UCW President Brock Dykeman announced that the university is providing the option for students to continue their classes online rather than attending classes on campus for the rest of the Winter 2020 Term.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed that a case of COVID-19 is connected to University Canada West, but said there is no risk to University Canada West students, faculty or staff.
“We are fully confident in the assessment of the Provincial Health Officer and that there is no risk based on these cases, but we continue to take proactive steps to address concerns about COVID-19,” Brock said.
He said he wants students to feel safe and secure as they complete their studies for the Winter term at UCW but noted that UCW is open, many students are attending on campus and all staff on campus as usual.
Students feeling unwell and showing symptoms are encouraged to stay home, but they must inform their instructor and Student Services.
Students displaying symptoms on campus will be asked to continue their studies online. Similarly, any faculty with symptoms will be teaching from home via online delivery.
Over the weekend, the university underwent a deep clean to sanitize all areas.
For the rest of the Winter 2020 term, UCW is cancelling all events where students gather and are setting up Self-Screening Centres, where students can check their temperature to see if they have a fever.
The centres are private booths with a no-touch thermometers and detailed instructions for its use as well as information about Coronavirus and COVID-19. The booths also include phone numbers so students can call medical professionals for advice.
UCW is currently developing a plan to minimize risk for incoming students for the Spring 2020 term, which starts in April.
“The safety of students, staff and faculty remains our top priority,” said Brock. “We believe that these extra and proactive steps we are taking will help alleviate the concerns they may have.”
