Saint Mary's Newsroom
Campus ConnectionAn update from the president to alumni and parents
Saint Mary’s invests in purification systems for large spaces and residence hall rooms
WINONA/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has installed groundbreaking purification systems on its Winona and Twin Cities campuses. These systems, which were being discussed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of Saint Mary’s commitment to healthy living and wellness for students, will significantly contribute to the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors by purifying the air and surfaces of harmful materials, including viruses.
On its Winona Campus, Saint Mary’s has installed 860 Delos air purification devices in each sleeping room in all residential buildings. These intellipure air purifiers offer professional grade air cleaning for smaller spaces by deactivating virus, bacteria, mold, and fungi through an enhanced filtration system. Saint Mary’s is the only university in Minnesota and the region with these devices installed on campus.
In addition to this Delos installation, Saint Mary’s joins a growing number of well-known organizations by enrolling in the WELL Health-Safety Rating from the International WELL Building Institute, a third-party verified rating to prepare these spaces for re-entry in a post COVID-19 environment.
Delos has fostered research collaborations with the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, a board of doctors from the Columbia University Medical Center, and architects, scientists, and wellness thought leaders to introduce wellness standards, programs, and solutions into the built environment.
Saint Mary’s also has acquired eight airPHX units for various larger community spaces on its Winona and Twin Cities campuses, including the student dining room, Gostomski Fieldhouse, and University Center.
These airPHX units utilize patented technology to kill bacteria and other germs in the air and on surfaces. With typical air pathogen reductions of greater than 90% and surface reductions of greater than 95%, airPHX will provide hospital grade disinfection to our campus spaces. The technology has been tested effective by an independent lab on numerous bacteria and viruses, including human coronavirus. Saint Mary’s is the only university in Minnesota with airPHX units installed on campus.
“Our students’ health and well-being are at the center of all we do, now more than ever before,” said the Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary’s. “We’re excited to integrate these systems to help take our health and safety protocols to the next level, especially as we prepare to welcome students back to campus this fall.”
By reducing pathogens and following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Mary’s hopes to significantly reduce the likelihood that students, staff, faculty, and visitors will be infected while on campus.
These groundbreaking safety measures are being offered at no additional cost to students.
MCA offers virtual TAP CAMP with optional outdoor gathering
WINONA, Minn. — Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is offering TAP CAMP Monday through Thursday, Aug. 10-13, with an optional in-person gathering on Friday, Aug. 14.
Each day campers will receive a pre-recorded tap lesson, including a warm-up, technique lesson, and combinations. Students will then have the opportunity to connect virtually over Zoom with instructors and classmates each evening to clarify material and learn additional tap history or concepts.
A free, in-person, optional gathering for campers will take place Friday, Aug. 14, from 9 to 10 a.m. outside of MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center where tappers will dance the combinations and choreography they learned throughout the camp. This gathering will be weather permitting and will follow strict social distancing guidelines, including a limited number of students and no parents are allowed. Masks must be worn by all for the safety of students and instructors. Parents are welcome to park on Vila Street or in the Cotter Rec Center parking lot to watch from their vehicle. Students will need to bring along a water bottle labeled with their name and a tap board, or arrange to utilize one of the limited tap boards from MCA.
Times and ages/levels:
Tap II (intermediate tap dancers, ages 10 and older, with a minimum of 2+ years of experience, younger students by invitation only):
- 45 minutes to 1 hour of pre-recorded content daily available by 10 a.m.
- Zoom meetings Monday through Thursday from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
- Optional bonus in-person class Friday, Aug. 14, from 9 to 10 a.m.
Tap III-V (intermediate and advanced tap dancers, ages 12 and older, with a minimum of 4+ years of experience, younger students by invitation only):
- 1.75 to 2 hours of pre-recorded content daily available by 10 a.m.
- Zoom meetings Monday through Thursday from 5 to 5:45 p.m.
- Optional bonus in-person class Friday, Aug. 14, from 9 to 10 a.m.
Cost:
Tap II: $59
Tap III-V: $109
Instructors: Carter Full, Nathan Graff, and Christine Martin
Visit mca.smumn.edu/about/policies to learn more about available need-based scholarships. Contact mca@smumn.edu if you are in need of borrowing tap shoes or have questions about placement. If you need an affordable, locally-made tap board, they can be ordered today through our registration system for $54 and you will be notified when it is ready for pick-up. The boards will be 2- by 4-foot and are oak finished wood with foam pads to give the board a sprung feel with a clear resonant sound. Sample photos can be found on mca.smumn.edu.
About MCA
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA), an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, is a nonprofit community arts school offering programming in dance, music, visual art, and theatre. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for students of all ages from birth through older adults at the Valéncia Arts Center. For more information about MCA or Galleria Valéncia, visit mca.smumn.edu, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.
Photo caption: Tappers during the National Tap Dance Day celebration in the Twin Cities.
MCA presents oil pastels class with Winona Friendship Center
WINONA, Minn. — Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is partnering with the Winona Friendship Center to offer a virtual oil pastels class for adults ages 55 and older Thursdays, Aug. 6-27, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Each participant will get a package of supplies for the four-week period. Registrants will learn new artistic techniques, be encouraged to set aside time to be creative, and feel more connected to others during this challenging time. Classes will be delivered via Zoom.
Creating Winona with Oil Pastels
Now is your chance to create mini pictures of your favorite spots in Winona, such as Sugar Loaf and the Winona bridge. You will learn how to play with color, blend, and design during this one-of-a-kind virtual class, taught by Lisa Douglas.
The cost is $24 for non-members of Winona Friendship Center, $22 for members of Winona Friendship Center, and the fee covers all art supplies, including a set of oil pastels, art paper, a drawing pencil, a paint pen, and more, as well as Winona delivery or pick up. Kits can be mailed in the U.S. for an additional $10.
This online class is presented in real-time via Zoom. (Participants need an internet connection and a device with the free version of Zoom downloaded.)
To register, visit mca.smumn.edu.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from MSAB thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Need-based scholarships are available.
About MCA
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA), an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, is a nonprofit community arts school offering programming in dance, music, visual art, and theatre. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for students of all ages from birth through older adults at the Valéncia Arts Center. For more information about MCA or Galleria Valéncia, visit mca.smumn.edu, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.
Photo caption: Oil pastel artwork created by MCA instructor Lisa Douglas.
Updates on fall 2020 planning
Saint Mary’s continues to encourage you to keep reviewing smumn.edu/COVIDplanning as we continue to upload pertinent and up-to-date COVID-19 information.
Thank you for your continued interest in a successful return to the Winona Campus. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate changing guidelines, communicate updates as they occur, and work to create an environment that is both safe and student-centered.
Athletics and Gostomski Fieldhouse
Per the announcement from the MIAC on July 28, fall athletics have been postponed. Teams will still meet with their coaches, participate in strength and conditioning, have access to athletic training and the Mayo medical doctor, and have some form of team practices during the fall. Coaches will continue to connect with student-athletes. If you have any questions, please direct them to your coach and they will answer your questions or refer you to the appropriate individual.
In collaboration with the MIAC decision, the university has also decided club sports will be postponed until after Jan. 1. Club leaders have been notified and guidance will be sent to these leaders in the coming weeks.
Gostomski Fieldhouse has been re-organized to accommodate social distancing. The weight room is now on the first two courts of the “blue floor,” the cardio room has been rearranged to allow social distancing, and those using the dance studio or co-curricular programming are encouraged to use other spaces, including outdoor spaces, when and where possible.
Gostomski Fieldhouse will continue to be available to all students. Face masks may be temporarily removed during physical activities, athletic practices, athletic events, or classes that require exercise, provided social distancing is always maintained. Students will be expected to disinfect equipment before and after each use, and a limited number of students will be allowed to workout at one time.
Campus improvements
When you arrive on campus, you’ll notice some changes and additions:
- There is new signage at the entrance of campus to welcome you.
- The plaza renovation provides an updated outdoor space for activities and events.
- The new Cardinal Club and Marketplace will be available.
- You can view a new Saint Mary’s mural down the Gostomski Fieldhouse hallway.
- Our faculty will be using a new lecture capturing program called Panopto to record their classes.
The university has also implemented a number of changes and new practices in recent months to increase the safety of our environments for students, faculty, and staff across all campuses. Read more on cleaning, sanitation, and social distancing and air exchange improvements.
Food service
Food service will definitely look different this fall, but Saint Mary’s has been working with Chartwells staff to prepare, and we are ready to serve.
Students will notice immediately that the stairwell going to the main dining room will be marked off to indicate sides for up and down. Decals will be placed on the floor, starting at the check-in table and throughout the student dining room, indicating flow and where to stand for social distancing while waiting in the line. Masks are required for all individuals until they sit at their table and start to eat. A queue has been created to assist with directing the flow of traffic.
In the main Toner dining hall we will be able to seat a little over 100 students within the student dining room to allow social distancing. Other rooms within the Toner Student Center, including the game room, President’s Room, Toner Center lounge, and Hall of Fame Room, are being turned into additional seating areas where students can take their meals to eat. Students will also be encouraged to eat outdoors when the weather is nice and to take their meals back to their residence halls when appropriate.
All meals will be provided to students in disposable containers including glasses for a beverage. If a student would like seconds, they are able to do so but will be given a new disposable container and will have to get back in line. To be as contactless as possible, all food will be served by food service staff; some items will be prepackaged, such as ice cream; no cash will be accepted, only credit cards and Saint Mary’s IDs (individuals can still have cash uploaded to their Saint Mary’s ID); and a new scanning system is being put in place so students can “touch and go” and not have to give their ID to a staff member.
Chartwells has a detailed plan we are implementing because of COVID-19. View an excerpt from Saint Mary’s Path to Open Campus Planning Guide for Fall 2020 for a glimpse of what they are putting into action.
Packing and moving in
As you prepare to return to campus, we encourage you to only bring what you need. In addition, make sure you have somewhere to store your things or a place to go in case we need to transition to wholly online learning and close the residential halls.
We will soon be publishing additional information related to enhancements within the residence halls and large gathering spaces as it relates to air quality.
Here are a few COVID-19 related items we suggest you bring:
- Two masks (in addition to the two you will receive from the university)
- Liquid hand soap
- Personal hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant wipes
- Thermometer
- Reusable water bottle
- Tissues
- Designated container for storing your mask when you’re not using it (e.g. small plastic or paper sandwich bag)
For first-year students, the Welcome Weekend schedule will be available starting next week, and additional information will be available on the website and in this newsletter.
The move-in schedule, along with assigned dates and times to move into the residence halls, will be sent to all residential students this week. Please make sure you are checking your Saint Mary’s email and look for an email from residencelife@smumn.edu.
Preparing for learning
To be prepared for the hybrid learning experience, please be sure to bring a set of headphones or earbuds equipped with a microphone that can connect to your laptop or tablet. You will likely need these if you are joining a class remotely or if your professor wants you to join a breakout room in Zoom. These do not need to be sophisticated or expensive. The type of headphones you use on your phone should be sufficient, so long as they allow you to hear, speak to others, and can connect with your laptop or tablet.
The faculty have been working diligently to prepare for your arrival. Faculty are also participating in an Online Instructor Certification program through our Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT).
The Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D.
President
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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