COVID-19 FAQs

Yes, our campuses are open to students, prospective students and the public.  Our spaces will be available for lease for public events on a case-by-case basis beginning June 1, 2021.  For students wishing to schedule a campus tour, please visit ridgewater.edu/visit. 

Yes — but it will be a “new” normal, given all that we learned during COVID!  At this time, we are planning to be back to normal as far as offering classes, student activities, and student services in person again, having all campus buildings open, and welcoming the public back to visit our campuses.  Courses will continue to be offered in a variety of formats to meet student needs and provide flexibility; those formats include in-person, hybrid/mixed and fully online.  All student services offices will be open again, with most of our staff returning to campus beginning July 26th.  

Yes. Please reach out to your instructor if you have questions on their office hours.   You can also meet with academic advisors, financial aid officers, or admissions specialists through virtual appointments.  

1.  First and foremost, you should stay home and not come to campus. 
2.  Second, you should report your situation to our Campus Safety Director on our COVID-19 Reporting Form  and wait for instructions.  She will determine if contact tracing and/or quaranting are required. 
3. Notify your instructor or supervisor and staff.

Additional guidance is available from the Minnesota Department of Health:

• What to Do if You Are Sick
• Symptoms and Testing: COVID-19
• Is it COVID-19
• What to Do if You’re Waiting for COVID-19 Test Results

Yes.

As of Monday, August 9, every person entering a Ridgewater College building must wear a mask at all times while indoors. The only exception is when an individual is alone in an enclosed space, but as soon as anyone else enters that space, a mask must be worn by all individuals in that space. The mask must fully cover the mouth and nose. Plastic half-masks or full plastic face shields are not acceptable substitutes.

Minnesota State is following the guidance from the State of Minnesota and Minnesota Department of Health on vaccinations of our students and employees. Currently the State of Minnesota is not requiring vaccinations. We are, however, strongly encouraging our employees and students to get vaccinated. In addition, a number of our colleges and universities have been working with MDH to offer vaccination clinics to their faculty, staff, students, and campus communities, and are developing strategies to offer additional clinics prior to fall term.