THUNDER BAY – Confederation College has updated the institute’s COVID-19 plans.
Further to our March 14, 2020 update, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Confederation College will limit entrances for all buildings at all campuses, with a requirement for self-screening before entry and hand sanitization upon entry.. We are also cancelling all tests booked through our Testing Centre and Accessibility Services effective March 16, 2020. No new tests will be booked.
In addition, the Children and Family Centre will close effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in alignment with new direction from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. Families will be contacted on Monday, March 16, 2020.
Additional details for students are outlined below:
- Flight training will continue March 16-22, 2020 as originally scheduled for Aviation – Flight Management students. Theory classes are suspended until March 23, 2020.
- Dual-credit and School-College Work Initiative programs/courses will remain suspended until April 6, 2020, in alignment with secondary school closures. We will continue to align our decisions for these programs with our local school boards.
- Collaborative and Regional Bachelor of Science in Nursing students should follow directions provided by Lakehead University about when and how to access courses. See Lakehead University website.
- All work and clinical placements will continue wherever possible. Students should follow the direction of the organization where they are placed. Any questions or concerns should be directed to their Confederation College Program Coordinator (Thunder Bay) or their Placement Supervisor (Regional Campuses).
- Students are encouraged to continue their studies and assignments during the week of March 16 – 20, 2020. Student services and supports remain available throughout the week.
- Specific instructions about how to access online courses and what alternate delivery will look like for labs, assignments, tests, and exams will be provided by Thursday, March 19. This applies to students in all postsecondary programs, Academic Upgrading, English language programs including English for Academic Purposes, apprenticeship and contract training. We are committed to supporting you, our students, in successfully completing your academic term and will provide flexibility and assistance wherever possible.
- Students working part-time for Confederation College through SUCCI’sCampus Employment Service, and students on a work placement with Confederation College, should report to work as originally scheduled unless sick or on an, another approved leave.
- Students with difficulty arranging childcare starting March 23 should contact their faculty, Program Coordinator or Regional Director immediately. Students should make every effort to keep up with their coursework. Confederation College will provide flexibility and assistance wherever possible.
- Students who are sick or supporting family members who are sick, or who are required to self-isolate, should contact their faculty, Program Coordinator or Regional Director immediately. Students should make every effort to keep up with their coursework. Confederation College will provide flexibility and assistance wherever possible.
- Students should understand the following terms as they relate to COVID-19:
o Self-monitor – monitor for symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath) for 14 days after exposure or travel, avoiding public spaces. If you develop symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local health unit or call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000. See guidelines for self-monitoring.
o Self-isolate – stay home, limit the number of visitors in your home, avoid contact with others, keep distance, cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands, wear a mask over your nose and mouth. See guidelines for self-isolation.
o Mandatory quarantine – the imposed separation or restriction of movement of individuals, groups or communities, for a defined period of time and in a location determined by the Public Health Authority.
o Social distancing – social distancing is a tool public health officials recommend to slow the spread of a disease that is being passed from person to person. Simply put, it means that people should stay far enough away from each other so that COVID-19 – or any pathogen – cannot spread from one person to another. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) describes social distancing as staying away from mass gatherings and keeping a distance of 6 feet or 2 metres – about one body length – away from other people. Social distancing also means not touching other people, including handshakes.
- Questions? Review our new FAQs section on the dedicated webpage: www.confederationcollege.ca/COVID19.
Students and employees should continue to monitor the dedicated webpage and review the newly introduced FAQs: www.confederationcollege.ca/COVID19. They should also check their College emails regularly in the event critical updates with direct instructions are required. We will provide an update about plans and next steps for online/alternate delivery by Thursday, March 19, 2020.
The health and safety of our students, employees and entire College community remains our priority. We will continue to take direction from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health as well as our federal, provincial and local health authorities.
