University President Julie Sullivan spoke to the general council, the university’s COVID-19 response was discussed and an update on the university’s emergency fund for students was given at the Undergraduate Student Government general council meeting on April 2.
Guest Speaker: President Julie Sullivan
Sullivan joined the Zoom video call to thank the USG board members for their continued leadership during this time of remote learning.
“It’s really wonderful that you’re continuing to lead,” Sullivan said. “Student leadership was never more important than it is now, and I’m so happy that this hasn’t been a pause for that.”
Sullivan updated the board on the current planning stages for commencement, originally scheduled for May, but is postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She ensured that the university is committed “to find a way to appropriately celebrate your accomplishments.”
“(We will) let you have the opportunity to celebrate with your classmates and with your family,” she said.
Sullivan also announced the move to online classes for the upcoming summer term.
“We are hoping that we will be able to return to class in the fall, but we also know that’s not certain,” Sullivan said.
COVID-19 Response
The ongoing COVID-19 response from the university was discussed in an open forum.
Executive Vice President Caroline Ludwig commended the university for “keeping everybody informed with what’s going on.”
“I feel like I’ve never been out of the loop with anything so I think that’s something they’re doing well,” Ludwig said.
Haison Nguyen, first-year class president, praised the St. Thomas athletic teams for continuing to stay involved with each other. Some teams have created videos passing balls from screen-to-screen and are challenging other St. Thomas teams to do the same. Women’s basketball, soccer and tennis, softball, volleyball and men’s soccer are teams that have participated in the challenge.
“It shows the positivity they’re spreading around on social media, and showing that creativity aspects boosts your mood,” Nguyen said.
Kailey Corder, sophomore class president, discussed how some professors are having a hard time on Zoom and how many only had a few days to learn the technology before starting to teach classes online.
Margaret Cahill, director of campus life and USG co-adviser, responded and said that ITS and Faculty Development will be creating additional Zoom training sessions for faculty to attend.
“There’s no question about it, some faculty are really struggling with it,” Cahill said. “There is a lot of effort being put in place right now to help faculty improve their online teaching.”
Vice President of Financial Affairs Derek Nauman questioned why the university did not extend spring break, as some other universities did, to help train professors in online learning. Patricia Conde-Brooks, executive director for campus inclusion & community and USG co-adviser, answered.
“We did ask for an extension with our accrediting board, and we were denied,” she said.
The Higher Learning Commission, the accrediting board for St. Thomas and a number of other universities throughout the country, denied a spring break extension to all universities that were already doing 20% or more of their teaching online.
“We moved as fast as we could,” Conde-Brooks said.
Student Emergency Financial Assistance Program update
Nauman said USG has donated $75,000 of funds that would have typically gone to on-campus events that are now canceled towards the Student Affairs emergency fund.
As of meeting time, 169 requests have been made by students for assistance through the emergency fund and over $100,000 have been allocated to students, according to Conde-Brooks.
“Sometimes it’s really hard to ask for help, especially financial help,” Student Body President Logan Monahan said. “If any of you are struggling, that fund is there for you.”
The university has been reaching out to alumni and donors to donate to the emergency relief fund, and Nauman noted over $20,000 was donated so far. University Development and Alumni Relations has shifted all fundraising efforts towards the emergency fund.
“That’s the number one priority right now,” Conde-Brooks said.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.