Message from the Acting President – February 17
Posted on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
Dear Colleagues and Learners,
Following the February 12 announcement ending the Provincial shutdown, our campus communities have all transitioned to the Ontario’s revised COVID-19 response framework – a regionalized system of assessment and restrictions.
Ottawa and Perth returned to this regionalized COVID-19 response system Tuesday, February 16 – following Pembroke on February 10. Returning to this framework allows our campuses to operate largely as they have throughout the Fall term.
Since the announcement, we have been assessing the impact on College programming, service delivery and operations. As announced previously, any academically-related changes will be communicated on a program-by-program basis.
The unrelenting nature of the virus demands everyone maintain their full commitment to health and safety guidelines. Protecting our college communities, our families, friends and neighbours remains the first priority. As such, our campus access policy remains in place. The only people attending campuses should be students participating in hands-on instruction and authorized employees who support these activities.
As of today, I can report that the following services have resumed operations – with previously approved health and safety restrictions in place:
Students’ Association: The Observatory and Starbucks will be available for takeout and in-person dining. The Landing in Pembroke is closed for food service, though the seating area remains open. All SA athletics facilities, including the Gymnasium and the Fitness Zone, are open on all campuses.
Restaurant International and Savoir Fare: Savoir Fare is open for employees and students required to be on campus (Tuesday to Friday). Restaurant International will also be open for internal customers next week (lunch Tuesday to Friday and dinner Thursday and Friday); curbside pickup continues.
Campus Services: The Campus Store has re-opened for in-person shopping, with limited capacity. See here for Food Services hours on Ottawa Campus.
While the easing of restrictions in our communities is welcome news, it comes with a strong measure of caution. It is underscored by the fact that more transmissible COVID-19 variants are present in Ontario. The Province has made it clear that increases in case counts and hospitalizations could lead to a new shutdown.
Looking ahead, our current model of limited on-campus and primarily remote course delivery will continue through the Spring and Fall terms. However, we remain prepared to expand on-campus offerings in Fall 2021, pending any changes with the pandemic and public health guidelines, and factoring in students’ ability to transition to in-person activities. We will update the community on any changes to our Fall plans by early summer.
I know the ever-changing nature of restrictions and guidelines throughout the pandemic can be frustrating. I want to thank each of you for your continued patience, commitment and professionalism.
Sincerely,
Chris Janzen
Acting President
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