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Winona Campus NewsletterCardinal athletics week in review: March 15
It’s Monday morning, and before we start looking ahead to all the Cardinal action this week, here’s a quick look back at last week, which included action in men’s and women’s hockey, men’s and women’s tennis, baseball, and fastpitch softball.
Remaining steadfast and resilient despite COVID-19
A year ago this Monday, life at Saint Mary’s changed abruptly, dramatically, and unexpectedly as we closed campuses and sent Winona Campus students home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last spring, courses were moved online as the world evolved to what would include mask wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand washing. Although the pandemic has presented students with many challenges, they have done their best to not only persevere, but to do so with character and strength.
As the pandemic continued in 2020, undergraduate students were excited to return to the Winona Campus in the fall, even though things looked and felt considerably different because of safety protocols.
Bridgette Hegarty, a junior elementary education major, said looking back on this past year has caused her to reflect on how much we take for granted. “Life since last spring has been a constant opportunity to develop my adaptability and flexibility,” she said. “I had to accept that, for the time being, things will be different.”
Flexibility and resiliency have been key themes as Saint Mary’s discovered that, together, we can accomplish some pretty amazing things.
Ben Pauli, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, recalls how much work there was last spring to abruptly transition on-ground classes to purely online experiences.
“Despite the difficulties, our students were really understanding, even when things didn’t go smoothly,” he said.
Saint Mary’s School of Graduate and Professional Programs (SGPP) also transitioned to offering the majority of its courses online in spring of 2020, and continued these offerings in the fall. The decision to continue with online courses was made to avoid potential disruptions to the learning experience in the wake of COVID-19, and to promote safety and well-being of our more than 5,200 non-residential adult learners.
Building on its longstanding tradition of personalized online learning, Saint Mary’s continues to support and enhance the online learning experience by offering a newly developed faculty online instructor certification series. This four-week course provides faculty with online teaching skills and prepares them to deliver an enhanced student experience informed by best practices in online education. Faculty are also encouraged to continue to develop their classes using the Cardinal Flex model.
In addition to online training opportunities and a flexible teaching model, surveys and discussion groups were created in the wake of the pandemic to gain input from students, largely on the Winona Campus. Through this feedback, Saint Mary’s was further able to adapt and improve on communication, protocols, and more.
Ann Merchlewitz, J.D., senior vice president and general counsel, said she is proud of how the community has been able to minimize and contain the spread of COVID-19, and she largely credits the students.
“Our students feel a strong sense of connection to each other, their faculty, and staff,” she said. “I think they wanted to stay in person to foster and rely on those connections in a time of great upheaval and uncertainty. They have also been great advocates for the protocols among themselves, meaning they are holding each other accountable. Again, I think that speaks to our students’ dedication to the community that is Saint Mary’s.”
While much has changed during this pandemic, there’s comfort in knowing the important things have not.
“Lots of things haven’t changed,” Pauli said. “Saint Mary’s is still a place with a strong community, where people look out for one another. The faculty at Saint Mary’s are still committed to providing the highest quality education to our students as possible. We still get to teach, learn, and work on a campus set in a truly beautiful landscape. We are still Saint Mary’s.”
“The thought, care, and dedication of my professors haven’t changed,” Hegarty added, “It has only increased. My professors have gone above and beyond to ensure we still receive the quality of education they intended to provide pre-pandemic.”
Everyone looks forward to something slightly different when the fears of this pandemic have passed. Merchlewitz can’t wait to greet students with handshakes or hugs, and both she and Hegarty can’t wait to see all the smiles.
“Despite living through a pandemic, Saint Mary’s is a place that still makes me smile every day, even if it’s behind a mask for the time being,” Hegarty said.
Updated events for De La Salle Week
Monday, March 15, 8 to 11 a.m., Coffee & Prizes in the Plaza — Come enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate on us, then spin for prizes in celebration of Saint John Baptist de La Salle.
Tuesday, March 16, 7 p.m., Reconciliation Service — Experience the healing power of confession in the Saint Thomas More Chapel.
Wednesday, March 17, 7 p.m., Theology on Tap, Common Room – Of-age students are welcome to come enjoy a free drink, socialize, and hear a talk from one of our very own Lasallian Brothers, Brother Larry Schatz, FSC!
Thursday, March 18, 7 p.m., Holy Words Squares, SLC Auditorium — Students are invited to compete for the grand prize in Lasallian trivia with our “celebrity” panel.
Friday, March 19, 7 p.m., Stations of the Cross, Life Night — Spend an evening reflecting on our Lord’s Passion, then stick around for a testimony, praise and worship, confessions, and adoration in the Saint Thomas More Chapel.
March Student Central Update
This edition of the Student Central Update includes information about the new FAFSA application and tuition reimbursement.
Spring 2021 tuition reimbursement letter
Students who need a tuition or grade verification letter completed for the spring semester are asked to make their request as soon as possible.
To simplify the process, Student Central has an online form for students whose employers require a grade verification and/or tuition reimbursement payment receipt before a student can be reimbursed. Students can request a letter (and must be logged into their Saint Mary’s email account to access this form) indicating which class was taken, how their tuition was paid, and the grade they received.
Notice regarding 2021-22 FAFSA
The 2021-22 FAFSA is available on the FAFSA website. Please keep in mind, this is for the academic year beginning in fall 2021. If you’d like to apply for financial aid for the 2020-2021 academic year, please complete the 2020-21 FAFSA.
Student Central
Temporary hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
DBA students present at Southwest Academy of Management meeting
DBA students and faculty presented at the Southwest Academy of Management (SWAM) annual meeting, held virtually March 2-5. SWAM is the regional affiliate of the Academy of Management and promotes the advancement of teaching, research, and practice in the field of management.
The following Saint Mary’s refereed work was presented at the meeting:
- Abisola Femi-Jegede, paper presentation, Using Geographic information system (GIS) technology to identify homeless shelters in Midwestern States, its effectiveness and appropriateness: Reducing any negative impact on residents.
- Abisola Femi-Jegede and Anne Swearingen poster session, Conducting a Biographical Research Project – Interviewing a Virtuous and Selfless Contributor!
- Abisola Femi-Jegede, Jennifer L. Schultz, Ph.D., and Matthew J. Nowakowski, Ed.D., IGNITE! session Mind the Gap, Use an App! Engaging Student Learning with Mobile Applications.
Chartwells presentation on dining hall renovations
You are invited to attend the Student Senate meeting on Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m.!
Abel Valencia from Chartwells will be presenting on the exciting renovations that will be occurring in our dining hall this summer.
For those interested in joining the meeting, contact Marisa Naryka, Ed.D., assistant vice president for Student Life, at mnaryka@smumn.edu, or any Student Senate member for the Zoom link.
Housing reminders
The priority housing application deadline for residential students is quickly approaching. Please complete your housing application in the eRezLife system and submit your $250 housing deposit through your student portal. Students seeking housing accommodations are to have their requests in by Monday, March 15, to the Office of Residence Life. Please contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@smumn.edu with any housing related questions.
For those interested in participating in our new discernment house, we have extended the deadline for application until 4 p.m. on Monday, March 15. Please reach out to Student Affairs at studentaffairs@smumn.edu for an application.
Student Senate meeting minutes
Student Senate – March 9, 2021
Meeting called to order by President Kendall Archer at 7 p.m.
Prayer by Collin van Waardenburg
Members present: Cece Abel, Kendall Archer, Samantha Carlson, Larkin Clem, Jake Emeott, Sarah Fowler, Mary Furlong, Gabriel Graves, Riley Hall, Megan Kowalis, Jonathon Krull, Abigail Lang, Thomas Magnavite (proxy Keaton Cloven), Allison Moysis, Tara Nikolich, Lyanna Novak, Enitan Onayiga, Sophia O’Neil, Angel Sacta Espinoza, Joseph Schauf, Ryan Sotynich (proxy Trevor Mikyla), Collin van Waardenburg, Destiny Walker, Elijah Williams
Members absent: n/a
Members excused: Noah Kimel, Thomas Magnavite (proxy Keaton Cloven), Ryan Sotynich (proxy Trevor Mikyla)
Discussion items:
- Budgets
- Overview
- Finance Committee makes a suggestion on how much to fund, this is in accordance with the bylaws and finance committee guidelines
- Senators, please read these documents
- The Executive Board approves the Finance Committee amount
- Budget and recommendation is brought to Senate; they have the final say
- Budget season funding is based on projected enrollment for next year
- Finance Committee makes a suggestion on how much to fund, this is in accordance with the bylaws and finance committee guidelines
- SAC
- Finance Committee
- Recommended funding at $56,670
- Club overview
- Sarah Fowler, club president, present
- The club puts on the majority of events on campus, free of charge for the students
- Stress kits
- Movie nights
- Craft nights
- Motion to fund at $56,670
- Motioned by Joseph Schauf
- Seconded by Sophia O’Neil
- Passes unanimously
- Finance Committee
- S.O.U.L.
- Finance Committee
- $4.50 per student per semester
- Recommended funding at $8,500
- Club overview
- Nolan Farnam, club president, present
- Immersion/mission trip club
- 32 students and 5 chaperones last year
- The main cost is travel and housing
- This funding helps cover some of these costs
- Motion to fund at $8,500
- Motioned by Lyanna Novak
- Seconded by Joseph Schauf
- Passes unanimously
- Finance Committee
- Buddies
- Finance Committee
- $0.35 per student per semester
- Recommended funding at $670
- Club overview
- Emma Ririe, club president, present
- Money helps fund the transportation of buddies to and from campus
- Motioned to fund at $670
- Motioned by Joseph Schauf
- Seconded by Collin van Waardenburg
- Passes unanimously
- Finance Committee
- SAAC
- Finance Committee
- $0.90 per student per semester
- Recommended funding at $1,700
- Club overview
- No club member/officer present
- Motion to fund at $1,700
- Motioned by Sophia O’Neil
- Seconded by Abigail Lang
- Passes unanimously
- Finance Committee
- Student Senate
- Finance Committee
- $229 for supplies in the senate office for clubs to utilize
- $40 for copies, name tags, etc.
- $21,667 for special request and academic request funds
- $6,548 for Res Life programming
- Recommended funding at $28,490
- Motioned to fund at $28,490
- Motioned by Sophia O’Neil
- Seconded by Joseph Schauf
- Passes unanimously
- Finance Committee
- Overview
- Formal presidential nominations
- Motion to nominate Jonathon Krull
- Motioned by Joseph Schauf
- Seconded by Riley Hall
- Mary Furlong
- Motioned by Larkin Clem
- Seconded by Sophia O’Neil
- Megan Kowalis
- Motioned by Samantha Carlson
- Seconded by Keaton Cloven
- Elijah Willaims
- Motioned by Enitan Onayiga
- Seconded by Lyanna Novak
- Every candidate gave a two-minute speech on why they are running and discussed their goals as Senate president
- The recording will be posted of these
- Motion to nominate Jonathon Krull
- Executive Board updates
- Kendall Archer, president
- Presidential election is next Tuesday!
- Make sure to vote
- The ballot will be in Monday’s CommUNITY, on QR codes around campus, and on SMUMN and SMUMN Senate Instagrams
- Executive Board elections
- More information will be coming in the upcoming weeks
- Jonathon Krull, VP of Media and Communications and executive assistant
- Senators, please make sure you attend the meetings. We need to make sure to have enough members to hit quorum to vote on budgets.
- Angel Sacta Espinosa, VP for Campus Affairs
- The deadline for capital improvements is tomorrow
- Possibly extending this
- The deadline for capital improvements is tomorrow
- Nicole Noreen, VP for Financial Affairs
- Budget season is in full swing, the finance committee is meeting weekly
- More budgets next week!
- Destiny Walker, VP for Multicultural Affairs
- No updates
- Mary Furlong, VP for Academic Affairs
- Hope you enjoyed the Wellness Day!
- Next Wellness Day is April 28
- Elijah Williams, VP for Student Life
- Housing applications are due March 15
- Deposit is due then as well
- Housing applications are due March 15
- Megan Kowalis, VP for Public Affairs
- Thank you for participating in Day at the Capitol!
- Sarah Fowler, SAC president
- PowerPoint Night on Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m.
- Marble Trivia 8 p.m. on Friday, March 12
- Quarantine Memorial on Saturday, March 13
- PowerPoint Night on Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m.
- Marisa Naryka, Adviser
- No updates
- Kendall Archer, president
- Class officer reports
- Freshman: No updates
- Sophomore: No updates
- Junior: No updates
- Senior: No updates
- Senator concerns
- Vacuuming the air purifiers, what to do if the light is blinking?
- Information forthcoming in an email next week
- Will there be outdoor intramurals this spring?
- They’re suspended until April 1 …
- RSM concerns about stoves
- Part of the coils have caught fire
- The same thing has occurred in Brother Leopold
- Maintenance will be contacted
- Wi-Fi Issues
- Occurring throughout campus
- Issues with ClearPass
- Some students cannot log in to the SMUMN Secure network
- Please report this to the IT HelpDesk
- Vacuuming the air purifiers, what to do if the light is blinking?
- Motion to adjourn
- Motioned by Collin van Waardenburg
- Seconded by Joseph Schauf
- Time 7:48 p.m.
SAC events this weekend
The Student Activities Committee (SAC) invites the entire Saint Mary’s community to the following events:
PowerPoint Night
Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m.
Toner Student Center, Room 9
You’ve probably seen the trend … Are you passionate about something or just know an odd amount of information about a subject? Create your PowerPoint and be judged! Winners receive prizes.
Marvel Trivia
Friday, March 12, at 8 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom, Sign up
Spider-Man, Ironman, Thanos, Captain America, Deadpool. You know them, so come show us what you know! The top three winners will receive a Marvel backpack, a Marvel coffee mug, and a bunch of Marvel stickers.
Quarantine Memorial – Mug Cakes
Saturday, March 13, at noon
Game Room
Come to the game room to grab a free mug with a DIY mug cake included. Let’s remember all the at home cooking we did in quarantine with a sweet treat of your own.
March Madness
Tuesday, March 16 – times TBA
Toner Student Center
SAC is turning the TVs in Toner to the First Four games of March Madness!
Saint Patrick’s Day Raffle and Bingo
Wednesday, March 17
Raffle – lunch and dinner, Toner Student Center
Wear green on Saint Patrick’s day and automatically be entered into a drawing for a GREEN KUERIG! Look for a SAC member in Toner during lunch and dinner hours who will be handing out raffle tickets. The winner will be announced during Bingo. The winner does not need to be present to win, but you can get a second entry into the raffle if you participate in Bingo.
Bingo – 7 p.m., Virtual via Zoom, Sign up
This is a classic Bingo with a green twist! If you wear green to Bingo, you will be entered into the raffle for a green Kuerig!
Upcoming events
STEM Trivia – March 20 at 7 p.m., Zoom, Sign up
Wing Eating Contest with Chartwells – March 22 at 8 p.m., Dining Hall
Coffee and Cocoa – March 25 at 8 a.m., First Floor Saint Mary’s Hall
Mini Golf – March 27 at 4 p.m., SLC
Soap Making – March 31 at 7 p.m.
For more information, follow SAC on Instagram @smumnsac.
Questions? Email studentactivities@smumn.edu.
Receive the SAC weekly meeting invite and events list.
Want to join SAC? Contact SAC president Sarah Fowler at safowl17@smumn.edu.
SAC gives back
The Student Activities Committee (SAC) has made it a goal this semester to give back to our communities.
From the T-shirt exchange on Feb. 12, SAC was able to donate 97 pounds of canned and non perishable goods to the Winona Food Shelf. Additionally, SAC was able to donate 50+ T-shirts to The Clothes Shop, a program of Winona Volunteer Services. The food and T-shirts were collected by having students in the Saint Mary’s community exchange an old T-shirt or five non-perishable food items for a new Saint Mary’s T-shirt. Thank you to the students who participated and to the admissions office, athletics, and the alumni association for donating Saint Mary’s shirts for this event.
On Feb. 20, SAC also hosted a blanket-making event for students. Students were able to make a blanket to donate or make a cash donation to keep the blanket for themselves. From this event, SAC was able to donate five blankets to the Winona Police Department, 10 blankets to the Winona Humane Society, and 10 blankets to ACR Homes in the cities. Additionally, SAC was able to donate $100 to the Advocacy Center of Winona (formerly Winona Women’s Shelter) in honor of Women’s History Month.
The police department will use the blankets to give to children and families in the Winona community; the Winona Humane Society will send blankets home with newly adopted animals; and ACR Homes will use the blankets with differently abled patients who are in need of a cozy blanket. SAC thanks all the students who participated in the blanket-making event. This would not have been possible without them.
Over Easter Break, SAC is planning to do another service project. More details about this project will be announced soon, so stay tuned to SAC’s social media!
Winona Campus COVID-19 guest policies, updates, and reminders
Guest policy interim changes and gathering guidelines
We are changing, on an interim basis, our policies about how many students can be safely gathered in residence halls.
Apartment guest policy
We will allow 10 students (including the roommates) with no more than two pods/apartments to gather. This new limit applies to apartments in Residencia Santiago Miller, Brother Leopold and Saint Yon’s halls. It is consistent with the executive orders for the State of Minnesota on social gatherings.
Traditional-style residence hall rooms
For residence hall rooms that are not apartments, we will allow two guests per room.
We continue to expect students to follow social distancing and mask wearing guidance. We hope that students will be safety conscious with these new guidelines. We’ll reexamine how students are doing with these relaxed requirements over the next two weeks and provide an update as necessary.
Guest policy – commuter students
Our off-campus/commuter students are now permitted to visit on-campus students in their residence halls.
We will continue the policy that non-Saint Mary’s students are not permitted in the residence halls.
Residence hall common spaces reminder
All the common spaces in residence halls are open and available for students to socialize in — provided that occupancy numbers are adhered to.
Outdoor gatherings in Residencia Santiago Miller and at fire pits
With the nice weather upon us, we encourage students to enjoy the outdoors for gatherings. Students are to adhere to the 15 outdoor gathering maximum with no more than three pods. This is consistent with the State of Minnesota executive order on outdoor social gathering. Students are to socially distance and wear their face masks, except when actively drinking, and to clean up after themselves. Open alcohol containers are permitted for students of age both at the fire pits and the Residencia lawn.
We have moveable fire pits and pits in the bluff for student use. Students may gather in groups of 15 with no more than three households (i.e. students from an apartment or floor). You will need to adhere to the fit pit guidelines outlined in the student handbook. We have wood and starter available for student use. To reserve a moveable fire pit, contact Jo Nesler at jnesler@smumn.edu for a reservation. To use the fire pits in the bluffs, you will need to contact the director of Campus Safety, Tim Kauphusman, at tkauphus@smumn.edu. Please note that reservations for fire pits are required at least 48 hours in advance.
Plans for commencements, Reunion Weekend
While hopeful that we can come together in celebration in the not too distant future, we do not believe we can safely proceed with planning any in-person gatherings of several hundred people at this time. We are, however, working on re-fashioning some of our large gatherings into alternative smaller in-person gatherings. As we continue to work together to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 and monitor the speed of access to vaccinations, the university has approved the suspension or modification of the following events:
Winona May commencement
Minnesota COVID-19 guidance permitting, Saint Mary’s continues to explore options for some type of in-person commencement ceremony at the College for the Class of 2021. The Class of 2021 completed a brief survey about what commencement traditions are most important to them which will inform decision-making. State guidance on gatherings and COVID-19 mitigation efforts will, in all likelihood, preclude graduates’ families, friends, and other guests from attending. There is still a possibility that May’s commencement will have to be conducted virtually, if any surges in COVID-19 occur before commencement. We will continue to communicate with our 2021 college graduates about our planning and what is possible.
Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs June commencement
Saint Mary’s University has decided to again conduct its June commencement ceremonies for our Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs virtually. As it has for the two most recent commencements, graduates have been invited to order regalia and submit a photo for the virtual celebration on June 5.
June Reunion Weekend
Following state and federal guidance, we have determined we cannot safely accommodate the number of alumni expected to attend this June’s Reunion Weekend in Winona, which was planned to include special activities for the Class of 2020. We will honor this year’s deserving Alumni Award recipients virtually, and will look forward to in person gatherings post the pandemic. We will be working with the anniversary classes and the Class of 2020 about alternative virtual programming.
Again, we so wish that we were able to be unrestricted as we all want to be together to celebrate these momentous occasions. We remain steadfast and resilient and know we will be together soon.
Easter weekend travel information and Winona Campus events
With Easter weekend quickly approaching, we wanted to provide you with some updates.
As a reminder, on the Winona Campus, classes are in session Thursday, April 1, and Friday, April 2, until 1 p.m. each day and all day on Monday, April 5. Students are encouraged to celebrate Easter as a Saint Mary’s community.
Easter travel information
Students who elect to travel will be required to participate in a 10-day soft quarantine upon their return and participate in mandatory COVID-19 testing upon their return. The soft quarantine means that you may attend classes, visit the cafeteria, study in the library or other designated spaces, and work out. Student-athletes may participate in practices and strength and conditioning activities as scheduled by their coaches. Students are not permitted to have guests, visit other residence halls, or participate in in-person extracurricular activities.
Students who are traveling and wish to be tested for COVID-19 prior to their departure should contact the Jay Johnson Wellness Center.
All students traveling must participate in mandatory COVID-19 testing upon their return on Friday, April 9. Those unable to participate must contact Student Affairs and submit a negative test result to the Wellness Center by April 13. COVID-19 testing information will be sent directly to students traveling.
Students who fall into the following categories are exempt from travel-related quarantine and testing, if they have documentation on file with the Jay Johnson Wellness Center:
- Tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days
- Have been been vaccinated
We encourage you to submit your Easter travel requests by Wednesday, March 24.
Easter weekend events (not an exhaustive list)
Campus Ministry services
Catholic services:
- Thursday, April 1, 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 2, 3 p.m.
- Saturday, April 3, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, April 4, Mass at 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Interfaith services:
- Friday, April 2, at 1 p.m.
- Sunday, April 4, at noon
Campus events
Thursday, April 1: SAC Easter Egg Dying, at 1 p.m.
Friday, April 2: The Passion of the Christ at 7 p.m. in the Page Theatre
Saturday, April 3: SAC Easter Egg Hunt at noon
Sunday, April 4: Chartwells Easter Celebration Brunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There are several more events in the works which will be published closer to Easter weekend.
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