The Minot State University Development Foundation and Minot State Summer Theatre announced a $500,000 gift from the Minot Area Community Foundation (MACF) to support the Summer Theatre renovation project.

“The Minot Area Community Foundation has played a tremendous role in improving the quality of life in our region for the past two decades,” said Minot State President Steven Shirley. “MSU Summer Theatre is a terrific quality of life asset in Minot, and we are most appreciative of MACF for their $500,000 gift today — it is a major boost to this campaign and will help ensure success as we enter the homestretch of our Summer Theatre fundraising efforts.”

The $500,000 gift will create a pool of matching funds providing donors the opportunity to double their impact with a one-to-one match.  The funds will be accessed once $500,000 in private gifts are secured.

Preparation for the fall semester looks a little different on the Minot State campus this year.

In addition to normal summer maintenance and projects, the University is rearranging classrooms, installing new technology, fitting physical barriers in labs, clinics, and offices, and continuing to develop protocols for safety.

“Following the abrupt conversion of the spring semester to an online environment in March, we are excited to welcome our students back to Minot State for the fall semester and have been undertaking many measures throughout campus to prepare for their arrival next month,” said Minot State President Steven Shirley.

The Fall 2020 semester begins Aug. 24 with 4 p.m. classes, which will include a blend of face-to-face, HyFlex, and fully online formats with an emphasis on offering the face-to-face experience. Minot State plans for courses to run the entire scheduled fall semester, which ends on Dec. 18.

“One of Minot State’s strengths is its personalized approach to teaching and learning, and that is best accomplished in a face-to-face environment,” said Laurie Geller, vice president for academic affairs. “In addition, students have overwhelmingly indicated their preference for face-to-face instruction as well as other aspects of the on-campus experience.”

In following both federal and state recommendations and guidelines, Minot State is working to reduce risk for students, faculty, and staff while continuing to provide a high-quality education. One way to meet that goal is by repurposing spaces such as Ann Nicole Nelson Hall and Aleshire Theatre into learning spaces for classes with large enrollment numbers. Another option, HyFlex — or the Hybrid-Flexible format —has students attending either in person or online at the same time. In some cases, students will rotate between face-to-face and remote attendance to reduce classroom capacity. Ninety classrooms on campus are currently being equipped with the technology required to provide this opportunity.

To allow for 6-feet physical distancing and to meet the needs of students with accommodations resulting from ADA-covered health concerns, all faculty teaching face-to-face will also be prepared to offer their courses remotely for those students who cannot attend in person.

Ryan Stander finds beauty in creating art from processes that span centuries.

A letterpress donation from Allan Burke and the Braddock Letterpress Museum will enable students and faculty a new opportunity to do just that.

“There are really fun ways of blending what people create in graphic or digital design and then printing it on a machine from the 1800s. There is this really remarkable process of the newest technologies and antique technologies coming together,” the Minot State University associate professor of art said.

The donation includes a small rolling pin press, or proof press; three cabinets full of metal and wood type; furniture, an industry name for items such as wood and metal spacing; and other items necessary for a letterpress shop.

“There are a lot of ways to integrate letterpress into the curriculum,” Stander said. “I feel like most art faculty see the potential of that and will reimagine how to use it and fit it into their courses.”

A new letterpress studio on the second floor of Hartnett Hall will create workspace and an area to house the presses and work items. The space will also offer opportunities for community letterpress classes in the future.

Effective Monday, Aug. 17, face coverings must be worn by students, faculty, staff, and visitors when in classrooms, instructional spaces, indoor common spaces, and while attending indoor events on the Minot State University campus.

The decision follows recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On July 23, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education — the governing body for the 11 campuses of the North Dakota University System — unanimously approved a resolution supporting masks and strongly encouraging every campus to implement policies or procedures requiring the use of face coverings in appropriate situations.

The University will provide two reusable masks to each student in a welcome bag when students return to campus this fall.

The Great Plains Food Bank is partnering with USDA on their Farmers to Families Food Box Program (F2F). F2F is a new, short term USDA program in response to COVID-19, which helps farmers and suppliers get their food into the hands of families who need it. The events are scheduled for the Minot State Dome North parking lot. Drive-thru distribution of this pre-boxed produce is scheduled Aug. 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  Aug. 19 is designated for food pantries and agencies to collect boxes.

Mary Fetzer, facilities management custodian, was named Minot State University Staff Senate's June High Five Award winner.

Michael Linnell, director of university communications, was elected president of the North Dakota State Staff Senate. He served as vice president in 2019-2020.