Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
2024-2025 SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook

Academic Services



Libraries

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Libraries deliver dynamic services to students, ensuring equitable access, relevant resources, user-friendly discovery, and nurturing learning environments. Saint Mary’s has two libraries, one located on the Minneapolis Campus and one located on the Winona campus. Students may use either library to borrow materials, use study spaces, or consult a librarian.

Minneapolis Campus
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Minneapolis Campus Library
2500 Park Avenue
La Salle Hall – Room 108
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Winona Campus
Saint Mary’s University
Fitzgerald Library
700 Terrace Heights #26
Winona, MN 55987-1399    

Library Resources

Students, faculty, and staff have access to a wealth of free information through the Libraries, both on- and off-campus. Millions of academic journals, eBooks, and streaming videos are available from the Libraries website using a Saint Mary’s username and password. Students, faculty, and staff may use SuperSearch to discover millions of items, which include books, dissertations, DVDs, assessment tests, eBooks, streaming videos and most article databases.

Books, dissertations, journals, assessment tests, and videos may be borrowed from the Libraries using a valid Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota I.D. card or by verifying your home address. Current Saint Mary’s faculty and students who do not attend classes at the Twin Cities or Winona campuses may request that print materials be mailed to their home address. Saint Mary’s students, faculty, and staff can also borrow from other libraries for free through interlibrary loan, including the MnSCU/PALS local library consortium and the OCLC national library organization. Current Saint Mary’s students, faculty, and staff may also visit MnSCU/PALS libraries and borrow materials with their Saint Mary’s I.D. card.

Additional on-campus resources include quiet study areas, headphones, computers loaded with statistical, word processing, and presentation software.

Research Assistance

Students, faculty, and staff may request assistance from a librarian via chat, email, phone, text, and face-to-face. Librarians are available to assist with using online resources, developing search strategies, finding information for course assignments, evaluating sources, organizing research, and obtaining material through interlibrary loan. Library orientation videos and research guides are available on the Libraries website.

The Libraries make every effort to provide services to distance learners in accordance with the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services, which states, “Members of the distance learning community are entitled to library services and resources equivalent to those provided for students and faculty in traditional campus settings.” Librarians at public libraries may be able to assist with an occasional question; however, basic instruction in using resources should be provided by librarians from the institution that is collecting tuition for a course. Students who need instruction in using resources should contact the Libraries for assistance.

Those with questions and comments regarding available library and information resources, or those who need assistance with specific research questions should contact a librarian at:

Phone: (612) 728-5108 or
Toll-free (866) 437-2788 Ext. 108
E-mail: lib@smumn.edu
Web address: www.lib.smumn.edu

Writing Center — Minneapolis Campus

Purpose

The professional and peer writing consultants at the Writing Center provide instructional support to all Saint Mary’s students for academic writing.  The Writing Center staff develops students’ writing ability through a variety of services: individual consultations, workshops, and online resources.  

Individual Consultations

Writing consultants answer writing questions, provide informed feedback as readers, and make suggestions when appropriate. Consultants do not proofread entire student papers, but can help students identify some of their writing problems, help them improve their proofreading skills, and teach them to correct their own errors. 

Consultations are free, but appointments are require; please see the Writing Center website to schedule an appointment at write.smumn.edu.

Workshops

The Writing Center offers workshops on writing topics including citation styles like APA, Chicago, and MLA. These workshops are described on the Writing Center’s website, write.smumn.edu.

Online Resources

The Writing Center website at www.write.smumn.edu provides another means of access to our services, particularly if you are enrolled at Saint Mary’s remotely. The website features a variety of resources, including guides to types of writing assignments, grammar and punctuation rules, information on citation style, and learning modules on various writing topics. 

Introduction to the APA Handbook  

The Writing Center handbook Introduction to APA is the required style guide for students in the bachelor’s completion programs and is often recommended for graduate students. The handbook is an introduction and guide to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed. and provides materials to supplement the manual. The handbook can be purchased for less than $10 at the campus bookstore, or downloaded from the Writing Center’s website at write.smumn.edu.

Policies

Consultations are limited to 90 minutes per student per week and two consultations per paper when appointments are available. Students who are working on theses, capstones, dissertations, and other longer projects, or who have a documented learning disability, may request exceptions to this policy by contacting the Writing Center. If you are more than 10 minutes late to an appointment, the Writing Center reserves the right to open the appointment to another student.

Contact Information

E-mail: write@smumn.edu
Website: http://write.smumn.edu/
Telephone: (612) 728-5154
Toll-free (866) 437-2788, Ext. 5154

MINNEAPOLIS CAMPUS
Location: 128 LaSalle Hall

WINONA CAMPUS
Location: 22 Saint Mary’s Hall

Writing Center — Winona Campus

The Winona Campus Writing Center provides instructional support for academic writing to undergraduate students at the College. In collaborative one-on-one sessions, tutors answer writing questions, provide informed feedback as a reader, and make suggestions for revision. Please visit the Writing Center website at write.smumn.edu to schedule an appointment and access online resources.

Computer and Technology Services

Appropriate Use of Technology Policy

All users of Saint Mary’s University technology are subject to the Appropriate Use of Technology Policy, which can be found on our website via techfaq.smumn.edu.

Information Technology (IT) HelpDesk Contact Information

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Minneapolis Campus
La Salle Hall Room #226
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404-4403
Phone: (5074) 457-7800
Toll-free (866) 437-2788 Ext. 7800
E-mail: helpdesk@smumn.edu

Student and Faculty Access to Classrooms

Most classrooms on the Minneapolis Campus are outfitted with instructional technology including a computer, projector, document camera, and an external hook up for personal laptop use. If your laptop does not have a VGA connection, you must provide your own adapter.  In addition, some rooms have additional equipment capable of recording the class and or enabling online participation.

Video conference rooms are available in La Salle Hall and Brother Louis Hall.

There is a computer lab located in La Salle Hall Room 224 which is generally open during building hours, but may be in use during the evening classes. Computers are also available in the student lounge and library for use when labs are occupied by classes.

Each user is required to login using their Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota username and password. New students will receive their username and default password in the admissions packet once they are accepted for admission. Students should login to the student portal and set a personal password prior to coming to campus.

Student Portal

Student portal is a web-based application that students can access to view their student records and financial information while attending Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Students are able to:

  • Review their academic record.
  • Register and drop classes.
  • Retrieve their course schedule.
  • Retrieve grades.
  • Update personal information including address, telephone, and contact information.
  • Pay tuition account.
  • Retrieve an unofficial transcript.
  • Reset passwords for all IT systems, including Canvas, Gmail (E-mail) and student portal.
  • Retrieve personal financial records, i.e., bills and balances.

To access the student portal application, students need to use their Saint Mary’s of Minnesota username and password.

Access student portal at: https://thenest.smumn.edu.

Google Workspace for Education

Google Workspace for Education is a free suite of hosted communication and collaboration applications. Google Apps includes Gmail, Google Calendar (shared calendaring), Google Docs (online document, spreadsheet, presentation, form creation and sharing), and Google Drive for cloud-based online file storage.

Gmail (Email)

Students are required to use their Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota email account and it is the official form of communication. This account can be accessed via https://mail.google.com. New students will receive their email address in the admission packet once they are accepted for admission. Students are responsible to check their Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota email regularly.

When logging in on Google’s page, the student’s username is the full email address (username@smumn.edu) and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota password.  Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota email accounts for students are discontinued six months after graduation or withdrawal from the university.  Students should plan accordingly.

Learning Management Systems

Canvas is the learning management systems used by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Course content can be accessed on these systems.

To access the system, you need to use your Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota username and password.

Access Canvas at: https://smumn.instructure.com

Wired and Wireless Network Access

Both students and faculty can access the network on-campus by connecting their devices to the wireless network. Network access will require the use of your Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota username and password.

Guidelines for the use of Simulation Labs

The intent of this policy is to address the use of the Brother Louis Hall (BLH), Rooms 21, 22, 23, and 24 when these rooms are being used as simulation rooms / labs and video, audio or still images are being produced or transmitted. These rooms are equipped with video capturing, audio capturing and closed circuit projection capability. They may be used by any program for the purpose of allowing students the opportunity to apply principles taught in class to simulated practice.

Definitions

“Media” refers to any portable media storage device, DVD or still image.

“Production” refers to all resulting audio, video or still images.

“Transmission” refers to the broadcast or use of stored or live of images or audio to another location.

Use of the Facilities

The use of the video, audio and/or closed circuit projection equipment in the labs is restricted to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota faculty, administrators and registered students.

Any media produced and/or stored is considered to be University property and part of the student’s academic record. Productions and management of media is to be in accordance to FERPA. Recordings may be saved on a thumb drive/backup hard drive if the student has executed the Confidentiality Agreement included as part of this policy. Recordings are for educational purposes and debriefing opportunities with the appropriate faculty, staff and students. The confidentiality agreement signed by students protects privacy and discourages inappropriate discussion of the video contents or student’s performance in the simulation scenarios. Any viewing or publication in a non-educational setting, such as posting on YouTube, is unacceptable and unethical and will result in dismissal from the program.

Requests to use these rooms must be scheduled through the room scheduling staff.

Program specific equipment is not to be left or stored in the labs. Any program specific equipment is to be returned to the respective department after use in the lab rooms.

For additional information please refer to the policies entitled; “Policy on the Appropriate Use of Technology Resources ,” “The Use of Simulation for Teaching,” “The Use of Produced Video / Audio Media for Grading Student Performance,” “Producing Video / Audio Media for Demonstration or Teaching,” and “Using Portable Media as Exhibits in Program Accreditation Reports.”

The Use of Simulation for Teaching

Simulation enhances the educational process by allowing students to apply concepts learned in the classroom to simulated situations. These simulated exercises are to be used for role playing only; no actual care, counseling or practice may be offered or provided. University faculty or program personnel must be present, either directly or via video observation during any simulated activity. Their presence must be evident to the participants and/or administration whenever the simulated activities are taking place.

Any activity that provokes the recall or relation of emotions from real life experiences that are unsettling, disturbing or offensive to any of the participants must be stopped immediately by the participating student(s), attending faculty member or program administrator. It is the responsibility of the attending faculty member or administrator to return the activity back to role playing.

The use of media is intended for teaching or assessing student performance only any other use is prohibited. Please refer to the policies entitled; “The Use of Produced Video / Audio Media for Grading Student Performance,” “Producing Video / Audio Media for Demonstration or Teaching,” “The Production of Video / Audio Media at Off Campus Locations” and “Using Portable Media as Exhibits in Program Accreditation Reports.”

The Production of Video / Audio Media Involving Student Participation

Facilities may be used to produce media, using images or voices of students. These productions may be used for demonstration, return demonstration, course grading, assignment grading, or teaching. All student participants must sign a consent indicating that they are willing to participate. Any media produced and/or stored is considered to be University property and/or part of the student’s academic record. Productions and management of media is to be in accordance with FERPA. All produced media must be used for educational purposes only.

The Use of Produced Video / Audio Media for Grading Student Performance

Syllabi for courses using the production of video, audio or still images media of simulated exercises must contain a statement describing the purpose of production and specific grading criteria. All syllabi must be approved through the Curriculum Committee prior to course delivery.

Any produced media containing video, audio or still images from simulated exercises is considered property of the university and is subject to FERPA regulations. Media used for grading in a course must be secured by the Program Director or their designee until the course is finished and enough time has elapsed for a student to institute a grade appeal procedure. Once that time has passed, all media is to be destroyed. Productions made for student assessment or grading may not be recorded on any portable media devices or other medium.

Producing Video / Audio Media for Demonstration or Teaching

Facilities may be used to produce media to be used for demonstration or teaching. Media is to be used by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota faculty, program personnel and students only. Prior to production, a release must be signed by all participants. The release must describe how the resulting media is to be used and who will be using it. Permission to use any stored production media must be signed by all participants and kept by the program director until it is destroyed. Permission to use any resulting stored media may be revoked by any participant at any time. Any commercial or personal use of produced media is prohibited. All stored media is to be kept in a secure area as directed by the Program Director.

Using Portable Media as Exhibits in Program Accreditation Reports

Produced media may be used for program accreditation but only if the participants have executed a release authorizing that use.

The Production of Video / Audio Media at Off Campus Locations

This policy pertains to locations that are not leased by the University as space to deliver coursework. It does pertain to any clinical site, practicum site or any location where individuals who are not considered employees, adjunct faculty or students of the University appear in any produced tape.

Use of video or audio production for any activity performed off campus is prohibited without written consent from the institution where the media is being produced. Signed consent from an authorized representative of the institution must be kept by the Program Director. In addition, all participants appearing in the production must execute a release authorizing the production. If a participant does not release the media for use beyond the student’s class or clinical practicum, it must be destroyed at the end of the class or practicum unless it is being used to grade student performance. (Please refer to the policies entitled “The Production of Video / Audio Media Involving Student Participation” and “The Use of Produced Video / Audio Media for Grading Student Performance.”) Written consents by the authorized representative of the institution and all participants appearing in the production must be received by the Program Director prior to the creation of any media. Produced media and accompanying signed consent forms must be stored in a secure location by the Program Director until the media is destroyed.