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

Durham College (DC) is monitoring the anticipated weather system expected to reach Durham Region in the next 24 hours. At this time, DC is anticipating our campuses will remain open and activities will continue as scheduled for Friday, February 18.

Should winter weather impact in-person learning and work for students and employees, DC will advise the campus community by 6:30 a.m. on Friday 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

The following message is shared on behalf of the Office of Campus Safety.

The campus has seen an increase in students and employees returning to campus, which means there is a lot of activity on and around our campuses. Roads, parking lots and sidewalks are busy and we are asking that everyone does their part to ensure the safety of our students and employees.

Below are some safety tips to keep in mind.

Pedestrians:

• Use crosswalks or traffic lights to cross the street. Never step off the curb, assuming a vehicle will stop for you.
• Be alert at the intersections.
• If you’re using headphones, keep the volume low and only use them in one ear so sounds and signals around you can still be heard.
• Be aware of accessible pedestrian signals and use them accordingly.

Drivers:

• There are new Community Safety Zones close to the Oshawa campus on Conlin Road (between Founders Drive and Bridle Road) and on Simcoe Street North (between Niagara Drive/Selleck Lane and the Campus Ice Centre driveway). This means that penalties for violations, including speeding and careless driving are increased.
• Be alert at the intersections – watching for pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
• Campus speed limit is 25 km/hour.
• Obey stop signs.
• Respect pedestrians.
• Illegal parking will result in tickets and/or towing.
• Keep all electronic devices hands-free.

Inappropriate driving behaviour can be reported by email to parking@dc-uoit.ca or by calling 905.721.2000 ext. 2145.

Any accidents or injuries should be reported to Security by calling 905.721.2000 ext. 2400 or 905.721.3211 as soon as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation.

This message is being shared on behalf of Melissa Pringle, chief returning officer, Durham College Board of Governors. Please direct inquires to Melissa.

The Durham College (DC) Board of Governors is looking for a student leader to join them for a one-year term.

Here’s what you need to know:

Constituency group	One (1) student governor position for the DC Board of Governors.
Term of office	One year, starting September 1, 2022 and ending August 31, 2023.
Candidate eligibility	Any DC student who: Is enrolled in a program of instruction, carrying a minimum course load of 50 per cent. Is in good academic standing. Has no academic integrity alerts or student conduct violations on their record.
Time commitment	Approximately 10 to 15 hours per month.
Compensation	This is a volunteer position.
What’s involved?	The DC student governor will: Represent the college as student governor for the 2022-2023 academic year. Help shape the future and strategic direction of the college, providing the student perspective. Attend board and standing committee meetings. Have the opportunity to participate in professional development opportunities and special events.
Nomination period	Monday, March 7 to Friday, March 11
Campaign period	Wednesday, March 16 to Friday, March 25
Voting period	Monday, March 28 to Friday, April 1

 

Interested in learning more? Schedule a virtual appointment with Melissa Pringle, chief returning officer, to discuss the position and get your questions answered.

For more information visit: www.durhamcollege.ca/studentgovernor

This message is being sent on behalf of the First Peoples Indigenous Centre. Please direct questions to Amanda Banning, indigenous coach, First Peoples Indigenous Centre.

Monday, February 14 marks the thirty-first anniversary of the Women’s Memorial March. The event began as a means to commemorate the life of Cheryl Ann Joe, an Indigenous woman who was murdered in downtown Vancouver in January 1992, and has since expanded to honour the lives of all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited individuals (MMIWG2S+).

In light of current public health guidelines, the First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC) will honour this day through a series of virtual events this year.

Honouring Stolen Sisters
FPIC invites you to join in virtually and welcome Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, sexual violence educator and advocate Suzanne Smoke to discuss the systemic barriers facing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited individuals.

When: Monday, February 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Please register in advance to participate.

Bannock and Books
Join us for the launch of Bannock and Books, an Indigenous book club series designed to bring hearts and minds together as we explore various topics pertaining to Indigenous culture, ways of knowing and experiences.

Sharing Circle
Join us virtually for a guided conversation as we explore the book, Highway of Tears and the systemic oppression facing Indigenous women, children and Two-Spirited individuals in Canada.

When: Monday, March 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Please register in advance to participate.

Featured Book: Highway of Tears by Jessica McDiarmid
Synopsis:
A searing and revelatory account of the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls of Highway 16 and an indictment of the society that failed them. For decades, Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been found murdered along an isolated stretch of highway in northwestern British Columbia. The highway is known as the Highway of Tears, and it has come to symbolize a national crisis.

Highway of Tears is a powerful story about our ongoing failure to provide justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and a testament to their families and communities’ unwavering determination to find it.

Students and employees
Reserve your copy of Highway of Tears by selecting the Sharing Circle + Book Loan ticket upon registration.

Community members
Pick up a copy of Highway of Tears from your local library or check out Indigenous bookstore Good Minds to purchase a copy of your own.

For more resources to enhance your understanding, explore the curated collection of books on Missing and murdered Indigenous women, children and Two-Spirited individuals here.

Durham College’s (DC) campus partner, Ontario Tech University, has been negotiating with their Faculty Association (FA), which represents the university’s tenured, tenure-track, teaching faculty and limited-term faculty members, to reach a new collective agreement. Yesterday, the FA announced their decision to strike effective Thursday, February 10.

The FA at Ontario Tech University has advised picketing activity will begin at the entrances of the Oshawa campus as early as Thursday at 11 a.m., which could delay access to and from campus for DC students and employees. Whitby campus and DC Employment Centres are not affected by this labour action.

Impacts to the DC community include:

• Picket lines – members of the FA at Ontario Tech University will be legally entitled to establish picket lines at the three main entrances (Conlin Road, Commencement Drive and Founders Gate) of the Oshawa campus. When picket lines are in place, DC students and employees are advised to allow extra time coming to campus, as crossing picket lines may delay entry. Please see below for picket line protocol.
• Classes – DC classes continue as scheduled.
• Nursing – Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program – courses, labs and practicums taught by DC faculty will continue as scheduled, however those taught by Ontario Tech Faculty Association members may be paused until further notice. Students will have received an email communication with more information.
• DC-OT School of Business, IT & Management bridge programs – courses taught by DC instructors will continue as scheduled, however courses taught by Ontario Tech Faculty Association members may be paused until further notice. Impacted students will receive an email communication with more information.
• Public transit – we anticipate public transit will not cross picket lines and instead will stop at pre-determined, safe and convenient temporary locations northbound and southbound along Simcoe Street outside the campus. Please check the Durham Region Transit (DRT) website for posted detours. DRT Specialized Services will provide its regular service onto campus for those requiring accessible transit.

Picket line protocol

DC appreciates that for some of you this may be your first experience crossing a picket line. The fundamental idea is to stay respectful. You may find the following guidelines helpful:

• Be aware that you are likely going to encounter picket lines at Oshawa campus entrances.
• Picketers can delay but not prevent access to those looking to enter or leave campus.
• Leave extra time for crossing picket lines.
• Remember that picketers are members of our shared campus community who are engaged in a lawful strike. When the strike is over they will return to our community.
• Expect delays and inconveniences.
• Operate your vehicle in a safe and lawful manner.

How to approach a picket line:

• Approach the line slowly. If you are operating a vehicle, plan your approach to the campus so that you will be making a right-hand turn onto campus. This precaution will prevent you from getting caught in the middle of an intersection or crossing oncoming traffic.
• When driving or walking on to campus, be prepared to stop and wait until you can safely pass through the picket line.
• Practice patience, be respectful and remain calm. Picketers may give you information and then allow you to pass.
• Consider carpooling with fellow students or leaving your car off campus and taking the bus.

If you encounter difficulties in crossing a picket line please contact security at 905.721.8668 ext. 2400.

Care and respect should be used at all times. DC will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates to the campus community as additional information becomes available.

If you are interested in learning more, please visit the Ontario Tech labour relations website.

From February 14 through 18, Durham College (DC) will be recognizing Gender-based Violence Awareness Week.

Defined as violence that is inflicted upon a person or persons due to their gender identity, perceived gender or gender expression, gender-based violence can impact anyone, although it particularly targets Black and Indigenous women and girls (Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, 2022).

The campus community is invited to participate in a number of events, hosted by the Student Development Office and Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, to learn how gender-based violence continues to impact our communities and how we can be allies in the fight against it.

Honouring Stolen Sisters
The First Peoples Indigenous Centre invites you to join in virtually and welcome Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, sexual violence educator and advocate Suzanne Smoke to discuss the systemic barriers facing Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirited individuals.

When: Monday, February 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Please register in advance to participate.

Intro to Healthy Masculinity
Hosted by the Durham Rape Crisis Centre, this session will focus on how male-identified individuals can be leaders in ending gender-based violence. This important conversation will discuss what healthy masculinity and sexuality means, the importance of consent and accountability, and how to be advocates in their community.

When: Tuesday, February 15 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Where: Online
Please register in advance to participate.

Breathe: Trauma Recovery Yoga
Facilitated by Nicole Brown Faulknor, founder of Wounds2Wings and the Trauma and Embodiment Association of Ontario, this unique class aims to give participants on a path to recovery, the tools to understand how trauma affects the body and how to let go of trauma stored in the body. Through gentle movements, simple postures and breath awareness, elements of traditional hatha yoga are modified to build a survivor’s sense of empowerment and cultivate a more positive relationship to one’s body.

When: Thursday, February 17 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Where: Online
Please register in advance to participate.

To learn more about gender-based violence, follow @yesmeansyesatdc on Instagram

This message is being shared on behalf of Christine Murphy, director, Career and Student Development. Please direct any questions to Jennifer Powell.

Today’s the day! The Virtual Job Fair is taking place from 1 to 4 p.m.

Hiring for part-time, full-time, contract summer and co-op positions, this Virtual Job Fair is a great way to get your foot in the door or gain experience networking.

Students who sign-up to attend the Virtual Job Fair will be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card!

Have a question during the Virtual Job Fair? Hover over the “Help and Information” button to connect with Career Development staff.

This message is being shared on behalf of Facilities Management. Please direct inquiries to Doug Crossman, director, Facilities Management. 

Please be advised that the Oshawa campus is currently experiencing intermittent power interruptions related to Oshawa Power’s external electricity grid, which supplies power to our campus.

At this time, technicians are in the process of resetting equipment where possible, and the Facilities Management team will continue to monitor the issue until it has been resolved by Oshawa Power.

Please note: there is no direct impact to college operations and all on-campus classes and activities are to continue as scheduled.

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

Durham College (DC) is monitoring the anticipated weather system expected to reach Durham Region in the next 24 hours. At this time, DC is anticipating our campuses will remain open and activities will continue as scheduled for Thursday, February 3.

Should winter weather impact in-person learning and work for students and employees, DC will advise the campus community by 6:30 a.m. on Thursday 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

This message is being shared on behalf of the Durham College Spa. Please direct questions to spa@durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.6446.

The Durham College (DC) Spa is now open and accepting appointments for select services. Located on the second floor of the Centre for Collaborative Education at the Oshawa campus, the spa provides an inclusive space committed to making holistic beauty, health and wellness accessible and more affordable for all.

Performed by students as part of their program training, our popular massage, manicure, pedicure and body services are now available for booking. Treatments and services are delivered under the guidance of expert faculty that support the intensive training and learning of our massage, cosmetic and esthetician students.

A complete list of services can be found online. Please note: cosmetic services are coming soon.

Book a treatment for February and take advantage of our re-opening specials:

• Receive $5 off every service in February.
• Enjoy 50 to 75% off on select retail products.

Visit www.durhamcollegespa.ca for more details.

COVID-19 pre-screening and vaccination policy

As a reminder, all individuals visiting DC campuses must:

• Complete the COVID-19 screening questionnaire.
• Provide proof of full vaccination upon arrival. Those who are not fully vaccinated will not be permitted to enter any DC buildings or facilities, including the spa.
• Wear a mask or face covering while in campus buildings and during your treatment to ensure everyone’s safety.

For more information, visit the COVID-19 webpage.