Freya Nelson – Staff Writer According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), there have been at least eight identified UK variants of the COVID-19 virus found in Minnesota. MDH suspects that this number is an underrepresentation of the COVID variants currently in the state. In conscious preparation for the spread of these new strains, the College has implemented a surveillance testing plan in order to … Continue reading Gustavus implements new COVID-19 surveillance testing

Emily VanGorder – Staff Writer Discussions about installing solar panels at Gustavus have been occurring over the last ten years. President Bergman announced on Wednesday, February 17, that solar panels will be installed surrounding the Arbor View apartments to reduce energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions on campus. “I’ve been involved from the beginning in terms of recruiting the company [Novel Energy] to help us make … Continue reading Beacon of Hope: Gustavus moves towards a more sustainable future

Deanna Giles – Staff Writer Building Bridges returns for their 26th annual conference amidst the pandemic, “Revolutionizing Tomorrow: Envisioning a World of Collective Liberation.” The transformation of in-person interactions to a virtual format created adversity which was conquered by this year’s Co-chairs, Seniors Amanda Braun and Chelsea Boyden, and the committee captains in the organization. Building Bridges has found a way to make the all virtual … Continue reading Building Bridges seeks to bring hope to 2021

Carter Brown – Staff Writer Black History Month has arrived here on the campus of Gustavus, and its presence is prevalent all throughout campus via events and posters celebrating the month and black individuals. As we have made it through more than half of the month of February, the time approaches for some important events, and the new Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE) Assistant Director Kareem … Continue reading Black History Month strives to make a positive change

Georgia Zutz – Staff Writer The Center for Inclusive Excellence has always been an integral part of the Gustavus campus, and recently made a new home in what was the former Dive area. The move was a discussion that has taken place over the span of more than a decade and has involved hundreds of Gusties. “Sometimes I’m in disbelief that we are the generation … Continue reading The Dive gets an inclusive update

Emily VanGorder – Staff Writer Gustavus began holding mass testing events in November in preparation for students returning home for Thanksgiving break. Two testing events were held in December, and two have been held so far in February. There were twenty COVID-19 cases discovered in November, 2 cases identified in December, and zero cases have been found from the events in February. “It is a … Continue reading Spring “Lay-Low” period comes to an end while COVID precautions remain in place

Freya Nelson – Staff Writer As Minnesota begins the first portion of a state-wide vaccine rollout plan, members of the Gustavus community work tirelessly to establish a vaccination plan for the Gustavus community. Jessica Braun, Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Vaccine Coordinator, is working alongside the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Nicollet County Public Health in order to ensure the utmost level of safety at … Continue reading Gustavus staff works to establish vaccine

Marie Osuna – Staff Writer Now that spring semester has started up on campus, students are back in classes‒or at least, Zooming into their classes. Since COVID-19 sent students home last March, Zoom classes have become the new normal, with a coveted ‘in-person’ or even ‘hybrid’ class being rare. While upperclassmen stare at their computer screens, remembering what it was like to be in an … Continue reading First-years navigate the nuances of an online school year

Freya Nelson – Staff Writer Gustavus organization, the Environmental Action Coalition (EAC), has recently made concrete steps towards continuing the battle to stop line 3, a Tar Sands Pipeline that is being constructed across northern Minnesota. According to the Wall Street Journal, President Biden recently revoked the permit for Keystone XL, a different yet equally controversial pipeline that stretches from Canada to the US. Members … Continue reading Stop Line 3: Environmental Action Coalition makes an impact