FAQ- All Questions

All building entrances to our campuses will be reopened as of May 1, 2022. Employees and learners are still encouraged to monitor and self-screen for symptoms before coming to campus. If you are feeling unwell, please stay at home. 

Algonquin College will suspend its mandatory masking policy for the majority of the College and academic programming, effective June 1, 2022. Masking will continue to be required for any program where a regulatory body requires a masking mandate, such as massage therapy. Additionally, masking will remain mandatory for all those attending our convocation ceremonies in-person, in June 2022.

Student Support Services has developed the following learning kit to help students transition to online learning: https://www.algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/student-learning-kit/

• The Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ottawa is asking all people in Ottawa to practice social distancing, meaning:

· Limiting non-essential trips out of the home;

· Working to maintain a distance of 1-2 meters from other people as much as possible;

• Ottawa Public Health advises the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. In general, everyday preventive actions can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and share your recent travel history with your health care provider.
• If you have concerns about procedures to follow for isolation, how to safely visit a health care provider when you think you may have the virus, or any other care-related questions, you can call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.

• The Public Health Agency of Canada – Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). Some transmit easily from person to person while others do not. COVID-19 is a new disease that has not been previously identified in humans.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada has reliable, up-to-date information on the virus and its symptoms.
• Algonquin College is closely following information and advice from public health officials and the Public Health Agency of Canada. These expert agencies have the most up-to-date information on prevention and response to this virus.
• If you have concerns about procedures to follow for isolation, how to safely visit a health care provider when you think you may have the virus, or any other care-related questions, you can call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.
• Information is available in other languages by visiting the Ontario Ministry of Health.

If you are sick, you should stay home, regardless whether you are concerned about COVID-19. It is best to stay at home and recover from being sick before coming to campus.

Ottawa Public Health provides information to help you determine whether you should self-isolate or not, based on your travel history and symptoms.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause very mild to severe illness consisting of fever, and/or cough, other upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and difficulty breathing (shortness of breath).

• If your symptoms are MILD
  • Call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or your health care provider.
  • Call your health care provider or a walk-in clinic prior to visiting them in person.
• If your symptoms are SEVERE
  • Contact your Health Care Provider first (if available).
  • If you cannot reach your Health Care Provider, go to the Hospital Emergency Department and pay attention to special signage.

Ottawa: If you are sick, you should not attend campus. You should report that you are sick to Residence Management. They have plans to be able to assist you through your sickness, as necessary.

Pembroke: If you are living in a privately owned and operated student residence at the Pembroke Campus, contact the Renfrew County District Health Unit at 613-735-8654 ext. 577 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.  If it is a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

Perth: If you are a Perth Campus student contact the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit: 1.  If you are a Perth Campus student contact the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit: https://healthunit.org/ or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.  If it is a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.  If it is a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

We ask all employees and students to postpone events scheduled before August 31, 2020.

Please report concerns to our AC Security Services. Algonquin College is a diverse community with a variety of nationalities calling the College home. Discrimination is hurtful and unhelpful and we all have a responsibility not to spread misinformation. We continue to uphold our values of caring, learning, integrity and respect, and pride ourselves in ensuring our community is welcoming to all students and employees. Our College is and needs to remain a safe space, even in difficult times.

All employee and student international travel is suspended, effective immediately. Persons currently abroad are required to respect the 14-day quarantine requirements identified by Public Health Agencies upon their return. This remains in effect until further notice.

If  your health care provider has directed you to self-isolate due to COVID-19, Public Health Ontario offers these tips.

The College may consider such reimbursements for cancellation of College related activities outside of our usual policies, on a case-by-case basis. If you have incurred such personal expenses, you should notify your School / Department (Chair / Manager) and retain any proof of loss (receipts) for the expenses. Your Chair / Manager can advance the request on your behalf for consideration.

• Shipping and Receiving are functioning but internal deliveries will be delayed. If you are expecting a delivery and it is urgent, you may go to A182 to collect your package or contact us to discuss options for a scheduled delivery.
• Internal mail delivery has stopped until further notice. We continue to receive mail from Canada Post that will be sorted but it will not be delivered to your individual offices. You are free to go to A182 to collect your mail at any time between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.
• Canada Post continues to collect outgoing mail. If you have external mail that needs to be sent, please deliver it to A182 and it will be processed.
• Central Shipping, Receiving and Mail Services is open from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. This may change subject to other College guidance.

The Ontario Government has launched a new Coronavirus Self-Assessment Tool: If you think you have 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use this self-assessment to help determine if you need to seek further care.

On Ottawa Campus, all Residence services, including custodial operations, will continue.  Learn more about Residence services here. https://www.algonquincollege.com/residence/coronavirus/information-for-winter-residents/ 

Perth Campus: Visit here for information on The Library, Food Services, Health Services, Counselling Services and the Students’ Association.

Pembroke Campus: Visit here. For Health Services, please call 613-735-4700 x2748. Please also visit this resource page for the Renfrew County District Health Unit: https://www.rcdhu.com/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-2/

Pembroke Contacts:

Phone: 613-735-4308
E-mail: ces@algonquincollege.com

Perth Contacts:

Phone: 613-267-1381 ext. 0

E-mail: esperth@algonquincollege.com

We have admissions specialists available to answer questions about your application. Send us an email instead of coming in to discuss.

A: Admissions assessments are being offered by invitation only. You will be contacted by the Registrar’s Office with instructions to book your test. Testing sessions will be available virtually. In order to write your assessment, you will need either a laptop or desktop with a webcam and microphone.

Students unable to pay the tuition deposit may be eligible for a deferral. Please visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro/tde/. 

All students currently registered with CAL can email their Disabilities Counsellor, Learning Strategist, or Assistive Technologist for questions or to set up a virtual appointment. For all current AC students not registered with CAL, but who are seeking accommodation, please email the Centre for Accessible Learning at calmessages@algonquincollege.com

Learn more on the CAL services update page, which includes additional CAL-specific FAQ.

Read here for a fact sheet on how to self-isolate: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/factsheet-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate.pdf?la=en

If you have technical support questions, please contact ITS Service Desk by email at 5555@algonquincollege.com or by phone at 613-727-4723 ext 5555. The College is making a concerted effort to support you in delivering online learning.

Visit the ITS Coronavirus Resources page for more information and support material.

The Mamidosewin Centre team is regularly updating the Centre’s Facebook page with tips and tools to help their Indigenous learners — as well as updates on virtual events. The Centre is also highlighting external online events and online talking circles and medicine walks.

A list of student Mental Health Resources can be found here. An additional mental health resource for Indigenous students is First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Hotline (services available in Cree, Ojibwe, Inuktitut, English, French) 1-855-242-3310.

You can find additional mental health resources from the City of Ottawa here.

COVID-19 is placing a significant financial burden on our students, and the College has already seen an increase in the number of applications for support. Those wishing to make a donation to the student emergency fund can do so online at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/advancement/donate

Please visit here: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro/academic-calendar/