Coronavirus Update: April 1, 2020 - 4:45 p.m.

April 1, 2020

As we move into April, it is clear that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing a great deal of uncertainty for our University community. I know our students have concerns about how our new reality of alternate delivery may affect your academic performance. I know our faculty are striving each day to deliver a high-quality educational experience. I know our staff are committed to providing the very best of support to our academic mission as they navigate different work environments.

On top of the different concerns we have regarding our jobs, we may have others: concerns for our own health or that of our loved ones; concerns about our finances; and concerns about what the future holds in a time of great uncertainty.

All this said, our community is showing exceptional resilience, and by working our way through these challenges, we will emerge stronger on the other side.

Don’t forget, you can always send your questions to unbccommand@unbc.ca; We’ll update information on our website as you submit your thoughts.

In today’s update:

  • Set a Routine
  • Help Keep Your Tech Equipment Safe and Secure
  • Let’s Keep Flattening the Curve

Set a Routine

Working or learning remotely can be challenging. Add in family pressures or technological frustrations, and it can be downright daunting. However, our Health and Wellness team passed along some information courtesy of the Harvard Business Review on the topic of working from home more effectively. It’s a quick read, covering topics such as setting a schedule and boundaries, taking regular breaks, staying connected, and celebrating the small wins. I like that last one, as many small wins add up to an extraordinary community response, which is what I’m seeing at UNBC.

Help Keep Your Tech Equipment Safe and Secure

The rush to work remotely meant that many employees made quick decisions, including taking our desktop or laptop computers to our home office. And while that location may be your home, it is not your computer’s home; therefore, we need your help to ensure that your equipment is tracked for the purpose of applying Windows Security Updates. The team in ITS (who are doing terrific work to support our community under trying circumstances) sent a note on the Announce email list today, but I thought I would repeat the message. Visit our.unbc.ca, login using your UNBC credentials, click on the Working from Home Inventory Tracking link on the bottom right side, and follow the directions there. You can contact the IT Service Desk if you need help at support@unbc.ca

Let’s Keep Flattening the Curve

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer is being widely lauded for her handling of the crisis, and I agree with the accolades. Today, during her daily briefing she reinforced the requirement that we continue physical distancing and following the guidelines that public health agencies are promoting. B.C. is seeing some numbers that suggest our combined efforts are working, but it is far too soon to be complacent. The experts maintain we are weeks, if not months, away from a return to some semblance of normalcy.

Despite the ongoing, sobering news, one of her comments today resonated with me so I thought I would share.

“Without a doubt we will get through this, no matter what happens.”

Thank you!

Geoff Payne,
UNBC Interim President and Vice-Chancellor

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