ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – Northern State University is helping the community and region in any way it can during this time – including by housing emergency medical professionals who are fighting the COVID-19 virus.

Since early April, Northern has opened one of its residence halls, Wolves Memorial Suites, to staff of Aberdeen’s hospitals as well as Brown County emergency responder personnel, said NSU Director of Residence Life Marty Sabolo.

Classes have moved online this semester, and the few Northern students who have needed to remain on campus are staying in a different residence hall.

In Wolves Memorial Suites, four medical professionals have moved in so far, and a few more have scheduled times for later this month, Sabolo said. Housing is provided free of charge, allowing them to avoid bringing potential exposure to COVID-19 into their own households.

Brown County Emergency Management Director Scott Meints expressed his gratitude to Northern for helping the community in this way, calling the university “a great partner for us.”

Sabolo said helping the community in any way is crucial.

“It is vital that we as a university work with our community members to help in whatever manner we can,” Sabolo said. “It’s not just a cliché to say we are all in this together; it’s a reality. The Aberdeen community and NSU have always had a great relationship and it only made sense for us to help out at this time of need.”