Recent Program Features

If you haven’t already, please be sure to read the Employee Expectations for Returning to Work information that has been posted on the Return to Learn website. The University is taking a phased approach to bringing employees back to campus, and supervisors are asked to give a reasonable notice—two weeks, whenever practical—of expected return dates to allow employees to prepare for the transition. More information is available on the website.

Departments that would like to post maximum occupancy signage for their office suites, conference rooms or other non-classroom spaces can request a consultation with the Pandemic Response Team. Customizable signs can be provided to use for those spaces after a review of the space has taken place. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Loren Jansen at  loren.jansen@mnsu.edu.

Social distancing floor decals that can be used on both tile and carpet remain available through University Stores; requests should be sent to sharon.wetzel@mnsu.edu.

All faculty and staff are encouraged to submit any questions about Return to Learn here. We will do our best to get back to you with answers as soon as possible. 

Good morning, 

Only five weeks before the beginning of classes, and much remains up in the air. We continue planning for a mix of FlexSync, in-person, and online course delivery.

One of the questions that we didn’t get to during last week’s faculty and staff town hall was: What evidence is there that students want in-person experiences this fall?

Understanding and connecting directly with our students has been a primary focus since the pandemic disrupted our operations in March. Our comprehensive, interpersonal approach to student success during the pandemic is perhaps unique within our state and beyond. I want to thank the many students, staff, and faculty that have undertaken a tremendous effort to reach out to thousands of students. Here is a summary of the outreach that has been done to assess student interests and concerns: 

• Redeployed staff from across the university, led by the Division of Student Success, Analytics & Integrated Planning, spoke individually with 6,007 students during the spring semester. 
• Academic advising staff have met individually with nearly 2,000 first-year students this summer, with 500 more conversations scheduled. 

• A team of 27 faculty members are currently in the process of calling more than 2,500 students to check-in with them as we get closer to the start of fall classes.

The overwhelming sentiment expressed by thousands of students in these conversations was a desire for on-campus, in-person fall experiences.

Here are a few of the ways we are trying to accomplish safe, on-campus, in-person fall experiences: 

• Requiring face coverings indoors on-campus with certain exceptions and with appropriate accommodations available for those who are unable to wear them 
• Obtaining thousands of face shields and transparent masks for faculty members who would prefer that option when teaching 
• Removing thousands of chairs and other furniture from classrooms and public spaces; indicator dots will show where people and chairs should be, and signage will state social distancing requirements 
• Placing hand sanitizer stations and disinfectant wipes in every classroom and public space 

• Adjusting cleaning protocols to adhere to the Minnesota Department of Health and Office of Higher Education guidance 
• Deploying a highly-visible social norms campaign to encourage safe behavior 

Most of the public health indicators are trending in the wrong direction. Thousands of questions remain, and our Return to Learn and Work teams continue their progress, adapting their work as new public health guidance is shared with us. The resulting plans are being shared as they are completed. This week, I can report that our Employee Expectations for Returning to Work document has been posted here: https://mankato.mnsu.edu/about-the-university/news-and-events/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-and-the-campus-community/return-to-learn/timeline-and-planning/return-to-work/ 

During the coming days and weeks, you will see additional communication outlining plans and procedures on topics like student activities, distribution of cleaning supplies and PPE, health and safety training, events and meeting guidelines, and much more. 

Once again, I want to urge everyone to remain patient. Day-to-day developments are shaping our work, and no one can predict what the situation will be in five weeks. We are planning for a variety of scenarios. Please share your concerns, ideas, and questions with me at provost@mnsu.edu.  

I encourage everyone to find time during the remaining weeks to relax and recharge. Thank you for all you do for our students and our university. Stay safe. 

Kind regards, 

Matt

Where to Look:

• Search for an internship, there are many wonderful options out there! Greater Mankato Jobs is a partnership of Greater Mankato Growth, MN Job Match and RealTime Talent. Indeed, Handshake and Linked-In also have great internship opportunities.
• Work with the University’s Career Development Center (CDC). The CDC hosts internship events throughout the academic year.
  • Handshake will suggest jobs based on the student’s user profile and job application history, so it is important to keep track of what the user has signed up for.
• Students should talk with their professors inside and outside of the department to help explore options in Mankato and beyond. Most importantly, talk to your faculty academic advisor to ensure that an internship is appropriate for course credit. 
• Talk with friends and family to see if they know of internship opportunities where they work. Personal contacts often work well.
• Check the department’s website and Facebook page. We post several internship opportunities throughout the semester.

Previous Internship Locations:

• Harley Davidson Mankato
• Weichert Realtors Heartland
• March of Dimes
• Mankato City Center Hotel
• AmericInn, Mankato
• United Way, Mankato
• Radio Mankato
• Habitat for Humanity
• Alumni Center
• Northwestern Mutual
• FYE Office at MSU, Mankato
• Camps for children with disabilities
• VITRO, San Diego, CA
• Clear Channel communications
• Enterprise Rental Car, Mankato
• Extensive Travel
• Verizon Wireless Retail Store
• St. Stephens Human Services
• Chrysalis Chiropractic
• Lifetime Fitness, Eden Prairie
• Sindhorn Tower, Bangkok
• First Presbyterian Church
• Feeding our Communities, Backpack Food Program
• Bethan Lutheran College
• Art Education Classes
• Finish Line
• Student Events Team at MSU, Mankato
• MN Council of Churches
• Refugee Services, Mankato

A majority of internships require a resume and cover letter. These documents must be strong and well laid out to even be considered. The Career Development Center offers many resources to help prepare resumes and cover letters. Their Job Search Handbook is particularly helpful for helping prepare these documents (plus there are examples!).  Here are some additional resources for students:

• ResumeBuild, Indeed Resume Builder and Resume.com can be used to craft resumes but there are many other resume builders out there. Students should find the one that suits them best.
• Cover Letter Builder is a resource to help understand what a cover letter should look like. Students should write their own, original letters but this can be used to get students started.
• Community Engagement (volunteering) can help build connections, enhance a student’s relationship with the community and provide a new outlook to someone else’s life all while helping advance one’s own career.