This message is sent on behalf of the Office of Campus Safety.

Please be advised that yesterday, the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) arrested a student without incident at the Oshawa campus.

DRPS responded swiftly to information received and worked closely with Durham College’s (DC) Office of Campus Safety to make the arrest. Charges have been laid, and the individual is no longer a student at the college and has been trespassed from the campus. DRPS confirmed that there was no immediate risk to the DC community.

Later today, the DRPS will issue a media advisory providing further details on the serious nature of this incident.

Please be assured that DC is committed to the safety of everyone in our campus community. We take all matters of campus safety very seriously, act swiftly and work closely with law enforcement partners when needed. As a reminder, security is on-site 24/7 at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses and can be reached at 905.721.2000 ext. 2400 or 905.721.3211.

This message is sent on behalf of the Office of Campus Safety.

Following last week’s communication regarding the encampment established on Polonsky Commons on Monday, May 6, we wanted to provide the campus community with an update.

Over the past week, occupants of the encampment have engaged in peaceful assembly and remain at Polonsky Commons, focusing their protest on the administration of Ontario Tech University (OTU). OTU leadership has met with the encampment representatives and is working closely with them to find a meaningful resolution. For your reference, OTU is posting updates on its activities online.

At Durham College (DC), our primary focus is offering high-quality education while supporting the well-being and rights of all learners and employees. We are proud to foster an environment that upholds our fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protest in a way that does not promote any form of discrimination, racism, or hate. This is in keeping with our college’s policies and provincial and federal laws. In so doing, we remain a safe, welcoming and inclusive community.

The Office of Campus Safety continues monitoring the encampment and works closely with DC and OTU. Should you encounter the encampment, please be reminded that all campus community members should be treated fairly and with respect.

For further information about human rights and equity or related concerns, please contact the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at diversity@durhamcollege.ca or 905.721.2000 ext. 2855.

If you have safety concerns regarding the encampment, contact the Office of Campus Safety at 905.721.3211 or ext. 2400.

As always, the below resources are available to support those in need.

For students:

• Campus Health and Wellness Centre: 905-721-3037, CHWC@durhamcollege.ca or Livechat
• I.M. Well Student Assistance Program: 1-877-554-6935
• Good2Talk Helpline (24/7): 1-866-925-5454
• First Peoples Indigenous Centre: indigenous@durhamcollege.ca
• Access and Support Centre: ASC@durhamcollege.ca

For employees:

• TELUS Health (formerly LifeWorks) services can be accessed anytime by phone at 1-844-880-9142 or TTY Service at 1-877-338-0275 or at workhealthlife.com.

This message is sent on behalf of the Office of Campus Safety.

The Office of Campus Safety is aware of the tents that have been assembled on Polonsky Commons at our Oshawa campus. At this time, this is a peaceful encampment with no apparent active safety concerns for the campus community.

We are committed to a safe and inclusive campus environment and ask that community members be patient and respectful. We are actively monitoring these activities and will communicate further as more details become available.

We recognize that this activity may potentially impact our campus community members. Should you need to, we encourage you to reach out for support:

• Campus Health and Wellness Centre: 905-721-3037, CHWC@durhamcollege.ca or Livechat

• I.M. Well Student Assistance Program: 1-877-554-6935
• Good2Talk Helpline (24/7): 1-866-925-5454
• Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: diversity@durhamcollege.ca or 905.721.2000 ext. 2855. 
• First Peoples Indigenous Centre: indigenous@durhamcollege.ca
• Access and Support Centre: ASC@durhamcollege.ca  

This message is sent on behalf of Dr. Kayla Murphy, Director, Indigenous Initiatives.

On May 5, Durham College (DC) marks National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People to remember and honour those who have been taken as a result of gender-based and racialized violence in Canada.

As acknowledged in the Government of Canada’s final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, there are disproportionately high levels of violence faced by Indigenous women and girls, and systemic injustices have contributed to this crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country.

This day is also often referred to as Red Dress Day, named after the art installation by Métis artist Jaime Black who, in 2010, hung hundreds of red dresses to represent the crises of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. Hanging red dresses is now a practice across Canada to continue to raise awareness for this crisis.

In honour of Red Dress Day 2024, the Durham College campus community is encouraged to wear red as a symbol of their commitment to action in the elimination of gender-based violence and to visit red dress installations from May 2 to 8 at the following campus locations:

• The Pit, Oshawa campus 
• The Galleria, Oshawa campus 
• Student Centre, Oshawa campus
• Main Building atrium, Whitby campus

In addition, Durham Community Health Centre invites Durham Region residents to participate in their Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Gathering on Sunday, May 5, at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be outdoors so please dress appropriately and bring lawn chairs. Registration is not required.

This message is sent on behalf of Health and Safety.

On Monday, April 8, between 2 and 4:30 p.m., some parts of Ontario will experience the rare event of a total solar eclipse, with the peak happening around 3:20 p.m.

Campus operations and classes will continue as scheduled, so please plan ahead for approximately two to four minutes of darkness and be aware of your surroundings.

Should you choose to watch the eclipse, it’s critical that you protect your eyes:

• Do not look directly at the sun.
• Only wear ISO 12312-2 certified solar eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses, smoked glass or space blankets do not provide sufficient protection.
• Do not attempt to view the eclipse with a telescope, camera or other optical device.

For more information, refer to the Region of Durham website for eclipse details and safety protocols or DC’s Health and Safety page on ICE.

NASA will also provide live broadcast coverage of the solar eclipse on April 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. Watch online.

This message is sent on behalf of the Emergency Management Response Team.

Durham College (DC) is currently monitoring the weather system coming through the region. At this time, our campuses remain open, with activities and classes continuing as scheduled.

Should winter weather impact in-person learning and work for students and employees, DC will advise the campus community via email, social media, mobile app, and we will post information on our campus status website. Students and employees should check these sources prior to proceeding to campus.

Please allow plenty of time to get to campus, and travel with caution and care. During peak snowfall, removal of snow from campus parking lots and walkways may be delayed and there could be areas that are extremely slippery. Please proceed with care while walking on campus.

Important links:

• What does a campus closure mean to me?
• Inclement weather procedure
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation winter driving information
• Environment Canada weather forecasts for Ontario (select your town or city from the list)
• Durham Region Transit
• GO Transit

In recognition of this year’s Black History Month theme “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build,” the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is prioritizing its efforts throughout February on fostering Black wellness, recognizing it as a crucial element for achieving Black excellence.  

Promoting the well-being of our Black community members is essential for progress and success, so to support student and employee learning and engagement, we are hosting two events this month to help enhance our awareness of strategies and resources which promote the wellbeing of Black-identifying members of our campus and wider community. 

We look forward to connecting with you at the following on-campus events: 

Black Wellness Fair

This event aims to celebrate and promote holistic health within our community, with a particular focus on the unique aspects of Black wellness. A variety of service providers will be participating, including culturally affirming and responsive social programs, employment support, workshops, activities and holistic mental health support for the Black and racialized community in Durham.

When: Friday, February 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The Pit, Oshawa Campus
No registration is required – we look forward to seeing you!

Ally-ship for the Advancement of Racial Equity by Keith Richards

With consideration of what is involved in fostering wellness in the workplace for Black employees, this presentation focuses on Ally-ship for the Advancement of Racial Equity, through the lens of Keith Richards’ journey in the Durham Regional Police Service. Grounded in an exploration of the historical context of human migration, the modern-day social impacts of the West African slave trade, and modern-day challenges for Black Canadians, the presentation will explore how ally-ship by colleagues and leadership can be a vehicle for supporting the progress of Black-identifying persons within the workforce.  

When: Thursday, February 27, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Gordon Willey building, Room G213
Presentation by: Keith Richards, Sergeant, Durham Regional Police Service

Register here

This message is being shared on behalf of Lucy Romao Vandepol, interim director, Career and Student Development. Please direct any questions to Tiera Singh, career development outreach co-ordinator, at careerdevelopment@durhamcollege.ca.

Get ready to get hired! The Durham College and Ontario Tech University Job Fair is almost here. Doors open at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February, 1 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (Gyms 3, 4 and 5). 

Bring your resume and dress for success to meet with more than 80 employers looking to hire DC students and graduates for full-time, part-time, contract and summer positions.

Check out @GetHiredDC on Instagram or visit the Hired Portal for more details, including tips on preparing for the fair!

Students who attend Job Fair 2024 will be automatically entered to win a $50 DC Eats gift card!

Durham College and Ontario Tech University Job Fair – Oshawa Campus
Thursday, February 1, 2024
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (Gyms 3, 4 and 5)

Durham College Job Fair – Whitby Campus
Thursday, February 8, 2024
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main building (Atrium and Hallway)

This message is shared on behalf of Don Lovisa, President, Durham College.

On January 29, 2017, a tragic act of terror at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City took the lives of six people and seriously injured 19 more.

Each year on this day, the Durham College (DC) community remembers the victims of this heinous attack and recommits to ending hate and racism in Canada. I encourage you to stand together with the DC community and Canadian Muslims against Islamophobia and do your part to create a welcoming and inclusive society.

There are a number of ways you can show your support and take proactive steps to help end Islamophobia. The National Council of Canadian Muslims and its Green Square Campaign encourages people to wear a green patch on your clothes. This small gesture honors those who have lost their lives while also representing our collective commitment to build an inclusive society that rejects prejudice. Let’s show our support for one another and let them know that hatred has no place in our community.

The Durham College Library has a number of resources available that can help you learn about Canada’s Muslim communities and the importance of standing against Islamophobia:

• London Attack: The Rise of Hate Crimes in Canada, CBC
• Canadian Values and the Muslim World by Aisha Ahmad
• Islamophobia: Understanding Anti-Muslim Racism Through the Lived Experiences of Muslim Youth (Vol. 5) by Naved Bakali
• In Full Voice, National Film Board of Canada
• The Mosque: A Community’s Struggle, CBC
• You See Monsters
• Thinking About Religion and Violence. Episode 22, Islam, Violence, and Islamophobia

We know that days like these can be difficult for members of our DC community, and we’re here for you. If you need support, access our resources and supports.

Attention all Durham College Whitby campus students! Are you graduating this year? 

Grad photo dates have just been added at your campus for Monday, February 5 and Tuesday, February 6. 

To sign up, click here or visit the Durham College Student Association online. 

New sessions get added weekly, so keep checking the site for an appointment that works with your schedule.  

As per school tradition, professional attire is recommended. This may include either a bow-tie, a flat print tie, a white shirt or a white blouse.  

Questions? Please contact questions@lassmanstudios.com.