Recent Program Features

Dear Campus Community:

We're only two weeks away from Thanksgiving break and down to our final four weeks of the semester. Students, we are cheering for you as you complete end-of-term projects and prepare for exams. Faculty and staff, we appreciate all of the work you’ve done to support our students during this unusual time. We are hopeful that all of you remain healthy and finish the rest of the fall semester well.

Like much of the U.S., we are seeing an increase in COVID cases in Minnesota, as well as an uptick on our campus. We are currently still at the yellow level, but as cases increase we are creeping closer to orange. While we're all weary of the reminders, please remain vigilant about wearing your mask and maintaining a six-foot distance from others. While these requirements have been implemented for indoor activities, as an extra level of precaution I would encourage you to wear your mask and maintain social distancing while outdoors as well.

We will continue to look to our local, state and national leaders for guidance and will do everything we can to make Minnesota State University, Mankato as safe as possible for all students, faculty and staff.

To that end: Last week we held the first of three free saliva testing events on campus; the second will be held this afternoon from noon to 6 p.m. in the CSU Ballroom, and the third will take place on Thursday, Nov. 19. No pre-registration required; you will check in at the ballroom. Results will be delivered by email, text or phone within 48 to 72 hours after the test. These testing events are meant to help identify asymptomatic cases of the virus before students and others travel to see family for the Thanksgiving holiday.

For our students: Your families are undoubtedly excited to see you—please take the extra step of protecting them by taking a test before you head home and making good decisions about the activities you participate in off campus.

I’d also like to remind everyone how important it is to continue wearing masks—and to wear them properly, over both your nose and mouth. During this time of increased spread, wearing a mask and practicing social distancing are simple things you can do to stay safe.

Please continue to take this seriously. Make smart choices for the sake of your health, your family’s health, and the health of all your friends, coworkers and neighbors.

Thank you for doing your part, #MavFam.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President

Deciding what college to attend can be one of the biggest decisions that someone makes in their life. A good student-college fit can provide numerous opportunities to succeed during and after college. A poor student-college fit can lead to dropout, lost experiences, misdirected investment or the need to transfer schools.

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 38 percent of first-time college students will transfer schools, representing over 1 million transfer students. Although the decision to transfer colleges is difficult, it can provide a better student-college fit and keep students on track to graduate.

Gabe Miller, a senior Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) major from St. Paul, Minnesota, transferred to Minnesota State University, Mankato after spending his first year at a community college. For him, community college provided the entry he needed to focus on his grades and thrive in higher education.

During his year at the community college, Miller’s GPA jumped almost an entire point from what it was in high school. He wasn’t completely happy though; something was missing. He hadn’t made the friends he had hoped to and didn’t feel a part of a college community. After much consideration, he decided to transfer schools.

“When I came to Mankato, it was way different. Specifically, the first week I was here… the sun was shining, and the campus was bustling and busy. The atmosphere wasn’t the same. Everyone was so happy to be on campus. It just seemed like the college experience that I was missing,” Miller says.

When Miller transferred in, he wanted to double major in Psychology and Political Science; then he met a student ambassador at orientation who told him about the PPE major. He knew right away that it was going to be a good fit.

The PPE major is one of only 50 such programs nationwide and the only one in Minnesota. The focus of the major is on the dynamic relationships between the economic, political and legal systems of society and the relationships that require the analytical methods of all three disciplines to be understood fully: perfect for someone who wants to go into law. Although Miller hadn’t always wanted to be a lawyer, he found a passion in philosophy and discussing the deeper meanings in life.

“Every single piece of my major will help me with law school,” he says. “Being able to know more about each thing is a huge advantage over others applying to law school.”

Now, not only is Miller set to graduate a year early thanks to his hard work, but he is also currently applying to his dream law schools including the University of Minnesota, the University of Michigan, Stanford, NYU, the University of Chicago and Mitchell Hamline.

In his last two years at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Miller has taken advantage of numerous resources on campus. Despite being busy studying for the LSAT and applying to law school, he also balances a work-study position at the Career Development Center and is a member of the pre-law society and transfer student honors society. He even worked on a congressional candidate’s campaign over the summer to gain political experience. All of these things have helped him get to the place that he is today.

“I get to apply to my dream schools, because I went to Mankato,” he says.

Miller applied and could have transferred to a few other universities in Minnesota, but there was something about Mankato that stood out to him. The size of the institution provided him with the ability to get to know all his professors, which he didn’t feel like he would have been able to do at a larger university.

“I’m so happy that I came to a school that’s big enough to have the college experience, but small enough, especially in my program, where I get to know my professors and my classmates and be in this classroom setting where I feel like I can actually learn and be a part of discussions,” he says.

He has really enjoyed smaller classes and getting to participate in those deep discussions he loves so much. When applying for different law schools, he even felt comfortable asking any one of his professors for a recommendation, since he had gotten to know all of them personally.

Down the road, Miller not only wants to become a successful lawyer, but he wants to give back. He wants to support his family and friends who have supported him on his journey and eventually run his own firm so that he can give back to his community. His dream is to make a foundation for students on the west side of St. Paul, where he’s from, to educate them on financial literacy, applying for college and financial aid to help them get out of poverty.

What was once a decision to transfer colleges to make new friends and be a part of a college community has now turned into the steppingstone for Miller to move on to even greater things.

“I got my college experience. I’m so happy that I came here. I honestly am.”

Dear Campus Community:

Next week is already Thanksgiving, which brings with it a few well-deserved days off for everyone. As we inch closer to the break and the planned transition to online course delivery for the remainder of the semester, we need everyone’s help, especially as positive cases continue surging in the region. Here’s how you can help:

Adjust Campus Activities

• Faculty teaching FlexSync courses should transition to remote delivery and eliminate in-person meetings effective as soon as students can be notified. This can occur prior to the Thanksgiving break if possible. Students, you should expect to hear from your faculty on how that will happen soon.
• Access to student living spaces in on-campus housing will be limited to residents only; exceptions will be made for those students who are moving out and need assistance.
• Most in-person events on campus will either be postponed or further reduced in size at this time. Please contact your event sponsor for more information.
• In addition to wearing masks indoors, please mask up when outdoors on campus as well. Face coverings protect you and those around you from the virus. Please continue to cover both your mouth and nose whenever you are on campus—inside or out.

Know Before You Go

Free saliva testing will be provided again tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 19, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the CSU Ballroom. This is encouraged for all students and employees who are not currently experiencing symptoms, so you can know your status before returning home or other potential travel. This is only effective if you also lay low and avoid contact with others while awaiting your test results.

There is no need to pre-register to be tested on campus; instead, you will be asked to sign in through your smartphone or a provided iPad when you arrive at the Ballroom.

What you need to know about the saliva test:

• You must not eat, drink, chew or smoke anything for at least 30 minutes before taking a saliva test.
• A health care professional will tell you how to take the test, but you will do it yourself.
• You will spit into a funnel attached to a tube. Producing the required amount of saliva usually takes <10 minutes.
• You will get your results in about 48-72 hours; negative results will be delivered via email and/or text, and positive results will be delivered with a phone call.

Anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms or who has been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 should not come to campus to be tested. Please schedule a test as soon as possible through Student Health Services or one of the local health care facilities; you can also receive a free saliva test through the Minnesota Department of Health at 1940 Adams Street (the former Gander Mountain building) or request a free at-home saliva test kit through the state; the test is delivered to your door at no cost to you, whether you have insurance or not. Information is available at https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/athome.html.

Protect Yourself and Others

Practice safe personal hygiene by washing your hands frequently and staying six feet away from others. I also want to remind you to complete the daily self-assessment at mnsu.edu/screening. And if you test positive for COVID-19, please call the campus reporting line at 507-389-2030.

Please continue to take care of yourselves—thank you for all you’ve done to get us this far.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President

Dear Faculty and Staff:

On Wednesday evening Gov. Walz issued Executive Order 20-99. The order will have an impact on how the University operates over the next four weeks. In addition to the actions I communicated to you on Wednesday, we are implementing the following mitigation efforts based on the newest executive order:

1. Classes will continue; most have already moved to remote or online delivery, and all will do so after Thanksgiving.
2. Our campus gyms and fitness facilities are closing at 9pm today. Campus Rec programs will either be stopped or become virtual. Intramural, club and recreational sports will be suspended.
3. Theatre and musical performances will be virtual only.
4. Clubs and organizations should make activities virtual whenever possible; when not possible, they will be postponed or canceled.
5. In-person study groups need to be limited to two people, and social distances should be observed.
6. The Dining Center will remain open, but seating will be limited to two people per table.
7. Students and employees are asked to limit campus activities between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.

In general, please “lay low” for the next four weeks. The Minnesota Department of Health recommends that everyone stay home as much as possible, minimize activities and limit movements. Vice Presidents will be working with campus supervisors to review on-campus staffing for opportunities to further reduce the number of employees on campus while still providing student services and campus operations.

I know you are all working hard for our students and each other; I thank you. Our success as an institution this semester, during the most trying of circumstances, is attributed to your commitment to our great University. I also know that this deep commitment comes with a cost. Stress levels are rising with the spread of the pandemic, and many of us have to manage the pandemic’s effect on our personal and professional lives.

I want to remind you that the State of Minnesota has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that is here to help in these difficult times. All state employees can utilize this resource. The services are free and confidential; and available to you and your family members. Some of the services they provide include:

• Six (6) free counseling sessions for you and your family members, per person, per year, per topic.
• Six (6) free sessions in personal coaching with a life coach.
• Free weekly well-being webinars.

Learn more at https://mn.gov/mmb/segip/health-and-wellbeing/eap/eap-work-life.jsp. You can log in to their services with username and password: stmn1. Or you can call a counselor at 1-800-657-3719, or (651) 259-3840.

Please know we continue to monitor the COVID situation closely, and will update you on changes as necessary. During this extremely serious surge in the pandemic, I urge you to take every precaution.

I hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, even with these additional challenges caused by the pandemic. Stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President