Saint Mary's Newsroom
Campus ConnectionAn update from the president to alumni and parents
Return to Campus procedures announced
All students are strongly encouraged to complete a 14-day quarantine prior to their return to campus. Those returning from hot spots will be required to complete the quarantine. Please check the CDC Tracker for the current hot spots on Jan. 8 so you know your status. Hot spots are those in the two darkest shades of blue. As of Nov. 3, this includes the following states: North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Montana, Iowa, Wyoming, Nebraska, Utah, Illinois, Kansas, Alaska, Minnesota, Idaho, Indiana, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Missouri, Colorado, Kentucky, and Michigan.
The residence halls will re-open to residents at noon on Friday, Jan. 22. There will be a staggered return to campus through Sunday evening. More information on the process will be forthcoming. There will be no late arrivals after Sunday evening.
Residents are strongly encouraged to remain on campus for the duration of the spring semester. In the event that travel is necessary, a travel notification form must be completed in advance so we can ensure the health and safety of the Saint Mary’s community. In addition, the interim guest policies remain in effect.
Chartwells hours:
The dining hall will open for meals on Friday, Jan. 22, for dinner. Brunch and dinner will be served throughout the weekend. The Market will open from 1-8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24, and the Cardinal Club will open at 3 p.m. Cardinal Coffee will open on Monday, Jan. 25.
Upcoming SAC events: Nov. 5-8
The entire Cardinal Community is invited to attend the following Student Activities Committee events:
Thursday, Nov. 5
Jackbox Game Night – virtual event, 7 p.m.
Sign up here.
All are invited to test their hand at virtual Jackbox games! Jackbox games are online games that you can play right from your phone. Don’t worry if you have never played Jackbox games before, because instructions will be included. You can play by yourself or with a group of friends! This event is free and no online account is required. You will need to use your mobile phone, so make sure to have it near you and charged.
Friday, Nov. 6
Marvel Trivia, Toner Student Center Lounge, 8 p.m.
Do you think you have what it takes to be a trivia superhero? Test your knowledge on the Marvel Cinematic Universe and prove your superhero trivia strength. No more than 40 participants (in teams of four superheroes or less) can compete to meet social distancing guidelines. The winning team will receive a Marvel backpack. Prizes for second- and third-place teams will be awarded as well. This event is FREE to all students.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Rocket League Tournament – virtual event, 3 p.m.
Sign up here. Rocket League is an online game that is free to anyone. It is sort of like soccer, but you are using a vehicle to play. Find out more here about Rocket League and how to sign up for an account. The winner of the tournament will receive a SAC sweatshirt. The event is FREE to sign up and play.
Sunday, Nov. 8
Build a Bonfire Workshop, gazebo, 2 p.m.
In partnership with Outdoor Leadership, learn how to build and maintain a bonfire in a bonfire pit. All supplies will be provided; just show up and learn! FREE to anyone who is interested.
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
Thursday, Nov. 12: Thank you card making for faculty and staff (Cardinal Club, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Thursday, Nov. 12: Wing Eating Contest with Chartwells (Dining Room, 8 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov.14: De-stress and Wellness Bingo (Sign up here, 7 p.m.)
Cardinal Week – Nov. 16-21: Events every day! Watch for another update on the details of Cardinal Week.
We want you to join the Student Activities Committee!
Please email president Sarah Fowler (safowl17@smumn.edu) if you are interested!
Sign up for SMUMN TedX
Registration updates and reminders
- Registration for spring semester 2021 will be entirely online. Registration begins on Monday, Nov. 9. Please check the Student Portal for your assigned registration time.
- The decision has been made NOT to use the waitlist feature in the portal for spring 2021 registration. This means you must email professors if you want to get into courses that are full, and the professor will need to connect with the Registrar’s Office.
- The Registrar’s Office is closed to in-person visits. Please send all concerns or questions via email.
- Please check the “SP21” term in the Student Portal for your registration date and time. Any holds should also appear in your Student Portal.
- Cardinal Central will be open from 6:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 9-12 to assist you with last minute hold removals.
Lastly, we will be having in-person and Zoom support during registration week. We will be down by the Hendrickson Center labs as we have been in the past. Support is also available via Zoom.
Be cautious because of deer hunting season
Alumna published in medical journal
Kellie Lease Stecher, M.D., a 2005 biology alumna, published an article titled “The Senses of Medicine” in the Journal of the Minnesota Medical Association.
Alternate side parking ordinance starts Nov. 15
From Nov. 15 through March 15, between the hours of 12:01 and 6:30 a.m., vehicles may only park on the side of the street with even numbered houses on even calendar dates, and on the side with odd numbered houses on odd calendar dates.
This policy is designed to allow plowing and removal of snow to the curb on at least one side of each street. It also allows time for cleaning leaves and debris from storm drains in the fall, and removing sand in the spring.
This means that if you park your car on city streets at 10 p.m. on Nov. 14, you should be parking on the ODD side of the street because at midnight (the day they will be ticketing and or towing between 12:01 and 6:30 a.m.), it becomes Nov.15, which is an odd day.
Celebrate International Education Week Nov. 9-13
International Education Week (IEW) is an annual celebration of international education and exchange worldwide. Saint Mary’s is hosting its IEW activities early due to Cardinal Week.
IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. During this week, institutions across the United States and around the world host events to recognize international students, promote education abroad, exchange ideas, learn about other countries and cultures, and support internationalization. The International Center has planned a scaled-back IEW. We invite students, faculty, and staff to join us in the activities below.
Please contact Vicki McDonald, coordinator of Study Abroad and International Student Services on the Winona Campus, at vmcdonal@smumn.edu if you have questions.
Schedule of events (Winona Campus)
Taste the World (Sponsored by Chartwells)
Each day, Monday through Friday, Chartwells will prepare a variety of foods from the home countries of some of our international students.
- Monday: China/Asia – vegetable lo mein, pork stir fry, egg rolls
- Tuesday: Poland – Polish pierogi bar
- Wednesday: Italy – pasta pomodoro, tortellini bolognese, herbed focaccia, hot Italian beef sandwich, tiramisu and panna cotta for dessert
- Thursday: Mexico – tacos, nachos, and fajitas
- Friday: Japan/Sweden – ramen noodle bar, Swedish meatballs
International Education Week Trivia Contest (Sponsored by the International Center)
This trivia game tests your international knowledge and must be completed in one sitting. Answer all 20 trivia questions to win a chance at a $30 (first place), $20 (second place), or $10 (third place) gift card from Target in each category. (There is a student category and a faculty/staff category.) Whoever answers the most questions correctly will win. If there is a tie, those participants will be entered into a random drawing to declare winners. Winners will be notified on Friday, Nov. 13, by email.
The deadline to complete the trivia contest is Friday, Nov. 13, at noon. Please do not use the internet to search for the answers. Good luck!
Kahoot Challenge (co-sponsored by the International Center and Office of College Admission)
Assemble a team of two players to compete in a Kahoot International Challenge on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Science and Learning Center’s Room 200. Kahoot is an engaging, fun, quiz game played through an app on your phone. Our Kahoot Challenge will focus on trivia from the home countries of Saint Mary’s international students and will include three rounds with winners named in each round and a chance at $50 (first place), $30 (second place), or $20 (third place) Target gift cards.
Participation is limited to 15 teams due to social distancing requirements. The sign up deadline is Monday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m.
The Scoop – November edition
The November edition of the Chartwells’ ‘Scoop’ is filled with fun food events and holiday cheer. Join us for one or all of these events: Hot Wing Eating Contest, International Week, and the Pie Party!
The Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D.
President
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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