions. “And we also know that we’re going to continue to need educated policy and prevention personnel. One of the biggest examples of this we are seeing today is with COVID-19.”
As a student in our nursing program, your learning will be put into practice in a clinical placement in your junior and senior years of study. We have strong partnerships with excellent health care providers and systems, from small and rural to larger urban settings, that will provide invaluable practical exposure.
And, this fall, our nursing students will learn in renovated facilities within Adducci Science Center’s Hoffman and Brother Charles halls, newly equipped with a dedicated nursing suite containing a large clinical skills lab, a high fidelity nursing simulation center, as well as faculty offices and learning hubs.
Saint Mary’s has recently announced Sister Agnes Mary Graves, RSM, director and inaugural Jack and Mary Ann Remick Chair of Nursing, will lead the B.S. in Nursing program, to be offered from the Winona Campus, and will also be responsible for the university’s RN to BSN online program.
She brings a broad range of nursing experience from working as a FertilityCare practitioner at Mercy FertilityCare in Winona, and as an RN in a number of settings including Indiana University Health at Methodist Hospital’s Advanced Heart Care Unit, Mercy Volunteer Corps, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Guyana, and the University of Kentucky Hospital, where she completed her BSN Residency Program.
Sister Agnes Mary earned her B.S. in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Sinclair School of Nursing and will graduate this May from the Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Winona State University. She is currently completing her Nurse Practitioner Residency at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
“Sister Agnes Mary is the right leader at the right time for Saint Mary’s as we grow our nursing program and focus on a vision for the future in Catholic healthcare offering at Saint Mary’s,” said Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president. “She will not only make sure our nursing students are well prepared, she will also ensure they are nurtured and leave Saint Mary’s to become servant leaders with strong ethical and Catholic foundations. The combination of deep skills preparation and development of character and virtue that we uniquely provide will result in the best clinical and personal attention possible in healthcare today.”
Learn more about how Saint Mary’s can help you shape your future in nursing.*
*The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and Saint Mary’s is seeking approval by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Saint Mary’s names director and inaugural Jack and Mary Ann Remick Chair of Nursing
WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University has named Sister Agnes Mary Graves, RSM, its director and inaugural Jack and Mary Ann Remick Chair of Nursing.
Sister Agnes Mary will oversee the recently announced B.S. in Nursing, to be offered from the Winona Campus, and will also be responsible for the RN to BSN online program. The new B.S. in Nursing program adds to our already strong healthcare offerings as we advance our plans to create a School of Nursing, as part of the strategic vision. Other programs launching at the College related to health sciences this fall include the B.A. in Social Work and a Health Humanities major and minor.
She brings a broad range of nursing experience from working as a FertilityCare practitioner at Mercy FertilityCare in Winona, and as an RN in a number of settings including Indiana University Health at Methodist Hospital’s Advanced Heart Care Unit, Mercy Volunteer Corps, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Guyana, and the University of Kentucky Hospital, where she completed her BSN Residency Program.
Sister Agnes Mary earned her B.S. in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Sinclair School of Nursing and will graduate this May from the Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Winona State University. She is currently completing her Nurse Practitioner Residency at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
“Sister Agnes Mary is the right leader at the right time for Saint Mary’s as we grow our nursing program and focus on a vision for the future in Catholic healthcare offering at Saint Mary’s,” said Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president. “She will not only make sure our nursing students are well prepared, she will also ensure they are nurtured and leave Saint Mary’s to become servant leaders with strong ethical and Catholic foundations. The combination of deep skills preparation and development of character and virtue that we uniquely provide will result in the best clinical and personal attention possible in healthcare today. I want to thank our search committee for a successful outcome to this national search.”
Beginning March 1, she is working part time while she completes her degree and residency requirements, and on June 1, she will transition to full time.
Sister Agnes Mary is a familiar face at Saint Mary’s, as she currently resides on the Winona Campus. Additionally, she has completed research in combination with the Wellness Center titled “Impact of a video-based education program on college women’s preconception health knowledge, risks, and attitudes.”
“We are excited with the appointment of Sister Agnes Mary Graves, RSM to be the inaugural director and chair of Saint Mary’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program,” said Mary Ann Remick. “Her clinical experience and educational background will definitely be valuable in launching this new academic venture at Saint Mary’s.”
“Saint Mary’s bold move into nurse education fulfills our Lasallian Catholic mission, meets the needs of today’s students, and responds to a growing demand for highly qualified and educated nurses,” added Dr. Brian Schmisek, provost and chair of the search committee.
The Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D.
President
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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