Message to Students: "Return to Learn" Plan, June 3, 2020

Dear Students:

With this email, I want to introduce you to Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Return to Learn plan, which is the work we are doing to prepare to open campus this fall. We will be sending you weekly updates throughout the summer about how these plans will impact you and your return to school in August.

We are looking forward to welcoming you back in the fall for a mixture of face-to-face and online instruction, as well as a new model that we are calling FlexSync. FlexSync course delivery allows students to attend the same class in-person or remotely via Zoom. The flexibility allowed by FlexSync may be used throughout the semester to meet student needs and preferences as well as to adjust to evolving distancing guidelines related to the current health crisis.

I invite you to learn more about how FlexSync will work at the Return to Learn website, where you can also find more information about the plan and how it will come together over the coming weeks.

In order to make a return to campus work, the University will need to implement new health and safety protocols for all faculty, staff and students around social distancing, facility cleaning and personal protection. We are in the process of building a flexible plan that will allow the University to address additional issues as they arise and to keep our campus community safe.

I will share more details of the plan with you in coming weeks. In the meantime, here are some additional key points for you to be aware of right now:

Under the direction of the Minnesota State Chancellor’s Office, we’re using a multi-phase planning timeline to address both immediate and long-range needs.

Phase 1 Short-term (May-August 2020)

Phase 2 Mid-term (August-December 2020)

Phase 3 Long-term (January 2021-)

Also under the direction of the Minnesota State Chancellor’s Office, we are looking at a planning scenario framework that allows us to shift as conditions change. We are currently operating as if Scenario B will be in place.

Scenario A No restrictions on movement or size of gatherings

Scenario B Restrictions on movement and size of gatherings, but no stay at home order in place

Scenario C Significant restrictions on movement and gatherings, with stay at home order in place for part or all of the semester

The University has established the following Return to Learn Values to guide our decisions as we prepare for fall:

Keep our students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe
Assure that students can maintain progress toward their educational goals
Maintain the financial sustainability of the university
Pursue the strategic directions and priorities of the university
Advance toward achieving Equity 2030 goals

For more information about our efforts to prepare for your return this fall, please visit the Return to Learn website.

I look forward to seeing you again in August!

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport,
President