It’s been an eventful day at UNBC as we announced a significant change to our various graduation celebrations across the North. Please know this was an extremely difficult decision to make given the continuing COVID-19 situation in our communities and balancing the significance of what convocation means to our UNBC community, especially the students of the graduating class of 2020.

In today’s update:

• Convocation Update
• Accessing Library Resources
• Supports for Health and Wellness

Convocation Update

Earlier today, the University announced changes to this spring’s Convocation ceremony. I know this decision was very disappointing to the UNBC community, and was certainly not a decision we made lightly. Given the importance of physical distancing in the wake of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and keeping our community’s health and safety top of mind, it was the best option at our disposal. I know many questions will arise from this announcement, and we welcome them. We’ll provide more detailed information in the coming weeks, and will keep our Convocation website updated with the latest developments. Thank you for your understanding and your patience.

Accessing Library Resources

While the Geoffrey R. Weller Library physical space may be closed, students still have access to a great many resources via virtual means. While we can’t guarantee access to all materials, our library team is doing a wonderful job of supporting our faculty and students in accessing much-needed resources. For example, many textbook publishers are temporarily offering electronic loans of textbooks until the end of April through two platforms: VitalSource and Red Shelf. If there is no free access, you can reach out to Circulation Services for a book section scan. More information about available resources can be found on the Library website or by contacting our library team directly at library@unbc.ca. These are trying times, so I am thankful for the experts in their fields who are providing such support!

Supports for Health and Wellness

Our Wellness team continues to offer support for our employees. You should have received an e-mail yesterday from our Health and wellness team regarding a series of upcoming webinars provided by our Employee and Family Assistance Program provider, Homewood Health.  The first takes place this Thursday, with a topic of supporting yourself and others, focusing on such impacts as anxiety and depression. Other upcoming topics include office ergonomics and building resilience. Check your e-mail for details.

I will sign off today with a familiar refrain – please adhere to the recommendations from public health officials regarding the need to adhere to physical distancing. With a long weekend coming up that is traditionally a time for family and friends to gather, this is not the year for that. Stay home, stay safe, and help us continue to flatten the curve. Our collective efforts are having a positive impact as there is still much work to do but I know we are ready to meet that challenge.

Geoff Payne,
UNBC Interim President and Vice-Chancellor