COVIDSafe Campus
Learn about vaccination status declaration and masking rules.
Aug. 16, 2022 Update
The University of Calgary wholeheartedly embraces the value of vaccination in keeping you, your loved ones, and our broader community healthy. Everyone is urged to keep up with booster vaccinations as they become available. Anyone wishing to wear a mask should be comfortable doing so as a personal health choice.
As a reminder, the University of Calgary is no longer mandating vaccination or mask use on campus. Vaccinations and masks are strongly encouraged for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus this fall. However, proof of vaccination status and use of masks will not be required for individuals to be on campus.
Masks may still be required in some settings, including clinical settings required to follow Alberta Health services masking requirements. Otherwise, the university urges everyone to continue to respect and support people’s decision to continue wearing a mask.
Past Updates
April 2, 2022 update, General masking mandate ends at close of 2022 winter term
Masks still required in some settings
As we have throughout this pandemic, the University of Calgary is taking a campus-wide approach to required health and safety measures. As such, there are a few specific instances where masks will still be required. They include:
- Clinical settings required to follow Alberta Health Services masking requirements.
- Transportation in university vehicles to align with City of Calgary bylaws for mask use on public transportation
Masks are still recommended
February 17, 2022 update, Return to campus
As previously communicated, in-person classes will begin on campus Feb. 28. All employees who are needed to support in-person instruction will be required to be on campus at that time.
The Government of Alberta is expecting to lift its mandatory work from home order on March 1. If this is the case, then employees who wish to return to working on campus can voluntarily do so starting in March.
February 17, 2022 update, Return to campus
As previously communicated, in-person classes will begin on campus Feb. 28. All employees who are needed to support in-person instruction will be required to be on campus at that time.
The Government of Alberta is expecting to lift its mandatory work from home order on March 1. If this is the case, then employees who wish to return to working on campus can voluntarily do so starting in March.
February 8, 2022 update,
Vaccination Directive and mandatory masking remain in effect, in person classes start Feb 28
Earlier today the Government of Alberta unveiled a three-step plan to ease provincial public health restrictions.
There will be no immediate changes to the University of Calgary’s Vaccination Directive or its masking mandate. The COVIDSafe Campus protocols are not part of the Government of Alberta’s Restriction Exemption Program.
January 14, 2022 update, Online learning extended until February 19
The University of Calgary is extending online classes until the end of Feb. 19, with a return to in-person classes after Reading Week, beginning on Feb. 28, 2022. Read more
January 7, 2022 update, Happy New Year, and welcome ‘back’
University of Calgary leadership thanks its students, faculty and staff for their generosity, humanity, patience and compassion during 2021. While we will continue to work and learn primarily online for now, we have hope for the future of 2022. Read more
December 23, 2021 update, Holiday closure and COVID travel restrictions
In light of the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant of COVID-19, University of Calgary leadership is encouraging increased caution with upcoming events and business travel plans.
Read more
December 22, 2021 update, Office of the President:
Health experts are continuing to learn more about the COVID-19 Omicron variant. While there are still a number of unknowns, across Canada the last few days have demonstrated how quickly it can spread. As a result of this latest phase in the pandemic, the University of Calgary, alongside the University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge, will start our respective winter semesters primarily online.
Starting the semester online will allow our communities the time we need to assess the new variant’s potential impact, particularly after the holiday season. By reducing the number of people on our campuses, we can allow the research and learning activities that must be in person to continue while also doing all that we can to help support the healthcare system. Read more
December 19, 2021 update, Office of the President:
In light of the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, we have decided to cancel the remainder of in-person exams for the Fall semester. Online exams will continue as previously planned. Faculties will work with instructors on plans for final grading, and those instructors will be in touch with affected students shortly.
Graduate exams (thesis defence, candidacy) will be switched to online modality for the next few days and first week of January.
In addition, block week (January 3 – 7) activities not required to be in person will also be moved online. We encourage all those who can work remotely to continue to do so through to January 9th.
December 16, 2021 update, Office of the Provost:
This afternoon, the University of Calgary was made aware of a case where an individual was on campus who later tested positive for the Omicron variant. The people who were in the same classroom as the individual have been informed and asked to monitor for symptoms.
University leadership and public health experts are watching this situation closely. Given the specifics of this case, no changes are being announced at this time and in-person exams are continuing as previously planned.
Should we be made aware of more Omicron cases, further action is possible. That could include cancelling in-person examination in one or multiple faculties. In that situation, the Faculties affected would need to determine alternatives for final grades.
September 17, 2021 update:
On Sept. 15, the Government of Alberta announced new measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the province of Alberta. These measures restrict indoor activity unless participants are vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide a recent negative COVID-19 test. While our COVIDSafe Campus program aligns with these requirements, the Government of Alberta will only begin recognizing these systems on Monday, Sept. 20, which is what forced a pause for in-person classes.
In-person activity will resume on Monday, Sept. 20, with previously announced rules around mandatory masking, vaccination or enrolment in regular rapid testing. Effective Monday, Sept. 20, anybody non-compliant with the University of Calgary’s COVIDSafe Campus program will not be permitted on campus.
In the coming days, all members of the University of Calgary community who have attested that they are vaccinated will be required to upload proof of vaccination using the COVIDSafe Campus systems.
September 15, 2021 update:
Earlier this evening (on Sept. 15), the Government of Alberta declared a state of public health emergency, announced new COVID-19 public health measures, and launched a restrictions exemption program. In follow-up communications, the province informed us it is requiring all post-secondary institutions to implement two-metre physical distancing in all indoor spaces until Monday, Sept. 20, 2021.
As a result of these new requirements, the University of Calgary is cancelling all in-person classes from Thursday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 19 as we evaluate the implications of the new rules. We will assess the situation in the next few days and follow up on the status of future classes. Online classes and the online portion of blended classes will continue as scheduled. Research operations can remain open with two-metre social distancing and mandatory masks. Staff should continue to work from home unless required for campus operations.
Read more
September 13, 2021 update:
The University of Calgary will be requiring students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated – or have a legitimate exemption to vaccination – by January 1, 2022. Additionally, visitors to campus will be required to provide proof of vaccination status, effective October 1, 2021.
The value of vaccination to combat COVID-19 has been well established. Vaccination is how we move past COVID-19 and is necessary to retire stopgap measures such as mandatory masking and regular rapid testing.
September 3, 2021 update:
COVIDSafe Campus
Earlier today, the Government of Alberta announced new measures to address the spread of Covid-19 in the Province of Alberta. These measures include new financial incentives for getting vaccinated, masking requirements, and recommendations around social and workplace gatherings.
These changes do not require modifications to the University’s fall plans for teaching and on-campus activity.
Faculty and staff supporting on-campus activity such as student services, teaching and research will continue to be expected to be on campus. Other support functions should, where appropriate, revert to remote working. Please reach out to your manager for further instructions.
Protections in place at the University of Calgary include mandatory regular rapid testing (or vaccination) and mandatory mask usage. These protections exceed provincial requirements, reflect our unique context and support a safe campus rich with opportunities.
To date, more than one-third of our University community has completed their COVIDsafe requirement to enroll in regular rapid testing or be fully vaccinated. Of those who have enrolled, 91.4% are already fully vaccinated.
If you have not completed your COVIDsafe campus requirements, you have until September 14 to do so, though we encourage you to act today.
We strongly encourage all members of our community to get vaccinated. We unreservedly endorse vaccination as our best defence against the consequences of Covid-19. Being vaccinated protects you against the risk of severe illness or death. All of us being vaccinated is how we move past the Covid-19 pandemic.
If you have not already done so, please book an appointment to get vaccinated. The mobile vaccination clinic will be back on campus next week on September 8th and 9th. Details can be found here.
The situation with Covid-19 continues to evolve. We’ll continue to watch it closely and will adjust as necessary to protect our community.
Many courses have already begun and our campus is returning to activity. It’s exciting to see, and we look forward to safely welcoming even more of you to campus next week!
Sincerely,
Teri Balser
Provost and Vice-President Academic
August 17, 2021 update:
New measures for fall return to campus: University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and University of Lethbridge to include rapid testing or vaccination, and masks as part of back-to-school plans
Alberta’s three research-intensive universities have established new protocols as part of a joint back to campus strategy for this fall.
Operating with the shared goal of offering a safe teaching, learning, living, working, and research environment, our universities are committed to welcoming back to campus as many students, faculty, and staff as possible. To maximize safety for in-person teaching and learning, new policies are being implemented across all three institutions for this September.
The University of Alberta, University of Calgary and University of Lethbridge are taking evidence-based approaches that are best suited to the campus context to protect the health and safety of our communities.
As always, we recognize that we remain in a rapidly changing environment. We will continue to monitor developments and adjust and modify these measures as necessary, with these policies being formally reviewed at the end of the term.
FAQ about today's announcement.
August 10, 2021 update:
As we approach our return to campus and in-person teaching this fall, we have been reviewing the safety measures and Covid-19 supports in place at the University with an eye towards whether they need to be strengthened given recent regulatory changes and increases in Delta variant cases. We recognize there are concerns that still remain.
As Provost Teri Balser shared yesterday, over 90% of respondents to our community survey expect to be fully vaccinated by fall. While there are methodological limits to a survey of this type, this is consistent with general information we have about vaccine uptake among those with a university education. Although this is very positive, the survey also revealed the high level of concern in the community.
Today we’re announcing new measures and supports to increase the safety of our community.
Access to vaccination
As of July 1, people who have not been fully immunized have made up 95% of all cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the province of Alberta, despite being a minority of the population.
It is clear that the most important thing that can be done to protect the health and safety of our community is vaccination. In addition to the drop-in clinic in MacEwan Student Centre, we are actively working with AHS to establish additional vaccination clinics to run in September on campus and we will work with incoming international students to help them navigate Alberta Health Services and get prompt access to full vaccination. We will continue to reduce barriers and provide information on the value of vaccines.
Vaccines protect us all. They are highly effective against all known variants, especially for severe disease. If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to get vaccinated.
August 9, 2021 update:
Results of campus survey on COVID-19
Last week, to strengthen our understanding of our specific situation as it relates to Covid-19, a survey was sent out asking the university community to anonymously share vaccination status and concerns with returning to campus, if any.
11,426 members of our community responded to this survey.
The survey reveals a high level of vaccination among respondents. 93.6% of respondents are fully vaccinated or plan to be vaccinated before the start of the fall term. 87.9% report already being fully vaccinated. This includes:
- 92.8% of faculty and staff are fully vaccinated, with an additional 3.0% planning to be vaccinated by the start of the fall semester.
- 84.8% of students are fully vaccinated, with an additional 7.5% planning to be vaccinated by the start of the fall semester.
Decision on fall 2021 classes
After thorough consideration and in light of the current COVID-19 case numbers and increasing prevalence of variants of concern, we will be making our decision regarding the modalities for Fall 2021 courses by the end of May. This timeline is in alignment with our U15 peers and will help ensure we are making the best decisions possible for the fall semester.
Our plan for Fall 2021 will build from the lessons learned from previous terms to help us ensure high-quality, meaningful and relevant learning opportunities regardless of the format in which they may take place.
Working from home will continue until June 30, 2021
The University of Calgary has decided to extend work from home for most of our employees who are able to do so through to June 30, 2021 – the end of the academic year. Learn more.
Workspace safety plans
The University of Calgary continues to require all faculty and staff to work from home unless campus access is required for:
- use tools and equipment
- work involves secure data and confidential information; or
- on-site preparation and attendance are required to deliver services to faculty, students, staff and the public.
All UCalgary individuals who are working on campus must be included in a Workspace Safety Plan. Read more.
Income Tax Returns - Working From Home information
On February 19, the University of Calgary will make T2200S Declaration of Conditions of Employment for Working at Home Due to COVID-19 forms available to eligible employees who opt to use the Detailed method. Employees will be required to respond to an attestation in order to retrieve the form. Read more.
Undergraduate student international travel
Undergraduate student international travel related to in-person study abroad programs, exchanges, co-ops, practica, internships and externships will not be permitted until at least August 31, 2021.
A decision about travel for these purposes during fall 2021 term and onwards will be made prior to June 15, 2021.
Travelling outside of Canada on UCalgary Business
All other university business-related international travel including graduate students, academic staff members, employees, postdocs, etc. is not permitted until the Government of Canada lifts the current travel advisory. Read more.
Important Information for International Students traveling to Canada Learn more.
Cases on campus
Up-to-date information on COVID-19 cases on campus: View the COVID-19 dashboard
We would like to remind our campus community of the updated isolation guidance for employees and students which include a guide of when to come on campus
Impact of new government COVID-19 restrictions on campus
On Dec. 8, 2020, the Government of Alberta enacted a series of new mandatory COVID-19 restrictions. These province-wide restrictions include a stricter requirement for all Alberta employees to work from home, as well as the closure of some facilities and activities on campus. Read more.
Face coverings on campus
In alignment with the Nov. 24, 2020 provincial directive, masks are now required for anyone who is in an indoor workspace unless the individual is completely alone in that space. This means masks must be worn at all times unless you are in an office or lab completely by yourself.
This decision was made to align with the Alberta Government mandatory restrictions associated with the province declaring a State of Public Health Emergency to protect the health care system from COVID-19.
Face coverings may only be removed while eating or drinking. Individuals must maintain 2 metre distance from others. Professors are allowed to remove their masks when teaching – as long as they are more than 2m from their students.
Individuals who cannot wear a mask will need to apply for an accommodation. For accommodations, faculty, postdocs and staff will need to provide valid medical documents to Staff Wellness in accordance with the Workplace Accommodation Policy and procedure, and students should review the Student Accommodation policy and connect with Student Accessibility Services.
Positive COVID results
Notify Staff Wellness if you test positive for COVID-19 and have been on campus or are planning on returning to campus. If you have not been on campus, and test positive, you do not need to notify Staff Wellness unless you have plans to return after your illness. Results should be reported by emailing [email protected] and continue to isolate as directed by AHS.
Ordering disinfectant wipes
Disinfectant wipes for cleaning your work area on the main campus are available through the Supply Chain Covid Supplies Request Form. The total supply of wipes will be tracked and distributed evenly to faculties and departments based on the number of personnel.
Changes to workplace safety plans
It is important to emphasize that anyone working on campus must be included in an approved Workspace Safety Plan (WSP). A review of the SharePoint system indicates that there are many WSP’s that have been initiated but not yet approved.
If a WSP is not approved for an office area or lab, there should be no staff working in that office area or lab. WSP’s are a critical to keeping our campus safe and it is the responsibility of leaders to ensure approved WSP’s exist for all office areas and labs where their staff are working on campus. If you are a leader, author or co-author of a WSP on the ‘Return to Campus COVID-19’ SharePoint site’ please review the email we sent earlier this week with detailed instruction on how to make changes.
Impact of new government covid-19 regulations on campus
On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, the Government of Alberta declared a state of public health emergency. At that time the province announced new restrictions for areas where covid-19 is prevalent within the community, including Calgary and Edmonton.
Classes and exams continue as planned
This week’s restrictions will not impact our plans to continue with a hybrid delivery model for classes and assessments. We will continue to offer a mixture of on-campus classes and exams, following strict social distancing and mask protocols, and remote classes and exams.
COVID-19 isolation guidance for employees and students
UCalgary has updated its COVID-19 isolation guidance. Read more.
Campus visitors
To maintain a safe campus community it is important that people we invite to campus follow the university’s COVID-19 protocols. Read more.
Update on outbound international travel restrictions
The University of Calgary is carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Canada and abroad. Based on the current situations, the university is extending its restriction on international travel. Read more.
Update for international students currently outside Canada
Earlier this month, the Government of Canada announced an update to travel restriction exemptions. This change allows UCalgary international students with a valid study permit or a study permit approval to enter Canada. (UCalgary's COVID-19 readiness plan has been approved by the provincial government.) The update applies to all international students, regardless of where they are travelling from or when their study permit was approved.
Students should not make any travel plans until they have met all requirements and received all necessary authorizations. Read more.
Reminder: Library gradually expands services
Libraries and Cultural Resources announced several enhancements to library services as we gear up for the fall term. Learn more about these changes and more coming this fall for library users.
Biogeoscience Institute resumes activities
As part of the university’s return to campus, the Biogeoscience Institute in the Rocky Mountains resumed research activities at a reduced capacity this month. Read the full message
New COVID-19 communications protocols
As activity on campus slowly resumes, the University of Calgary is updating COVID-19 communications protocols to provide more information – more regularly – to members of our community.
Starting today, the university will be maintaining a live dashboard of any known cases of COVID-19 on campus.
Read President Ed McCauley's message to the campus community.
Academic staff FAQ page now available
The COVID-19 FAQ page for Academic Staff engaged in teaching and learning is now available. Learn more.
Process for university events on- and off-campus as of July 1
University events on- and off-campus are permitted to go ahead as of July 1, 2020, under a risk assessment process in place to protect the health and safety of our community. Events can go ahead if they align with Alberta Health Services regulations, are entered into the university’s new Event Risk Assessment Tool, and they receive approval from Risk Management and Insurance. Read more details about the new process.
Campus Parking Fees Reinstated
Students, faculty, and staff returning to campus should prepare to pay for parking beginning August 1, 2020. Parking reinstatement will include both permit holders and public parking at main campus, Spy Hill campus and the TRW parkade.
In recognition that some permit holders will continue to work fully or partially from home, all permit holders will have the option to reactivate their permit or utilize the pay stations in their assigned lots and pay a daily rate for parking. Permit holders who continue to work from home will continue to have permit fees waived until they return to campus, and there is no need for action at this time. More detailed information will be sent directly to permit holders from Parking Services no later than July 24, 2020.
Residence parking fees will be reinstated on September 1, 2020.
Canada West cancels 2020-21 first-term team competitions
As Western Canada continues to work through the ongoing impact of COVID-19, university sport will look very different this fall. Canada West and U SPORTS — which include the UCalgary Dinos — announced a number of changes today. Learn more.
Decisions on university-related international travel
In order to protect the safety and well-being of UCalgary students, faculty, staff, and postdocs, the university is continuing to take precautionary measures around international travel. Read more.
July 23, 2021
Physical Distancing
Over the past 16 months, we have all become accustomed to physical distancing in public spaces, with stickers on floors and walls advising us to stay two metres apart. As we move into this next phase of our return to campus, and in alignment with easing of public health restrictions in Calgary and across Alberta, we will also be moving beyond our previous physical-distancing requirements. Signage advising physical distancing in our buildings is currently being removed to reflect the lifting of this requirement in public health measures.
Physical distancing is not being discouraged; however, it is no longer required on campus. This includes public spaces, libraries, work spaces and classrooms. We want everyone in the UCalgary community to feel safe on campus. Please remember that everyone will have slightly different levels of comfort as we move to this new stage. Read more.
July 9, 2021
Without reservation, research leaders and senior leadership stress the importance of being vaccinated against COVID. Read more.
July 6, 2021
On July 1, 2021, the Government of Alberta lifted most public health restrictions as part of its Open for Summer plan. Masks are still required on public transit and in health-care settings, and individuals with a confirmed case of COVID-19 must still quarantine. All other public health restrictions have eased.
On July 5, 2021, city councillors voted to repeal the mask bylaw in Calgary. Mandatory masks had been required in all public buildings and businesses in our city since last August. Individual businesses are still free to request that customers wear masks.
What does this mean for UCalgary?
As we previously shared, the University of Calgary is aligning regulations on the wearing of masks with provincial and City public health measures. The City and province have both lifted their mandatory mask requirements. In alignment with this, mask use will no longer be mandatory at the University of Calgary.
While masks are no longer required at UCalgary, individuals can still opt to wear them based on their own comfort level. Mask use is an individual choice, and no one should feel discouraged from using them.
Masks are still required while travelling in a UCalgary vehicle or on UCalgary business when you have a passenger, as aligned with provincial rules around shared vehicles and public transit. University faculty, staff and students will still be expected to wear masks when attending medical clinic environments. Beyond these examples, mask use is now no longer compulsory when accessing UCalgary buildings. We will be updating our website and signage to reflect this change. Please be advised, it will take some time to have all of the signs removed on campus.
Vaccination remains key
Vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19. Vaccines are proven to save lives and ensure the safety of our health-care system. Currently, 73.5 per cent of all Albertans over the age of 12 have received at least one vaccine dose, while 49.6 per cent of the eligible population are now fully vaccinated.
The University of Calgary has partnered with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to host a vaccine clinic at the Foothills Medical Centre (FMC) on Thursday, July 8.
Members of the campus community can get the vaccine at the Foothills Medical Centre located next to UCalgary’s Foothills Campus.
UCalgary to return to campus this fall
I am pleased to share that the University of Calgary will be returning to campus this fall. More classes will be held in-person, more labs will be open for research activities, and more student and public services will operate on campus than we have seen since the start of COVID-19.
It's time for us to finally be together again.
Safety remains our top priority
Our decision to move forward with returning to campus this fall is grounded in the latest health guidelines and scientific research. Vaccinations are critical to enabling us to resume in-person operations.
Right now, all Albertans over the age of 12 are able to access a COVID-19 vaccine. More than 60 per cent of Alberta's eligible population have already received their first dose, and supply remains strong to provide remaining first and second doses over the summer for those who still need it. These are significant milestones.
As the number of vaccinated people grows, health guidelines around physical distancing and public gatherings can finally ease. This is what enables us to safely begin moving back to campus for the fall.
Return to campus won't happen overnight
Returning to campus doesn't mean we expect everyone to be in their office, lab or classroom tomorrow. UCalgary is planning a graduated return that will take place in the summer and build throughout the fall.
Flexibility is key as we move forward. Our guiding principles remain focused on ensuring safety for our campus community, providing the best learning experience for our students and supporting innovative research.
Faculties and instructors have already been working together to chart how individual classes will be offered this fall. Over the summer, academic leaders, managers and team leads will also map out exactly how individual employees will be returning.
From the various working groups, committees and leaders you will learn more about how our return to campus will impact your studies and your work. Details are still emerging. We will share everything about what happens next as soon as we can.
For now, I wanted you to know that UCalgary will be returning this fall.
I can't wait to welcome you back.
Dr. Ed McCauley, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Calgary
Faculty and Staff Updates
Emergency warden program update
Due to the current COVID-19 situation and resultant work from home mandate the Emergency Warden program does not function as intended and has been suspended.
Though the Emergency Warden program has always functioned as a volunteer best efforts initiative during regular business hours to supplement the engineered Fire Alarm systems in our buildings and assist first responders (primarily Campus Security and the Calgary Fire Department) with information related to the event, during this time previously identified emergency wardens will not be active in evacuation events.
Everyone - whether student, faculty, staff, tenant, contractor or visitor - is required to evacuate and not re enter a building in alarm. Follow the emergency instructions below, these emergency instructions are posted in all campus buildings and can also be located on the Emergency Management web page.
Evacuation Instructions
- Take coat, keys and identification if immediately available
- Evacuate building through the nearest safe exit
- Close all doors along your exit route
- Obey all instructions and emergency announcements for specific evacuation instructions
- Move outside, away from the building and proceed to the Assembly Point
- If you have information regarding the emergency, call 9-1-1 then Campus Security at 403-220-5333 when safe to do so
- Do not re-enter the building until you have received the “ALL CLEAR” at the assembly point
Shipping and receiving update
Please note the following updates regarding shipping and receiving, effective Dec. 14:
- Areas supporting research who are still on campus will continue to receive freight.
- Foothills campus will receive freight as usual.
- Dock drops to key areas where staffed, will continue to receive freight.
- Mail and parcel pick will be available at Distribution Services located in the Physical Plant between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
- You will be required to inform Derek Kogstad [email protected] and Andy Wah [email protected] what day and time a representative from your area will be coming to the Physical Plant to pick-up parcels and mail.
- Please ensure your item has been physically delivered to Distribution Services before making arrangements to pick it up.
- The Physical Plant is located directly across from the Alberta Children’s Hospital. You will see three loading dock doors and delivery trucks in the parking lot. There is signage guiding you into the warehouse.
- Masks and social distancing are required immediately once you’ve entered the warehouse.
Working from home:
Effective Sunday, March 22 all faculty and staff who can perform their work from home should do so, until further notice. Only those that are performing functions that require them to be on site should work on campus.
Need IT help? How to use Office365, map to a network, use VPN/MFA from home etc.
Improve Your Ergonomic Approach at home. Learn more.
Employees who require their desktop computing equipment at home are required to complete the IT Equipment Agreement.
Online Meeting Tools: The two online meeting tools that may be utilized for UCalgary activities are Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Learn more. (updated April 28)
Working on campus
As was shared earlier with the campus community, we remind everyone that only those who need to be on campus should be on campus. If your studies or work require you to come to campus in person, please practice the social distancing guidelines recommended by the Government of Alberta, such as: Keep at least six feet (the length of a bicycle) from others. Avoid overcrowding in elevators or other enclosed spaces. Wash or sanitize your hands after touching communal surfaces.
We also ask that you take safety precautions that reflect how quiet campus is right now. If you have to come to campus in person, please let somebody know where you’ll be and how long you’ll be there, or come with a (six-foot-away-from-you) buddy. Please don’t be surprised if a member of our Campus Security approaches you to see if you’re OK. Your safety is important to us.
New Temporary Employment Guidelines
Most UCalgary employees have successfully transitioned to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The university is committed to supporting staff during these times, and leaders are working to identify special projects and other opportunities to reassign or redeploy employees who are unable perform their usual duties remotely.
In cases where solutions cannot be identified to replace diminished or lacking productive work, temporary layoffs or FTE reduction may be implemented. A letter of agreement between the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees and the University of Calgary has been finalized to address temporary layoffs and reduction in hours of work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.
New policy for Approvals and Signatures During COVID-19 Pandemic
The University of Calgary has implemented a process effective today for alternate methods of obtaining approvals and signatures. The new measures are necessary because of the special working environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our operations. The operating standard applies to employees of the university whose role requires them to approve or sign internal or external documents. Read more.
Research
Researchers have been given additional guidance on operations.
Increased support for online teaching and learning
The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning has launched a resource website to support online experiential learning in the spring/summer terms and ensure rich learning experiences in the absence of face-to-face interaction. The new website provides tips, advice and resources to help with intentional design and assessment that can facilitate some of the knowledge and skill development that would normally occur in-person.
Staff at the Taylor Institute (TI) are also available to support academic staff preparing for teaching online this spring and summer. Topics are wide-ranging, including how to put content online, structuring an online discussion, setting up D2L assignments and the grades tool for student assignment submissions, using Zoom, and more. Information on upcoming sessions can be found here.
The TI is also recruiting graduate students as learning technology production coaches to support academic staff teaching this spring and summer. For more information on these positions, please visit Career Services via CareerLink (posting 65305).
Learning technology coaches
The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning has launched the Learning Technology Coaches program. Learning technology coaches will support course instructors with the adoption and use of learning technologies throughout the spring and summer terms.
Ten graduate student coaches with exceptional educational and technical experience were hired over the past week and are now available for consultation. Course instructors can request support directly through this form.
For specific questions about the Learning Technology Coaches project, please email [email protected]. Comprehensive online resources are available here.
Mail on campus
- All deliveries of equipment/research materials will continue as long as a delivery location remains open. If a delivery location is closed, please contact Integrated Service Centre at [email protected] or by phoning 403-220-8800 to advise of an alternate location to deliver items.
- As of today, all deliveries to Foothills campus are continuing as normal and Bio Sciences/Chemistry/Geology deliveries have been streamlined to Chemistry.
- Finance and Development, including OVC, will receive mail every Friday to ensure year-end requirements are met (i.e. cheques are delivered as needed).
- The Registrar’s office will receive mail every day.
- All other areas on campus will have mail delivery suspended, pending notification that the area is open and mail delivery is required. If your area requires mail delivery once or twice per week, or where you need to advise about an alternate delivery location, please contact Integrated Service Centre at [email protected] or by phoning 403-220-8800.
Return to campus training for leaders and employees
Do you know your responsibilities, and how to stay safe, before you return to campus? If you are a leader or employee whose work requires you to be on campus, here are some new learning modules and opportunities for leaders to attend live workshops on Zoom. Learn more about Quick Start Training for Leaders and Employees.
Student Updates
COVID-19 campus safety guide for students
Planning to be on a UCalgary campus this fall? Learn how to keep yourself and others as safe as possible.
Read the guide.
Zoom security update and guidelines
New Zoom Standard Practice Guidelines help instructors and students develop and maintain a positive online learning environment. As part of these guidelines, passwords will be required by default for all new online and remote teaching and learning sessions. Information on setting passwords and more is available here
Resources for students
Our Student Success Centre has launched a range of creative resources that offer students webinars, workshops, tips, and one-on-one help to get the most out of their online learning as well as help with specific challenges they may be facing. The resource page includes information on how to get started, strategies for learning online, staying motivated, reading, taking notes and participating in online lectures, completing online assignments, and more.
Travel anywhere outside of Canada suspended until September 2020
UCalgary has suspended all travel anywhere outside of Canada until September 2020, and is asking students, faculty, staff and visitors returning from travel outside of Canada to self-isolate away from campus until they have been back in Canada and symptom free for 14 days.
All UCalgary students and non-academic staff in Europe are required to leave their exchange placement, internship, research or other program abroad. We strongly encourage academic staff to leave as well. Canadians should return to Canada. International students should follow the guidance of their home countries. If you are an international student currently outside Canada and have questions about what to do, you can email UCalgary at [email protected].
As the situation changes, up-to-date travel information for UCalgary is available on the Risk website.
Anyone planning for future travel on UCalgary business is encouraged to complete a travel registration form well in advance of travel dates so you can be advised immediately if you may be impacted by further UCalgary travel restrictions.
All travellers should be aware that the situation continues to change rapidly ensure your travel plans are flexible, purchase travel insurance with COVID-19 cancellation coverage, and avoid non-refundable bookings, if possible.
Self-isolation for returning travellers
Anyone returning from travel from anywhere outside of Canada should self-isolate away from campus until they have been back in Canada and symptom free for 14 days.
Those affected are asked to contact their supervisor, manager, instructor or other relevant contacts as soon as possible to arrange to self-isolate. People self-isolating without any symptoms, should expect to work or study at home for 14 days. Employees will continue to receive pay and benefits without interruption. Individuals who are symptom free after the 14-day isolation are welcome to come back to campus. Medical documentation is not required — nor should be requested — to return to campus.
Self-isolation means avoiding situations where you could infect other people. The following is important advice from AHS about self isolation:
- Avoid all situations where you may come in contact with others, such as social gatherings, work, school/university, child care, athletic events, faith-based gatherings, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, restaurants, common eating areas like the Dining Centre or food courts, shopping malls, communal laundry, and any public gatherings.
- When possible, avoid public transportation including buses, taxis, or ride sharing.
- As much as possible, you should limit your contact with people and avoid having visitors to your home. It is okay for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food or other things you may need. You can also use delivery or pick up services for errands such as grocery shopping.
- If you need to leave your home for an urgent errand, you can further reduce risk of spread by wearing a surgical mask while you are out.
