Updates for Parents and Families

As parents and family members of Augsburg students, you are vital partners in the education of our students. 

We know the COVID-19 pandemic has created widespread anxiety and we share your utmost concerns for our Augsburg students as well as the broader community. This page provides updates on how the campus is responding to the pandemic and how we are planning for the continuation of education while ensuring the safety of our students. 

As President Paul Pribbenow has written to the Augsburg community, “Remember our mission and our 150 years of offering our students an education that equips them for life in the world; remember that we are a community that shows up for each other, with generosity and grace; and remember that we have found ways over and over again throughout our history to navigate difficult challenges—as we will do together in this moment.”

We urge you to frequently check this page for updates as this situation continues to evolve.

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How Augsburg University is responding

Augsburg’s university leaders convened the COVID-19 Task Force earlier this year. The task force is actively planning for continuity in student learning, student life, operations, employee work, and student support in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The task force engages in ongoing communication with the Minnesota Department of Health, regularly reviews guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and consults with national leaders in higher education including the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Dean of Students Sarah Griesse and other leaders continue to update students via email as various decisions have been reached regarding everything from alternative modes of course delivery to residential life on campus to changes to student organization meetings and events and more. Our communications to students are available on the Resources for Students page; highlights appear below.

Communications to students

Augsburg University canceled classes for March 23–28 to prepare for classes to resume using alternative methods of course delivery—like online instruction—which begins March 30 and will continue through the end of the Spring 2020 semester. Residence halls are open and we do not anticipate closing them at this time. The most important thing happening the week of March 23 is direct communication between faculty and students regarding plans for individual courses.

Move Out Information from Residence Life Website (March 27)

Resident Students’ Next Steps Form (March 26)
Students living in residence halls are asked to fill out this form about their status following the Stay at Home order, effective 11:59 p.m. Friday.

Dean of Students Sarah Griesse message to students (March 25)
The dean notifies students about limited campus access to come after Stay at Home order announced.

Provost Karen Kaivola’s message to students (March 23) Key topics: Preparing for classes to resume online March 30, expanded access to loaner laptops, emergency fund created to support students, exceptions to standard academic policies, residence halls remain open, modified campus services and new protocols to support health and safety, helpline established to answer student questions, our promise to student workers, registering for summer and fall courses, graduation and 2020 commencement ceremony, and online town halls with President Pribbenow and other leaders

Dean of Students Sarah Griesse’s message to students (March 21) Key topics: Information about staying in the residence halls spring semester, what to do if you prefer to move out early, and the upcoming meal plan schedule

Dean of Students Sarah Griesse’s message to students (March 17) Key topics: What to expect when classes resume March 30 and resources to support students transitioning to online learning

Email about Augsburg Student Activities for the Remainder of Spring 2020 (March 17) Key topic: Student organization meetings and activities moving to virtual alternatives

Augsburg Closing Spaces to Public Access, Encouraging Social Distancing (March 17)

President Pribbenow’s letter to faculty, staff, and students (March 14) Key topics: Classes cancelled week of March 23, preparing for alternative forms of course delivery

Student Resources for Continuity of Learning (How to attend class when you can’t meet in person) (March 14)

Student Employment Guidelines for Reduced Campus Operations (updated March 13)

To see more university communications, visit the Updates and Guidelines page.

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Contact us

Feel free to reach out with questions and concerns we have not yet addressed. You can submit your question or comment using the Coronavirus Question Form, and it will be reviewed and sent to the appropriate office.

We appreciate your trust and patience as we focus our attention on many moving parts in an effort to best serve our students and community.