Safe Return
Greetings College Community!
As announced earlier this week, today is National Employee Appreciation Day so I'd like to start out my Friday update with a sincere thank you to all employees. As I mentioned in an earlier email, the past 12 months have been some of the most challenging in St. Scholastica's history. Without your dedication and courage, we would not be where we are today, fulfilling our mission and promise to our students. Our Saints Community, across the state and beyond, have been nothing short of outstanding. I can't begin to thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the College. I have so much appreciation for how this Community has stepped up to the challenges created by the pandemic and the sacrifices you've made to keep the College going. On behalf of the Cabinet and from my heart, thank you for caring for one another and for our students! St. Scholastica is truly a special community!
A few updates:
COVID-19:
As the vaccination process continues to roll out, we are seeing more and more St. Scholastica community members able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Under the new guidance, if someone has completed COVID-19 vaccination (two doses in a two-dose series or one dose in a one-dose series) and is exposed to someone that is COVID-19 positive, they do not need to quarantine if ALL of the following are true:
Even after a person has recovered from COVID-19 or is fully vaccinated they should still continue to stay distanced, wear a mask that fits well, wash their hands often and follow other precautions.
The College is in the process of working with St. Louis County Emergency Operations Center to establish a community based COVID-19 vaccination distribution center on our campus. We are in the early stages of the planning process and hope that this will occur by the end of May and go into the summer session. The College is also working closely with the Minnesota Department of Health and the College has been approved to be a community vaccination site. We will continue to keep you updated as things develop.
In the meantime, for those of you who are looking to be vaccinated, MDH has launched the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. The Vaccine Connector is the next step of the state's vaccination strategy to meet Minnesotans where they are and connect them to vaccine opportunities, no matter where they live or their personal circumstances. When Minnesotans become eligible, the Vaccine Connector will alert them of their eligibility; connect them to resources to schedule an appointment; and notify them if there are vaccination opportunities in their area. We encourage you to register!
The Wisconsin Department of Health has also established a website for those looking to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Their website can be found at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-get.htm
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion news:
Athletics update:
Advocating for the State Grant Program:
Thank you to all who responded to my earlier email to reach out to our legislators in support of the MN State Grant Program which is so important to our students. Over 139 CSS Saints sent over 400 emails and I am so appreciative of your participation! Way to go Saints! If you haven't had a chance to participate yet, there is still time. It only takes a few minutes and your advocacy goes a long way in making this a priority in this year's legislative session. Please click here to share your support.
Saints Shop hours update:
Beginning on March 8, the Saints Shop will reopen for business on Mondays. Come and shop with us from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. We hope to see you soon!
Media share:
Recently Dr. Amy Bergstrom participated in an interview on her role as Chief Diversity Officer and the EDI office. Here's a link to the video clip, which is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/KYFski1jQwY Enjoy!
Have a wonderful and safe weekend ahead, be sure to get out and enjoy this early spring weather!
Be well,
President McDonald