Given the global evolution of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), including cases that have presented closer to home, we would like to assure you that Durham College (DC) is closely monitoring the situation.

DC’s healthcare team of the Emergency Management Response Team is working with local, provincial and federal health agencies to stay apprised of updates and developing action plans, should they be required.

On campus, the college has implemented increased safety and awareness measures such as a campaign to help employees and students be mindful of precautionary practices; distribution of World Health Organization communication material; additional cleaning protocols in high touch areas; and enhanced patient surveillance in our Campus Health Centre, in accordance with public health requirements.

As a reminder the following best practices can help to reduce the risk of transmitting the flu or other respiratory illnesses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces, especially those that are high-touch areas.
• Do not share water bottles, straws, eating utensils, toothbrushes, or anything else that has been in contact with saliva, nose or throat secretions.
• If you or your family members are ill, stay at home.
• If you are ill and must visit a healthcare provider, call ahead or tell them right away when you arrive that you have a respiratory illness and wear a mask while waiting to be seen.

If you have flu-like or cold symptoms that escalate, please take the following action:

• If you are off campus, contact your health-care provider. 
• If you are on campus, stay where you are, and have someone phone the Campus Health Centre at 905.721.3038.
• After hours [Mon-Thurs after 7 p.m.; Friday after 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sundays] contact Durham Region Public Health line at 905.576.9991.

The continued health and safety of our campus community is of the utmost importance. We encourage you to remain up-to-date about the virus and precautionary measures through DC’s COVID webpage, Ontario Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and Durham Public Health websites.

Calling all entrepreneurs! The hit CBC television show Dragons’ Den will return to Durham College (DC) on Wednesday, March 11, to hold auditions in the search for Canada’s best new businesses.

The show’s producers are embarking on a nation-wide tour in search of the country’s best new business concepts and products in need of a Dragon investment. During its stop on campus, aspiring DC entrepreneurs, as well as members of the general public, will pitch their concepts in five minutes or less. If they show producers they have what it takes to pitch in the Den, they could be invited to Toronto to face the Dragons.

DC is committed to enhancing entrepreneurship in the community and encourages all students with an innovative idea to apply. Students may also contact FastStart – an entrepreneurial training partnership aimed at students – for assistance in preparing their pitch.

Prospective pitchers are encouraged to apply online and bring a completed application form to the audition.

Auditions: 

When
Wednesday, March 11
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where
Durham College, Oshawa campus
Student Services building, Room SSB 116 AB
2000 Simcoe St. N.
Oshawa, Ont. 

Attention all basketball fans, Canada’s Senior Men’s National team is taking on the team from the Dominican Republic tonight, Friday, February 21, during the International Basketball Association (FIBA) Americup 2021 Qualifiers and it’s happening right here at Durham College (DC).

Originally slated to take place at the Tribute Communities Centre, a last-minute venue change was needed due to unforeseen technical difficulties and based on Team Canada’s familiarity with our Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (CRWC), FIBA approved the change of location. Which means world-class basketball teams are making the DC Lords home turf their own for one incredible night of competition.

Want to attend?

A limited number of tickets are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the door. DC Students can purchase a general admission ticket onsite for the discounted rate of $15.25 with valid student ID.

Want to win tickets?

Check out our Instagram for your chance to win tickets to tonight’s game.  Note: tickets will be available for pick up at the CRWC prior to the game.

Grab your Canada flags and exchange your green and gold for red and white as DC welcomes Team Canada.

Friday, February 21, 2020
Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, Oshawa campus
21 Avenue of Champions

Tip off is at 7:05 p.m. Please arrive 1 to 1.5 hours prior for entry.

Please be advised that as part of our commitment to maintaining optimal systems and operations, an extended MyCampus and MyCampus-related system outage will be in effect from Friday, February 7 at 5 p.m. until Monday, February 10 at 6 a.m.

The outage is required to accommodate a system upgrade and other maintenance changes.

Systems UNAVAILABLE during the outage will include:

• Adding/dropping classes.
• Advisor services.
• Applicant portal.
• Application to graduate.
• Course book lists.
• Fee statements.
• Financial Aid profile.
• Grades.
• Password changes.
• Preview available courses.
• Student account/fee info and credit card payments.
• Student/faculty schedule.
• Student exam schedule.
• Web time entry.
• Web transcripts.

The following services WILL be available:

• DC Connect.
• DC Mail student email accounts.
• MyCampus (excluding administrative self-service applications listed above).
• MyCampus link to DC Connect.
• Network password management and reset utility (https://mypassword.dc-uoit.ca/).
• Wireless network (CAMPUS-AIR).
• Epi Suite (ID card database).
• Targeted messages and announcements.

There will also be limited availability to:

• Blackboard transact (meal plan)
• Class (Athletics)
• Clockwork (new students who have never used the system will not be able to use the system)
• Campus Library

Questions? Contact the IT Service Desk at servicedesk@dc-uoit.ca or call extension 3333.

From January 27 to Friday, January 31, you will have the opportunity to attend workshops and sessions that will cover how to create a personal pitch, resumé writing techniques, job fair success strategies, using LinkedIn and more. You can then put their newfound skills to the test at DC’s Winter Job Fairs at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses:

• Job Fair, Oshawa campus – Tuesday, February 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre.
• Job Fair, Whitby campus – Thursday, February 6 from 2 to 4 p.m., atrium and main hallways.

This year, we have more than 60 employers registered to attend.

Check out a full list of events happening over the next two weeks online or keep up-to-date on all Gear Up to Get Hired activities and job fair updates as they unfold by following @GetHiredDC on Instagram or #GetHiredDC on social media.

Starting to think about life after college?

Hear from recent Durham College (DC) grads as they share the unique journey that took them from the classroom to the workforce during DC Talks: Alumni Series. From industry insights and career tips to finding a landing their first job, returning alumni will answer questions and engage with students about what comes next.

This year’s speakers are Gabby De Sousa, an apprentice for Delta Elevator Co., who is blazing a trail for young women in the elevating devices industry, and Nicholas Coleman, an architectural technologist whose passion and talent in science, technology and sustainable design has him working on a variety of Ontario-based projects with design firm Lemay.

Come and meet them during the event to learn more about their exciting careers, gain insight into industry opportunities and the possibilities that await after graduation.

You will also have the chance to enter into a draw for a $100 gift card as part of DC’s backpack2briefcase program.

For those who cannot attend the event in person, you can stream it live by visiting the Alumni Office’s Facebook page. Questions for the participating alumni can also be asked via DC’s Twitter account – @durhamcollege.

Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/dctalksalumni for more information.

With the new calendar year underway, please be advised of the potential for greater enforcement of the Regional Municipality of Durham’s smoke-free bylaw on campus. The Region amended its bylaw last year to include educational institutions, which applies to our college campus. Violation of the bylaw could result in a $305 fine issued by the Region’s bylaw enforcement.

Durham College (DC) became smoke-free in October 2018, guided by our Smoke-free Campus and Enforcement Policy, in anticipation of the Region’s bylaw amendment.

Smoking and/or vaping of any type, including tobacco, cannabis and shisha, is prohibited anywhere on the Oshawa and Whitby campuses, including all on-campus student residences. The policy applies to all campus community members, including students, employees, visitors and contractors. The policy also provides clarity regarding enforcement. Please familiarize yourself with the policy.

To learn more about DC’s policy and review FAQs, please visit the smoke-free campus web page.

This message is being sent on behalf of Tom Lynch, director, Office of Campus Safety. Please direct inquiries to tom.lynch@dc-uoit.ca.

The Office of Campus Safety (OCS) is committed to protecting the rights of everyone on campus while promoting a professional, respectful and safe campus environment. We value respect for others and believe safety and security are the responsibility of everyone on campus.

Please see below for a few initiatives that can help keep you safe on campus.

Reporting suspicious behaviour

If you have concerns regarding your personal safety or if you observe behaviour that is suspicious or that may have a negative impact on the campus, please report it immediately to OCS by calling Campus Security at 905.721.2000 ext. 2400 or 905.721.3211.

Code Blue stations

Code Blue stations are nine-foot red poles with blue lights on top located in parking lots, footpaths and within the Campus Library. Each pole has a button you can press to gain instant contact with the Campus Security desk. Once notified, Campus Security will send a guard to your location and, if required, emergency services will be dispatched.

OCS Location

The administrative offices for the OCS are located in the south wing of the Simcoe Residence Building situated at 1910 Simcoe Street North (south lobby) and are open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

OCS services include:

• Preventing crime.
• Solving problems that affect students, employees and the community.
• Promoting safety and security as the responsibility of everyone on campus.

We encourage you to visit the Campus safety web page to familiarize yourself with the services and crime prevention initiatives offered by the OCS.

We are excited to share that the Phase IV expansion at the Whitby campus is beginning with the installation of protective hoarding (fencing) around the construction zone.

As a result some onsite parking will be restricted and selected entrances into the northwest side of the main building will be closed. The entrance to campus from Champlain Avenue will remain open.

Any areas affected by the construction will be marked. For your safety, please be sure to read and follow any onsite signage.

Excavation of the Phase IV expansion site is expected to begin in early January; more details will be shared in the new year.

We understand that construction will create some delays and appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during this time.

Full-time students registered in the winter semester will be able to add or drop classes as of Thursday December 19th at 4 p.m. There will be assistance available from January 2nd to 10th in SSB, Room SSB113A at the Oshawa campus and in the IT Commons at the Whitby campus for adding/dropping or making timetable changes.

Part-time registration opens on Thursday, January 2nd for the winter semester. Please have your CRN (five digit course code) and payment available at time of registration.

Unofficial and official transcripts for current students (those registered in fall semester courses) will not be processed between Monday, December 9th and Thursday, December 19th. Requests can still be placed for these transcripts. All other transcripts will be processed as usual.

Please note, Strategic Enrolment Services will be open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. beginning Monday, December 16th until Monday, December 23rd, with the exception of Wednesday, December 18th when we will be open 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Strategic Enrolment Services will be closed as of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 23rd and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 2nd, 2020. Extended hours (8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.) will resume on Monday, January 6th.