Recent Program Features

Greetings Mavericks.

It’s been a great relief to see COVID positivity numbers dropping across the country and especially here in Minnesota. As the situation changes, so does the mitigation guidance from the CDC, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota State system.

The new system guidance allows campuses to adjust mask requirements based on updated CDC metrics for their counties. Blue Earth County’s community level is still high and the CDC recommendation is to continue masking in indoor spaces. However, we expect that to change in the near future. We will revisit the data after Spring Break and communicate any changes to our mitigation strategies at that time.

There is, however, a change regarding the proof of vaccination/testing requirement for students that I can share now.

Starting Monday, March 14, there will no longer be a proof of vaccination or testing requirement for students living in residence halls or other designated activities. Some students may remain subject to the MMB requirement as student employees; to NCAA or other testing related to athletic programs; or may be required to be vaccinated or to test by an internal or external organization that serves as a clinical or internship placement site.

For the time being, the MMB policy regarding proof of vaccination and testing requirements for employees, contractors and vendors remains in place. That policy will be reviewed by MMB in the coming weeks; if a change is made we will update the campus community.

On-campus testing will continue at Carkoski Commons, with a slight change in hours after Spring Break. These new hours go into effect on Monday, March 14:

Surveillance Testing: Tuesdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Exposure Testing: Wednesdays and Fridays 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Anyone needing to pick up a test outside of these hours may do so at the Health Education Office (CC 100) between 8 a.m. and  4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

It’s been almost two years since COVID first changed the way we live, learn and work at Minnesota State University, Mankato. It’s been a long haul and I appreciate the patience and persistence the community has shown throughout. Thank you, Mavericks.

I wish you all a happy Spring Break. And, as always, Go Mavs!

Edward S. Inch, Ph.D.
President

Greetings, Mavericks.

I hope all of you are enjoying a bit of a break this week.

I am writing today to give you an update on the masking requirement that has been in place since August 2021. Although I had intended to wait until after Spring Break to communicate again, the situation has changed substantially enough to warrant this message.

Our campus and state positivity rates numbers continue to decline, including in Blue Earth County. Given the low transmission levels for Blue Earth County that have persisted since late last week and the guidance from the Minnesota State system office, masks are no longer required in indoor public spaces on the Mankato campus and our Edina location effective immediately, starting today, Monday, March 7. Mankato classes offered at partner institutions will follow the local guidance.

Regardless of county-level data, individuals may choose to continue wearing masks, and we should respect and support those choices (except in circumstances where masks present a safety risk, such as certain lab contexts). In addition, the updated CDC guidance recommends that individuals who are immunocompromised or at a high risk for severe disease should talk to their healthcare provider about whether masks or other precautions are warranted. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

We will continue to monitor these COVID-19 levels and do what’s right for our community. Our best defense against COVID-19 is to be vaccinated and boosted. All Minnesota State Mankato students and employees are encouraged to consider these tools to keep themselves and others safe.

I appreciate your continued patience and persistence.

Thank you and go Mavericks!

Edward S. Inch, Ph.D.
President

“It’s shocking how even the best students out of the best schools are not ready for work when we hire them. The reason I’m doing this project with you is that if I can demonstrate that you can really provide us with project-ready new hires, then people here will be all over it. And if on top of that you can supply us with a diverse set of qualified candidates, then everyone here is going to want to know you.”
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