All Staff Campus Update, June 2, 2020

Colleagues,

We have received written guidance from the Office of Higher Education (OHE) on the governor's recent executive order, 20-56; the order that allowed non-critical businesses to begin re-opening on May 18. The new guidance is available on OHE's website.

The safety of our students and employees remain paramount. Our campus will be open and ready to welcome students in the fall, while adapting as necessary to safely serve them and provide them with an extraordinary education.

In addition to the safety focus, what does this new guidance mean for Minnesota State University, Mankato?

First and foremost, services and courses that can be delivered remotely must continue to be delivered remotely.
Employees who can work remotely must continue to do so.
Prior to resuming in-person activities, our campus will need to establish a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. Work on our University’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan is underway, guided by a Return to Learn Advisory Committee led by Interim Provost Matt Cecil and Vice President Lynn Akey.
The work of the Advisory Committee is focused on coordinating planning across a range of potential scenarios that is supported by action teams focused on five key areas: student learning; student life; employee return; financial sustainability; communications and enrollment; and partnerships.
The work of the Advisory Committee is also support by a Pandemic Operations and Tactics team focused on precautions and steps that must be taken in the context of COVID-19.

In the days ahead you will receive additional communication providing guidance and steps that will need to be taken prior to the University increasing in-person activities and/or additional employees returning to the workplace.

Our eagerness to return to normal must be tempered by the overarching need to keep the campus community safe. Careful preparation is critical for our success moving forward. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prepare for fall and beyond.

Stay safe.

Richard Davenport
President