ALGOMA UNIVERSITY
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ALGOMA UNIVERSITY COVID-19 ACTION PLAN (March 13 Update):
ACADEMICS
Algoma U is cancelling face-to-face classes, labs, and tutorials beginning Monday, March 16. At present we are cancelling all face-to-face classes, labs, and tutorials for the remainder of the Winter 2020 term (last day of scheduled classes is April 3).
All thesis presentations and thesis-related events are also cancelled for the remainder of the term.
The research labs in the CC building (SSM campus) will remain open.
Exams: The Office of the Registrar is working through contingency planning for final exams. We will share more information in the coming days.
As the situation evolves, we will update this directive. Senate Executive met Friday afternoon to approve motions that will allow as much flexibility as possible in completing the term. Under the current circumstances:
Faculty are encouraged to find alternate, non-face-to-face delivery options that will work best for their particular course(s).
Faculty making changes to course outlines/grade components should do so by Friday, March 20 at noon; classes to be notified of those changes.
Faculty are asked to take into account that not every student has access at home to wifi or to devices on which they can complete coursework. You should not require student work that assumes they do have that access.
Faculty are asked to take into account that some students have approved accommodations regarding coursework and exams. Those accommodations will still be respected. More information will be provided next week.
Experiential learning, co-ops, internships, other placements: you should assume that these will not continue for the remainder of the term. We are working with department chairs to determine the impact of ending these early.
Study abroad: we are monitoring our students abroad.
Algoma U faculty members: if you have any questions about academics, please direct them in the first instance to your department chair. The chairs will update the dean’s office daily.
CAMPUS STATUS
The following will apply to all three campuses (Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins) if applicable:
At this time, the University and University buildings remain open. Facilities such as the libraries, computer labs, recreation centres and health services all remain open. All student counselling services have been moved to a Zoom platform.
At this time, the University remains open and employees should continue to report to work as usual. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. With the 2-week closing of Ontario’s publicly funded elementary and secondary schools after March break, we recognize this may create specific challenges for some of our employees. If you have extraordinary circumstances that require accommodation, please speak with your supervisor who will then review with the Senior Executive.
The cafeteria on the Sault Ste. Marie Campus will remain open from 11 am - 5 pm Monday - Sunday. Tim Hortons will close for the remainder of the semester. Please note that there will be some changes to operations in the cafeteria:
Self serve items such as the salad bar, soup, pastries, etc. will not be offered. Instead, the cafeteria will prepare increased numbers of take-home items for purchase.
Utensils will no longer be self serve but will be single serve.
Algoma’s residences will remain open and operational. Students wishing to go home and study remotely can do so.
All events, both on-and-off campus (including sponsorship/partnership events), currently scheduled until May 1, 2020, are being cancelled, postponed or offered virtually. Examples include non-essential meetings, group activities, varsity practices, campus tours, camps, social/campus life events - including AUSU/SASA events, thesis events, workshops, outreach activities.
With respect to meetings deemed essential by the Senior Executive, all parties should determine the necessity of meeting in person and whether virtual/remote options can be employed. Plan to use a room that allows for the distancing of 2 metres or consider using our technology resources or a combination of in-person and remote participation to continue meetings. When in doubt, err on the side of caution or speak to your direct supervisor.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
All work-related international travel (including the USA) is cancelled until August 31, 2020, or until further notice.
All work-related, non-essential domestic travel is cancelled until further notice. This includes inter-campus travel and campus visits.
Essential work-related travel must be approved by your respective Senior Executive until this restriction is lifted.
Anyone who chooses to travel for personal reasons is advised to visit the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel Advice webpage.
UPCOMING MEMOS
Additional updates will be released in the coming week as follows (but not limited to):
- support for international students
- food security
- health care
- student services
- working remotely
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- fever
- cough
- difficulty breathing
Many of these symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza. Should you experience these symptoms AND have recently travelled internationally to an affected region, avoid contact with others and follow-up with your health care professional. Advise your health professional in advance of attending the clinic of your symptoms and travel history.
If you are a member of the Algoma University community and have been diagnosed with COVID-19, please reach out to Brianne Pringle at [email protected] or 705-949-2301 ext 4373 to ensure proper accommodations (both academic and employment) are in place.
To help protect yourself from possible infection, health officials recommend that everyone:
- wash your hands frequently and well with soap and warm water;
- use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth;
- cough or sneeze into your elbow, or cover your cough or sneeze;
- avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness;
- stay home if you are sick and avoid contact with others;
- if you are sick, contact a health care provider about your symptoms and inform them of your travel history.
About Algoma University
Algoma University, established in Sault Ste. Marie in 1965, offers a wide range of degrees and certificates spanning the liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines. The university also offers programming at campus locations in Brampton and Timmins. Algoma University has a special mission to cultivate cross-cultural learning between Indigenous populations and other communities. For more information, please visit www.algomau.ca.
