Sept. 24 Safe Return update

Dear Colleagues,

We hope this finds you settling well into the rhythm of the semester. We are grateful for the ways in which each of you have attended to and been supportive of each other and our students as we continue to move through the pandemic. The good news is that our community continues to see increases in vaccination rates as well as fewer cases being reported of the Delta variant. However, we must continue to encourage vaccinations for all, and keep up the great work on masking.

Two remaining on-campus Vaccination Clinics

Please save these dates so you don’t miss out:

• Monday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Somers Main Lounge (two-dose Moderna and Pfizer series and one-dose Janssen/Johnson and Johnson will be available). Register here for Oct. 4.
• Friday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Somers Main Lounge (two-dose Pfizer series and one-dose Janssen/Johnson and Johnson will be available). Register here for Oct. 8.

As always, walk-ins are welcome. If you will be receiving your first dose in a two-dose series on either Oct. 4 or Oct. 8, the State/County will work with you to schedule your second dose.

COVID-19 Event Guidance updates

Many of our community members, both internal and external, have expressed interest in hosting events on our Duluth campus sites. Just this week, the COVID-19 Event Guide and FAQ document has been updated. Please refer to this document when planning internal and external events. Changes to COVID safety event protocol, including occupancy limits for rooms, are updated in this document regularly.

ISD 709/CSS Tutoring Collaboration

In November 2020, the College partnered with the Duluth Public School District to provide free academic tutoring support for ISD 709 students. Several St. Scholastica tutors continued to meet with Duluth students over the summer, and Beth LaVigne shared an email that celebrates the impact our students are making in the community:

Thank you so much for this program! It is making a difference for us. Our student is able to keep math skills growing over the summer (instead of backsliding) with a simple session per week. She was very upset over the prospect of summer school and it was difficult for me to manage transportation during work. This program is proving to be perfect for focusing on the area she needs help in without robbing any of her summer fun and freedom. Also, the fact that this support is provided free is awesome and helpful.

Jen Larva, the district’s Director of Secondary Ed also expressed her gratitude and appreciation, noting that she continues to receive positive feedback from the Duluth community about this tutoring support partnership.

Thank you to Beth, as well as Elena Bissonette who is acting as the Student Coordinator of this project! We are proud of their efforts and those of our tutors for living out our values in the community!

Updates from the Chief Diversity Officer

On Thursday, Sept. 17, the Office of International Programs at CSS hosted a collaborative event with Lake Superior College and UMD for a welcome picnic. Over 70 students from 29 countries attended! An amazing community collaboration with our fellow Twin Ports schools!

Department of Medical Science and PA Medicine Program

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program have changed their names to the Department of Medical Science and PA Medicine Program. These changes reflect the changes occurring nationally in the profession — the title “Physician Assistant” is confusing to potential students, administrators, and patients, and as such is no longer the title recognized by our national professional body.

“Physician Associate” was the profession’s original name and has once again been adopted by our national professional organization as of May 31, 2021. While the profession proceeds through the state and federal legislative processes that go along with title change, the profession will continue to use the initials, “PA.”

The department name change from Department of PA Studies to Department of Medical Science reflects a more accurate representation of the department’s curriculum — the practice and understanding of medical science. The name change of The College of St. Scholastica’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program to The College of St. Scholastica PA Medicine Program is much more succinct, keeps the integrity of the profession’s initials (PA) and reflects the type of training our PA students receive: Medical training (i.e., PA Medicine). The College approved and the name changes officially went into effect July 1.

Athletics Updates

The Saints earned their first Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) wins in the last week with the Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams winning at Concordia on Saturday. Additionally, the Volleyball team held its first MIAC match at the Reif on Wednesday in front of over 200 supporters. The Football team will have its first MIAC game on Saturday when it hosts Augsburg at Public Schools Stadium at 1 p.m.

20 Under 40 Honorees

Three of our alumni were among the Duluth News Tribune’s latest 20 Under 40 awardees, recognized for being leaders and changemakers in our community. Congratulations to Sam Luoma ‘11, Winonah Ojanen ‘18 and Laura Johnson ‘06! We are so proud of your accomplishments and the ways in which you represent CSS and our values out in the Duluth community.

Blessings to you all and I hope your weekend is enjoyable! Fall is definitely in the air!

Stay well, be safe,

Barbara