Month: October 2020

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

I want to start by recognizing your persistence, resilience and adaptability this fall. As we mark the Mid-Term Break period next week (October 26-30), it’s a time to reflect on the many unique challenges we have overcome together so far. Thank you for your continued hard work and collaborative spirit.

The Mid-Term break week is designed to be a chance to catch our collective breath – and support improved student mental health. To our learners, I hope you make the most of the week ahead – whether enjoying some down time or catching up on your studies. To our academic teams and in keeping with the intent of the Mid-Term break week, I ask you to limit academic expectations of students during this time. I hope this period offers an opportunity for you to focus on your own well-being and to engage in professional development opportunities like Kaleidoscope and Learning and Teaching Services’ Teaching Expo. Continue reading →

Dear Colleagues and Learners:

It is more important than ever to reduce the spread of the flu.

Algonquin College’s Health Services has been working closely with Risk Management and Ottawa Public Health to finalize plans to provide flu shots this Fall. In keeping with College direction to minimize traffic on campus, we will be offering flu shots to all students and employees who are approved to be on campus for work and/or study as well as to all students living in Residence.

Ottawa Public Health was not able to guarantee the number of flu vaccines we will receive. They are distributing the vaccines evenly throughout the city of Ottawa so the total number of vaccines we will receive will depend on availability. Health Services has recently received a limited supply of flu vaccine and will be commencing flu shot clinics on Monday November 2^nd in the Nawapon room on the first floor of C Building. Clinics will be by appointment only. Appointment booking will be available by phone as of Monday, October 26^th. To book an appointment, please call 613-727-4723 ext.7222. Continue reading →

It is more important than ever to reduce the spread of the flu.

Ottawa Public Health has confirmed that they will be distributing the influenza vaccines to long-term care facilities and nursing homes as a first priority, so we will likely receive our shipment of vaccines before the end of October. They will be distributing the vaccines evenly throughout the city of Ottawa based on availability, with no guarantees regarding a total number the College may receive.

Algonquin College’s Health Services has been working closely with Risk Management and Ottawa Public Health to finalize plans to provide flu shots this Fall. In keeping with College intentions to minimize on-campus population as much as possible and based on potentially limited availability, we will be offering flu shot vaccinations to all students and employees who are already approved to be on campus for work and/or study as well as to all students living in Residence. Continue reading →

Dear Colleagues and Learners:

The Province of Ontario has imposed new restrictions effective Saturday, October 10 at 12:01 a.m. in Ottawa, Toronto and Peel resulting from the continuing spike in reported COVID-19 cases.

The new measures come on a record-setting day of new confirmed cases in the province. Algonquin College will continue its current state of academic operations at all campuses, with the exception of Ottawa Campus’ Restaurant International closing after this evening’s service (Friday, October 9).

The College is undertaking a review of the new regulations to determine if any other specific changes may be required. If the review indicates further changes to operations are necessary, we will communicate those with you in the coming days. The list of new restrictions announced today can be found here. Continue reading →

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

Fall is that special time of year when we give thanks. And this upcoming Thanksgiving weekend will be unlike any in recent memory. This year, many of us will be thankful for the people most dear to us, ironically, by keeping our distance from them.

Amidst rising COVID-19 cases, Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health for Ottawa Public Health, is recommending celebrating Thanksgiving only alongside the “people we live with.” The Premier has also called for everyone to keep two metres away from those outside of our households.

The increased call for vigilance comes with good reason. Recent research conducted by Ottawa Public Health shows that one quarter of all September COVID-19 cases were the result of people socializing with those outside their household. Continue reading →

Let us introduce to you the College’s new Board of Governors for the 2020-2021 academic year!

The Board of Governors is made up of seventeen individuals: Twelve external Governors from various sectors of our community; four internal Governors who represent Students, Faculty, Support Staff and Administrative Staff; and our President. Two thirds of our members are Board-appointed and the remainder are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Board employs an open recruitment process to fill vacancies. Interested members of the public can apply to join our Board via the Board’s public website or through Ontario’s Public Appointments Secretariat website.

Please click here to scroll through our Governors’ portraits and biographies – what better way to get to know your Board of Governors? Should you have any questions about how the Board carries out its responsibilities, please contact Victoria Tiqui-Sanford, at extension 7702 or by email: tiquisv@algonquincollege.com.

Ottawa, ON – October 5, 2020 – Ciena is working with Algonquin College to upgrade its Optophotonics Lab on the Ottawa campus – providing students hands-on experience with the same cutting-edge equipment that currently powers the majority of internet traffic and Zoom calls.

Thanks to Ciena’s support, School of Advanced Technology graduates will benefit from extensive, experiential learning on the same equipment available in top corporations – including major telecommunications carriers in Canada and around the world.

“We couldn’t be more grateful for Ciena’s contribution, they have been a wonderful partner for close to a decade,” said Claude Brulé, President and Chief Executive Officer of Algonquin College. “This will ensure our current and future learners have access to the latest and greatest technology – and position them to find employment and long-term career success in the tech sector.” Continue reading →