Dear Cardinals,
It is hard to believe that fall is right around the corner! The campus hasn’t been the same without you, and we are so excited to welcome you back soon. I hope you continue to be healthy and well.
Classrooms and academics
Many of you have had questions about what classrooms will look like in the fall, so I am pleased to share examples of how they have been rearranged to allow for social distancing. I realize you will have a number of questions about how your classes will function in areas such as labs, performance areas, art studios, etc., and hope to have photos to share in the next issue. Please know we are diligently working with faculty on what academic plans look like. The latest information about academics can be found on the Steadfast and Resilient webpage.
Family Weekend and travel
After much reflection and dialog — and in following safety guidelines — we have decided to cancel Family Weekend this fall. Although we have always enjoyed welcoming friends and extended families onto our campus, we have to limit external visitors to campus at this time. Fall also includes exciting gatherings like high school homecomings, but for the safety of our community, we are encouraging you to remain on campus as much as possible throughout the semester. If you choose to travel outside of Winona, you are asked to fill out this form so we can track this data.
Signs you’ll see on campus
When you return to campus in August, you will see a number of new signs, strategically posted for your safety. We ask you to follow these guidelines. Here are a few examples of what you will see.
Move-in weekend
As we plan for move-in weekend, here are a few highlights:
- Early arrivals will be contacted by coaches, advisers, or moderators.
- First-year and transfer students are scheduled to move in on Thursday, Aug. 20.
- Returning students are scheduled to move in on Friday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 23.
- You will be assigned a specific time slot of two hours to move in between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- We respectfully ask you bring no more than two guests and no guests under age 10.
- Saint Mary’s and the City of Winona both require the wearing of masks.
- We encourage you to ship items to the university prior to your arrival. If you write your room number on the box, we will have maintenance move the items to your room so they are there upon arrival.
- Social distancing protocols will be in place for all buildings. Some hallways, for example, will be one-way only, and only a few students will be moving in at one time.
- Additional directions will be sent prior to your arrival from the Office of Residence Life.
Commit to keeping yourself and our community safe
A successful fall 2020 will require commitment from all of us. To help define this commitment and create a spirit of shared responsibility and unity, we are asking all Saint Mary’s students, faculty, and staff to sign this pledge. Please take a moment to read it carefully and reflect upon how you can play a role in keeping our campus safe for you, your classmates, and your teachers this academic year.
Although this fall may look and feel a little different, we are committed to providing you with a wonderful student experience. Continue to check the Steadfast and Resilient webpage. New information is continuously being added.
Together, we will find solutions to make your fall successful.
Tim Gossen, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs