Earlier this week the Premier and B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer provided an update regarding the province’s plans regarding how we emerge from our current state. Early next week, I will have information to share regarding how the post-secondary sector, including UNBC, is reacting to those announcements and planning for the future, including news about our much anticipated Fall and Winter semesters.

Stay tuned!

In today’s update:

• Thanking Those on our Frontline
• Update on Special Grading Process
• A Library Services Reminder
• Moving the Link

Thanking Those on our Frontline

I thought I would take a moment to provide another “shout-out” to a group of employees who have responded in exemplary fashion during these challenging times. We have many employees who are still physically reporting to work on our campuses because we need them to. From facilities, security, finance, and others to our contracted services, such as janitorial services, we have a number of people who are dealing with a potentially heightened risk of exposure, and who have had additional requirements placed on an already full workload. 

They are doing more surface cleaning, training redeployed workers, and meeting the financial requirements of year-end. They are working hard to get as much construction completed during a time in which we can lessen disruptions. They are also keeping infrastructure operational so that research can continue, while ensuring we all have offices, classrooms and labs to return to. All this while adhering to physical distancing and safety protocols.

Thank you all!

Update on Special Grading Process

Given the challenging nature of how we completed the Winter semester, UNBC made the decision to accept Passing grades as an indication of student eligibility to meet pre-requisite requirements for course registration and progression in degree programs.

To receive a passing grade in some professional programs, however, a higher standard will be applied due to accreditation requirements.

• Nursing and Social Work program students will be eligible to request a passing grade with a result of C or higher.
• Education program students will be eligible to request a passing grade with a result of C+ or higher.

I’ll repeat my thanks to our students for their continued patience and adaptability!

A Library Services Reminder

The library continues to provide the most up-to-date information regarding access and services on their COVID-19 Response web page. Our library team is working on solutions for access to physical library items, including course reserves, while maintaining physical distancing in support of the health and safety of staff and patrons, as well as support for our students who live with no or limited internet. Library staff remain available to support inquiries through all their normal modes of access (other than in-person), including virtual librarian appointments, the details of which can be found on the library website.

Thanks for keeping the heart of the academy beating!

Moving the Link

UNBC was very early out of the gate in developing a Coronavirus (COVID-19) website, where we present our information and updates; this included a prominent link on our homepage. We are going to move that link to the very top of the UNBC home page, and re-purpose the space we have been using for that link back to more student-recruitment style content. In the future, we will use our new “top-of-page” link for emergency information updates and links. 

Thank you all for another exceptional week at UNBC. Please remember to maintain physical distancing and to continue limiting your social circles as per the guidance we receive from the PHO and others. It’s so important that we continue to flatten the curve.

Stay safe, and thank you!

Geoff Payne
UNBC Interim President and Vice-Chancellor