This message is sent on behalf of Tara Koski, dean, Students.                                                                             

On September 30, Durham College (DC) recognizes Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. DC is committed to reconciliation, with the goal of building respectful, reciprocal relationships that will contribute to better educational outcomes for all students.  

Recognizing reconciliation requires genuine efforts to address the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous communities, and education plays a pivotal role in this process. Below are some opportunities to help our DC community learn more about the history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, and ways to take meaningful steps towards reconciliation.    

• Attend Recognizing Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

Friday, September 29, 10:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

The Rotary Global Classroom in the Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE 145), in-person and online  

In partnership with Ontario Tech, DC students and employees are invited to hear from speakers Kevin Lamoureux, award winning scholar from the University of Winnipeg; Elder Dorothy Taylor, a Mississauga Ojibwe Elder from Curve Lake First Nation known for her work and traditional teachings about the sacredness of water; and Elder Dr. Shirley Williams, who is Midewiwin and a member of the Bird Clan from the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. 

Read the full agenda and register online.  

• Complete the Indigenous Histories and Reconciliation Learning Course.
• Learn more about the importance of Land Acknowledgements.
• Take some time to learn about the Naanaagide’endamowin Courtyard near the Centre For Collaborative Education at the Oshawa Campus and to explore the QR Pathway for Pause and Reflection.
• Explore the Maamwi Hub from College Libraries Ontario. This learning hub is inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action to ensure that the 24 Colleges of Ontario lead in the education of staff and students on the diverse Indigenous histories, cultures and current Indigenous worldviews.
• Check out our Indigenous Library Resources, and our research guide on Indigenous Studies. Explore hundreds of Indigenous Studies videos through Curio, including content for children. Discover Indigenous-made animations and films on the transmission of Indigenous knowledge, practices and traditions from the National Film Board of Canada. And dig into CAN-CORE AV’s special collection of video series and documentaries produced by Indigenous filmmakers or starring Indigenous peoples from across Canada.
• Wear orange in support of this day. Orange shirts from an Indigenous maker are available for purchase in the Campus Store at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. 

For the first six weeks of the semester, Durham College has arranged for temporary, off-site parking for Whitby campus students. Located at the Landmark Cinemas parking lot at 75 Consumers Drive, this overflow space will help ensure parking for students as the new school year gets underway.

Overflow parking is free and includes daily shuttle service, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., typically every 30 minutes. You can view the full shuttle schedule and parking map for more information.

This parking will be available from Friday, September 1 to Friday, October 13. Please be respectful of this public space. 

There are still a limited amount of parking passes available for the Whitby campus.  Students and staff can register for their parking pass through IPASS.   

Carpooling and public transit are also recommended as parking at Whitby is limited. Students can take advantage of the U-PASS Program with Durham Region Transit. 

As part of Orientation Week, bring your friends and family out to a Toronto Blue Jays game!

The Durham College Student Association (DCSA) and Durham College are participating in the Toronto Blue Jays College and University Night on Thursday, September 14 (7:07 p.m.) at the Rogers Centre.

Come out and show your DC spirit.

Your special DC package includes:

• $40 per ticket in a section saved for DC in the 100 level.
• Blue Jays/Durham College hat
• DC rally towel
• Option to take a bus [additional $10 and seats are limited].

Tickets are available now on Eventbrite.

WHAT
On-campus parking permit sales for Fall-semester passes valid September 1 through December 31, 2023, or annual passes valid September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. 

DATE

July 17, 2023

DETAILS 

Current Permit Holder – Annual and semester passes 

• Existing summer semester permit holders who require a fall semester or annual parking pass are required to re-register on-line through Precise Parklink’s Interactive Parking Access Subscriber System IPASS. 
• Current users will be required to modify their user name to access IPASS and re-register for Fall 2023 semester or Annual (2023-2024) permits. (Example: Current User Name “DCLORDS” modify to “DCLORDS2023”). 
• Students that currently have a parking access card must input the card number into IPASS during re-registration process. This card will then be activated upon IPASS approval. No further action will be required by the purchaser. 
• Students purchasing Fall Semester or annual parking permits must ensure the ACTIVATION DATE on IPASS application indicates SEPTEMBER 1, 2023. 

 

New Users – Annual and semester passes  

• First time purchasers who require a Fall semester or annual parking pass are required to register on-line through IPASS. 
• Students purchasing Fall Semester or annual parking permits must ensure the ACTIVATION DATE on IPASS application indicates SEPTEMBER 1, 2023. 

• Payment for parking permits can be made through the IPASS registration website either through credit card or pre-authorized payment.  

• Students are required to use their institutional email address when registering. 
• After completing the registration, an approval email will be sent within 24 to 48 hours. 
• Students should pick up their access card or hang tag prior to Friday, September 1, 2023 at the Parking Office in the Gordon Willey building at the Oshawa campus, or the main building at the Whitby campus, between Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Initial access cards will be provided at no charge. Replacement cards can be requested for $25.  
• For questions specific to the IPASS registration website please see the FAQ link or Email contact link in the email response from IPASS. IPASS will respond to all queries submitted through this portal within 24-48 business hours. 

• For general enquiries please contact the Parking Office at parking@dc-ot.ca or whitbyparking@durhamcollege.ca. 

 

Daily parking 

• Daily parking is available in two types of lots – Pay & Display or gated lots.  
• The cost for daily parking is $5 per hour with a maximum of $18 per day.  
• Tap debit and credit card payment is now available at exit gates.  
• Pay Stations accept cash, coins, debit and credit cards and are located in the Founders 2 lot (south-east corner), and Commencement lot at the Oshawa campus. One pay station is available at the Whitby campus inside the main building entrance and the CSTT building.
  

  
  

LOTS & RATES 

STUDENT LOTS AND RATES	Semester Rate	Yearly Rate
Commencement	$        325.00	$    650.00
Founders 2	$        325.00	$    650.00
Founders 4 (CIC)	$        300.00	$    600.00
Founders 5 – North CIC Lot	$        200.00	$    400.00
Simcoe Village Lot	$        325.00	$    650.00
Ball Diamond Lot	$        300.00	$    600.00
Whitby	$        325.00	$    650.00

 

​This message is being shared on behalf of Thom​as Bezruki, manager, Emergency Management, Office of Campus Safety.

Oshawa Puls​ePoint is offering free non-certificate CPR training at Durham College (DC) on Thursday, June 22.

Two workshops (9:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.) will be held at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre in Gyms 1-2. Certified instructors will provide attendees with training in CPR as well as the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Participants will also learn more about the free PulsePoint apps that are available for download in Oshawa and the surrounding area (Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge). The PulsePoint Respond app alerts users when someone nearby is in need of CPR, and locates the nearest AED. The Pulsepoint AED app includes a registry of potentially life-saving tools like AEDs, bleeding control kits, naloxone and epinephrine.

Registration is open until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21. To sign up, visit this website.

This message is being shared on behalf of Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, Academic. Please direct any inquiries toAmanda Maknyik, associate dean, Teaching, Learning and Program Quality, Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Durham College (DC) is committed to providing our students with the best education possible. With that in mind, we are participating in the2022-2023 College Quality Assurance Audit Process (CQAAP), a provincially-mandated external review of the work we do to ensure academic quality.

As part of the process, we completed a self-study package on how we embed quality assurance (QA) in our programs and services. Next week, the college will host the CQAAP auditors for a virtual site visit from June 19 to 21. The auditors will speak to pre-selected representatives from all areas of the college, including students and staff.

At DC, we are committed to transparency and accountability in all aspects of our operations and business. Each of Ontario’s 24 colleges of applied arts and technology participates in CQAAP every five to seven years. 

If you have any questions about CQAAP, you can learn more online.

Durham College (DC) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2023 Alumni of Distinction award. 

Christine Cunningham (Social Service Worker, 2015), Stew MacDonald (Sports Administration, 1981) and Tre Sanderson (Culinary Management, 2015) have all been selected to receive the honour this year.  

Christine Cunningham has become a leader in the field of perinatal mental health, running a successful counselling private practice. She is also the founder and executive director of Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario (PWO). 

Stew MacDonald is a senior executive with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. Throughout his tenure, the team has won multiple Stanley Cup championships, hosted the NHL’s first ever outdoor game and relocated to a new, state-of-the-art arena. 

Tre Sanderson made history last year as the first Black winner of Top Chef Canada. He has worked in some of Toronto’s best kitchens throughout his career and incorporates his diverse culinary influences into his creations. 

The awards will be presented at Spring Convocation in June. Click here for more information on this year’s nominees.  

The Durham College (DC) Accessibility Coordinating Committee (ACC) helps ensure that accessibility updates are implemented on campus to make DC as inclusive as possible. 

In honour of National AccessAbility Week taking place May 28 to June 3, we are happy to share a number of DC’s 2022-2023 accomplishments and goals to celebrate and promote accessibility on campus: 

• Purchased mobile charging stations for each campus. 
• Hosted an inclusive photoshoot at Oshawa campus that showcased many of the accessibility features at DC. 
• Updated Accessibility Tours for both campuses, including the re-implementation of bus tours at Open House events. 
• Continue to identify and remove physical barriers on both campuses. 
• Continue to audit software used by students and faculty to ensure Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliancy. 

The ACC is guided by DC’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, meets several times each year and includes members from across the college as well as community partners. We follow the AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards. The ACC will reconvene in September and continue to make each DC campus as accessible and inclusive as possible. 

As a Durham College (DC) student, you have access to health and dental benefits. Below you’ll find important information about:  

• The Durham College Student Association (DCSA) Health and Dental Plan (full-time students); 
• The DCSA Morcare plan (international students); and  
• Opt-in and opt-out information.*  

*Note: The current opt-in and opt-out only applies to May 2023 intake students. Full-time students who started in September 2022 and January 2023 are not eligible to opt-in or opt-out. 

Full-time domestic students 

The DCSA provides a health and dental plan for all full-time DC students. The fee is charged to your tuition and must be paid at the same time. 

The policy year for May-start students begins Monday, May 1, 2023, and coverage continues until Thursday, August 31, 2023. 

Not sure if you are considered full-time? Contact Enrolment Services. 

Fully delivered online programs (Critical Care Nursing and Pre-Health Services – online) have adjusted ancillary fees. Please visit your program fee calculator to see the amounts associated with your delivery. 

Accessing the Medavie Blue Cross Portal 

Visit www.studentvip.ca/dcsa to download your Plan Card and view your coverage from Medavie Blue Cross. 

Login or create an account to view the status of your claims. Your policy number is 0091963000 and your student ID is your student ID number followed by two zeros (ex. 100XXXXXX00) 

Already covered? Looking to opt-out of the plan? 

Students with other health and dental plan coverage can elect to opt-out of the DCSA-provided plan. To opt-out, students must visit the Student VIPwebsite and complete the online opt-out form by May 31, 2023. You will be required to provide proof of other coverage. 

Dependents? Looking to opt-in dependents to the coverage? 

Adding dependents, partners and spouses is easy, but opt-in must be done before May 31, 2023. Check out the Student VIP website for more details. 

Note: For May 2023 start students who will be continuing full-time in September 2023, dependents must be opted in again for the 2023-2024 policy year during the month of September. 

International Students 

International students are enrolled under two mandatory health insurance plans provided by the DCSA – Morcare and Student VIP – and can opt dependents into both. Dependents must have Morcare or OHIP alternative to be eligible for the health and dental plan. The deadline to opt-in dependents is May 31, 2023. If you opt your dependents into the coverage in May 2023, you will need to opt them in again for the 2023-2024 policy year during the month of September. 

Note: If you have OHIP coverage, please contact donna.judson@durhamcollege.ca by May 31, 2023 to have the Morcare fee removed. 

Accessing Morcare 

Morcare provides your basic insurance coverage for visiting the doctor for illness, injury or medical emergencies. 

To download your Morcare medical card: 

1. Go to www.morcare.ca
   2. Select “Durham College”
   3. Click “Your Space” from the top menu
   4. Enter your date of birth and student number
   5. Please print a paper copy as this is required by medical clinics for billing purposes. 

Accessing Student VIP 

Student VIP is your extended health and dental plan that covers prescription medication, dental, vision, chiropractor, massage, physiotherapy and more. 

To download your health and dental benefit card: 

1. Go to www.studentvip.ca/dcsa
   2. Select “Durham College”
   3. Select Benefit Card
   4. Register to set up an online profile
   5. Please print a paper copy as this is required by medical clinics for billing purposes. 

Still have questions? Reach out for assistance. 

• Student VIP website: www.studentvip.ca/dcsa, access Live Chat for assistance 
• Morcare website: www.morcare.ca, access Live Chat for assistance 
• DCSA website: www.mydcsa.ca, access Live Chat to connect with DCSA staff 
• Donna Judson: donna.judson@durhamcollege.ca or by phone at 905.721.1609 ext. 3984 

This message is sent on behalf of Don Lovisa, president, Durham College.

Today, Durham College (DC) acknowledges the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which draws attention to the ongoing violence and discrimination that is still a reality for members of the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) community. 

At Durham College, we stand with members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and reaffirm our commitment that everyone has the right to be safe and feel that they belong, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. In recognition and support of this day and our 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, we have raised the progressive pride flag at both our Oshawa and Whitby campuses.  

This year’s global theme – Together Always: United in Diversity – celebrates the many sexual and gender diversities and underscores the power of solidarity, community and allyship across different identities, movements and borders.  

Join me in standing against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia and ensuring that Durham College remains a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.