Campus Communications
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April 30, 2020 3:57 p.m.
Update to faculty and staff
We’re moving toward having classes on campus in the fall!
I am thrilled to send you great news today. Mayville State University plans to return to face-to-face instruction in the fall, with precautions taken for the safety of students, faculty, and staff. We also plan to open residence halls for the fall semester.
We can’t say enough about how much we miss having our residential students, faculty, and staff on campus. A return to life as close to normal as possible is a fabulous goal for us moving forward. Things can change, sometimes very quickly, so I want you to know we will be monitoring the pandemic situation and planning accordingly.
Yesterday the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education unanimously passed a motion expressing their intent to have students return to campuses for classes this fall.
Board president Nick Hacker said, “In a purely online educational environment, the indications are many students don’t thrive or succeed. The learning environment we’re coming to know as the most effective seems to be ‘experiential learning.’ That happens in an academic setting that allows for labs, collaboration with other students, collaboration with faculty, and so on.”
I also believe this is where our wonderful faculty, students, and staff excel.
May Day
Tomorrow is Mayville State’s May Day annual day of giving. We are asking our alumni and friends to consider making a gift on May 1 that will pay forward their appreciation for Mayville State University and how it has made a difference in their lives. At the same time, their generosity will have an impact in the lives of Mayville State students.
The theme for the day is “I’m thankful for Mayville State.” Will you help us promote this event by sharing the reasons why you’re thankful for Mayville State University? You could upload a comment, video, or photo on the web page (www.mayvillestate.edu/mayday) or share messages of gratitude on your social media platforms. Any assistance you can give in this regard is greatly appreciated, and I’m sure our alumni and students would love to see you as well. #MSUthankful
Kudos
Congratulations to all who were involved with the virtual Student Success Day video project! I am Comet Proud of your over-the-top work. Thank you for going above and beyond to reach out to the Mayville State family. Many students have commented to me on this and they all loved it.
Thank you to all faculty and staff for working hard, being flexible, and thinking out of the box as we navigate these unprecedented times.
Have a great day!
Brian Van Horn, President
Mayville State University
April 30, 2020 3:53 p.m.
Update to students
We’re moving toward having classes on campus in the fall!
I am thrilled to send you great news today. Mayville State University plans to return to face-to-face instruction in the fall, with precautions taken for the safety of students, faculty, and staff. We also plan to open residence halls for the fall semester.
We can’t say enough about how much we miss having our residential students, faculty, and staff on campus. A return to life as close to normal as possible is a fabulous goal for us moving forward. Things can change, sometimes very quickly, so I want you to know we will be monitoring the pandemic situation and planning accordingly.
Yesterday the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education unanimously passed a motion expressing their intent to have students return to campuses for classes this fall.
Board president Nick Hacker said, “In a purely online educational environment, the indications are many students don’t thrive or succeed. The learning environment we’re coming to know as the most effective seems to be ‘experiential learning.’ That happens in an academic setting that allows for labs, collaboration with other students, collaboration with faculty, and so on.”
I also believe this is where our wonderful faculty, staff, and students excel.
May Day
Tomorrow is Mayville State’s May Day annual day of giving. We are asking our alumni and friends to consider making a gift on May 1 that will pay forward their appreciation for Mayville State University and how it has made a difference in their lives. At the same time, their generosity will have an impact in your lives as Mayville State students.
The theme for the day is “I’m thankful for Mayville State.” I know our alumni and friends would love to hear from grateful Mayville State University students. If you are so inclined, please share your messages of thankfulness for Mayville State on social media tomorrow. #MSUthankful
Kudos
Thank you for working hard, being flexible, and thinking out of the box as we navigate these unprecedented times.
Have a great day!
Brian Van Horn, President
Mayville State University
April 17, 2020 4:41 p.m.
Happy Friday! I hope you’ve all had a good week and will be able to take some time to relax this weekend.
Thank you!
Staff and faculty members are key to Mayville State’s success always, and especially during this time of uncertainty related to the coronavirus pandemic. Please know how much you are appreciated! I understand that there are many challenges that go along with completing your standard work hours while working from home and balancing the need to care for children and attend to their educational needs. Some of our employees are watching out for the welfare of their elderly parents or other at-risk family members and friends. Those who are able to come to campus to complete their work every day are also heroes. They are integral to our ability to keep the campus open and functioning. They may have older children at home who need help with school work in the evenings. Just getting groceries and basic necessities is difficult and more time-consuming right now. Be sure to take good care of yourselves and your loved ones and know that we appreciate your best efforts to get your Mayville State work done during this time of handling multiple challenges.
Reassignment of Office of Institutional Effectiveness Areas of Responsibility
Thank you to Dr. Erin Kunz, Dr. Bob Miess, and Dr. Andrew Pflipsen for taking on additional responsibilities that were once housed in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. I am confident that the new arrangements will help to keep Mayville State University moving in a positive direction, especially knowing that these folks are a part of the team. Thank you also to Ashley Kulland and Jessica Amb who will continue in their same roles, but as a part of different teams. Dr. Pflipsen and Dr. Such have both accepted additional assignments as a result of these changes and I am grateful for their willingness to assist. This is teamwork at its best.
Why are you thankful for Mayville State?
Friday, May 1, May Day, has been designated as a time when we can all show our gratitude for “The School of Personal Service.” It’s the MSU Foundation’s annual giving day. The theme for the day is “I’m Thankful for Mayville State.” We are asking our alumni and friends to consider making a gift on May 1 that will pay forward their appreciation for the university and how it has made a difference in their lives. One of our thankful and supportive alumni families has pledged to match all gifts made on May Day, up to a total of $30,000! Annual giving helps to fuel the engine that keeps the MSU Foundation energized and supporting Mayville State and its students. This financial support is super-important to the success of our foundation and ultimately the university.
We understand that these are uncertain and difficult times for everyone and that a financial gift may not be possible right now, but we encourage all to get involved by sharing your thoughts of gratitude on the May Day web page at www.mayvillestate.edu/mayday or on your social media platforms. One of the best ways to show your support for Mayville State is through your words. Please express your Comet Pride on May 1 and every day … #MSUthankful.
Again, thank you for your outstanding work on behalf of Mayville State University and its students. Enjoy the weekend!
Sincerely,
Dr. Brian Van Horn, President
Mayville State University
April 1, 2020 2:29 p.m.
Greetings to all Mayville State students,
We’ve made it through our first week of all classes being delivered online. Congratulations to all! I know this is a big transition for many of our students, and I want you to know we truly appreciate your willingness to adjust during these difficult times. I couldn’t be more Comet Proud of everyone in the Mayville State family for how they have stepped up!
I have just a few updates to share with you today.
Commencement 2020
The president’s cabinet has made the decision to postpone Commencement 2020 to Friday, September 25 at 2 p.m. This is also Farmers Bowl weekend. Further details will be available at a later date.
Housing and Dining Credits
With Mayville State University extending remote instruction through the end of the semester, many have asked about the possibility of housing and dining credits. Although state policy does not typically allow us to issue these refunds at this point in the semester, the State Board of Higher Education has authorized NDUS institutions to consider partial refunds for housing and dining credits. Mayville State personnel are working on a plan to facilitate the process. Information will go out soon to those students who have residence hall and dining services contracts.
Let’s keep in touch!
To help us stay connected with each other, I’m going to start a blog. I need your input to make this successful. Will you please share with me any unique or fun and interesting things that are happening with you and your classmates, teammates, and friends that I can include as part of this new website feature? Please contact Beth Swenson at any time with your thoughts, stories, and ideas as she will be overseeing this project. We encourage short video clips and photos of you wearing your Mayville State gear wherever you are.
Thanks very much for your patience and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented situations. If you have questions or concerns at any time, please be sure to reach out to your instructors, advisors, or members of the staff. Whether in person or remotely, we are “here” for you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brian Van Horn, President