Updates: Friday, March 13

Updates for Friday, March 13.

1:00 p.m.

For all University of Alberta community members (students, faculty, employees and visitors) on behalf of the U of A Public Health Response Team.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented global situation. The situation is evolving rapidly. The university’s leadership, Public Health Response Team, staff and faculty are working tirelessly to support your needs. 

The risk of infection in Alberta remains *low*. The University of Alberta is open with all services available (including residences) and all staff at work.

In following recent directions from the World Health Organization and the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the University of Alberta is taking the following immediate actions:

• All in-person midterm exams and classes are suspended today and throughout the weekend and will be rescheduled or adjusted as necessary. Any information received to the contrary is inaccurate. All students will be accommodated. Remote and online exams and classes can continue as normal.
• Suspending all upcoming university-related travel (students and staff) outside of Canada. We are in regular contact with our students abroad to ensure they are healthy and safe. 
• Strongly recommending that all students studying abroad make arrangements to come home, regardless of the risk rating in your current location. Your home U of A contact will continue to be in touch with you to understand your wishes and provide support as necessary.
• Students abroad can contact the U of A via email at uairm@ualberta.ca if they have questions or concerns.
• Suspending all campus events of 250 or more attendees, on all campuses. A list of cancelled events has been created on this site. You can submit your cancelled events though this online form.
• The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research has issued modified guidelines for remote final oral exams (PhD, Master’s) and candidacy.

In addition, we would like to emphasize:

• Any community members that feel ill, stay home.
• Any community members returning from outside Canada are required to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms.

We are hearing your concerns and feelings of distress during this uncertainty. These are extraordinary times, and we want you to know the health and wellbeing of our university community is our utmost priority. We will keep you apprised of the situation throughout the weekend on this site and with additional emails as needed. This includes any possible university-wide directions regarding remote teaching and learning. We are working to better understand which courses are required to continue in person and how we can minimize the risk to those involved.

11:40 a.m

The Faculty of Graduate Studies has issued new information regarding the Modified Guidelines for Remote Final Oral Exams (PhD, Master’s) and Candidacy.

9:50 a.m.

All exams for in-person classes are suspended today and will be rescheduled as necessary. Any information you’ve received to the contrary is inaccurate. Further details on Sunday, March 15.