I’m talking to my soon-to-be-college student son about the importance of these masks that I continue to supply and that he wears sometimes and grudgingly. I feel as if I’m talking to myself. He’ll wear it at work because it’s required and he recognizes that his college will expect him to wear one when he arrives, but I worry that he doesn’t seem to really appreciate why he’s expected to wear it.

I’ve tried to emphasize the importance of protecting the people around us who are most vulnerable. He’s empathetic, but not fully invested yet. He tells me that he realizes that when he gets to college, he and his classmates may not know what each other looks like. He’s right. And that’s rough.

I worry about their social life. Specifically, I worry about how they’ll choose to interact when they don’t feel watched. Perhaps internalizing a compelling reason isn’t necessary, but in my experience we humans respond best when we understand. Last week I had him trapped in the car and he commented about how tired he is of having to put on a mask to go places. I sighed and told him it wears on me too, but I believe that we’re going to have to learn how to live with this thing for a while. I dislike it so much, I said, but I don’t think we can keep closing down. “That’s the alternative, right?” I asked. That seemed to get his attention for a second.

We’re working diligently to create an environment that, while changed and admittedly deeply frustrating, is still “fall on the Hill” — engaging with each other and with ideas. I’ve told your student that we need their help making this on-campus experience happen. We could use your help as well. Please ask your student what they understand about their own role and responsibility as they come to the college at this challenging moment. What is it about coming to St. Olaf that is meaningful to them? We are counting on each student.

I think a bit more information may be helpful as you have this conversation. We will be expecting all students to come to campus and remain only on campus until we’ve ALL been together for 2 weeks, which will be about September 10. Students will be expected to remain on campus – not leaving the hill for work or appointments off campus or to visit friends and family. This restriction may be just fine for your student or it might present concern. Please talk about that with them. The campus is big – the natural lands and Norway Valley and the athletic fields offer plenty of space to move around in. Students don’t generally find it difficult to remain on campus.

Finally, these restrictions also mean that you may bring your student to campus and then you will not be able to come and go as families have in prior years. Please come prepared for move-in, review Section III of the COVID-19 FAQs as new information was added and updated last week, and keep checking back as the college continues to make updates and amendments in accordance with the CDC and MN Department of Health. We’ll be sending an updated “What to Bring” packing list to your student and sharing it on the parent Facebook group and the Residence Life website.

Roz Eaton
Dean of Students

P.S. Please ask your student about online registration, which opens July 27. They are getting weekly emails with details and may appreciate your support.