I trust you were able to find time to recharge over the weekend. We have a big week ahead of us as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic evolves, but I know our community is ready for the challenge.

In today’s update:

• The May Semester
• Social Distancing
• Service Changes
• Take care of yourselves

The May Semester

I’ll offer my continued thanks to our faculty and students for adapting so wonderfully to alternative forms of course delivery and assessments. Naturally, we are all looking ahead to see what the future holds. At this point, with every indication signaling that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis will be a part of our lives for some time to come, we are moving all courses for the May semester to alternative forms of delivery and assessment. I know this presents challenges, but given the evolving situation, this was the best decision at our disposal to ensure that we are doing our part as a community to slow the spread of the virus, while supporting our students in their educational journey.

Social Distancing

Over the past week, the request from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has been clear: practice social distancing to help contain the spread of the virus. We’ve also seen reports of people not adhering to that direction. Please follow the evolving guidelines from the PHO. We will make some decisions in the coming days to further limit face-to-face interaction on our campuses. We are asking students and employees to avoid gathering, and if you are on campus, respect that two-metre buffer.

Service Changes

Due to the reduced number of people on our campuses, direction from public health officials, and in an effort to promote social distancing, we’re making a number of changes to in-person services including Food Services, IT support, the Registrar’s office, and the Library, among others. Be sure to check our website for details on how to access services, as we’ll be updating this information frequently.

Take care of yourselves

I would like to end today’s update with a request to take care of yourself and those around you. We are all experiencing a range of physical, emotional and behavioural reactions to this situation. What we feel or how we react is normal in distressing situations; increased anxiety, disbelief, sadness compounded by self-isolation can be difficult. As social beings, we need connection to others and working from home with little face-to-face contact is unfamiliar. The UNBC Coronavirus (COVID-19) website has handouts and reference links you may find useful. Don’t hesitate to contact our Employee and Family Assistance Program provider, Homewood Health, or Shelley McKenzie, Director of Health and Wellbeing at shelley.mckenzie@unbc.ca.

Thank you, as always, for your patience and understanding as part of UNBC’s outstanding response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Geoff Payne,
UNBC Interim President and Vice-Chancellor