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Winona Campus NewsletterStudent Senate agenda – March 9, 2021
- Call to order
- Prayer/reflection
- Roll call
- SAC budget
- S.O.U.L. budget
- Buddies budget
- SAAC budget
- Student Senate budget
- Formal Student Senate presidential candidate nomination
- E-board reports
- Class officer reports
- Adjournment
Cardinal athletics week in review: March 8
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 basketball, and men’s and women’s hockey!
Get to know our faculty: Michael Ratajczyk
In this faculty spotlight, we are thrilled to feature Saint Mary’s alumnus Michael A. Ratajczyk, who graduated in 2003 with his B.A. in International Business, Management, and in 2005 with his M.A. in International Business. As an alumnus, Ratajczyk is deeply passionate about helping his students succeed, as he can relate to their position and their ambition to create the best career possible for themselves.
Let’s dive in to learn a bit more about our valued faculty member.
What is your position at Saint Mary’s and what courses do you currently teach?
Associate professor of Business, program director of B.A. and M.S. in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics.
How long have you been teaching at Saint Mary’s?
Eight years.
Tell us about your professional experience.
I came back to Saint Mary’s after spending 12 years in various analytical, negotiation, and leadership roles in a multi-national S&P 100 company. In addition to leading the company’s business intelligence efforts, I also led a team of 200 purchasing, supply chain, and operations analysts and worked side by side with executive vice presidents in sales and purchasing to optimize pricing and cost strategies.
In this position, I frequently traveled to Asia, negotiating with customers and suppliers, directly using the data I analyzed in the data warehouse I built. My work also included training, developing, leading, and serving international project management teams of up to 250 individuals in product management, purchasing, supply chain, sales, and negotiation roles with a catalog of 1.1 million products and 300,000 active customers.
What is one of your favorite quotes?
“Chance favors the prepared mind.” — Pasteur
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy woodworking and once owned a business that sold swords, knives, and daggers. I also run a social media game studio that has sold game code to some large companies in the past.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I enjoy everything from teaching, coaching, advising, to career planning. I have a LinkedIn group that allows me to continue to check in with graduates and see what they’re up to.
What is your favorite classroom assignment?
My favorite assignment is the unsolvable linear optimization model. It’s unsolvable because there isn’t enough supply in the market to meet the demand. It’s my favorite because it teaches students to think critically. In our Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (BIDA) programs, we build students up to wield incredible amounts of data, but this assignment forces them to dial everything that they’ve learned down and back to a business-focused mind. The assignment really assesses whether they mastered the business acumen required to be successful as a business analyst.
How can someone connect with you?
You can email Ratajczyk at mratajcz@smumn.edu or find him on LinkedIn.
Faculty panel: God and evil
Is evil evidence that God doesn’t exist or is not good? Why would a good God appear to be so absent or hidden? Come hear from and engage with a faculty panel on these and related questions.
Everyone is welcome to attend Wednesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall (COVID-19 safety protocols will be enforced). Or you can view via Livestream.
This event is sponsored by Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership and R.I.S.E.
New podcasts feature Campus Ministry, the Christian Brothers, and students
EX ANIMO — An interfaith initiative featuring R.I.S.E., Campus Ministry, and faculty
DROUPOUT7 — Two Catholic Minnesotan men, current discerners, and former seminarians, meet up for 15-20 minutes to discuss the trials of vocational transition, share lessons they’ve learned through formation, and encourage all discerners to keep fighting the good fight.
BROTHER’S BANTER — A podcast created and developed by two religious Brothers looking to invite everyone into a conversation about religion, spirituality, current events, and all things Lasallian.
The Scoop – March 2021
Dine On Campus app available
The Dine On Campus app and dineoncampus.com/saintmarys are your go-to spots for dining info. Quickly and easily see the menu (with nutrition and ingredients), specials, hours, and more. Know what’s for lunch no matter where you are with the Dine On Campus app.Startup Job Market – virtual job fair
Startup Job Market – Virtual Job Fair
Friday, March 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. CDT, students from across the state will connect with startups, early-stage, and small companies seeking talent to grow their businesses. The Startup Job Market will be held virtually on the Career Fair Plus platform. Candidates can schedule short group and one-on-one meetings to make connections, get career advice, and learn more about the opportunities at leading startups.
The event is posted on Handshake or you can find more information.
Student Senate meeting minutes – March 2, 2021
Student Senate – March 2, 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, Noah Kimel (proxy Breanna Tews), Megan Kowalis, Jonathon Krull, Abigail Lang, Thomas Magnavite, Allison Moysis, Tara Nikolich (proxy Danielle Harris), Lyanna Novak, Enitan Onayiga, Sophia O’Neil, Angel Sacta Espinoza, Joseph Schauf, Collin van Waardenburg, Destiny Walker, Elijah Williams
Members absent: none
Members excused: Noah Kimel (proxy Breanna Tews), Tara Nikolich (proxy Danielle Harris), Ryan Stoynich
Discussion items
- Executive board updates
- Kendall Archer, president
- Thank you for following COVID guidelines; we’re doing well!
- Wellness Day is Tuesday, March 9
- Senate is still meeting
- Presidential election
- Petitions due Monday at noon
- Tuesday nominations at Senate
- Petitions due Monday at noon
- All elections
- The ballot cannot be sent out in a mass email this year
- Entry points are: QR codes around campus, CommUNITY email (link in the issue on Monday before, won’t go live until Election Day), posted on @SMUMNSENATE Instagram, tabling on election day during lunch
- Jonathon Krull, VP of Media and Communications and executive assistant
- No updates
- Angel Sacta Espinosa, VP for Campus Affairs
- Capital improvements are live!
- Nicole Noreen, VP for Financial Affairs
- Budgets start next week
- The finance committee has met for the first round of budgets
- Destiny Walker, VP for Multicultural Affairs
- No updates
- Mary Furlong, VP for Academic Affairs
- Wellness Day on Tuesday, March 9
- Elijah Williams, VP for Student Life
- New discernment houses on campus
- Apartments in Saint Yon’s Hall
- Applications open now, reach out to Student Affairs with questions (applications close March 12)
- Apartments in Saint Yon’s Hall
- Commuter students will be receiving a survey soon; please fill it out
- Document coming out soon in regards to the on-campus food pantry
- New discernment houses on campus
- Megan Kowalis, VP for Public Affairs
- Dress business casual for your Student Voices meeting with MN legislature
- Sarah Fowler, SAC president
- Alcohol Tile Art on Thursday, March 4, in the Game Room
- Women’s History Movie on March 5
- Among Us Tournament on March 6
- Monday passing out stress kits
- Marisa Naryka, adviser
- No updates
- Kendall Archer, president
- Class officer reports
- Freshman: No updates
- Sophomore: No updates
- Junior: No updates
- Senior: No updates
- Motion to adjourn
- Motioned by Joseph Schauf
- Seconded by Collin van Waardenburg
- Time 7:14 p.m.
SAC events this weekend
The entire Saint Mary’s community is invited to the following events:
Alcohol Tile Art
Thursday, March 4, at 7 p.m., in the Game Room
Feeling crafty? Want to make a coaster or cute decoration for your room? Come make tile art with us!
“On the Basis of Sex” – Movie Screen and Discussion
Friday, March 5, at 8 p.m., in the Common Room
In collaboration with the Wellness Club, SAC presents a movie to honor women’s history month. “On the Basis of Sex” is a true story based on the iconic supreme court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Enjoy some refreshments, a good movie, and a fruitful discussion after.
Among Us – Campus Game
Saturday, March 6, at 4 p.m., via Zoom — sign up
Spaceships … tasks … IMPOSTERS! Help us find out who they are and connect with your fellow crewmates across campus! Be on the lookout for crewmates across campus as well in the days leading up to the game!
Upcoming Events:
PowerPoint Night – Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m. in Toner 9
Marvel Trivia – Friday, March 12, at 8 p.m. via Zoom; sign up
Make Your Own Mug Cake – Saturday, March 13, at noon in the Game Room
Saint Patrick’s Day Bingo and RAFFLE – Wednesday, March 17, at 7 p.m., via Zoom; sign up
(Wear green on Saint Patrick’s Day to be entered into the raffle.)
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.
Introducing your 2021 orientation leaders
The New Student Orientation and Registration (NSOR) staff is excited to introduce the orientation leader staff for the 2021 NSOR season.
Executive orientation leaders:
- Katie Pierpont, Biology, Pre Med.
- Jordan Keeley, Leadership and Pre Physical Therapy
- Noah Xing, Finance and International Business
Orientation leaders:
- Ashley Streveler, Elementary Education
- Caroline Cummings, Business Intelligence and Analytics
- Catie Schiltz, Biology and Pre Physical Therapy
- Cheyenne Carlsen, Psychology and Criminal Justice
- Emilie Serna, Literature
- Emily Henderson, Elementary Education
- Emma Doering, Theatre: Musical Theatre Track
- Enitan Onayiga, Psychology and Criminal Justice
- Josie Borchert, English
- Juoleanne Ladao, 3+2 Physicians Assistant Program
- Maddie Mora, Biology, Pre Physicians Assistant
- Maria Flynn, Public Relations and Digital Media
- Becca Fabozzi, Spanish and Marketing
- Sydney Klausler, Elementary Education
- Tiwonge Kafera, Biology, Pre Med
The orientation leaders guide incoming students through virtual NSOR, Welcome Weekend, and the first five weeks programming. Orientation leaders will start training at the end of March and will be supervised by Tricia Dobrient, coordinator of NSOR, in the Student Success Center and First Generation Initiative Office.
Lasallian symposium about justice is April 7
To commemorate the legacy of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, the mission officers of the Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities (LACU) will present “Justice in the World and the Mission of Lasallian Education Today: Enacting the Common Good” on Wednesday, April 7, the feast day of De La Salle. This virtual symposium will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Justice in the World, the 1971 Synod of Bishops’ social teaching document, and address Circular 412, The Educational Service of the Poor and the Promotion of Justice (1980), of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
Faculty, staff, administrators, and students from all Lasallian ministries, not limited to those involved in higher education, are most welcome to join what promises to be an engaging and informative online symposium.
Employee guidance for personal time off and travel
As we approach the spring and Easter weekend, we have received many questions about university protocols around personal travel for vacation and visiting family for Easter. Generally, we discourage all non-essential travel, particularly to locations which may be experiencing an increase in average daily COVID-19 cases.
If you do travel, please practice the safety protocols of social distancing, wearing a face mask, and regular hand sanitizing, plus any additional protocols required for the area you are visiting. Upon returning, please consider the health of our students and your colleagues. If you were not able to practice all safety protocols while away, you are encouraged to quarantine at your home for at least 10 days. If you are able to complete the required activities for your position from home remotely during this quarantine, please do so. If you are not able to complete the required activities for your position remotely, then additional vacation time will need to be used to cover your quarantine period. Please work directly with your supervisor regarding your particular situation. Questions can be sent to hr@smumn.edu.
Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, employees are encouraged to utilize their vacation time. Vacation time is an important benefit to allow employees to relax and refresh. Connect with your colleagues to think of creative ways you can utilize your time off with a stay-cation and take advantage of the outdoor activities in our area.
Please note, unused vacation does not accumulate from year to year. Exempt (salaried) employees must use their allocated vacation time prior to the end of the fiscal year on May 31. Non-exempt (hourly) employees must use their allocated vacation time prior to their anniversary dates.
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