Coronavirus Update: March 18, 2020 - 5:00 p.m.

March 18, 2020

We continue to work collaboratively as a community in our planning and reaction to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Our campuses remain open. Be sure to visit our website frequently for the most recent updates.

In today’s update:

Working remotely

This week, UNBC employees will move towards working remotely, wherever possible. I am authorizing Chairs and Unit leads the flexibility to develop and implement plans that are right for the unit. Plans should consider operational needs, technical requirements, and our employees’ individual circumstances.

  • We are not requiring employees to work from home, although this may change depending on guidance provided by Northern Health, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.
  • For some, working remotely will not be feasible, as we have operations that are essential in maintaining our physical locations and student services. We remain committed to the health and safety of those who remain on campus, which is why we will continue with our efforts around enhanced cleaning and measures to support social distancing.
  • IT Services has prepared information that will be helpful in supporting those of you who will work remotely
  • Your Chair or Unit lead will also provide information regarding privacy and security considerations.

This measure supports social distancing on our campuses in an effort to reduce the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our focus remains on maintaining a safe and healthy environment while providing support to our students.

Exam Dates

  • In order to eliminate scheduling conflicts for our faculty and students, ANY final exams must be held on the date they were originally scheduled. Any questions please contact your Chair or the Registrar.

Student Services

  • We continue to offer student services; housing, food services, the library and other critical services are in place.
  • We may adjust service levels, but we will communicate further with students as the situation evolves.
  • I’ll repeat my request from yesterday. If you are a student living in housing, we strongly encourage you to move out of UNBC residence as soon as possible. The more we can reduce points of contact between people to ensure the health and safety of our community, the better.

Emergency planning and communications

We are addressing this situation based on the best information we have and on guidance from public health agencies and various government ministries.

  • We have activated our Emergency Operations Centre, which allows us to make decisions in a coordinated and swift fashion.
  • We send communications out late in the afternoon, as we like to hear from the Provincial Health Officer, who holds daily briefings at around 3 p.m., before sending an update.
  • Please send questions to unbccommand@unbc.ca so we can coordinate our efforts.

The fluid and rapidly evolving nature of this situation has placed enormous stress on many of us. Please be patient, support your friends and colleagues, and be kind to one another. 

Thank you,

Geoff Payne
UNBC President and Vice-Chancellor

Contact Information