DICKINSON, N.D. (Nov. 17, 2020) – On Friday, Nov. 13, Governor Burgum, along with the North Dakota State Department of Health, issued executive orders aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 by limiting transmissible moments and in person contact.

The Dickinson State University (DSU) President’s Cabinet met Monday, Nov. 16, and adopted the measures, which include a State Health Officer order requiring that face coverings be worn in indoor businesses and indoor public settings as well as outdoor public settings where physical distancing isn’t possible.

After considering the state’s executive orders and the current level of community spread in Stark County, the DSU President’s Cabinet voted to implement its plan for “Red Status: High Community Spread.” In red status, DSU will temporarily shift to primarily remote campus operations for the final three weeks of the fall semester. The majority of classes will pivot to remote delivery beginning Monday, Nov. 23. The University plans to return to in-person operations for the spring semester beginning Jan. 11. 

“As we promised our students at the beginning of this unusual semester, we maintained in-person, face-to-face operations for as long as possible,” said DSU President Steve Easton. “Though our students did not have exactly the same experience they usually have at Dickinson State, their experience is a lot closer to ‘normal’ than those at other colleges and universities as we had concerts, theater productions, nine football games (all of which our Hawks won!), a three-day rodeo, volleyball and basketball games, movie nights, s’mores cookouts, and other events for students.”

But rising community and DSU rates of positive tests, as well as pressure on the health care system, necessitated the temporary move away from face-to-face instruction. “We hated to make this move, because our students and employees have made a tremendous effort in social distancing and wearing masks to protect one another,” said President Easton. “We hope to slow the spread of COVID-19 by moving the University to red status and thereby limiting in-person interaction. But we will continue to offer instruction and support to students for the remainder of the semester. We look forward to welcoming them back in the spring.”

As part of its plan for the current academic year, DSU identified three risk levels related to rates of community spread. These risk levels outline strategies for the University’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan also identified factors the President’s Cabinet has reviewed to determine whether to adjust from one risk level to another. These factors are:

• The local health care system’s capacity to handle COVID-19 cases 
• Community positive COVID-19 tests 
• DSU positive COVID-19 tests 
• Health concerns 
• DSU inventory of COVID-related supplies 
• Availability of testing 
• Trends in the above factors and other related factors 
• Educational consequences of moving to a higher risk level 

On Monday, the President’s Cabinet met and moved DSU’s risk level from “orange” to “red.” The University’s adaptive strategies and responses under “Red Status: High Community Spread” include:  

General Operations:	1. Campus will shift to primarily remote operations. 2. Essential personnel will work on campus. Supervisors may require or allow their employees to work on campus. 3. Campus buildings will be closed to the public.
Instruction Modality:	1. The majority of classes will move to remote delivery. 2. Instructors of courses that have components that cannot be delivered remotely should coordinate with the VPAA to determine how the course requirements can be met and if in-person instruction with adjustments can be made. There might be opportunities for in-person small group instruction. 3. Faculty will have academic freedom over course content and requirements. 4. Faculty will have their choice of video technology, such as Blackboard, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or others. If a platform is supported by DSU, like Blackboard, DSU will make available accommodations for disabilities, like closed captions, along with the support of the faculty member and disabilities services. If the platform is not supported by DSU, then the faculty member, still working with disability services, will need to make the appropriate accommodations.
Common Spaces:	1. The library and computer labs will remain accessible for student use, but may have altered hours. 2. Residence Halls will remain open. 3. The Perch dining hall will offer limited dining options.
Extracurricular Activities, Meetings and Events:	1. To the extent possible, DSU intercollegiate athletics will follow guidance and directives from the NAIA, the North Star Athletic Association, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, the National Association of Collegiate Esports, and the governing bodies of other extracurricular activities. 2. DSU sponsored extracurricular events, activities, and practices will be permitted consistent with arrangements made with Southwestern District Health Unit. 3. Small group, in person recruiting activities may be held.
Priorities in Red:	1. Continue to offer educational and support services to students via remote interaction. 2. Reduce the risk of further community spread by discontinuing or limiting in-person interactions.

“As we finish the fall semester, faculty will continue to offer educational instruction to students, primarily via technology, although some classes may meet in small groups,” said Dr. Debora Dragseth, DSU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. “These temporary measures are intended to support our community and slow the spread. We believe these measures will provide the best path forward for our University to return to the delivery of face-to-face instruction for the spring semester.” 

Faculty who believe it is important to continue to allow a face-to-face option for the remainder of the semester in selected courses will be allowed to work with the Vice President of Academic Affairs to pursue this option. Classes that will continue to have a face-to-face option for the remainder of the semester will also be offered remotely, and students who attend remotely will suffer no adverse consequences for doing so. Dr. Dragseth emphasized, “Teaching and learning will continue to the end of the semester. This is not an end to our classes. Instead, it is simply a temporary shift to a different mode of delivery in most classes.”

“Considering the current spread of COVID-19 in the community and state, we believe it is in the best interest of all to limit the number of transmissible moments,” said Marie Moe, DSU vice president of student affairs and university relations. “We are taking proactive measures to close the campus to public access. We will continue to have our residence halls, dining hall, Stoxen Library and computer labs open and accessible for students. At this time, we anticipate athletic practices and competitions will continue as planned. For those who intend to finish the semester remotely, or plan to travel for Thanksgiving, we are encouraging them to test and have a negative test result before they leave campus.”

DSU, in conjunction with Southwestern District Health Unit, will host a free community COVID-19 testing event Thursday, Nov. 19, from 8 – 11 a.m. in the Student Center Ballroom on DSU’s campus.

The DSU campus and Dickinson communities are also encouraged to attend free testing events following the Thanksgiving holiday. These events will be held at the old True Value/Whiting building north of Runnings (528 21st St. W) in Dickinson. They include:

•           Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 8-11 a.m.

•           Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 8-11 a.m.

•           Thursday, Dec. 3, from 7-10 a.m.

“As a student I am very grateful that DSU has made every effort to make it to this point in the semester with classes being available face-to-face as well as remotely,” said Abigail Moberg, DSU student senate president. “I, along with many of my classmates, enjoy being able to have interactions in the classroom, however, as an employee at our local hospital, I appreciate the decisions being made by the University’s Cabinet. I believe this move is in the best interest of not only our students and their families, but also our faculty, staff, and community members.”

A campus-wide open forum will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 3:30 p.m. to address questions related to these temporary measures. Distance participation information will be provided to the campus community in an email later this afternoon.