A welcome, a thank you and a reminder to stay safe and healthy this school year

First-year students:

You’ll be hearing a lot about the Benedictine Values in the coming days and weeks at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

But now, we’ll offer a sneak peek at the Benedictine Values in action.

Thank you for enrolling at CSB and SJU. And, welcome to our beautiful campuses in Central Minnesota.

We know the last seven months have been unlike any other in your lifetime. Yes, there will be challenges with the way we all do things as we begin the 2020-21 academic year.

But just remember, we’re all in this together.

There’s certainly strength in numbers - socially distant numbers, of course.

SJU is anticipating a first-year class of 418 new, traditional students, and 30 transfer students (through Aug. 21). Twenty-three states are represented in that total.

CSB is anticipating a first-year class of 404 new, traditional students, and 26 transfers. Seventeen states are represented in that total.

After Minnesota, the next most represented states are (in order) Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Texas and Iowa.

The schools are anticipating a total of 20 new international students (11 at SJU, nine at CSB). They come from the Bahamas, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan and Ecuador. Some will study on campus and some remotely for part or all of the fall semester.

The COVID-19 virus, however, doesn’t differentiate if you’re from Minnesota, Wisconsin or the Bahamas.

That’s why one of the most important numbers is six, as in keeping six feet apart as we socially distance on campus. Social distancing is one part of the health and safety guidelines that CSB and SJU have developed, guidelines we all need to follow. Be sure to review them all carefully and practice these behaviors both on and off campus.

We know you are all excited to be coming to campus.

We are so excited to have you here.

On behalf of the faculty, staff and monastic community members, welcome to Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s!