March 11 Safe Return update

Dear Colleagues,

Happy belated International Women’s Day! Observed on March 8, this day celebrates the global achievements of women and calls for awareness against bias. As we reflect on our institution’s history and the bold, pioneering achievements of our founding sisters, we have much to celebrate. My heartfelt thanks to all of the women on our campuses for your community contributions in creating an inclusive, just St. Scholastica.

Duluth and St. Louis County Days

Duluth and the broader St. Louis County were well-represented at this week’s Duluth and St. Louis County Days in St. Paul. Rick Revoir and I participated in lobbying efforts, our first in-person advocacy meetings with lawmakers since the start of the pandemic, our Aramark partners provided amazing desserts during the grand reception, and we were honored to be joined by Senator Jennifer McEwen during the legislative breakfast. Overall, the energy among our lawmakers and all of the guests in attendance was a positive one; brighter days are ahead for our region! A HUGE shout out to Laura Johnson and Amanda Abrahamson-Roseth for their amazing presence at the CSS booth!

Masking guidance effective March 14

Per the earlier announcement this week, a reminder that on Monday the Duluth Kenwood and St. Cloud campuses will transition to a mask-optional policy in all indoor spaces. This decision was made in alignment with new CDC guidance that recommends individuals make choices based on their local context. Currently, the community level in St. Louis County is indicated as “low,” advising that people may choose to wear a mask at any time. In response to questions from our community, we also are providing the following information:

• Personal Offices: individuals may require visitors to wear a mask within their personal office space. Those who do make this request will need to provide masks to visitors. The Facilities department does have a limited supply of surgical style masks available for those who need an initial supply. Keep in mind that zoom is also available as an alternative for meetings.
• Mandatory Testing: Even with COVID-19 community levels low, we need to continue to follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19. Due to low community levels, CSS students and employees who were approved for COVID-19 exemptions will no longer be required to undergo weekly testing, but will adhere to CDC recommendations for symptomatic testing protocols. COVID-19 testing recommendations. We continue to ask employees and students to report positive test results so we can manage tracing efforts.

With spring break next week, we are strongly encouraging all members of our community to get tested before the return to campus on Monday, March 21.

Sr. Beverly Raway, Prioress, announced that the Monastery will also be moving to a mask optional policy for all indoor spaces at the Monastery and in Chapel beginning March 14. This does not include Benet Hall and Benedictine Living Community — Duluth (BLCD).

Spring Commencement

The Class of 2022, 635 graduating students, recently voted on which type of in-person ceremony they would like to attend in May: a graduation procession that takes approximately 20 minutes to complete with unlimited guest attendance or a traditional ceremony that would take approximately 90 minutes with limited guest attendance.

Our thanks to everyone who cast their vote! Of the 298 responses received, 188 voted for graduation procession and 110 voted a traditional ceremony. At this time, the College will proceed with plans of providing a graduation procession commencement ceremony on the Duluth Kenwood Campus on Saturday, May 14.

Athletics updates

Winter sports come to close this weekend as we have three athletes competing at NCAA Championships. In Nordic Skiing, senior men’s skier Emil Book Bratbak and first-year women’s skier Victoria Dybwad are out in Utah at the NCAA Skiing Championships. Both competed on Thursday with Emil placing 19th and Victoria 38th. Both race again on Saturday to conclude the Championships.

Meanwhile, junior Samuel Eben Ebai Jr. is down in North Carolina at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships. Sam competes today (Friday) at 3:05 p.m. (ET) in the prelims of the 60m dash. If he qualifies for the finals, he races Saturday for the National Championship at 3:40 p.m. (ET).

In other winter sports news, both the Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams had three players named All-MIAC this week. Rachel Anderson, Abby Pohlkamp and Taylor Thompson got recognized for the women, while Arkhip Ledenkov, Filimon Ledenkov and Sam Fuss got the nod for the men.

The spring sports of tennis, softball, baseball and golf are on their way to the Orlando area over spring break. In total, those teams will compete in 31 games/events next week.

Follow all of the action at csssaints.com.

As we begin our Spring Break, I wish those taking time off a restful and safe week. We are definitely in store for warmer weather here in Minnesota which will be a welcome change! Spring is coming!

Stay well,

Barbara