Saint Mary's Newsroom

The university has made the decision to combine October 2020 and January 2021 commencement convocations for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs (SGPP) into one ceremony, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.

As with the July 17 virtual SGPP commencement, we will offer one unified ceremony, bringing together graduates from the Schools of Business and Technology, Education, and Health and Human Services.

While this decision was made, in part, in response to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also part of a strategic direction to enhance engagement among students and alumni in the SGPP.

Students who graduate in October will be sent their transcripts and diplomas shortly thereafter, but are invited to commence virtually in January.

Kelly Anderson Diercks

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) students Kelly Anderson Diercks and Lisa Vander were recently recognized as Best Reviewers at the 2020 Academy of Management (AOM) annual meeting, held Aug. 7-11. Anderson Diercks was recognized by the Gender and Diversity in Organizations (GDO) division while Vander was recognized by the Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) division.

AOM is the preeminent professional association for management and organization scholars. The nearly 20,000 members from over 120 countries worldwide are faculty and students in business schools at universities, academics in related social science fields, and management positions.

Lisa Vander

The AOM annual meeting academic program relies on peer reviews to confirm new knowledge generation, verify research protocols, improve manuscript quality, and increase the relevance and prestige of the annual meeting paper and workshop sessions. Best reviewers are evaluated by manuscript submission authors based on helpfulness for improving the paper and constructiveness review tone, then chosen by the division’s program chairperson.

Errors and omissions:
DBA student Akin Falade also received a Management and Organizational Behavior Teaching Society (MOBTS) 2020 Doctoral Institute workshop scholarship. He was inadvertently omitted from the April 21, 2020, announcement.

Dear Cardinal:

As you know, we are living in unique and uncertain times. None of us can know what the future holds, but at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we know this – we are excited to welcome you back to campus for fall 2020. We are working hard and are confident that the academic and non-academic program will be the excellent, rigorous, and collegial experience that drew you to our community and that we all cherish.

COVID-19, the virus responsible for the current global pandemic, is highly contagious and potentially lethal. Current research suggests it primarily spreads through respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. However, the full extent of how the virus transmits is unknown. Many people who contract the virus may be asymptomatic and therefore spread it unknowingly. There is no vaccine currently available for the virus and no known treatment for all of the adverse effects attributed to it.

Saint Mary’s is engaged in numerous efforts to prevent, mitigate, and respond to the spread of COVID-19 on our campuses. Efforts include increased cleaning, implementation of mask-wearing protocols, social distancing measures, and other recommended mitigation strategies. The university will not require or perform widespread COVID-19 antibody or virus testing of students, employees, or visitors.

Despite the university’s best efforts, it is impossible to eliminate the risk of positive cases or an outbreak on our campuses. We cannot guarantee people present on our campuses will not be exposed to or become infected with COVID-19. The risk of exposure and possible infection is real and present in any community environment where large numbers of people are regularly interacting, including college campuses.

While acknowledging this information about COVID-19, please understand a few things are certain:

• Saint Mary’s holds as paramount the health, safety, and welfare of every member of its community.
• Having said that, none of us can guarantee what shape COVID-19 will take, and none of us – including Saint Mary’s – can guarantee a COVID-19-free environment. This is simply not feasible. It would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise.
• Taking steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections (or any other spread of virus) at Saint Mary’s is a shared responsibility. Every member of our community – including you – must do their part. This means adhering to national, state, and local health guidelines and requirements, and adhering to those measures Saint Mary’s deems safe and appropriate for its campus. Specific information has been provided about required self-screening for COVID-19, social distancing, wearing masks or other facial coverings, not attending class if sick, and isolating and quarantining when required. You agree to do all of this not just for yourself, but for the safety of others, and because this is consistent with the spirit of Saint Mary’s.
• In complete transparency, then, you understand if you return to the physical campus of Saint Mary’s, there is a risk you may contract COVID-19. We certainly do not wish this on anyone, and we are taking all recommended steps to mitigate this risk, but we cannot categorically guarantee this will not happen. By coming onto campus, you understand this is possible. Again, we want to be transparent with everyone.

We eagerly await your return to campus. Together, we are stronger. Together, we will be steadfast and resilient. Together, we are Saint Mary’s.

Tim Gossen, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs

Students are strongly encouraged to read these newsletter each week, as this is our primary way of communicating with you. Continue to check smumn.edu/covidplanning for new, added, and updated information regularly.

Here are a few things to know:

• The student handbook is now published online including COVID-19 addendums.
• If you have COVID-19 related questions that cannot be answered by visiting smumn.edu/covidplanning, contact Saint Mary’s at COVID@smumn.edu or by phone at 507-457-1614.
• If you are on campus and need services from the Jay Johnson Wellness Center, please call the office first at 507-457-1492. The staff will ask a few questions and direct you to next steps.
• The Office of Residence Life is requesting students who did not return their residence hall room keys in May drop off their keys at the Office of Campus Safety when they return to campus. Keys will be collected through Friday, Aug. 28.
• The Gostomski Fieldhouse will be open for students starting Thursday, Aug. 20, with limited hours, before returning to normal hours on Monday, Aug. 24. In addition, you will have to reserve your workout block, and workouts will be limited to 45 minutes in a one-hour block.
• In accordance with the governor of the state of Minnesota, masks are strongly encouraged to be worn outdoors when it is not possible to consistently maintain social distancing.
• Students who are on ground in Winona and have family members at home with health concerns that meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be allowed to stay on campus and safely quarantine for 14 days prior to departing for home if we moved to online education. These students must be pre-registered and approved through health services by emailing wellnesscenter@smumn.edu by Tuesday, Sept. 1.

COVID-19 testing
On the Winona Campus, Saint Mary’s will be a Mayo Clinic test site for fall 2020. Students who are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 are encouraged to be tested at the Wellness Center (or Winona Health). Testing at the Wellness Center will be billed to a student’s health insurance provider. If the student does not have insurance, we are working with Mayo Clinic on how the $62 cost would be covered.

The university will not be engaged in any mass testing of students, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

All faculty and staff are required to notify Human Resources if they are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19. They are further required to notify Human Resources of any positive COVID-19 test. Similarly, all students are required to notify the Wellness Center if they are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19. They are further required to notify the Wellness Center of any positive COVID-19 test.

Online or in-person classes
During the past weeks, a dedicated group of faculty, academic administrators, and maintenance staff across the university has been working to update room assignments for the courses that will be taught on our campuses this fall. At the College, the need to de-densify classrooms has meant that many courses required new locations, and the bulk of that work has just been completed and shared. Where we have identified space constraints, faculty have graciously agreed to move courses online. Students are being notified about classes that have moved online.

Fall classroom experience
As you would expect, the in-classroom experience will be different this year, as we all work together to deliver the Saint Mary’s learning experiences while safeguarding the health and safety of students and instructors. Classroom furniture is being rearranged to maintain an appropriate distance between students and faculty. Classroom furniture should not be moved from designated locations. Tape has been placed to mark the appropriate spacing. Classrooms will be cleaned nightly and equipped with sanitizing wipes for everyone to use in disinfecting their chairs and writing surfaces. Please move quickly through the halls and stairways without congregating on the way to and from class. Masks will be worn at all times when inside Saint Mary’s buildings, including in the classroom, as well as outside when 6 feet of physical distance cannot be reliably maintained.

Preparing for your arrival
This past weekend, resident assistants were invited back to campus. It has been wonderful seeing these student leaders, and we look forward to welcoming all our students in just over a week. The resident assistants have started their training, most of which is online, and will be ready for your return. New students, here is your Welcome Weekend schedule.

Videos showing campus changes
Many dedicated individuals have been working hard to ensure the campus is ready for your return. Watch these videos to show how we’ve reconfigured campus spaces to meet social distance guidelines and make them safer for your return.

Watch video: Classrooms, residence halls, the Student Success Center and First Generation Initiative area, and additional dining spaces within the Toner Student Center

Watch video: Saint Thomas More Chapel

Watch video: Gostomski Fieldhouse

Food service
In addition to the dining room, other dining areas have been set up in the gameroom, President’s Room, Toner Student Center Lounge, and gym lobby. Each table is socially distanced and has four chairs. Please refrain from moving the chairs or tables, as they are set up to adhere with the Minnesota Department of Health’s guidelines for restaurants and bars. Students are also encouraged to eat their meals in the newly remodeled plaza or their residence hall rooms.

Career Services
Career Services is gearing up for another great year. In addition to the Career Services Office expanding its services and resources to all alumni (including alumni from our Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs on the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses), some things to note for the Winona Campus this year include:

Three career fairs this fall will be available to students virtually:

• The Fall 2020 Recruiting Fair (sponsored by Minnesota Colleges and Universities Career Services Association – MCUCSA) will be held Friday, Sept. 25, noon to 4 p.m. This is a “Big Firms Fair” focusing on large Minnesota and national firms who do most of their recruiting and hiring in the fall. Details will follow.
• The Career and Internship Expo, co-sponsored by Saint Mary’s and Winona State University, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• MCUCSA will also sponsor its annual Government and Nonprofit Jobs Fair on Friday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All workshops, one-on-one meetings, classroom visits, etc., will be conducted virtually. A workshop schedule will be released soon, but you can set up an appointment for a one-on-one meeting. For résumé review, send to resume@smumn.edu for feedback.

Handshake

• To search and apply for on-campus student worker positions (as well as off-campus, part-time jobs, full-time jobs, and internships), visit smumn.joinhandshake.com. A profile has been established for you, so log on to Handshake using your Saint Mary’s username and password.
• There will be no student worker jobs fair this fall.
• The video interview room has moved; reserve the video interview room. Details for the new room will be forwarded after the space is reserved.

As always, contact the Career Services Office at 507-457-6695 or mhagarty@smumn.edu for any career-related assistance.

Library and Writing Center
During fall semester, Saint Mary’s library and Writing Centers will offer robust virtual services to better support student and faculty needs. Students can consult with a librarian via phone, chat, email, and Zoom appointments. Writing Center consultants and peer tutors will be available for appointments via Zoom and email. Students can contact the Writing Center via email or telephone with brief writing questions. The Writing Center appointment calendar and online resources will be available at our new, unified Writing Center website, which will launch Monday, Aug. 17.

The library and Writing Center will not offer face-to-face consultations or library instruction due to COVID-19 social distancing constraints. But the Winona Campus library will be open. All library space has been reconfigured to allow for social distancing. As required on the entire Saint Mary’s campus, masks must be worn in all library common spaces. Physical items will be available for check out, with a self checkout system set up at the front circulation desk to avoid contact. You will also be able to place holds on books and pick them up at the circulation desk. Library staff will be at the front desk to assist as needed. Read all Winona Campus library updates.

Tutoring and Peer Learning Assistants
Tutoring and Peer Learning Assistants will be available online through a new app this year. There will be no in-person, face-to-face tutoring. On Monday, Aug. 31, students will receive the link to sign up and meet online with a tutor. Watch your email for updates.

Access Services
Saint Mary’s has a continuing commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Like so many things this fall, the need for accommodations and the process for arranging them may be altered due to the safety protocols currently in place. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations are urged to contact the Access Services Office as soon as possible to explore what arrangements need to be made. During the fall 2020 semester, the Access Services Office can be reached by emailing accessservices@smumn.edu, contacting Karen Hemker at khemker@smumn.edu, or scheduling an appointment for a Zoom meeting using Google Calendar.

Our policies and procedures regarding testing in the Student Success Center for students with disabilities have also changed due to COVID-19. Please refer to the student section of the Access Services website, for additional information and announcements for students with disabilities.

Will I need to fill out the travel form to leave campus during move-in days?
Unless students are leaving the region (farther than Wabasha/Rochester), they do not need to fill out a form. If students are traveling to another state, like La Crosse, Wis., they would need to fill out a form.

It does not feel fair or reasonable for students in dance classes to be required to wear masks, especially if athletes or other students working out will not be required to wear them. Dance requires physical exertion as well and could put people at risk.
Ultimately, this is up to your instructor. We are asking students, for their own safety, to wear masks as much as possible, even during strenuous activity, but we realize this may not always be possible. We encourage you to direct your concern to your instructor.

How will education students get their in-classroom hours? Will they be held to the same regulations or standards as teachers in the Winona district during observations and clinicals should Winona have face-to-face classes this fall? Is this something the school districts decide individually, or does Saint Mary’s have any say in this?
These questions should be directed to your adviser within the School of Education.

What will happen to a student’s remaining semester if they get sick and have to go home to quarantine? Does the student return to school once recovered?
Students who have to go home to quarantine should be in contact with the Student Success Center on how to continue their studies (if they are physically able) while they are gone. Yes, the hope is that once the student recovers and has quarantined, they can return to class.

Will students be able to eat in any building other than the dining hall/designated eating spaces? (i.e. library, study rooms, etc.)
Yes, students can take their to-go containers and eat anywhere they feel comfortable, like their residence hall rooms and study rooms. Food isn’t permitted in the library and is discouraged in classrooms.

Is it safer for students who cannot wear a mask to receive online instruction rather than potentially putting other students, faculty, and staff at risk?
Students who cannot wear masks should have filled out the accommodations form and been in contact with the Wellness Center to be considered for special accommodations.

Will there be an option for students to receive counseling in person? Or is it limited to teletherapy?
Most counseling will be teletherapy. Exceptions will be made for students who are in crisis mode.

Will there be changes made for picking up textbooks from the bookstore to ensure social distancing practices?
Yes, the bookstore will be in contact with students with special instructions.

Are students able to scan their own IDs when entering the dining hall?
Yes, our new equipment is a touch-and-go system, so there is no contact.

How will members of the Winona community or the public be monitored coming in and out of campus, such as for the hiking trails? How will students be monitored if leaving campus for simply the grocery store in their cars? How strict will it be?
Students will only be self-monitoring for symptoms if they are using trails or traveling within Winona. We are asking students and guests to follow the social distancing and mask guidance at all times (including the trails if social distancing is not possible).

How do I go about visiting my child on campus, or what happens if I come to pick them up to take them off campus? Will I have to check in?
Please call your student once you arrive on campus, and your student can meet you outside of the residence hall to get into your vehicle. Checking in, when you arrive on campus, is not needed at this time.

Are there tips for student teachers and those completing internships?

• Have a change of mask in a plastic bag, one for student teaching/internship and one for Saint Mary’s.
• Have a change of clothes at the site of student teaching/internship. Change into those clothes when leaving the site, placing them in a plastic bag.
• Wash the clothes you wore to the site when you return to campus.
• Consider showering when you return to campus.
• Wash your hands when you return to campus.

Do I need to go home for winter break (in November)?
All students will be asked to vacate the residence halls after they close in November, including those who are from a distance. Only students in Saint Mary’s sponsored events or those who need to quarantine will be allowed to stay.

Do I need to go home if the university moves online if I have family members with health conditions at home?
Students will be allowed to stay on campus and safely quarantine for 14 days prior to their home departure. Any students who may fall in this category (i.e., family members at home with health concerns that meet the CDC requirements for COVID-19 related concerns) should contact health services at wellnesscenter@smumn.edu prior to Tuesday, Sept. 1, to seek approval.

Where can I find the list of now online classes?
Students should check the FA20 course schedule in the student portal at student.smumn.edu — or check with their advisers — if they have any questions about fall academic delivery.

Will I be able to attend my sister’s wedding later this month?
This is a case-by-case situation. We would encourage students not to travel if at all possible, but we understand weddings are important events, particularly of close family members, and students will want to attend. Students should fill out the travel notification form prior to any travel plans. There are varying questions including: Where is the wedding located? (Is it a hot spot?) How many individuals will be attending? What date is the wedding? And what are the travel arrangements? We strongly encourage all students to continue to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines and quarantine if needed.

Have an additional question or concern? Fill out the form and let us know.