Saint Mary's Newsroom
Campus ConnectionAn update from the president to alumni and parents
Answers to your COVID-19 questions
Do I need to be tested if I have already been positive for COVID-19?
All students must be tested in the university’s mass testing event and participate in surveillance testing with the exception of student-athletes who are being tested regularly as a result of practices or competitions, those who can prove they have tested positive within the past 90 days, and those being tested regularly due to off-campus employment.
How many students can be together in a social setting?
Per guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health, social gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people from two households (“families” or “pods”) indoors and no more than 15 people from three households (“families” or “pods”) outdoors. Families or pods are considered those students living in the same residence hall. However, students are encouraged to gather in much smaller groups.
The size of gatherings associated with classes, clubs, events, or activities will vary based on the location, protocols in place, and status of COVID-19 on campus.
What if there is a false positive test?
A positive test is a positive test. However, there are specific situations where Minnesota Department of Health guidance may change quarantine dates.
Are field trips allowed this semester?
The university has prohibited all non-essential travel. Field trips would fall into that category of non-essential travel, which means they are currently not permitted.
Are off-campus service projects permitted this semester?
Off-campus service projects are not permitted this semester due to concerns about COVID-19 transmission that might occur on campus as a result of those projects.
Are students permitted to do internships this semester?
Students are permitted to do internships this semester if the proposed site for the internship allows such experiences. Students are expected to comply with the COVID-19 protocols of the internship site and the university while participating in the internship. Students are reminded that their responsibilities to comply with COVID-19 protocols do not end when they leave campus.
For answers to more questions, visit the COVID-19 FAQ page. (A Saint Mary’s login is needed to access.)
If you have additional questions or concerns, let us know by filling out the form or emailing covid@smumn.edu.
Dr. Wolfe included on collective works by Dr. Csikszentmihalyi
Rustin Wolfe, Ph.D., core professor in the Ed.D. in Leadership Program, did his dissertation research at the University of Chicago under Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Ph.D., (
Dr. Wolfe was interviewed about the work for CBC radio this past fall, and he is now listed on Dr. Csikszentmihalyi’s Wikipedia page under doctoral students.
Congratulations to the 2021 Teaching Fellows
The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) is excited to announce the 2021 class of Teaching Fellows for Saint Mary’s University. These exemplary course-contracted faculty were selected via an application process, reviewed by program directors, and approved by the deans of their respective schools.
They have already begun the Teaching Fellows Program with their first workshop, “Teaching Foundations,” and will continue an extensive program for the next five months, including sessions on adult learning, technology enhanced learning, improving academic writing, grading and feedback, and information literacy approaches.
Please join me in congratulating the 2021 Teaching Fellows:
- Linda Hyberger, Healthcare and Human Services
- Catherine Neset, Human Resources Management
- Greg Martin, Education M.A.
- Jennifer Hugstad-Vaa, Education, M.A.
- Karen Lundquist, Human Resources Management
- Brian Ingemann, Education M.A.
- Tamarah Gehlen, Addiction Studies
- Renee Thompson, Accounting M.S.
- Ann Mikkalson, Literacy Education M.A.
- Jill Hubble, Addiction Studies
- Geoffrey Grudzinski, Education Leadership M.A.
- Matt Beetcher, Healthcare and Human Services Management B.S.
Getting her degree was an investment in herself
Dionne Trice M’20 will freely admit how easy it is to become distracted and let obstacles discourage you from reaching your dreams.
But on her journey to obtaining her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Trice reminded herself that she was a sound investment.
“I had multiple obstacles ranging from health issues to time management and everything in between,” she said. “There were lots of opportunities to get distracted, discouraged, and to just give up. However, the more I realized that I was investing in something precious — myself — I knew I could not allow or afford to let anything distract me.”
Trice works full time as a therapist with The Family Development Center in Saint Paul, Minn. Becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist was always her dream. Now that Dionne is one step closer to achieving that licensure, her dreams have extended to becoming a supervisor or potentially opening her own practice one day. Passionate about racial equality, she sees a great need for people of color in the field and would like to see more financial and systemic outreach in the communities she serves.
“Gaining my degree at Saint Mary’s has been the first step in accomplishing all of these goals,” she said. “I chose Saint Mary’s because I wanted a reasonably priced, conveniently located, brick and mortar university that was accredited. Saint Mary’s has a good reputation, and, being a mature learner, who started pursuing her goals later in life, the availability of an accelerated program was highly important.”
Trice tells others who are considering applying, “Time passes one way or another, so why not let it pass gaining what you want?”
“At times, the efforts to balance the program demands with the rest of my life was exhausting,” she admitted. “I believe having caring instructors, who took real interest in my progress as a student, and alumni, who encouraged me and helped me navigate certain areas, made my overall experience a good one. I appreciate everything I learned and the connections I built here. I feel very well prepared for what lies ahead.”
Appointment of interim Title IX coordinators
In May 2020, the U.S. Department of Education issued new regulations mandating how universities must investigate and adjudicate sexual misconduct cases under Title IX, the federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities. Consequently, like all universities that receive federal funding, the university revised its policies related to sexual misconduct. The new policies became effective Aug. 14, 2020.
The university remains committed to fostering a climate free from sexual discrimination, harassment and violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking through clear and effective policies, a coordinated education and prevention program, and prompt and equitable procedures for resolution of reports of conduct prohibited under this policy. As a Lasallian Catholic institution of higher education, the university believes in the inherent dignity and worth of every student and employee. As such, the university strives to create an environment where the dignity of each person is respected and honored. Sexual discrimination, harassment, and violence violate the dignity of the person and are inconsistent with the mission and values of the university.
New features of the Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault Policy include:
- There will be live hearings with the option of different locations and the use of remote technology.
- There will be live cross examination (conducted by parties’ advisers) for conduct classified as Title IX Sexual Harassment.
- Parties who do not wish to participate in the university’s formal disciplinary process may choose to participate in a voluntary informal resolution process.
Many features of the university’s previous policy related to sexual misconduct will remain the same, including:
- University policy continues to apply to off-campus sexual misconduct between two members of the university community or during university-sponsored programs or activities (including study abroad or conferences).
- The preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) standard continues to apply.
- Individuals may still obtain supportive measures (such as No Contact Orders, academic support, or housing changes) with or without participating in a formal investigation/adjudication.
As a result of the new processes required to adjudicate Title IX sexual harassment cases, the general counsel and Title IX coordinator roles must be separated. The following individuals will be assuming responsibility for Title IX matters on an interim basis effective Jan. 25, 2021:
- Tracy Lehnertz, interim Title IX coordinator
- Scott Walker, interim deputy Title IX coordinator
The responsibilities for Title IX matters will transition to the vice president for Inclusion and Human Dignity once that individual is hired.
Questions about Title IX matters may be directed to TitleIX@smumn.edu. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct reports may be made using this form or by contacting either the interim Titile IX coordinator at 507-457-1694 or the interim deputy Title IX coordinator at 507-457-8700.
Study abroad programming for summer and fall suspended
Online Instructor Certification schedule for 2021
On Advance Day 2021, Provost Brian Schmisek announced that Saint Mary’s University will be investing in its faculty by providing a $1,000 stipend to all instructors who complete three levels of our Online Instructor Certification course (Introduction, Intermediate, and Advanced) in fiscal year 2020-2021.
You can read more about the certification courses and register for them at the CELT Online Instructor Certification page.
Right now, all February courses are full and we anticipate that March’s introductory course will be full as well. Registering for any of these courses on the CELT site’s form will put you on the waitlist, and as space becomes available we will gradually register people first who are first on the waitlist. You will need your Dean’s approval to register for courses starting in March.
We anticipate being able to offer the courses on the following schedule:
- Courses starting February 1: Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced
- Courses starting March 8: Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced
- Courses starting April 5: Intermediate, Advanced
- Courses starting May 3: Advanced
Further sections are planned and will be announced via Cardinal Update and the CELT site.
Canvas training sessions at all levels now available
As Saint Mary’s completes its transition to the Canvas learning management system this semester, Instructional Technology and the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) are partnering to provide many opportunities for trainings throughout the spring, summer, and fall. All faculty and staff are welcome at these trainings.
Those who would like to view a video of how to use basic and intermediate Canvas features can visit CELT’s Recordings page and select “Canvas Trainings” to see trainings from Instructure as well as a recording of our own Canvas Essentials Training. Just make sure to log in to Canvas or Blackboard first so you can view the videos.
Those who would like live, in-person trainings can visit CELT’s Trainings and Workshop page to see the schedule for our live trainings. We will be offering Essentials, Intermediate, and Advanced Canvas trainings each month at both noon and evening times. Just click on the calendar item to RSVP and add it to your Google Calendar. A complete schedule of these trainings for the next year can be found on the CELT site as well. Additionally, one week each month will be devoted to “Canvas Q&A” trainings, where we will answer any questions you have about Canvas that are not mentioned in the trainings. These are offered at noon and evening times as well to better serve all faculty.
Also, for those of you looking for more information on other learning technologies, Instructional Design’s page on the CELT site has a great deal of information and FAQs.
Finally, for those of you who expressed a desire for a self-paced training, everyone who has a Canvas account has been enrolled in the “Growing with Canvas” self-paced training course. This course can be competed at your own pace and allows you to practice many Canvas features and tools. The quizzes in it are automatically graded to give you feedback on your Canvas skills so far.
Upcoming Canvas trainings for February and March:
February (Monday/Wednesday schedule):
Feb. 1 – Essentials (noon)
Feb. 3 – Essentials (evening)
Feb. 8 – Intermediate Essentials (noon)
Feb. 10 – Intermediate Essentials (evening)
Feb. 15 – Questions (noon)
Feb. 17 – Questions (evening)
Feb. 22 – Advanced (noon)
Feb. 24 – Advanced (evening)
March (Tuesday/Thursday schedule):
March 2 – Essentials (noon)
March 4 – Essentials (evening)
March 9 – Intermediate Essentials (noon)
March 11 – Intermediate Essentials (evening)
March 16 – Questions (noon)
March 18 – Questions (evening)
March 23 – Advanced (noon)
March 25 – Advanced (evening)
The Week in Review – 2.1.21
It’s Monday, and time to take one final look back at all the highlights from a week ago.
The Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D.
President
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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