Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I hope your semester is going well and you’ve had a chance to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. I have a few updates to share with you.
Academic Schedule
It always seems like each semester goes by so quickly. As a reminder, starting with Thanksgiving on November 26, with limited approved exceptions, all instruction through the end of the fall semester will move to online and remote formats. Please contact your instructor if you have specific questions about your class.
We continue to prepare and plan for the upcoming spring semester, which will start as scheduled on January 13, 2021. However, we will alter the spring break schedule. Spring break was previously scheduled for March 8-12. As you know, the pandemic has changed how we interact with others and we must take extra precautions such as limiting our exposure and travel. We will maintain the same number of days off throughout the semester, allowing critical breaks to help students navigate a demanding academic schedule, but change how those days are allocated. We will maintain the first two days of spring break as scheduled and not have classes on Monday, March 8 or Tuesday, March 9. Then, instruction will resume on Wednesday, March 10. Classes will end three days earlier, on April 27, and we will add three “study days” without classes April 28-30 prior to final exam week beginning May 3.
COVID-19
Regarding COVID-19, dealing with the challenges of this pandemic continues to be stressful and filled with uncertainty and anxiety. On top of that, the polarizing political environment mixed with the anguish and rage spotlighting racism across the country are enough to overwhelm anyone. I want to say that if you are feeling the physical, mental, and spiritual exhaustion of this time, I am there with you. I understand and I urge you to look for self-care opportunities and allow yourself space to step back to help ease the burdens. I am continuously inspired by our courageous and dedicated campus community. Thank you. We will get through this together.
While we are here to support each other and get through this pandemic, we have to be mindful of how our actions impact each other. I urge you to recommit to our shared responsibility to stop the spread of COVID-19. Monitor your health closely, practice physical distancing at all times, wash your hands, and properly wear your face covering. The positive COVID cases in our region continue to climb. Our COVID dashboard has been updated to reflect Minnesota Department of Health data for all (self-reported) cases associated with UMD.
When we all work together and comply with the health and safety regulations, both on and off campus, we are able to help slow and stop the spread of this virus. Over the last week, I’ve received reports that compliance with the face covering requirement on campus has deteriorated. We have heard very strongly from students that being back on campus and having access to campus services is important - if we are not able to prevent the spread of the virus through wearing face coverings while indoors and keeping physically distant, the necessity of moving all instruction and most campus services online becomes real.
On Monday, University of Minnesota System President Joan Gabel announced a new COVID-19 testing resource, in partnership with the State of Minnesota. The student component of this program will go to the Board of Regents for approval this week. Further information about how the program works and how to access your mail-in saliva test will follow.
As always, you can find more information about COVID-19 on our safe campus website.
2020 Vote
Do you have your vote plan ready for the election this year? The University of Minnesota Duluth has historically been one of the nation’s top universities in voter turnout. With the election just weeks away, every individual should have a vote plan in place to make sure that your voice is heard. Click here for voting resources.
Thanks for your continued commitment to UMD.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
