COVID-19 at UofG — What you need to know [UPDATED May 26]

The University Closes

On April 1, The University of Guelph announced that it will cancel all face-to-face course delivery until Aug. 15.

The University Centre is closed to the public (faculty and staff have access, as needed).

All summer 2020 courses and exams will be delivered through an alternative format.

All events scheduled to be held on the University campus have been cancelled until July 1, 2020.

“I am disappointed that we won’t be welcoming students to campus this summer,” said Franco Vaccarino, President and Vice-Chancellor, “but protecting our students, faculty and staff is still our top priority.”

The Winter 2020 semester will be extended for one week. The last day of class and the last day to drop a course is April 9. 

All final exams will be conducted in a modified format, and the exam period will be extended.

The university confirmed on Mar. 19 that final exams will not begin before Monday, April 13.

On Mar. 26 the university announced that it will not host spring convocation ceremonies or Alumni Weekend in June 2020.

No Face-to-Face Summer Classes

In an FAQ about what “alternative-format delivery” means, the university has said that it “can mean something different for each class.” 

“It may mean students will view PowerPoint presentations or submit video assignments. Instructors will have more information for their students soon.” 

The university has also stated that support will be given to instructors to help them make this transition.

Fall Semester

On May 21 Charlotte Yates, provost and vice-president (academic), announced that the university is planning for a “hybrid” fall semester. This means that some courses will be offered remotely while others will be taught on campus.

Students and community members are encouraged to check this information page regularly for fall semester developments.

Students in Residence

Students living in campus residences have been asked to vacate their residences as soon as possible. Students who are unable to do so are instructed to contact Student Housing.

Move Out

The University of Guelph has instructed undergraduates living on campus to vacate by March 22 and has instructed undergraduates who are unable to move out by then to access the online Housing Portal and complete a Move-Out Extension form. 

The university has said it will continue to provide services to students who are unable to leave campus.

The university said it has upgraded its cleaning and safety protocols in an effort to better ensure the safety of community members. 

Hospitality Services will continue to provide meals to residence students.

Fees

The university said that it recognizes “that the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique circumstance” and has made the decision to “provide a pro-rated refund based on the last date of classes.” 

This refund of residence fees will only be available to those who have moved out of residence by March 22 or who have been approved for an extension.

For more information on residence and the university closures, click here.

Study Space on Campus

The University Centre and Summerlee Science Complex are closed.

Campus residences, Student Health Services and the OVC Health Sciences Centre hospitals remain open.

Most campus buildings will be locked, faculty and staff will continue to have access as needed.

Service Shutdowns

On March 24 the decision was made by the Government of Ontario to shut down all non-essential services. This decision was made in hopes of further preventing the spread of COVID-19.  Services deemed essential include hardware stores, veterinary clinics, mail services, automotive repair, the LCBO and Beer Stores, and grocery stores.

Click here for a full list of essential services.

Hospitality Services

University of Guelph Hospitality Services remain available at most locations, but all seating areas have been closed. Hours of operation will be updated every morning. 

Hospitality Services is asking that purchases be made with debit or credit, or using a Meal Card, rather than with cash.

The University Centre, which is open at reduced hours, will accept Meal Cards at any time and not just after 1:30 p.m.

Research

The university is advising that faculty and researchers should review their research plans and projects and work to temporarily postpone, limit, or adapt research-related activities.

Graduate students conducting thesis-based research should work with their supervisor to adapt research-related activities if lab-based activities are suspended. 

The university encouraged researchers to speak with the Office of Research, their Associate Dean of Research, or Graduate Studies for more information.

Health Services

Health Services remains open, however, it has made significant changes to its operations.

Students should visit the Student Wellness website for the most up-to-date information.

Parking on Campus

Parking on campus is free until further notice. 

This includes meter parking as well. Students who purchased monthly or annual parking permits will receive a 50 per cent refund for March 2020 charges. 

There will be no payroll deductions for parking charges in April. More information will be available soon.

Parking in metered, visitor or permit parking spots (excluding reserved, service and contractor spots) is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Standard parking regulations are still in place and will be enforced this means no  obstructing fire routes, loading zones or building entrances/egress, unauthorized use of an accessible parking spot. 

Cancellations

All events scheduled to be held on the University campus have been cancelled until July 1, 2020.

Spring convocation ceremonies and the Alumni Weekend are cancelled.

Athletic facilities, the Child Care and Learning Centre, some campus food services, and other “large gathering places” have all been closed.

President Franco Vaccarino released a list of event cancellations and postponements at the University of Guelph.

The list was published on the university’s website on Mar. 13. These decisions were made as a preventative measure in order to keep COVID-19 off of the U of G campuses.

The campus events that have been cancelled normally attract large numbers of people from outside the Guelph region.

The list of cancellations is as follows:

• Spring convocation ceremonies and the Alumni Weekend are cancelled.
• College Royal, which was to be held March 21 and 22, is cancelled.
• Campus Day open house scheduled for March 29 is cancelled.
• March Break campus tours for secondary school students scheduled for this weekend and during March Break are cancelled.
• The Discover Vets School program scheduled for this weekend is postponed.
• All U of G sponsored travel outside of Canada is either postponed or cancelled until further notice. This applies to all staff, students, researchers, and faculty.
• As of Friday, all study-abroad programs and student exchange programs in Europe and the United Kingdom for the spring/summer semester are cancelled. Students already in Europe and the U.K. are being asked to return to Canada.

Vaccarino stated that these decisions were not taken likely and understood that they would have a direct impact on students and members of the public. He maintained that these cancellations and postponements were made with the health of students and community members in mind.

Additional cancellations include:

Fitness, Recreation & Active Kids Cancellations:

• March Break Camps
• Winter Active Kids programs and lessons
• Intramural leagues, clinics, and tournaments
• ARC Banquet
• Club Banquet
• Dance Recital
• Aquatics & fitness certifications and courses
• Club team activities including practices (formal and informal) meetings and competitions

Intercollegiate Cancellations:

• Athletic Banquet: A refund will be applied to each student athlete’s account. 
• Varsity team activities including practices (formal and informal) and meetings, strength and conditioning and competitions
• All varsity team travel
• Gryphon Performance Academy
• All coach travel related to recruiting or athletic department business is cancelled
• Athletic Therapy bookings: Student athletes currently in concussion protocol or in need of treatment for serious injuries can contact Assistant Athletic Therapist Judy Lynch 

Convocation

President Franco Vaccarino sent an email to all students that stated that as of Wednesday, Mar. 26 the university has made the decision to cancel spring convocation and  Alumni Weekend. Both events were to take place in June. Plans are being put in place to ensure that graduating students will still have the opportunity to walk across the stage.  

For Students Returning from Abroad

The Government of Canada has stated that it is important for all travellers returning to Canada to isolate themselves for 14 days. 

During this time, it is important for you to monitor your health. This includes any flu-like symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and fever. For more information on symptoms, click here. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please contact Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or your local public health unit.

Travellers are warned that people 65 and over, those with compromised immune systems, and underlying medical conditions are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. 

Students who are studying abroad are advised to return to Canada as soon as possible, regardless of what country they are in. Information about course credits, travel insurance, finances and more can be found on the university website. Information for students studying on exchange at the U of G is also included at the link.

Student Loans and Money

Student Loans

The Prime Minister announced on March 18 a six-month, interest-free moratorium on Canadian student loans, plus additional help for homeless and other vulnerable peoples.

He also announced $82 billion in aid for Canadians, including assistance for those unable to work due to illness or in order to take care of someone affected by the virus, and who don’t qualify for Employment Insurance. Temporary wage subsidies will be provided to businesses to keep employees on the payroll. 

Employment at the University

All full-time staff at the University of Guelph will be paid and will continue to receive their usual benefits, even if they are unable to work from home.

Student employees (including co-op students) will continue to receive their normal wage based on hours worked, and any entitlements that come along with the job, so long as they meet the requirement: the employee must have their supervisor’s approval to work on-site if providing an essential service, or be able to perform their normal work tasks remotely. If the employee does not meet the requirement they will no longer receive compensation as of April 3 and will have to wait until further work becomes available.

From March 17 to April 2, temporary full-time, part-time and student employees who have used all paid sick leave benefits and who are required to self-isolate or are sick will be provided additional days of paid sick leave. Employees should continue to receive pay in accordance with the hours they regularly work. 

Those who work variable hours should be paid the same number of hours paid as their most recent bi-weekly pay period. Individuals will be required to submit a self declaration form to notify their supervisors of their absence.

Self Declaration: https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8evYmTaJXnDkphP

More information : https://news.uoguelph.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus-information/faq-employees/

Travel

As of Wednesday, March 18, Canada and the United States have agreed to restrict non-essential travel across the border.

President Justin Trudeau has not reached a decision on whether travel within Canada itself will be limited but says that he is looking into all options. 

The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to avoid any non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice. The University of Guelph last updated their statement on travel restrictions on Tuesday, March 12 in compliance with travel advisories released by the Government of Canada, but has implemented restrictions where advisories were issued.

Knowing the Facts

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing and developing situation. We have compiled a list of updates and information useful to students and members of the University of Guelph community. You can read that list here. 

For more information and resources check out this article: COVID-19 Resources

Additional Resources:

• Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH)
• Health Canada
• WDGPH COVID-19 Call Centre – 9 am. to 4 p.m.: 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 (after hours: 1-877-884-8653)
• Ontario Ministry of Health
• Telehealth – call 1-866-797-0000
• Guelph Food Bank
• Ontario Legal Aid
• Legal Clinic of Guelph-Wellington
• Guelph Social Services
• Waterloo-Wellington Red Cross