Ensuring a safe start to the new academic year

A message from Santa J. Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor

Next week sees the start of Winter Session, Term 1, and a return to campus for many of us. Whether you are a new or returning student, a faculty or staff member, we look forward to welcoming everyone back. 

For those returning to in-person teaching and learning, research, or working on campus, we would like to help you resume activity in a way that best supports the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community. Here’s what you need to do to help ensure a safe environment for yourself and those around you:

• Know the symptoms of COVID-19 and complete a daily health assessment. If you are sick, stay at home. Learn about the self-assessment tool at https://bc.thrive.health. 
• Make sure you have a non-medical mask, as they are required in public indoor spaces on campus including classrooms.
• Wash your hands regularly. 
• If you are not yet vaccinated, make a plan to receive your COVID-19 vaccination. You can book your first and second doses via https://immunizebc.ca. Drop-ins are welcome at all Vancouver Coastal Health clinics. For details visit http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine#vaccination. In the Okanagan, information about immunization clinics can be found at https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/covid-19-immunization-clinics/.
• As a reminder, in BC, free vaccines are available to students arriving from international destinations and other provinces.

Read the full message