Message to Faculty and Staff on Spring Semester Start-Up Activities, Jan. 7 2021

Dear Faculty and Staff:

Despite the national events I wrote to you about earlier today and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I hope that you were able to enjoy a break over the holidays and that you are feeling refreshed and ready for the start of the Spring Semester. Happy New Year; we are glad that you are back!

Spring Semester classes begin on Monday, Jan. 11, and all academic buildings, the dining center and residence halls will be open. Classes will be offered this semester through online, remote, FlexSync and in-person delivery.

Please note that FlexSync in-person components will start the semester delivered remotely. Faculty, if you have not already reached out to your students to explain how to attend the first day of your class, please do so as soon as possible.

The campus continues to be highly de-densified while many services resume this week as students return for classes. If you have questions about your work location or schedule, please consult with your supervisor. And, as more students, faculty and staff begin to return to campus, please keep the health and well-being of yourself and those around you in mind:

Observe a 10-day “lay low” period with reduced in-person contact.
We encourage you to get tested before returning, or in the week following. There are several locations in the Mankato area for testing listed on our website.
Consider downloading the Minnesota Department of Health’s free COVIDawareMN app, which will notify you if you’ve been near someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and anonymously notify anyone you’ve been near if you test positive.

Of course, the pandemic situation remains fluid and changes can be expected over the next several weeks. Please know that we will keep you posted as guidelines issued by public health officials evolve.

Again—welcome back! I hope you are looking forward to a great Spring Semester.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President