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COVID-19 and Campus Readiness

Situation Update

As we begin in-person classes this Fall 2021, St. Thomas is taking measures to keep its students, faculty and staff safe while the state of Minnesota continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The university is requiring community members who are medically able to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

At the beginning of the semester, the university will require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status to wear face coverings in indoor, public areas when others are present. This is in response to the rapid spread of the Delta variant. We hope to remove this requirement as conditions improve.

Please see our updated COVID-19 response plan and the recent communications below for specific protocols (including guidance around face coverings, guests on campus and case reporting) that must be followed to prevent campus outbreaks.

Featured Communication: October 7, 2021

In summary – our current requirement to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces will remain in place for now due to rising case rates in Minnesota, and while we await more clarity about federal requirements.
See the full note from October 7

Most Recent Communications

Recent communications from St. Thomas regarding the university's response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

For more stories showing how St. Thomas’ community is responding in the wake of COVID-19, please visit our Newsroom.

See All Previous COVID-related Communications

One St Thomas (intranet) Links

COVID-19 Response Plan

The Campus COVID-19 Response Plan was created to outline the changes to campus driven by COVID-19, along with the behavior expectations for all members of the St. Thomas community. The goal of this plan is to protect the health and safety of the university community while conducting the essential work of educating students. (NOTE: the COVID-19 Response Plan replaces the Campus Preparedness Plan as of July 2021.)

Read the COVID-19 Response Plan (PDF)

Center for Well-Being Services

The Center for Well-Being remains open to offer a range of physical health, mental health, and health promotion services to St.Thomas students, faculty and staff.

Funding Information

Apply to the Student Emergency Fund: Students in need can apply for funds via the Student Emergency Financial Assistance Program. (Link to OneStThomas intranet.)

Give to COVID-19 Student Need: Our students continue to face immediate and pressing financial needs, especially for Hardship Scholarship support. Your gift (at any level) will directly help students.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Reporting: Reports on the use of the funds St. Thomas has received from the HEERF (including CARES Act, CRRSAA and ARP Act) for student grants and institutional support.

St. Thomas Responds to COVID-19

August 19, 2021

St. Thomas Updates COVID-19 Protocols for Fall

St. Thomas will require face coverings in indoor public spaces when others are present, beginning Monday, Aug. 23. The recent surge of the COVID-19 delta variant in Minnesota unfortunately means campus life cannot be quite as normal as hoped at St. Thomas. The university's campuswide vaccination rate continues rising – 83% as of Aug. 19… The post St. Thomas Updates COVID-19 Protocols for Fall appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

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  • August 17, 2021

    Tommie Experts: Father Collins on the Catholic Church’s Pro-Vaccine Stance

    "The Church authoritatively is teaching that it's morally permissible to get the vaccine." St. Thomas’ recently announced COVID-19 vaccine requirement has helped drive up the university’s vaccination rate among students, faculty and staff; as of this week, more than 80% of the community has received at least one dose. With assistance of the Office for Mission,… The post Tommie Experts: Father Collins on the Catholic Church’s Pro-Vaccine Stance appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

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  • August 13, 2021

    In the News: ‘We need to mandate the vaccine’ - Sister Mary Haddad, head of Catholic Health Association, is ready for bold action

    Sister Mary Haddad, RSM, a member of the St. Thomas Board of Trustees, and the CEO-President of the Catholic Health Association, was interviewed by the Jesuit magazine, America, about the COVID-19 vaccinations and the rise of the delta variant. She told the publication: “I do believe that we need to mandate the vaccine.” That is a personal,… The post In the News: ‘We need to mandate the vaccine’ - Sister Mary Haddad, head of Catholic Health Association, is ready for bold action appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

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  • August 3, 2021

    St. Thomas Updates Vaccine Requirements

    All St. Thomas students, faculty and staff must be fully vaccinated before returning to campus for the fall semester, the university announced Monday.   The decision is due to the highly contagious delta variant spreading rapidly and rising infection rates in Minnesota and beyond. Per recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, the university… The post St. Thomas Updates Vaccine Requirements appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

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  • July 27, 2021

    Vaccines Required for University Travel

    With the university working to get an accurate count of individuals on campus vaccinated against COVID-19, St. Thomas announced it would require vaccines for community members participating in university-sponsored travel. The policy is effective Aug. 2 and applies to: St. Thomas employees (faculty, staff and student workers), students, student clubs and organizations, contractors and volunteers… The post Vaccines Required for University Travel appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

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