Saint Mary's Newsroom / Campus Notes

This October, we are working to become mentally healthier as mental health is the foundation to physical health. That is why we will be hosting a virtual walk in order to raise mental health awareness. The event begins Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 a.m. and ends Sunday, Oct. 25, at 8 p.m.

Grab your family, social distance with your friends, and join the fun from wherever you are. Complete this virtual “2-mile” race at your own pace, place, and time.

Upon registration you will get a OneTeam T-shirt to signify no one has to fight their battles alone. We are in this fight together and we are OneTeam. All proceeds from the event will benefit the mental health initiative, The Green Bandana Project, on Saint Mary’s Winona Campus.

You can learn more about the project here. We will be accepting donations and 100% of the proceeds will support building awareness of mental health resources on campus.

Save the date and mark your calendars now. Registration will be available soon. If you have any questions, please contact Justine Schultz at jxschu16@smumn.edu. 

Not happy with your midterm grades? Sign up for tutoring at smumn.joinknack.com. Sign in with your SMUMN student account.

If you have any questions about working with these tutors, please email Joe Dulak. If you experience any technical difficulties with Knack, please email support@joinknack.com.

Need help with writing papers? Contact the Saint Mary’s Writing Center.

Dear Cardinals,

Thank you again for all you are doing to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines. I realize this is a challenging time, but I encourage you to keep it up and try not to “catch” COVID-19 fatigue. Tomorrow, Oct. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m., in recognition of successfully completing six weeks of on-ground classes in Winona, we’re planning a congratulatory celebration. Come to the plaza for a free ice cream treat.

I have also been impressed with the more than 70 programs offered to students through Campus Ministry; Recreation, Involvement, and Student Engagement (R.I.S.E.); Residence Life; and student organizations. I appreciate the creativity it takes to organize and implement these events, and I thank you.

We’ve had a number of COVID-19 successes this year. We’ve proven that quarantining slows the spread, how mask wearing and social distancing can help reduce the number of positive cases, and how refraining from having guests in the residence halls is making a positive impact. As difficult as it is, try to reduce the number of individuals you are in contact with, encourage your peers to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines, and continue to care for each other.

We are in this together and will celebrate again in November, once we have successfully obtained our goal. We are Cardinal strong!

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

Reminders related to COVID-19:

• If you have questions or concerns, email covid@smumn.edu, call 507-457-1614, or complete the COVID-19 feedback form.
• Thank you for filling out the COVID-19 gathering form. The programs have been impressive. Continue to submit your requests.
• Toner Student Center 14 has been reserved for commuter students so they are able to have a space to go between classes.
• By the end of the month, we will publish more information on how to prepare for departure on Nov. 24.
• Students living in the residence halls should watch for communication from staff regarding the cleaning process for the air purifiers.
• Feel free to use credit and debit cards as well as well as flex dollars at the Market.

Be mindful when on and off campus
Last weekend, the Winona police alerted us that they were called out to at least six student house parties. They are concerned the number of parties they are seeing is on the rise. Please be aware that the city of Winona has directed the police to start handing out tickets rather than warnings, when appropriate, to individuals attending these parties. As the city of Winona has reached the 1,000 mark for positive COVID-19 cases, we need to be ever more mindful of our responsibilities both on and off campus.

Sharing news via bulletin boards on campus
Bulletin boards are a major means of communication on campus. As a reminder, before hanging up any materials, please consult the posting policy on page 44 in the Student Handbook, where you will find guidelines about where you can hang materials as well as who needs to review prior to posting. Failure to abide by these instructions will result in removal.

Wi-Fi and other IT issues
Contact the HelpDesk at helpdesk@smumn.edu or 507-457-7800.

In a continuous improvement effort and to better focus on students, a new schedule will go into effect spring semester 2021. The new schedule provides less class overlap and more flexibility and will improve registration and reduce overall scheduling conflicts.

In the new schedule , 50- and 75-minute slots run all five weekdays with aligned start times. In this new configuration, the now daily common hour is extended by a half hour — from 11:50 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — to allow for additional mid-day meeting options. Mass will continue to be offered daily; the time has moved to 12:30 p.m.

Additionally, there will be six or seven time slots per day, compared to our current five time slots, which will provide students with more flexibility and options in choosing courses.

Because classes are now scheduled until 4:20 p.m., music and theatre rehearsals and other extracurricular events will be shifted accordingly. Athletes will be advised to avoid classes that will conflict with practices. Classes in the new 4:20 p.m. time slot must also have sections offered in the morning. A few select science labs have been identified as exceptions to the plan.

We look forward to implementing this new schedule. Advisers and Student Success Center and First Generation Initiative staff are prepared to assist with questions before spring registration next month.

Psy.D. students Quincy Guinadi, Milo Due, and Chris Staebell will be speaking to youth on aspects of mental health in a series called Youth Move MN. Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Youth Move National, and the Minnesota Association of Children’s Mental Health, the series will feature a guest speaker each Monday from Oct. 12 through Nov. 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom on social justice and mental health topics.

In order to build better systems, we have to understand how they work. Through this guest speaker series, youth ages 12-22 will learn from local experts what mental health is, how social injustices impact it, and how they can take action to build a better world.

Register and learn more at youthmove-mn.org/speakers.

Monday, Oct. 12: What is Mental Health? A Roundtable Discussion
with Milo Due, doctoral student in counseling psychology

Monday, Oct. 19: Caring for Self and Others When the World is on Fire
with Milo Due, doctoral student in counseling psychology

Monday, Oct. 26: Trauma 101
with Chris Staebell, doctoral student in counseling psychology

Monday, Nov. 2: Social Justice and Historical Trauma: The Role of Youth
with Brandon Jones, psychotherapist, professor, and consultant

Monday, Nov. 9: Policing and Mental Health
with Renee Jenson, formerly of the Barbara Schneider Foundation

Monday, Nov. 16: Do They Look the Same? Global and Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health
with Quincy Guinadi, doctoral student in counseling psychology

Monday, Nov. 23: Change to Chill: Mental Health Resources
with Muna Musse, student advocate

As with our return to campus in August, all students are strongly encouraged to quarantine at home for 14 days prior to their arrival on campus in spring. We found this to be a necessary step in our return to campus to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Domestic students returning from high-risks areas are expected to quarantine for 14 days, preferably from home. International students returning from high-risk locations, both nationally and internationally, will be required to quarantine prior to the semester. If staying in the U.S., they are to follow the guidance for domestic students regarding quarantine. The Alverna Center may be an alternative place to quarantine.  

Bishop John Quinn and Father James P. Burns, Saint Mary’s president, along with Fathers Martin Schaefer, Jeffery Dobbs, Robert Horihan, and Jason Kern from Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, will conduct a campuswide blessing service, asking God to bless and protect the entire Winona Campus community, Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The event will begin on the plaza with a prayer service led by Bishop Quinn and Father Burns and continue with the bishop and priests, each accompanied by students, processing to the far corners of the campus blessing each building. All other participants will remain on the plaza reciting litanies and other prayers. Bishop Quinn will conclude the service on the plaza when the six groups return.

All are welcome to attend and all participants are required to wear masks and adhere to social distancing protocols.

Upcoming events

Leveraging LinkedIn Workshop
Thursday, Oct. 15, from 7 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom

You may have heard of LinkedIn, but do you really know how to leverage it to maximize your network? Participants will learn the essentials of LinkedIn as a professional networking tool. Key information will include:

• Learning how to promote your brand to the world
• Exploring ways to expand your network
• Discovering ways to search for jobs, get recommendations posted, find alumni, and much more

The workshop is free, but you must register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Fall Career and Internship Expo
Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. via Handshake
Co-sponsored by Saint Mary’s University and Winona State University

In order to make the most of this fair experience:

• Register for the fair
• Sign up for group sessions and one-on-one appointments
• Become familiar with what the day of the fair will look like

MN Private Nonprofit & Government Jobs Fair
Friday, Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. delivered virtually

If you are interested in a career in public service, this fair is for you! Visit with representatives of government agencies and nonprofit organizations, all from the convenience of your room. View more information about the fair, including registered vendors. 

The fair is free and open to all Saint Mary’s students and alumni, but registration is required. Register by Friday, Oct. 23. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email which will include a log-in link specific to you and further instructions.

Register

Disability Virtual Career Fair
Tuesday, Nov. 10

If you’re an individual with a disability looking for employment or internships, register for this career fair.  Early registration will give employers access to your résumé as soon as they register for this event. You can chat online with employers across the county who are ready to hire you! More details to follow after you register.

Register

Spotlight on interns

This week’s intern is Shamauri Brown-Young, a class of ’20 digital media and journalism major at Saint Mary’s. He did his internship with GeoSpatial Services at the Saint Mary’s Winona Campus.

Major responsibilities: Creating, editing, and attributing different riverine systems and bodies of water.

How did you find out about this internship? I saw it in an email and decided to pursue it.

Favorite part of the internship? Also most challenging? Learning the different attributes is my favorite part because of how many different systems there can be, but it’s also the most challenging because you have to be as correct as possible.

Biggest lesson learned at internship? Never assume, always look deeper because what it seems like may not always be true.

Advice for others considering an internship? Be ready for the long hours. You’re sitting down for most of the day looking at a computer, that may be challenging and a little tedious, but you have options and you can take breaks and you also might be working with your friends, so it’s only as exciting as you make it. Work hard but have fun in the process as well.

New this week

Lasallian Day of Service
Saturday, Oct. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Meet in front of the Saint Thomas More Chapel
Serve our Lasallian community by volunteering. While we cannot leave campus to be on mission this year, there are lots of ways to volunteer on our own campus. Sign up with Sister Mary Elizabeth Anne at campusminsitry@smumn.edu or by filling out the volunteer form.

REJOICE!: A Musical Evening of Praise
Saturday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. in Page Theatre
All are invited to a special night of music, following the success of our inaugural Jesus Jam in the plaza. A variety of artists will perform a mix of songs from rock to traditional, both covers and originals. The seminary band, Sons of Thunder, will close with a 30-minute set. You don’t want to miss it!

Sign up by emailing campusministry@smumn.edu.

Beirut Lebanon explosion
On Aug. 4 a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port of the city of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, exploded causing at least 200 deaths, 6,500 injuries, $10 to $15 billion in property damage, and leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless. The people are in desperate need of help.

Please pray for everyone affected by this bombing, and, if you are able, take advantage of the opportunity to donate: Saint Maron’s Church, Minneapolis

Your generosity will help millions of people recover from the devastation. Thank you.

JOIN THE KNIGHTS
The Knights of Columbus are accepting members. This is a Catholic fraternity on campus that promotes faith and charitable works. Contact Isaiah Lippert at ijlipp17@smumn.edu to learn more.

The election is coming! The USCCB offers a resource to prepare your conscience.

Every week

QUO VADIS
Mondays at 7 p.m. in Saint Mary’s 102
Life’s big question’s, Catholic answers. All faith traditions are welcome, Catholic or not. Contact Brian Kusek at bkusek@smumn.edu to sign up (or come play games in the plaza before at 6:30 p.m.).

APOLOGETICS
Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in Saint Mary’s 102
Want to learn how to explain your faith? Join the conversation.

BIBLE STUDY
FOCUS Missionaries, peer ministers, staff, and seminarians all host bible studies for different groups with varying interests. Sign up by emailing campusministry@smumn.edu.

Student Senate meeting minutes
Oct. 6, 2020

Meeting called to order by President Kendall Archer at 7:02 p.m.
Prayer by Collin van Waardenburg 

Members present: Cece Abel, Kendall Archer, Samantha Carlson, Larkin Clem (Proxy: Peyton Grant), Jake Emeott, Sarah Fowler, Mary Furlong, Gabriel Graves, Lillian Klein, Megan Kowalis, Jonathon Krull, Abigail Lang, Allison Moysis, Tara Nikolich, Nicole Noreen, Lyanna Novak, Enitan Onayiga, Sophia O’Neil, Marcos Pedroza, Angel Sacta Espinoza, Joseph Schauf, Ryan Stoynich (Proxy: Trevor Mikyla) Collin van Waardenburg, Destiny Walker, Elijah Williams

Members absent: Noah Keimel, Thomas Magnavite

Members excused: Larkin Clem (Proxy Present), Ryan Stoynich (Proxy Present)

Discussion items

• Presentation by Father Burns
  • Thank you for putting together the “I Pledge” campaign — Minnesota Department of Health used it as an example for other schools and universities
  • Thank you for following the guidelines and making it to week six of in-person classes
  • Administration is open to feedback on how to improve the experience here at Saint Mary’s
  • Strategic plan update
    • Currently working on phase 1
      • On track as planned
    • Launching phase 2 soon
      • Next phase of nursing program
      • Looking into Student Success
    • The strategic plan is designed as student centric
    • Excited for the new pathways of learning
      • Five-year master’s degree
      • Certificate/badging/etc.
      • Preparing for the changing workforce demands
    • Front and Center Initiative
      • Pulls on the Lasallian core values
      • Character and Virtue Initiative
        • Students have really showcased this by looking out for their fellow students and being safe
      • Inclusion and equity in human dignity
        • Vice president for inclusion and human dignity still being hired
        • This supports our mission and engages students
      • The initiative is looking to model civil discourse to students
        • Pulling on the College Republicans and College Democrats leaders for this
        • It’s OK to disagree on politics, but we must remain civil and respectful of other viewpoints
  • This is the most unusual and perhaps difficult year any college student could have experienced
    • Our students are resilient and strong
    • Learning together through it all
    • Extremely thankful on behalf of the university to all of the campus
  • Question and answer with Father Burns
    • What are the next steps with the nursing program in regards to phase 2?
      • Investment across the campus
        • Business tech, entrepreneurship, Maker Space
        • On track, anticipated completion in January 2021
        • Advertisement will uptick this spring for the nursing program
        • 30-40 new students for the nursing program
    • Can you talk more about the vice president position for inclusion and human dignity?
      • Growing on what we already have established here on campus
      • Advise the president and cabinet in areas of diversity and inclusion
      • Handles issues related to Title IX
      • Conducts bystander training
      • Looking to develop inclusive excellence
      • Growing the office so that it can be successful in creating programs that are part of our Lasallian and Catholic heritage while bringing us together on how issues in society affect all of us
      • Presenting pathways instead of barriers to students

• Knights of Columbus introduction — Isaiah Lippert, president
  • Restarting the chapter here on campus; formally recognized as a club on campus now
  • Global Catholic fraternal organization founded on faith, family, life, and community
    • Setting up a group that fosters a solid Catholic fraternity
      • Facilitate community amongst members
      • Servants of the community
      • Putting the faith into action
• Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) and Thank You Note Campaign
  • Helps secure funding for Saint Mary’s and provides Minnesota students with financial aid
  • Thank You Note Campaign thanks the Minnesota representatives who voted to keep the MPCC funding
    • A way of showing our thanks for providing the funding
    • Card materials will be in senators mailboxes on Oct. 26
• Capital improvement requests and committee
  • Projects submitted by the students who want to see an improvement on campus
    • Mural by the Gostomski Fieldhouse funded by this in the past
  • Angel’s goal is to ensure this process goes smoothly and increase the number of proposals
  • Wants to form a committee of students who want to help with this process, can be any campus members (contact Angel at arsact18@smumn.edu)
  • “This is a way to leave your legacy here at Saint Mary’s”
• Executive board updates and goal with steps to achieve it
  • Kendall Archer, President
    • Helping everyone achieve their goals and aid in the success of attaining them
    • The city of Winona reached out and wanted to bring to attention recent house parties in Winona, police will ticket students in large groups, those hosting house parties, students without masks walking downtown
  • Marcos Pedroza, vice president of media and communications
    • Goal: Represent Student Senate in a transparent and helpful image
    • Consistent communication via social media
  • Angel Sacta Espinoza, vice president for campus affairs
    • Goal: Ensure capital improvement process goes smoothly
    • Increase requests and participation
  • Nicole Noreen, vice president for financial affairs
    • Goal: Further inform clubs on financial processes (special requests, academic requests, budgets)
    • Office hours by appointment to provide assistance for clubs
    • Working closely with R.I.S.E. and Marisa when budgets season rolls around
  • Destiny Walker, vice president for multicultural affairs
    • Starting up Solidarity Council
      • Consists of Multicultural Club leaders
    • Gathering meeting times for Multicultural Club, BSA, SAGA, and MIX
    • Goal: Forming a stronger sense of community amongst the Multicultural Clubs, First Generation Initiative, and The International Center
    • Steps: Hosting an event that brings members of the clubs and offices together
  • Mary Furlong, vice president for academic affairs
    • Committee meetings: Jonathon Krull and herself sit on the ED Standards Committee, and Joseph Schauf sits on the Integrated General Education Assessment Committee (IGEAC)
    • Goal: Spread awareness of the ways school wants to help students succeed
    • Working on the Google Read and Write program
      • Getting info out to the students on how to use it
    • Goal: Help students understand registration more
    • Working with registrar and Student Success to help 
  • Elijah Williams, vice president for student life
    • Goal: Focusing on functions and operations within Chartwells
    • Three phase plan
      • Phase 1: Deals with organizational work 
        • Student time constraints and confusion
        • Opening discussion with students, administration, and athletics to alleviate problems with times
      • Phase 2: Addresses food quality and options 
        • Expanding options
          • Focus on vegan, vegetarian, and other dietary restrictions
      • Phase 3: Focus on the Market and the options they offer
        •  Renegotiate prices
      • Will revamp the Food Service Committee to assist with this
        • Consists of administration, Chartwells representatives, students, and a student senator
        • In charge of forming surveys about satisfaction with Chartwells
  • Megan Kowalis, vice president for public affairs
    • Goal: Continue working on voter registration
    • Forming Political Engagement Committee
      • Working with Lasallian schools in the Midwest
      • Ensuring students can access information on policies and candidates
    • Panel tomorrow before vice presidential debate
      • Tim Gossen, Dean Beckman, Nancy Van Erp, and Ann Merchlewitz
      • Discuss what we want to get out of the debate
      • 7 to 7:50 p.m.
  • Jonathon Krull, executive assistant
    • Ensuring the minutes are out on time and assisting the class representatives 
  • Sarah Fowler, SAC president
    • Weekend events
      • Friday: Ghostbusters in the plaza
      • Saturday: 1:15 to 4 p.m. SAC Retreat
      • Saturday night: Virtual Bingo
  • Marisa Quinn, advisor
    • No updates

Senate open forum

• Seniors: No updates
• Juniors: This Saturday is Lasallian Day of Service, link to sign up in Monday’s CommUNITY, Student displeasure with Chartwells using styrofoam, contradicts their environmental sustainability mission
  • Marisa’s response: High costs and high demand for products are causing constraints obtaining these items
• Sophomores: No updates
• Freshmen: No updates

Motion to adjourn

• Motioned by Joseph Schauf
• Seconded by Collin van Waardenburg
• Time adjourned: 7:54 p.m.

Access Services has released the COVID-19 Academic Accessibility Request Form for spring 2021. The form must be completed by Monday, Nov. 2.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created the necessity for a different mode of operation than in the past. Accommodations for COVID-19 will be for health needs only (those considered high risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Documentation from a health professional is required and can be uploaded at the end of the form. Policies and procedures for the spring 2021 semester will apply to spring semester only.

We will review your accommodation requests prior to the start of the semester. If you are requesting that all of your courses be online due to your health, you will not be eligible to live in Saint Mary’s University housing due to the severity of your medical condition. A member of the Access Services team will contact you to schedule a meeting to discuss your accommodations once they are submitted and reviewed.

You’re invited to join Friday, Oct. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. as we celebrate together the accomplishment of successfully completing six weeks on ground in Winona. Come to the plaza for an ice cream treat and socially distanced congratulations.