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.