FAQs for Students

The health and safety of our community is our #1 priority for the 2020-21 academic year. Learn more about the new protocols and plans by visiting the Health and Safety page. Information on masks, testing, quarantine and isolation guidelines and more can be found there.

Additionally, before returning to campus, all students were required to submit the Personal Responsibility Statement – Commitment to Community form in the forms portal. This statement acknowledges understanding and acceptance of the following:

• Follow physical/social distancing guidelines, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet between myself and others with whom I do not live, both on and off campus.
• Wear a mask at all times when I am outside of my place of residence, both on and off campus.
• Avoid activities that put myself or others at greater risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19.
• Abide by all seating, sanitation, hygiene, disinfection and occupancy limits in all public and personal spaces.
• Abide by all expectations and restrictions on the LINK Bus.
• Complete my daily health screening honestly and accurately.
• Not attend in-person classes when I am not feeling well and communicate this situation to my professors in a timely fashion.
• Report to my resident/community assistant, residence director, area coordinator, faculty resident, and/or a campus health professional, that I am not feeling well or experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and abide by the directives provided by those officials for caring for my health and the health and welfare of others.

Each member of our community must take personal responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help keep each other accountable. All community members are encouraged to remind others who are not in compliance to mask and social distance appropriately.

Please review the Student Compliance page for information on how policies will be enforced and the disciplinary stages. 

When necessary, you can report a COVID-19 concern or policy violation by submitting a brief form. Concerns regarding faculty and staff will be directed to Human Resources and concerns about students will be sent Jody Terhaar, CSB Dean of Students, and Jeff Glover, SJU Assistant Director of Student Support/Assistant Director of Residential Life.

Monday – Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Self-isolate and call 320-363-5370 (RN Triage/COVID Callback Line) to speak with an RN to have symptoms triaged. This line is answered by multiple staff members and may ring up to 10 times before going to voicemail. Please leave a message and they will call you back as soon as possible. If they determine your symptoms are consistent with COVID-19, you will be scheduled for testing at the appropriate campus location.

Evenings and weekends

Self-isolate and call CentraCare Connect at 320-200-3200 for triage and possible testing at the St. Cloud testing location. If you need to be tested on the weekend, you will need to arrange transportation.

Alternatively, you can self-isolate and call 320-363-5370 (RN Triage/COVID Callback Line), leave a message and wait for a call back on the next business day.

Monday – Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

A true exposure is close contact (6-feet or less for 15 minutes or more) with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. For COVID-19 testing to be accurate, the test needs to be conducted at least five days after the initial exposure. If you are confident you meet this criterion, you should self-isolate and call 320-363-5605 to be scheduled for testing at the appropriate campus location.

If you are unsure if you were exposed, you can call 320-363-5370 (RN Triage/COVID Callback Line) to consult with an RN. 

Evenings and weekends

A true exposure is close contact (6-feet or less for 15 minutes or more) with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. For COVID-19 testing to be accurate, the test needs to be conducted at least five days after the initial exposure. If you are confident you meet this criterion, you should self-isolate and call CentraCare Connect at 320-200-3200 for triage and possible testing at the St. Cloud testing location. If you need to be tested on the weekend you will need to arrange transportation.

Alternatively, you can self-isolate and call 320-363-5370 (RN Triage/COVID Callback Line), leave a message and wait for a call back on the next business day. 

Monday – Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Return to your residence immediately and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If symptoms develop that are consistent with COVID-19, self-isolate and call the RN Triage/COVID Callback Line at 320-363-5370 to speak with an RN to have symptoms triaged. This line is answered by multiple staff members and may ring up to 10 times before going to voicemail. Please leave a message and they will call you back as soon as possible. If they determine your symptoms are consistent with COVID-19, you will be scheduled for testing at the appropriate campus location. 

Evenings and weekends

Return to your residence immediately and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Call CentraCare Connect at 320-200-3200 for triage and possible testing at the St. Cloud testing location. If you need to be tested on the weekend you will need to arrange transportation.

Alternatively, you can self-isolate and call 320-363-5370 (RN Triage/COVID Callback Line), leave a message and wait for a call back on the next business day. 

If you test positive for COVID-19 at an off-campus testing location, immediately notify the Student COVID-19 Coordinator Team at [email protected].

Students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate at their permanent residence. If unable to isolate at permanent residence, students will be moved into isolation space on campus.

You should remain in self-isolation and not leave the room.

CSB students can fill out the sick meal request on the CSB Culinary Services webpage. A friend or roommate will need to pick up food.

SJU students can send a friend or roommate to SJU dining services to pick up food. The friend picking up food will need your ID card, picture of ID card or Banner number.

The only time you should leave the room is to shower and use the bathroom. Laundry should not be done at this time.

Please be diligent about hand hygiene when moving in and out of these spaces. A mask must be worn at all times except when in the shower.

For more information on what to do while waiting for a test result, please review this information from the Minnesota Department of Health.

If your roommate or close friend is instructed to quarantine, they were identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19. This does not mean they have COVID-19, but for your safety and others, quarantine separates them from others for 14 days to see if symptoms develop.

The close contact of a close contact does not need to quarantine. You can attend class and move around campus. Complete your daily health screening, closely monitor any symptoms and continue to follow all health and safety guidelines.

If your roommate or close friend is instructed to isolate, they tested positive for COVID-19. You will be listed as a close contact and a health professional will be in touch to provide information on quarantining. Inform your professor that you will be attending class remotely.

If you are not contacted and believe you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, please call CSB Health Services at 320-363-5605.

Masks are required in the classroom and furniture configurations ensure 6-foot social distancing. With these safety measures in place, if a student or faculty member tests positive, the rest of the class will not be considered close contacts. As such, they do not need to quarantine or be tested.

Members of the class can continue attending class in-person and are free to move around campus. Everyone should complete their daily health screening, closely monitor any symptoms and continue to follow all health and safety guidelines.

• You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
• You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
• You shared eating or drinking utensils
• They sneezed, coughed or somehow got respiratory droplets on you

• You can attend class remotely or in-person as long as you continue to be compliant with social distancing and masking.
• Your roommate has been advised to wear a mask in the room. It would be best for you to do the same.
• Try to maintain separate areas in your room and avoid using the same countertop, eating space, study area, etc.
• Avoid sharing household items. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items. All used items should be washed thoroughly.
• Keep your personal space clean by frequently cleaning high touch points in the room.
• You can leave the room to get food and exercise.
• Avoid large gatherings and take extra precautions around friends.
• Monitor symptoms twice a day (temperature check).
• Wash your hands frequently.

An updated academic calendar is available on the Registrar webpage (fall; spring). In efforts to keep our community together and on campus, we will limit the number of breaks throughout the semesters. We will not have a fall or spring break. Instead, we will offer Community Engagement Days at the end of each block to celebrate the work or our community.

If you need transportation from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, we encourage you to use Landline (https://landline.com/). You can make reservations by calling them directly at 1-888-428-1149 or using the online reservation option. Please note: If you use the online reservation option, you will select STC Airport as your destination. There will be an option for you to indicate St. Joseph or Collegeville as your final destination prior to confirming your reservation. Landline is the only company providing service from the airport to the St. Cloud area at this time and are quite busy. We recommend making your reservation as soon as possible. Should you need financial assistance, you can submit a request to be reimbursed using this form

A block schedule allows students to take a single four-credit course in an intensive, 4-week block. The block schedule will give students the opportunity to dive deeply into a topic and build strong community with peers and a professor. Every four weeks or so, students will move to a new block with a new four-credit course. By the end of the semester, students will have completed the same number of credits they would within our typical academic system (four classes for 16 weeks). Four-credit classes will meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

This new structure creates a learning environment that not only sustains but enhances our interactive and in-person academic experience with safety and flexibility at its foundation. Imagine a political science course that delves into the process of an election or a biology class that embeds research into the topics normally discussed in class. The block schedule enhances what CSB/SJU does best by creatively supporting students’ individual learning, even within the uncertainties of COVID-19.

Hybrid learning allows students who cannot be in class to participate in the class virtually. Microphones and video technology will be used to fully engage all class participants, regardless of where you are.

If you have questions or comments regarding the block schedule with hybrid learning, please submit this form.

Based on the safety and uncertainty that COVID-19 demands, we could not maintain our current academic schedule in the safest way possible. We needed a more flexible schedule that allows for safety protocols and flexibility. This resulted in the development of the block schedule, where students take one course at a time for 3.5 weeks. Students complete four blocks in a semester and will therefore complete a similar number of courses as they would in a typical semester. (See “Why is the block schedule safer than the current semester structure?”) However, if COVID-19 disrupts or impacts our campuses, hybrid learning allows for us to move to all online learning swiftly and with minimal disruption.

Because we cannot predict the impact of COVID-19, the block schedule with hybrid learning provides maximum safety measures and flexibility for the entire next year. Our hope is we will return to our traditional semester schedule in fall 2021.

The block schedule is safer for various reasons: 1) More time between the morning and afternoon class allows for thorough disinfection of classrooms. The traditional schedule would not allow for this time. 2) Fewer students in a single classroom because at most, three courses will be taught in each classroom within a block. 3) Instead of interacting with four different groups of students in four classes, students interact with only one group of students in one class. In addition, faculty only interact with one group of students at a time. 4) With the block schedule, we can alter the LINK schedule to safely move students across the two campuses. 5) Should a positive COVID-19 case appear on campus, contact tracing will be easier due to less movement. 6) Should a student become ill, this may only impact one class instead of four.

The block schedule is designed for a student to complete one four-credit course within each four-week block. However, we recognize that not all courses at CSB/SJU are four credits, and there will be many one- and two-credit courses available. Most commonly, one- and two-credit courses will be offered throughout several blocks (in a more traditional semester schedule). For example, a two-credit course might meet every Wednesday over two blocks. As another example, music ensembles, which can be taken for one credit, will meet throughout the semester. This will mean, similar to the semester schedule, a student will likely enroll in a four-credit course during these blocks but will also enroll in a two-credit option or music ensemble.  There may be other options (it will depend on the course) where a student can enroll in two, two-credit courses in a single block. Students still have the option to enroll in 18 credits as part of their full-time tuition.

The block schedule means students will typically be in class for three hours each day (and extra hours may be included if there is a laboratory component). It will be difficult to lecture for three hours. Therefore, faculty will use a variety of interactive techniques to engage students with the material. There will be discussions, small group work, and projects to help students delve into a subject and further apply what they learn. Class time will feel different than a traditional lecture-based course.

Courses will be structured differently in the block schedule. While we expect a course to maintain the learning outcomes and rigor that exist in a semester-long course, it will be taught differently. Homework and preparation for the next class period will be altered so it is manageable in the short time a student has to study. Time in class may also look different. For example, there will likely be more time to work on projects while in class. While courses will be demanding, they will not be structured in a way that it is not manageable for students to complete their work in the block schedule.

The planning team considered these concerns. Block teaching is one type of Intensive Teaching. Although somewhat limited, research comparing a semester-long course structure to an intensive teaching course structure demonstrates no significant difference on student learning outcomes. However, this three-hour class will feel different than a traditional 60-80-minute class. This time period is not meant to be a three-hour lecture. Rather, it is an opportunity for active learning, enhanced with group-work, case studies, discussions, and other active learning strategies. The extended classroom time is an opportunity to apply what you have learned about a topic which can further support comprehension of important concepts as well with retention of information. While presented and learned in different ways, we expect to have similar learning outcomes for our students in our courses as compared to the traditional semester. These outcomes will prepare you for future courses at CSB/SJU and graduate programs.

Because the learning strategy is different in this three-hour class, we expect transitions and breaks that will allow students to shift their thinking and focus on different things. We expect the amount of active learning conducted during this time will help keep students engaged in the learning process and three hours will not feel like a long period of time

While Wednesday will be a day for studying and preparation for the next class periods, some one-and two-credit courses will be offered on Wednesdays on a semester schedule. For example, all first-year students will enroll in a College Success course that will most commonly meet on Wednesdays throughout the semester. Some students also might take a two-credit course that will meet once per week (for a longer period of time) on Wednesdays for two blocks. We expect this might also be a good time to hold music lessons. Depending on a student’s schedule, one could see a class or lesson scheduled during this time but spaced out through several blocks.

It has been decided that most labs will occur during the assigned block for the course. For example, a student might have class in the morning (8-11 a.m.) and then lab in the afternoon (1-3 p.m. or 1-4 p.m.) during the block. Some labs will meet every class period (M/T/Th/F) and some may not meet as much, depending on the course. In other cases, faculty plan to integrate the class and lab and spend one hour in class (8-9 a.m.) followed by two hours (9-11 a.m.) to conduct an experiment applying class material. In the afternoon, you might spend an hour in lab (1-2 a.m.) and go back to class to discuss results and discussions on the concept or topic. There will be some exceptions to this concept, when a lab is offered throughout the semester. For example, when learning the bones, muscles, and other parts of the body in an anatomy and physiology course, you may do this throughout the semester to allow ample time for learning. We will consider the best way to avoid interference with other courses.

The block schedule provides an opportunity for class and lab to be an immersive/intensive learning experience. While the compressed schedule will require adjustments from faculty and students, it may enhance your ability to focus and deeply learn.

Similar to most courses, we expect that the capstone for a major will be taken within a single block. In some cases, students may meet and begin work with faculty ahead of this block. This may help prepare students to conduct the work while in the block. In other cases, work from other courses may support preparation for the capstone.

If a course has a final, it will be conducted at the end of the block. It will be up to the instructor to decide how the final is delivered, but it will occur within the timeframe of the block. This means there will not be a week of finals at the end of the semester.

Traditionally, if a faculty member becomes ill and depending on the length of the illness, we will find a replacement for their course until they can return. Normally, a faculty member teaches three courses over the span of a semester. In general, this means that some faculty will not be teaching in one of the four blocks offered during the semester. We will work with departments to see if those faculty not teaching during a block are able to help a faculty member who becomes ill. If a faculty member develops COVID-19, they will be expected to isolate themselves and not return to the classroom until recovered and no longer contagious (following MDH guidelines). If asymptomatic or well enough to work, faculty members can use hybrid technology to teach remotely. This means students can participate in the classroom, but the faculty member is supporting the course through an electronic platform like Zoom.

CSB/SJU have approached faculty training for the block schedule in various ways. Cornell College, Colorado College, and University of Montana Western use the block schedule as their primary academic structure, and colleagues from those institutions have generously provided sample syllabi and materials as well as conducted training workshops for our faculty. The workshops have been attended by many faculty and recorded for those could not attend. IT Services has worked closely with Academic Affairs and faculty to develop training resources such as instructional videos, pedagogical literature and faculty-led demonstrations from our own classrooms. All these resources, including recorded sessions, have been made available in a central location in Canvas, our course management platform. Finally, IT Services has also provided opportunities for individual and departmental training on our new instructional technology in the classrooms.

We have adopted hybrid learning in addition to our switch to the block schedule. Hybrid learning allows students to physically participate in class or participate remotely. CSB/SJU is in the process of installing technology in our classrooms that allows those who cannot be in class (due to social distancing, illness, travel restrictions or other reasons) to not only see those in the classroom but to also participate. We will use technology like Zoom to allow those participating in this hybrid format to ask questions, listen and contribute to discussions, and join small group work. Hybrid learning can be used for students who cannot return to campus, but also for students who are on campus but cannot all fit into one classroom. While faculty may structure their courses somewhat differently, one scenario might include splitting the class in half with one half might physically in the class Monday (the other half participates remotely) and the other half physically participates on Tuesday. There are a variety of ways to address social distancing in the classroom, but hybrid learning will provide more flexibility and still give students on campus a chance to interact with their peers and professor.

Attendance will be important in the block schedule as there are less, but longer meeting times within a course. Attendance polices for each class can vary and are in the syllabus for the class. It is strongly recommended that if a student must miss class, they should immediately talk with their instructor about how to make up missed material.

A student is expected to attend class whether in-class or remotely. A student cannot be penalized for attending the class remotely as opposed to in-person.

Some one- and two-credit courses may be offered within a block. For example, if a student wants to drop a class, there may be some two credit options to take within a single block. In other cases, one- and two-credit courses will be taken across the blocks on Wednesdays or potentially in the afternoon and evening. For example, music lessons will likely be held once per week throughout the semester.

Grades will be distributed at the end of each block. However, they will not be officially posted until the end of the semester.

Professors will continue to offer office hours and students are encouraged to connect with them regularly with questions, concerns or to simply chat. However, as we begin the semester, our policy is that these office hours will occur remotely. Our technology allows students and faculty to meet face-to-face in a virtual setting.

Community Engagement Days will occur at the end of each block during fall and spring semester (Fridays). Several fun and engaging events will be scheduled throughout the day, so students are encouraged to stay on campus. Learn more about CE Days and the types of programming students can expect this academic year.

We are calling classes “hybrid” when the class is held on campus in a classroom composed of people participating face-to-face and people participating remotely. This is a fully synchronous course that will run during the time scheduled by the Registrar’s Office in the classroom assigned by the Registrar’s Office. The reason students may participate remotely: there aren’t enough seats in the classroom, they are feeling ill or are quarantining, or they are not living on campus due to safety or travel issues. Likewise, if the faculty member for the course has an accommodation to teach remotely, the class would still be using hybrid learning. In this case, the instructor is simply one of the people accessing the class remotely.

Given the social distancing requirements, we know that many classrooms will not be able to hold all of the students and still retain social distancing. Hybrid learning will allow faculty to create a schedule with students where some days the student might participate remotely from their dorm room and on other days they will be in the classroom. Students should adhere to this schedule. If there is another reason a student living on campus or in off-campus student housing cannot attend class in-person, that student must receive permission from his/her instructor to do so. If a student cannot be on campus and wants to participate entirely remotely, the technology we are installing allows that student to log into the class and participate “live” with the instructor and other students.

Online learning is the term we use to describe a course that is fully online because we have closed the campus. All participants will access the course remotely. Although we are developing expectations regarding required synchronous Zoom meetings, there will also be asynchronous components in our online classes.

Because most classrooms are equipped with cameras and microphones, students who need to quarantine will still be able to fully participate in classes virtually through hybrid learning.

We expect that some students may not be able to return to campus for a number of reasons this year. We will allow students to participate through hybrid learning. However, this option requires prior approval which can be requested by reaching out to residential life at CSB or SJU. Students learning remotely will still be expected to attend class at the assigned time through hybrid learning. Should a student receive a housing accommodation for the entire semester, room and board will not be billed to this student.

We will be limiting the number of breaks throughout the semester and will encourage students to stay on campus. We have established protocols and guidance on community behavior to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

Similar to last spring, we will do what we can to support students who need Wi-Fi access or have specific technology needs. For example, we were able to provide hotspots to some students who could not get access to the internet at home or in off-campus housing.

We worked through the guidelines and recommendations of the Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to understand how to routinely disinfect the buses and other areas of campus. We are following these guidelines to ensure the safety of our community. The block schedule limits the need for transportation because students will have only one class per day, and some students will not need to travel to the other campus. We plan to stagger courses to minimize the number of students who must take the LINK at a given time, and this will also reduce congestion in buildings and classrooms. The LINK schedule has been altered to support the block schedule.

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provides $786,276 to CSB and $678,568 to SJU to be awarded as grants directly to students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Expenses include, but are not limited to, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. See full update to CSB and SJU students here.

CARES Act funding is restricted to students who meet the qualifications outlined by the federal government as part of the CARES Act, which states only students who are eligible for federal Title IV financial aid may receive emergency grant funding, which exceeds 1,370 CSB students and 1,215 SJU students.

To determine how best to distribute CARES Act student emergency grants to eligible students, a team was convened to evaluate options. There was consensus that priority would be given to students with greater financial need as demonstrated by the 2019-20 FAFSA. More information on the four groups of eligible students can be found here.

Questions about the CARES Act Grant or applying for financial aid can be directed to Stuart Perry ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at CSB or Robert Piechota ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at SJU. Families who experienced a significant change in their financial situation my complete the CSB/SJU Special Circumstances form, following completion of the FAFSA, and submit it to the financial aid office, along with supporting documentation as explained on the form.

Some students may have the ability to work remotely. Remote work will be determined by your supervisor(s) and will be coordinated directly between the supervisor(s)/department(s) and student employees. Students working remotely will be paid for any hours worked. Hours will continue to be reported and approved per the student payroll schedule.

Our tuition costs have been established for AY2020-2021 and can be found on the website for CSB and SJU. Tuition will not be adjusted regardless of the form of education delivery. While we are doing everything possible to provide an in-person education via hybrid learning, we are ready to teach in an online format and can maintain the academic excellence you expect from our institutions.

Any student enrolled in 12 or more credits for a semester is considered fulltime and will be charged full tuition. Financial aid, including scholarships, grants and loans will be applied to students’ charges in a normal manner as in past years. A student could enroll in 12 credits by taking three 4-credit courses each taught within a separate block. In this scenario, the student would have one free block, but because the student remains responsible for full tuition, after financial aid, we highly recommend signing up for an additional class in the fourth block. A fourth class does not cost more and allows the student to take full advantage of the block schedule. A student can take up to 18 credits without paying more than the fulltime tuition.

If a student chooses to enroll in only 12 credits and therefore has a block “off,” room and board charges will not be prorated. Because we are saving a residential space for the student and the student is enrolled at the institution as a fulltime student, housing and meal plan charges will still be required.

We expect that some students may not be able to return to campus this academic year for health or other reasons. We will allow students to participate through hybrid learning. However, this option requires prior approval which can be requested by reaching out to residential life at CSB or SJU. If the student is granted a housing accommodation for the entire semester, room and board will not be billed.