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Campus Community,

The University has assembled a Pandemic Response Team that continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 (coronavirus) epidemic and the impacts it has on our faculty, staff and students. In today’s message I share an update on our campus preparations and action, the status of university activities, and other tips and reminders. Please remember to visit often our University Webpage for the most current information and frequently asked questions (FAQs).

University Actions

I have asked several of my executive officers to closely monitor this evolving situation and recommend to me appropriate follow-up actions based on their ongoing interactions with state and federal health officials, the System Office leadership teams, and best-practices they observe in the higher education community. Additionally, I have asked all of my cabinet members to review and update their Continuation of Operations Plans (COOPs) should the COVID-19 epidemic reach pandemic level. Our Pandemic Response Team stands ready to engage if the situation escalates.

International and Domestic Travel

In my previous communications to you, I shared that the Chancellor of the Minnesota State System suspended all international travel effective on February 28, 2020. Since that time, our administration has been working diligently with affected students, faculty and staff to resolve the logistical and financial implications of cancelled trips and reservations. Please remember this suspension is “indefinite” at this time and no new international travel should be scheduled until further notice.

We had five students that were studying abroad in a Level 3 advisory area. Those students have returned home safely. Students that are studying abroad at a Level 1 or Level 2 country are not required at this time to return home. The Center for Education Abroad and Away has been in direct contact with those impacted students and will update them accordingly if their status should change.

There are no current restrictions on domestic travel.

Classes, University-Sponsored Activities and Possible Online Instruction

At this time, University classes and campus events and activities will commence as scheduled. You may have seen in the media that some higher education institutions have begun to cancel events or move their in-person classes to virtual courses/suspended classes. If the University moves in a similar direction, additional instructions and resources will be forthcoming. Faculty will receive an additional message from Interim Provost Cecil regarding resources available to faculty in the event we need to move to an online learning model for an extended period of time.

Reminders and Tips

As this situation continues to evolve rapidly, fears tend to rise to the highest level. Please remember to treat others kindly and respectfully, and do not make assumptions about COVID-19 exposure or other discriminatory comments based on perceived race, color or ethnic origins. Any concerns regarding potential discriminatory actions should be referred to our Equal Opportunity & Title IX office at eotitleix@mnsu.edu or 507-389-2986.

As a reminder, while there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, the CDC recommends that everyone take every day preventative actions such as:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

We continue to monitor the situation and will provide additional updates as more information becomes available. Please check your email regularly for updates regarding this situation.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President

Faculty and staff,

We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely. Many of you have asked about moving courses online. Universities across the U.S. and internationally have begun to make that transition.

While no decision has been made to transition to online instruction here, it is prudent for everyone to be prepared should that become necessary. We are asking that you begin planning for that possibility.

It is important to acknowledge as we plan that everyone understands moving in-person courses online is neither simple nor ideal. This is an unprecedented situation. The fact is that if we must forego in-person classes, this is the best we can do for our students as we deal with a serious public health crisis.

With that in mind, a team from the Office of the Provost, CETL, and IT Solutions have created this web site:

http://mankato.mnsu.edu/keepteaching

There you will find basic resources that can help you plan for the possibility of moving your in-person course online. You will also find links and contact information for people who can help you plan for this possible transition. We are also taking steps to assure that, should a transition occur, all of our students can access online classes.

Support staff and the administration stand ready to assist as you consider how you might move your classes online. Let’s work together to help our students through this situation.

If you have questions, comments, concerns, or ideas to share, please contact me at provost@mnsu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for our students and our university.

Kind regards,
Matt

Dear Students,

A recent communication from Chancellor Malhotra announced that we are extending Spring Break one week (March 16-20) for all students and suspending all classes (including classes that are already online) for that same week. This will allow professors and others to prepare classes. Beginning March 23, all classes will resume and be delivered through online or alternative instruction. Student workers, including graduate assistants, may return to work on campus next week. Any student worker, or graduate assistant who does not wish to return to campus should contact their supervisor.

We want to help all students complete their Spring semester classes and successfully complete their degree requirements. We are committed to supporting you during this unprecedented situation.

• If you have questions or concerns, including accessibility, online learning or other alternative instruction, please contact the Office of the Provost at provost@mnsu.edu.
• For other questions, please review our FAQ at http://mankato.mnsu.edu/coronavirus. That page includes a “submit a question” button where you can submit your questions about any topic related to this situation.

Minnesota State Mankato students who live in campus residence halls and Stadium Heights, please note the following:

• If you need to live in campus housing throughout the semester, you will continue to have access to your room or apartment. 
• If you simply need to collect some belongings, you will also have access to your room or apartment. 
• There will be limited dining service available in the University Dining Center and Centennial Student Union next week. 
• If possible, we do encourage you to consider staying at home, or another location until classes resume on March 23.  In fact, you may wish to stay at home for the remainder of the semester and continue your studies online or through alternative instruction identified by your faculty.
• Additional questions about your housing can be directed to the Office of Residential Life at reslife@mnsu.edu or 507-389-1011.

Students, you should be aware that travelers returning from CDC Level 3 countries are required to observe a 14-day period of self-quarantine and monitoring.

• You can learn if the county you visited is on this list here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices. 
• During this quarantine period, you are not permitted to come to work, attend class in-person, or participate in any other campus or community activities.
• The university does not have the capacity to provide self-quarantine locations on campus for students. Students needing to self-quarantine will be required to return to their permanent home residences or self-quarantine in their off-campus apartments.
• Students who reside in university housing and are unable to return to a home residence should contact University Housing in the Office of Residential Life at reslife@mnsu.edu or 507-389-1011. 

Please know that we want everyone to succeed and will work with you to make that possible. In the meantime, take precautions, and be safe and healthy. Everyone at Minnesota State University, Mankato stands ready to help you.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Chancellor Devinder Malhotra communicated today that we are extending Spring Break by one week for our students and suspending all classes (including classes that are already online) for that week. Beginning March 23, all coursework at Minnesota State University, Mankato will resume and be delivered through online or alternative instruction.

We believe this is a prudent course of action and I urge everyone to pull together to assist our students in their academic goals.

Please review the following points:

• While students are allowed to extend their Spring Break next week, employees will continue to report to work as usual. Student employees and graduate students who are able to work next week have been encouraged to do so.
• Employees who believe they, or a member of their family are at-risk because of the possibility of infection should contact their supervisors to arrange other work alternatives. Those arrangements might include working remotely, or taking appropriate leave.
• Individuals who recently traveled internationally to a Level 3 country, please self-identify and determine with your supervisor alternative work arrangements for 14 days to limit the risk of secondary exposure.
• In addition to the already-suspended school and business-sanctioned international travel, Minnesota State System has now suspended school and business-sanctioned out-of-state domestic travel, effective Monday, March 16. Please do not make new travel arrangements at this time. If you have non-refundable travel expenses for a canceled trip, please contact your supervisor. Additionally, we highly recommend any travel plans for this weekend be re-evaluated for your own safety and well-being of others.
• If you have questions about delivering a course online, addressing a situation unique to a class you are teaching, or anything else related to academic affairs, please contact the Office of the Provost at provost@mnsu.edu. Also note that we have a Web site: http://mankato.mnsu.edu/keepteaching which may help with your transition to online or alternative delivery.
• For other questions, please review our FAQ at http://mankato.mnsu.edu/coronavirus. The page includes a “submit a question” button where you can submit your questions about any topic related to this unprecedented situation.

We ask that everyone work together on the many challenges that are ahead as we embark on this major shift in how we deliver our courses. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a special place. I know we will rise to the occasion as a campus community in this difficult time.

Thanks to all of you for everything you do and for making this a great university!

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President