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Winona Campus NewsletterStudent Senate meeting minutes – Feb. 9
Student Senate – Feb. 9
Meeting called to order by President Kendall Archer at 7 p.m.
Prayer by Collin van Waardenburg
Members present: Cece Abel, Kendall Archer, Samatha Carlson (proxy Alica Schurrer), Larkin Clem, Jake Emeott (proxy Shane Breslin), Sara Fowler, Mary Furlong, Gabriel Graves, Riley Hall, Noah Kimel, Megan Kowalis, Jonathon Krull, Abby Lang, Thomas Magnavite, Allison Moysis, Tara Nikolich, Nicole Noreen, Lyanna Novak, Enitan Onayiga, Sophia O’Neil, Joseph Schauf, Ryan Stoynich, Collin van Waardenburg, Destiny Walker, and Elijah Williams
Members absent: None
Members excused: Samatha Carlson (proxy Alica Schuuer), Jake Emeott (proxy Shane Breslin), and Angel Sacta Espinoza
Discussion items
- New rembers/roles
- Riley Hall, new hall representative for Brother William, Bishops, Hillside, and Saint Joseph’s halls
- Abigail Lang, new hall representative for Skemp, Heffron, and LaSalle halls
- Jonathon Krull, taking on the role of vice president of Media and Communications, in addition to executive assistant responsibilities
- Presentation by Dr. Tim Gossen, vice president for Student Affairs
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- Thank you for being a part of the student government
- Here to discuss the survey we took last semester
- Wellness and how students were concerned about a lack of breaks last semester
- Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. the provost will be available with a coffee hour to hear from you, to converse how we can make this semester better for students
- The Wellness Center does NOT have a waitlist for counseling services; please sign up if you need it!
- Virtual and in-person counseling is available
- Encourage one another to seek out the services we offer, no one should feel alone
- CommUNITY will begin to include wellness tips and advice
- Please read the CommUNITY newsletters; we have a lot of good information in there
- Stay safe!!
- Financial request, Future Health Professionals
- Elijah William, president of Future Health Professionals
- 68 active members this year, growth of 350%
- Looking to put together 100 goodie bags for the warming center
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues
- Masks
- Cough drops
- Chapstick
- Containers
- Writing thank yous to the staff at the nursing homes, hospital, and warming shelter
- Requested $344.20, Finance Committee recommends funding at $280
- Fully fund donations
- Lesser than requested amount, pens, paper, and envelopes already provided for clubs
- Joseph Schauf moved to take up Finance Committee recommendation at $280
- Collin van Waardenberg seconded
- Passed unanimously
- Elijah William, president of Future Health Professionals
- Executive Board updates
- Kendall Archer, president
- Any questions regarding Dr. Gossen’s information, reach out to me with questions; we will try to get them answered
- Jonathon Krull, VP of Media and Communications and executive assistant
- No updates
- Angel Sacta Espinosa, VP for Campus Affairs
- The first capital improvement committee occurred
- Working on a form for people to submit project ideas
- The next meeting is in the works, more updates next week
- The first capital improvement committee occurred
- Nicole Noreen, VP for Financial Affairs
- Budget season is coming up!
- Meeting with James McGuire to tidy up budget items
- Destiny Walker, VP for Multicultural Affairs
- Waiting for dates to be solidified for Solidarity Council
- FGI has a graphic design contest going on
- Diversity Cafe tomorrow over Zoom
- Mary Furlong, VP for Academic Affairs
- Let me know if you have any feedback on the new schedule!
- Elijah Williams, VP for Student Life
- Email will be going out to food committee members today
- Guest policy goes back to the policy of last semester
- One guest for normal residence halls
- More info in CommUNITY
- RA applications are still open! Reach out to ResLife if interested
- Meeting with Twigz (James McGuire) about more events coming up
- Megan Kowalis, VP for Public Affairs
- Working on Day at the Capitol
- Sarah Fowler, SAC President
- Winter Bingo going on tonight
- Succulents at 6 p.m. in Hall of Fame Room on 2/10
- Women’s Basketball Watch Party has been canceled
- Thursday is Throwback Trivia
- Friday is T-shirt exchange
- Saturday is sledding; bring your own sled
- Marisa Naryka, adviser
- Please do not open your residence hall windows, it could result in frozen pipes
- Kendall Archer, president
- Class officer reports
- Freshman: No updates
- Sophomore: No updates
- Junior: No updates
- Senior: No updates
- Senator concerns
- Fundraising requirement for Class Officers has been suspended for the 2020-21 school year due to COVID policies, just as it has been suspended for clubs
- Snow removal/Ice issues
- Parking situation with snow removal, not ideal for athletes, would like earlier notification to move their cars
- Would 7:30 a.m. work?
- Working on getting ice patches removed throughout campus
- Parking situation with snow removal, not ideal for athletes, would like earlier notification to move their cars
- Heat issues in Brother Leopold
- Working to address those with maintenance
- Motion to adjourn
- Motioned by Joseph Schauf
- Seconded by Collin van Waardenberg
- Time 7:36 p.m.
Extreme winter weather reminders
It’s important in this extreme cold to dress appropriately. Exposed skin freezes quickly when temps and wind chills drop this low.
Campus Safety is still providing escorts to anyone concerned about walking in the extreme cold. We encourage you to utilize this service by calling 507-457-1703. In light of COVID-19, we are only escorting one individual at a time.
Please keep windows in your residence halls shut. Open windows are prone to freezing open, which can lead to pipes freezing and bursting.
With the icy conditions around campus, walk like a penguin and drive carefully. Please report areas of concern to Campus Safety at 507-457-1703.
Stay safe and warm!
Workshop: Networking Secret Weapons
Workshop: Networking Secret Weapons
You think you know to network, but do you really? REALLY? Three out of four jobs are found through your network, but how does it really work? Participants in this session will develop and practice such skills as: developing your networking message; properly using social media (including LinkedIn) when networking; and growing your network to land good job or internship opportunities.
DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 17
TIME: 3:45 to 4:15 p.m.
LOCATION: Zoom – The meeting is free, but you must preregister to attend.
Mayo Clinic careers webinar sessions
We invite you to learn more about how to explore a “life-changing career” at Mayo Clinic!
Invest an hour to learn how to promote yourself in the application process. Hear from Mayo Clinic recruiters.
Whether you are starting your professional life or are well vested in your career journey, you may wonder if you are aligning with the work you were meant to do. These webinars will provide the tools to help you navigate toward a life-changing career.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Preview our promise to you at: Mayo Clinic Life Changing Careers.
Mayo Clinic webinar series summary (2021)
Thursday, Feb. 11, at noon
Facilitators: Marcia and Dawn
Register
Thursday, March 11, at 1 p.m.
Facilitators: Amrita and Marie
Register
Wednesday, April 7, at noon
Facilitators: Dawn and Marcia
Register
Tuesday, May 11, at noon
Facilitators: Jennifer and Maria
Register
Thursday, June 17, at 1 p.m.
Facilitators: Amrita and Maria
Register
Wednesday, July 14, at 11 a.m.
Facilitators: Barb and Maria
Register
Thursday, Aug. 12, at noon
Facilitators: Marie and Dawn
Register
Thursday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m.
Facilitators: Jennifer and Maria
Register
Thursday, Oct. 14, at noon
Facilitators: Barb and Marcia
Register
Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m.
Facilitators: Marie and Marcia
Register
Minnesota professional educator virtual job fair
It may be hard to believe, but graduation is right around the corner. If your plans include teaching in a Minnesota public school, you should know principals and administrators are getting ready to recruit and hire for next school year.
One of the first teacher job fairs of the season is happening on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 2 to 6 p.m. This event includes several preparation workshops from school administrators and educator licensing officials.
Learn more and register at educatemn.org/tf. Use referral code CARDINALS.
Frozen River Film Festival movie night and discussion
R.I.S.E. is celebrating the Frozen River Film Festival with a movie night and discussion!
Join Jennifer Cochran Biederman, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, and R.I.S.E. this Sunday at 6 p.m. for five “shorts” (short films). The run time is approximately 71 minutes. A 30-minute discussion will follow.
Sign up for the Zoom link. This event is entirely online.
Remember: All students have access to the entire Frozen River Film Festival for free! To redeem your free pass:
- Visit frff.eventive.org and select “Purchase”
- Select the “Student – Full Festival Pass,” and click “Buy”
- When the box appears, create an account, and enter the code SMUMNStudent21 to get your free pass
- Once the pass is activated in your account, you can reserve tickets for individual films. The benefit to “pre-ordering” the films is that you get an alert when the film premieres.
Happy Frozen River Film Festival!
Mosaic magazine seeking submissions for upcoming issue
What is Mosaic?
Mosaic is a literary magazine composed of Saint Mary’s student work. It is published at the end of the second/spring semester, usually around April or May, depending on where finals end up that year. The magazine itself has been a tradition at this university for many years. It showcases the talent of our students.
What can I submit?
You can submit as many pieces as you’d like! Some of our most popular submissions include:
- Photographs of your paintings/drawings/sculpture
- Digital art
- Poems
- Short stories
As long as it’s able to be published in 2D/on paper, you can submit it.
I’m not an English or art major, can I still submit things?
Absolutely! In prior years, we’ve gotten wonderful material from science majors, seminarians, business/communication majors, and many more.
Where do I send my submissions?
Send your best work to mosaic@smumn.edu.
When is the deadline?
Be sure to get your materials in by Monday, Feb. 15, at 11:59 p.m.
Where do I address any other questions?
If you have any questions or comments, email mosaic@smumn.edu or Jillian Alekna, our editor, at jralek17@smumn.edu.
Looking forward to seeing your submissions soon!
SAC events this weekend
SAC invites everyone to the final days of SNOW DAZE!
Thursday, Feb. 11 – 2000s Trivia
7 p.m. via Zoom — Sign up
We all lived it, now it is time to test our your knowledge. First place is a Razor scooter!
Friday, Feb. 12 – SMU T-shirt Exchange
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Cardinal Corner (next to the bookstore, basement of Toner Student Center)
Have an old T-shirt you don’t want any more? SAC will exchange it for a new SMU shirt! Five designs are available to chose from. Don’t have a shirt you are willing to part with? You can donate five cans of non-perishable food, and SAC will give you a new SMU shirt. All shirts and non-perishable food items will be donated.
Saturday, Feb. 13 — BYOS (Bring Your Own Sled) Sledding
Noon — Meet at Saint Yon’s
As a part of the Get Outside event, SAC invites all of campus to get creative and find out what will slide down Champion Hill! Bundle up and come sledding with us! Hot chocolate, provided by Chartwells, will be available in the plaza to help you warm up.
Sunday, Feb.14 — Valentine’s Cards and “My Intent” Bracelet Making
Valentine’s Cards
All day by Cardinal Coffee
SAC is providing free Valentine’s Day cards to whoever needs them. Stop by the table and grab a card for your someone special.
My Intent Bracelet Making
Noon — Game Room
Setting intentions is something personal and special for each person. Join SAC for a guided experience to find your intentional word, and create a custom bracelet to accompany that intention. This is a perfect event for singles, groups, and couples on this Valentine’s Day!
Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendar
Thursday, Feb. 18 — Virtual Board Game Night; sign up
Saturday, Feb. 20 — Blanket Making; sign up
Thursday, Feb. 25 — SAC Coffee and Cocoa, first floor Saint Mary’s Hall
Friday, Feb. 26 — Disney Bingo; sign up
Questions? Interested in Joining SAC? Email studentactivities@smumn.edu.
For more information, follow SAC on Instagram @smumnsac.
Saint Mary’s University, Viterbo University form new academic partnership
LA CROSSE, Wis./WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Viterbo University are pleased to announce a new partnership that provides flexibility and increased academic offerings for students at both schools.
University presidents Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., of Saint Mary’s and Glena Temple, Ph.D., of Viterbo will sign a partnership agreement Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Both universities are founded in Catholic values and have a shared mission of transformative education. “Partnering with Viterbo is a natural extension for Saint Mary’s as we look to serve students who seek an excellent education rooted in leadership and service to others,” said Father Burns. “In these increasingly challenging times, we are called to be especially innovative and creative in serving students and meeting employer and societal needs going forward. Strong partnerships create opportunity, and we are pleased to be working closely with Viterbo.”
“This partnership is mutually beneficial for students looking to jump start meaningful advanced degrees or certificate programs, as well as for regional employers,” said Dr. Temple. “Students will emerge from these collaborative programs with valuable skills, strong leadership traits, and ethical values — characteristics highly desirable in today’s workforce. Our collective goal is to offer flexibility and opportunity — two things today’s deserving students seek when determining where and how to advance their education.”
“Creativity and innovation have always been a hallmark of Catholic higher education,” said the Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM, president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. “Today, we celebrate two Midwestern Catholic universities with aligned missions who are joining forces to broaden the academic offerings available to students at both schools and strengthen their educational experience.”
As part of the agreement:
- Saint Mary’s will offer 6 credits toward its 36-hour M.S. in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics from the following Viterbo bachelor’s degrees: accounting, business administration, finance, health care and wellness management, management and leadership, marketing, sport management and leadership, applied math and analytics, computer science, engineering, and psychology.
- Viterbo agrees that graduates from Bachelor of Arts programs at Saint Mary’s are able to enroll in Viterbo University’s 30-credit hour M.A. in Servant Leadership program. Students will accelerate their M.A. degree by taking 6 credits of Viterbo University graduate coursework during their B.A. studies at Saint Mary’s. These 6 M.A. credits will also count for 6 B.A. credits. Specific courses will be identified by program leadership.
- Saint Mary’s will make its Certificate in Project Management available to Viterbo graduates.
- Viterbo will make its Certificate in Ethical Leadership available to Saint Mary’s graduates.
The agreement is effective for fall 2021.
About Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota awakens, nurtures, and empowers learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. At Saint Mary’s, students find in every classroom — whether in person or online — a relationship-driven, person-centered education. Through intense inquiry, students discover the truths in the world and the character within. Founded in 1912 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota enrolls 5,200 students at its residential undergraduate college in Winona and its Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, based in Minneapolis with programs offered in Rochester, other locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin and fully online. As a Lasallian Catholic university welcoming all students, Saint Mary’s offers respected and affordable programs in a variety of areas leading to bactoral degrees, as well as certificates. Learn more at smumn.edu.
About Viterbo University
Viterbo University offers more than 40 academic programs (traditional and online) that prepare students for outstanding careers. Whether it be at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree level, classes are taught by faculty members dedicated to the success of their students. Viterbo students are known by name and build strong connections with faculty both in and outside of the classroom. Most programs feature internships, study abroad, service, and field research opportunities that enhance the classroom experience. Viterbo also has a generous transfer-credit policy and accelerated bachelor’s degree completion programs specifically designed for working professionals. Viterbo’s beautiful campus and vibrant community are located in La Crosse—a city nestled between scenic bluffs and the Mississippi River and named a top college town in Wisconsin by the American Institute for Economic Research. Founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Viterbo is a Catholic, Franciscan University in the liberal arts tradition.
Panel discussion to address COVID-19 challenges
Are mask mandates a violation of our liberty? Are lockdowns worth the burden on small businesses and families? Should schools require vaccinations? Join us Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. in Salvi, Room 332 in Saint Mary’s Hall, on the Winona Campus for a discussion on these and related issues surrounding COVID-19.
The event is geared toward undergraduate students but will also be livestreamed via Zoom. The in-person event is limited to 25 guests. Masks must be worn, and social distancing protocols will be followed.
This event is sponsored by the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership and R.I.S.E.
COVID-19 vaccination update
The university is closely monitoring vaccination plans for the State of Minnesota. Both Christina Uribe Nitti, director of Health Services, and Ann Merchlewitz, J.D., senior vice president and general counsel, participate in a weekly conference call with representatives from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Part of that call each week is devoted to updates on vaccinations. MDH has not provided any information on how colleges generally fit into the state’s vaccination plans. The university is waiting to see if any of its employees will fall into Phase 1b – the next group eligible for vaccinations. However, the university has managed to move some of its employees into Phase 1a of the vaccination process, including:
- The nurse practitioner and nurse in the Wellness Center on the Winona Campus as they administer COVID-19 tests
- Receptionists in the Wellness Center in Winona as they may come into contact with COVID-19 positive students visiting the Wellness Center
- Staff who drive vans used to transport COVID-19 positive students to our isolation rooms at Alverna Center
- Custodial staff who clean isolation rooms on the Winona Campus
The university is working with MDH on vaccinations for students in clinical experiences, as some of those students have not been vaccinated as part of the hospital’s regular vaccination program. The university will be providing MDH information on those students so they get added to appropriate vaccination lists with local public health.
MDH reported last week that, in general, most college and university staff and students will likely fall into a category that comes after Phase 1b. However, some staff/students will fall into category 1b because they are 65+, they are K-12 teachers, or they work in the childcare setting. The state is still vaccinating people in Phase 1a. View the state’s vaccination dashboard.
Photo caption: Christina Uribe Nitti, director of Health Services, and Julie Buege, registered nurse in the Jay Johnson Wellness Center, receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Uribe Nitti said, “I got my COVID-19 vaccine because I don’t want to be the source of infection for someone else. The only way we can beat this virus is to get enough people vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. That will protect the most vulnerable in our community, and that’s something I want to be a part of!”
We thank our janitorial staff and others
Through an anonymous COVID-19 feedback submission, we were generously reminded us to thank the janitorial staff and others who are on campus every day helping to serve the students and keep them safe.
“We should appreciate their help in this pandemic, just as much as the students, because without them, we would not have a clean and healthy campus!” said the anonymous submitter.
We could not agree more. We thank those dedicated Saint Mary’s staff and contracted partners who are on campus every day doing what they can to keep our environment clean and healthy. Thank you for thinking of these very important individuals. We encourage you to also thank them when you see them.
Have feedback you’d like to share? Fill out the form or email covid@smumn.edu.
COVID-19 testing information for employees
The university is not currently providing COVID-19 testing for faculty and staff. Employees can access the following free COVID-19 testing in the State of Minnesota:
- Minnesota Community Testing Sites
- Hy-Vee testing at Hy-Vee Pharmacies (testing locations are drive-thru and by appointment only)
- At-home COVID-19 testing kits for Minnesota residents
The university currently has no plans for an organized on-campus testing option for faculty and staff as it has no free COVID-19 tests for this purpose. Hy-Vee has allotted tests to the university each week for student-athletes and our surveillance testing for students at the College. It does not have additional tests available for free to test faculty and staff. The State of Minnesota is not currently providing free COVID-19 tests for college and university faculty, staff, and students. We would strongly encourage faculty and staff to use the free testing that is available or use the at-home testing option. Some individuals have been ordering and using the at-home test every week.
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