Cases within our campus community have been low through J-term and spring semester, and vaccinations continue to increase throughout the state. In addition, our mitigation measures and robust contact tracing have proven effective in limiting spread of the virus. Based on this information, we feel confident that we can safely begin bringing more people back to campus over the coming weeks and months.
We will continue to monitor case data and public health guidance, making adjustments as needed to protect our campus community.
Campus buildings will remain accessible by key-card through the summer.
The health and safety policies and procedures outlined in the Preparedness Plan remain in effect, including:
- Wearing a mask and/or other required PPE
- Maintaining social distance
- Completing the daily symptom screen
- Washing hands
- Getting tested if you feel ill or are identified as a close contact of someone with COVID
- Staying home when sick
Our plans and procedures have been designed to allow us to quickly adapt to changing situations. As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to monitor case data and public health guidance to determine if and when adjustments are needed to maintain the health and safety of our campus community.
Yes. Vaccinated or not, everyone is still required to mask on campus and maintain social distance.
Following your final dose, it is important to continue to wear a mask, maintain social distance, wash your hands, limit contact with others, and stay home when feeling sick for the next two weeks. Once you reach the two-week mark, you should consult the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). St. Catherine University faculty, staff, and students should also refer to the Preparedness Plan.
While we encourage everyone who is able to be vaccinated to do so, vaccination status will not be used to determine whether or not you will be asked to return to campus for work or for classes. We will continue to take the necessary safety precautions as we transition back to more in-person activities and in accordance with public health guidelines.
Student learning outcomes vary by course/lab. We encourage faculty to work with each student to assess how to meet their learning outcomes given their absence and to be flexible when possible.
If students are unable to attend in-person courses/labs, faculty and students have several options. If appropriate for student learning, the student may engage in the course remotely during the absence. Each classroom/lab will have technology to allow online participation during live sessions. However, participating remotely may not satisfy learning outcomes for all courses/labs; it is faculty discretion to determine the appropriateness of this alternative and whether the student will be required to make-up any or all sessions in person. If the nature of the course and the in-person sessions that were missed create a situation in which it is not possible for the student to meet expected learning outcomes by participating online, students are encouraged to work with their course instructor, faculty advisor, and Academic Advising staff to determine appropriate next steps, which may include petitioning for an incomplete or withdrawing from the course.
Students with disabilities should work with Disability Services.
To help you know in which format a course is being offered, the course schedule will continue to have a specific tier designation each course. For fall, we plan to have all Tier One, Two, and Three courses in-person. Some adjustments to Tier Three sections may need to be made (e.g., students meet in two classrooms connected via technology) based on social distancing requirements in effect at the time. Additional information will be provided after spring break.
Tier Four courses will be fully online.
Commencement will continue in a virtual format, as announced previously. Student Senate and the University’s Commencement Committee are currently exploring how to appropriately and safely supplement the virtual ceremonies for 2020 and 2021 graduates. More detailed information will be provided to graduates, families, and staff/faculty by April 15.
Not at this time.
If you have questions as you review this information, please submit them via this form.