Updates for the U of A community, week ending August 6
6 August 2021
Posted: August 6, 4:30 p.m.
Your Safety is Our Top Priority: A Message from President Flanagan
As students, faculty and staff return to U of A campuses this fall, your safety remains our top priority, President Bill Flanagan discusses a number of the key safety measures that will make a successful fall possible.
COVID-19 Vaccine Survey
In order to gauge how the U of A community feels about the Fall 2021, students, faculty and staff members are asked to please complete this 3-question survey by August 16. It should only take a few minutes to complete. The data collected in this survey is anonymous and cannot be linked to individual respondents.
Get fall ready, take the required Fall 2021 campus safety eCourse now
Fall Ready | Coming to Campus 2021 is a short mandatory eCourse for all students, staff and faculty participating in on-campus activities this coming term. The 10-minute course will help you understand potential hazards and what you can do to protect yourself, your colleagues, and your family. You may be requested by your instructor(s) or supervisor to produce your course completion certificate. Due to changes in health and safety practices, all employees and students who have completed a previous version of the eCourse are also expected to complete this new Fall 2021 version.
Vaccinations - Available, safe, and ready to take
Vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to help stop the long term spread of COVID-19. Vaccinations are available now on North Campus through the University Health Centre and Pharmacy. Faculty, staff, and students are all strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated as soon as they can. Learn more about the vaccination appointments available on North Campus by visiting the COVID-19 website.
Helping the Hesitant: Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
Be it a fear of needles, questions about immunity, or more, find out how to support the people in your life who are feeling hesitant about getting their COVID-19 vaccinations. Read about it on The Quad.
Travel Update for International Students
Travel and entry requirements for International students returning to campus continue to change. Up-to-date information is available at Travel to Canada During COVID.
Government of Canada changes to isolation requirements mean that many incoming international students are not required to isolate. However, all students are required to have a valid quarantine plan before travelling to Canada.
University of Alberta International will be assisting students who need to quarantine when arriving from international destinations. All international students traveling to Canada are required to register with the Off-Campus Isolation and Travel Registry (OCITR). This enables us to approve quarantine plans and support those required to quarantine, including students who might be required to implement their plan if testing positive post arrival.
Supporting International Students Who Cannot Arrive In-Person
We know that there are International students who are enrolled for Fall courses, but who are unable to attend in-person due to travel complications.
Faculties are preparing to assist individual students to find the option that will best meet the needs of their individual academic plan.
Students unable to attend in person and who are not able to enroll in remote course options should contact their faculty.
The Task Force on Remote Teaching and Learning is working with instructors and students to address potential challenges affecting students who are learning remotely this Fall.
New FAQ resource on U of A building ventilation
As the U of A community continues to return to campus, questions have been raised regarding ventilation in university buildings. Ventilation is one safety measure that can help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Read more about how campus ventilation is designed to circulate fresh air safely and is continually monitored in a new FAQ resource available on the Safety Measures General Directive on ventilation. Work is underway this month to provide additional details on individual buildings, including their air system type and highest level of filtration in the air system.
General inquiries: U of A Public Health Response Team, phrtinfo@ualberta.ca
COVID-19 Rapid Response support for on-campus supervisors, instructors and activity coordinators: U of A Rapid Response Triage Team, phrt.triage@ualberta.ca