Summer courses at Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Wadena, which suffered substantial damage in a tornado on June 17, will resume at locations around the area beginning Wednesday, June 23.

Courses will be held at their regularly scheduled times at these locations:

• General studies classes at the Wadena elementary school
• Anthropology, anatomy and physiology at the Central Lakes College campus in Staples
• Computer classes at Verndale High School.

* Cosmetology and Adult Basic Education classes will resume on Monday, June 28, on the M State - Wadena campus.

Follow these links to the location of the relocated classes.

• Wadena Elementary
• Verndale High School
• Central Lakes College - Staples: Signs on campus will direct you to the appropriate classrooms upon your arrival.

Staff at Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Wadena are asked to report to work on Wednesday, June 23, at their regular work times. Employees should park in the south parking lot and enter the college through the S-6 entrance. Please report to your work stations only and wait for an all-staff meeting to be announced; subsequent operating procedures and campus updates will be given at that meeting.

After visiting the Wadena campus of Minnesota State Community and Technical College on Sunday, the chancellor of the state's university system pledged that the campus will resume its summer courses and work toward fully reopening the campus for classes in fall 2010.

James McCormick, chancellor of the Minnesota State College and University system, toured the campus on Sunday, three days after the campus and the community suffered major damage during a tornado. McCormick was accompanied by Wayne Wolden, who is the mayor of Wadena and the M State business manager, and several other college staff members.

In an e-mail to staff members, M State President Ann Valentine said that the chancellor "was particularly moved by the personal losses in the community and pledged full support of the MnSCU system in assisting the campus to successfully continue its mission."

Valentine said college officials are committed to restoring operations and campus functions as quickly as possible. M State - Wadena Provost Cris Valdez is scheduled to meet Monday with Wadena School Superintendent Virginia Dahlstrom to discuss the possibility of holding college summer courses in a Wadena elementary school.

"We have been in Wadena for 50 years, our intent and commitment is to be here for at least 50 more years," Valentine said in a meeting with local media.

M State - Wadena employees had been asked to call Valdez at 218-849-5809. Monday, Valdez will begin contacting the employees who have not yet contacted him.

Damage assessments at the Wadena campus are ongoing, and staff and students have been asked to stay away from the campus through Tuesday, June 22.

Please check this site for updates as college officials are able to further assess damage on the M State - Wadena campus and finalize plans for the resumption of summer classes.

• We have energized a generator to provide minimal server systems on campus.
• Service Master visited the campus for an initial examination and the company will begin interior clean up on Monday morning.
• Mayor Wolden toured the campus and we were able to meet briefly with Senator Klobuchar during her visit to the community.
• We anticipate having electricity for the south portion of the campus by Sunday.
• We anticipate inspection officials will conduct initial tours of the campus on Monday.
• We will review Continuity of Operations Planning on Monday regarding summer classes and operations; faculty instructing this summer may receive phone calls from administration or staff to assist with this
  process.
  

While the community is accepting volunteers, we remind you that NO ONE is allowed on the campus. There was severe damage and the building has not yet been inspected for safety. We will let you know as soon as possible, as we know that emplyees will want access to their belongings there. Some areas of the building are dry and clean, but others are ruined. There was very significant roof damage to the whole facility.

Volunteers: