FAQs Home UpdatesComing to campusResponse PlanVaccination Information Spring/summer semesterRemote learningFAQsCOVID-19 SafetyContacts COVID-19 Pre-entry Screening Questionnaire COVID-19 Illness Reporting Process General FAQs As the COVID-19 situation evolves, the college will continue to provide answers on a daily basis to many of the frequently asked questions we are receiving below. If your question is not addressed in the below FAQ please email dccares@durhamcollege.ca. Student FAQs Vaccination Current Students Future Students and Applicants International Students, Applicants and Agents Remote Learning Employee FAQS Employees General FAQS Campus Operations Facilities COVID-19 Search: Current Students Residences DO I NEED TO BE VACCINATED TO LIVE IN RESIDENCE? Yes, vaccinations are required for students living in an on-campus residence. Two weeks prior to arrival you’ll be asked to provide proof that: You’ve received two doses of a World Health Organization approved vaccine. WHY IS VACCINATION A REQUIREMENT FOR RESIDENCE STUDENTS? DC has an obligation to provide a safe environment to work and learn. The decision for a campus vaccination policy comes after consultation with public health officials and colleagues in Ontario’s college system. This decision will go a long way in protecting the health and safety of our campus community and beyond in the fight against COVID-19. How can I get vaccinated? Individuals requiring vaccines or booster doses can book an appointment through the Province of Ontario’s booking site, at one of the Region of Durham’s vaccination clinics, or at the Campus Ice Centre. What other measures will students need to follow on campus? We’re committed to helping stop the spread of COVID-19 and will continue to implement measures as outlined by the Durham Region Health Department. Specific details around vaccination requirements and guidelines for residence students will be shared directly with students when they receive their official on-campus residence acceptance. For more information about the College’s response to COVID-19 such as cleaning protocols, safety measures and more, visit the Coming to Campus tab. ARE THE RESIDENCES OPEN? Yes, any student who is looking for residence accommodations must create an application by visiting www.durhamresidence.ca. We are working with Durham Region Public Health to remain within all guidelines; ensuring the safety of our residents is our number one priority. How will move-in work? Move-in will take place over the course of the week of Monday, August 29 to Sunday, September 4. We have implemented a system that will allow you to select your move in date and time. You are asked to bring only one person to assist you with your move to reduce the number of people in the building at one time. More information about move in will be emailed to residents in early August. HOW DOES THE CHECK IN PROCESS FOR RESIDENCE WORK DURING THIS TIME? All incoming students will be able to schedule a move in time to allow for a safe move in experience with physical distancing measures put in place. Additionally, the residence will contact each student prior to move in, where the students will be asked a series of screening questions prior to their arrival. I live in residence and suspect I may have symptoms, what do I do? Please remain in your room and call Student Health Services at 905.721.3038 (Please see hours here). If you need assistance after hours, please contact Durham Region Public Health Services at 905.668.2020. Once you have notified health services, please notify the residence front desk at 905.728.8700 ext. 8000. I have been advised by a medical professional to self isolate, what do I do in residence? Students living in residence who have been told to self isolate should stay in their rooms and notify the residence front desk at 905.728.8700 ext. 8000. Our staff will notify the manager on call who will make arrangements for your isolation. The residence staff will inform you fully of our process concerning our support for you. I suspect my roommate may have symptoms or be infected with COVID-19, what do I do? Please encourage your roommate to contact Student Health Services at 905.721.3038 or Durham Regional Public Health Services at 905.668.2020 and select option 2. If unable to reach either service please notify the residence front desk at 905.728.8700 ext. 8000. Our staff will connect with your roommate or neighbour to ensure they are connected to the right resources and supported throughout this process. Will I be refunded my residence application fee and residence fees if I can’t move in due to COVID-19 restrictions? Please contact us directly at info@dc-otresidence.ca to discuss your individual situation. ARE YOU PREPARING RESIDENCES SO THAT STUDENTS CAN PRACTICE SAFE PHYSICAL DISTANCING? Yes. The residence has implemented a booking system allowing residents to reserve specific timeslots when using common spaces. The residence asks that students adhere to all posted signage, keep a safe physical distance from others where possible and wear a mask or face covering when unable to remain physically distant and in all common areas of the residence. How will residence support me during the COVID-19 pandemic? The college and the residence have adapted residence policies and procedures to proactively protect residents and employees, while providing a safe and secure living and learning environment. This includes: Offering maximum flexibility on residence payment options and cancellation deadlines. Minimizing physical interactions at the front desk. Increased cleaning of high traffic touch points through housekeeping. Reviewing access to lounges, laundry rooms and other non-essential spaces. Included Wi-Fi available throughout the residence, offering bandwidth and speed required for remote learning. What will residence life be like during COVID-19? Living in residence offers an incredible opportunity for you to connect with fellow Durham College students. Our Residence Life team is ready to adapt our community model as restrictions continue to be eased to support and encourage your academic and social success. Traditional residence events such as move-in and orientation will be adjusted to accommodate physical distancing guidelines. We are developing new and innovative programs aimed at engaging students and building community, either in smaller groups or delivered through online platforms. Our Residence Life team will also be collaborating with our residence outreach worker to promote and support the delivery of virtual counselling services. Will we receive regular housekeeping service? In-suite housekeeping service is currently suspended and the residence will monitor provincial recovery plans and determine an appropriate time to reinstate this service. During this time, our staff will continue to focus more on common spaces and high traffic areas will have a higher frequency level of cleaning, focusing on touch-points such as door handles, railings and elevator buttons. What is the guest policy at this time? The ability to host guests in residence has currently been suspended. The easing of restrictions will take on a phased approach, including restrictions on number of guests per host, length of stay and total number of guests in the building. Are masks mandatory in the residence? The Regional Municipality of Durham has announced that non-medical masks or face coverings will be mandatory in public and enclosed indoor spaces effective Friday, July 10, 2020 to help manage the spread of COVID-19. The campus as a whole, including residence have adopted this best practice to help keep our community – and each other – safe. All students and visitors must wear a mask in all common spaces of the residence, such as hallways, kitchens, laundry rooms, and lobbies. WHAT KIND OF SCREENING MEASURES ARE IN PLACE? Students will be asked to complete Campus screening questions and show result upon move in. If a student should fail the screening questions they will be offered to complete a 10-day quarantine within residence, alternatively they can leave the campus until they are able to pass screening. I’m an international student, will I have to quarantine when I arrive in Canada? Yes, if you are an international student arriving to Canada, you will need to prepare to quarantine for 10 days when you arrive. During this time, you will work directly with the international office to receive clearance from isolation. You will need to make sure you connect with the international office, prior to travel. What should I do if I have more questions? Please contact the residence front desk at 905.728.8700 ext. 8000 or at info@dc-otresidence.ca. Academics What academic supports are available to students? In addition to the support faculty members provide in the academic setting, Student Advisors and Student Academic Learning Services is also available to help you access the resources you need. WILL MY EDUCATION BE THE SAME OR “AS GOOD” AS FACE-TO-FACE DELIVERY? Remote delivery at DC provides students with a high-quality academic experience in a rich and supportive learning environment that will help them learn the vocational and durable skills employers are looking for. Our exceptional faculty are committed to supporting students remotely, enabling them to achieve their goals while providing an interactive and student-centric experience. By leveraging a variety of tools, students will receive a quality education at DC. We have tools and supports in place to ensure that remote delivery meets our quality standards. How will my lab/studio/shop class be taught? Some programs will be delivered using a hybrid or flexible approach. Students in programs with lab/shop/studio in-person delivery requirements will be scheduled for classes on campus. Theoretical content may be delivered remotely, and in-person activities will be delivered on campus, following all directives from Durham Region Public Health. How will my field placement/practicum/co-op be handled this semester? Learning outcomes that are addressed by experiential learning opportunities may be achieved through alternate forms of learning, which may include a capstone or remote placements. Some field placements/practicums/co-ops will proceed as planned, either in person, remotely or with a hybrid approach. Should an experiential learning program component be suspended, the college will ensure that students have the opportunity to achieve the required learning outcomes. Can I defer my admission to another semester and hold my spot? Contact the Office of the Registrar for information regarding admissions. WHAT DOES REMOTE, HYBRID OR FLEXIBLE COURSE DELIVERY MEAN? Remote courses offer an interactive and engaging student-centric experience. Courses are led by faculty who are committed to supporting students, enabling them to achieve their goals and be successful. All student-faculty and student-student interactions occur remotely, online. Courses will be delivered synchronously, asynchronously or using a blend of the two approaches. Hybrid courses leverage the benefits of both remote and in-person delivery. Student will learn both online and on-campus as required for hands-on activities. Flexible course delivery means that professors will teach some classes and/or workshops from DC’s learning spaces and students have the choice of attending in person, on campus in the classroom/lab or attending remotely. These classes and/or workshops are delivered in real-time [synchronously] and attending in-person is not mandatory. They will be ‘streamed’ so those learning remotely will have an experience very close to ‘being there’. Regardless of how a course is delivered, Faculty will use a variety of technologies and resources to support student learning. They will post course-related learning materials, assignments, resources, etc. in DC Connect, the college’s learning management system. For remote or hybrid course Faculty and students will interact using various technologies that may include Microsoft Teams, Zoom, DC Connect’s virtual classroom and Office 365. What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous course delivery? Synchronous – courses will have scheduled meeting, or class, times in a virtual classroom, using Microsoft Teams, Zoom or DC Connect’s virtual classroom. Asynchronous – where learning takes place at times and locations of the student’s own choosing through online communications technologies. Instruction may occur through interactive discussion posts, content sharing, video recordings, etc. Courses may also blend the two delivery approaches, combining elements of non-scheduled and scheduled activity. What technology will I need if my program is delivered remotely? It is recommended that students have access to a computer (desktop or laptop) and have internet access. Recommended specifications will be posted to each program page on the college’s website in the coming weeks. Students in laptop programs should review technical requirements for their programs. Information is available on the program page on the college’s website. DO I NEED TO PRACTICE PHYSICAL DISTANCING ON CAMPUS? Students, employees, clients, contractors, visitors and all other guests are required to maintain two metres (six feet) of physical distancing in all campus buildings, with the exception of indoor instructional spaces. Amendments were recently made to O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID- 19) Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 17, which, effective September 7, 2021, removed physical distancing requirements and capacity limits for indoor instructional spaces (e.g., classrooms; laboratories; libraries; in-person experiential learning). ARE THERE CAPACITY LIMITS IN INSTRUCTIONAL SPACES? With a vaccination policy now in effect at Durham College, the Ontario government no longer requires caps on indoor learning space capacity. Physical distancing and capacity limits are still being practiced in all other areas of the college (e.g. hallways, designated eating spaces, residence, etc.). In addition, DC’s on-campus cleaning service provider is performing enhanced cleaning, including disinfecting of high touch areas, two to three times daily in all spaces; masks are still required in all indoor spaces across the college and daily COVID-19 screening is required for those wishing to come to campus. Apprenticeships AS AN APPRENTICESHIP STUDENT, WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY SEMESTER? DC will be delivering training in hybrid model, a blend of remote and face-to-face course delivery. Apprentices should regularly check DC Connect and DC Mail to access course outline addendums, class material and messages to support continuity of learning. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WOULD LIKE TO WITHDRAW FROM OR DEFER MY APPRENTICESHIP OR OFFER OF CLASSROOM TRAINING? Contact your designated Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) Employment Training Consultant (ETC). They will advise you what is possible. If a withdrawal is necessary, complete an Official Withdrawal Form at Durham College’s Withdrawals and Refunds website and send it to Whitby Enrolment Services. I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING, WHO SHOULD I CONTACT? If you have specific questions about apprenticeship training, please contact the Apprenticeship office at apprenticeship@durhamcollege.ca. Parking IS THERE A CHARGE FOR PARKING DURING COVID-19? Yes, paid parking has now resumed at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. For more information, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/parking. WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT PARKING? For more information please contact parking@dc-ot.ca. Health and Wellness WHAT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SUPPORTS ARE AVAILABLE TO ME RIGHT NOW? The Campus Health and Wellness Centre is offering a combination of virtual and approved in-person appointments – including physician, mental health, massage therapy, physiotherapy and chiropractic. To ensure the health and safety of patients and employees, the CHWC has implemented infection prevention and control measures, which includes physical barriers and enhanced health and safety procedures. For CHWC hours and more information please visit their webpage. To book an appointment call 905.721.3037. If after hours leave a message and front office staff will call you back the next business day. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m. for cleaning Please note: at this time, only those patients invited for an in-person appointment will be allowed in the clinic and is required to wear a mask or face covering. After hours supports available to students include: Student VIP: ca/dcsi Good2Talk Helpline (24/7): 1.866.925.5454 Well Student Assistance Program: 1.877.554.6935 Ontario 211 Community and Social Services Help Line (24/7): dial 211 In the case of emergency, please dial 911. Durham College Student Association – DCSA, the independent student association representing all DC students, has additional services available. In addition to the information listed here, please go to their website or contact them directly for updates. Counselling available via online delivery. Email outreachdcsi@durhamcollege.cato book an appointment. Can I still get my prescription at the Lovell Drugs pharmacy on campus? The Pharmacy is now open on campus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHAT ATHLETICS OR PHYSICAL HEALTH RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO ME? Athletics and Recreation Resource Library The Athletics and Recreation department has developed a resource library featuring valuable fitness and health information, including: Webinars Online exercise videos Workout plans Healthy eating and nutrition Mental health and wellness App and play recommendations Free fitness consulting The resource library is available on the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre webpage. Virtual fitness classes The FLEX is also offering virtual fitness classes led by certified FLEX instructors. Classes include: Yoga, Belly Dance, Stretching, Sit & Get Fit, Pilates, and Stability Ball. New classes will be added as well as upcoming live-streamed classes. Check back regularly as the virtual library grows. To gain access to our virtual classes: Go to https://registercrwc.dc-uoit.ca Log in or set up an account if you don’t already have one. DC-OT students & staff need to use their student/staff id numbers & campus network logins. Select Virtual Fitness Class Library under “Classification” and select again under “All Categories”. Click on “Register”. Click on "Check-Out". A confirmation email will be sent to you containing the web link to access the Virtual Class Library. Virtual fitness and nutrition consultations Want to work out from home, but not sure exactly what to do with the resources you have available? Contact DC’s fitness co-ordinator Angie Wood to schedule a fitness consultation by emailing her at angela.wood@durhamcollege.ca. Holistic nutrition consultant Sylvia Emmorey is also offering DC students free virtual nutrition consulting. Please email sylviaemmorey@hotmail.com. Mental health supports available for students: Good2Talk Helpline (24/7): 1.866.925.5454 I.M. Well Student Assistance Program: 1.877.554.6935 Ontario 211 Community and Social Services Help Line (24/7): dial 211 Campus Health Centre Services including medical appointments and appointments with mental health nurses, wellness coaches and therapists are available virtually. Fit4sport, Wellness by Oluchi continue to be open. To book an appointment: Call 905.721.2000 ext. 3037 LIVECHAT CHWC@durhamcollege.ca The pharmacy Lovell Drugs continues to be open Durham College Student Association – DCSA, the independent student association representing all DC students, has additional services available. In addition to the information listed here, please go to their website or contact them directly for updates. Counselling available via online delivery. Email outreachdcsi@durhamcollege.cato book an appointment. In the case of emergency, please dial 911. I am feeling stressed or anxious, what can I do? If you're feeling nervous about the coronavirus, you're not alone. Being concerned and anxious about this outbreak is normal. What you can do to reduce anxiety: Stick to the facts as communicated by public-health agencies or medical professionals. Instead of reading every article and going to every website, staying offline for a period can be beneficial. If you're concerned, sites that include accurate information include the World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Try and keep it in perspective. Social media and news outlets can amplify misinformation. Keep in mind that there's a concerted global effort to try and contain this virus. Follow prevention tips to stay healthy. Washing your hands often and properly is the single most effective way to stop the spread of disease. Practice stress and anxiety management. There are many proven ways to reduce stress and anxiety: getting enough sleep, balanced diet and hydration, exercise, talking about your fears with others, meditation, and more. Find the self-care practice that works for you. Mental health supports available for students: Good2Talk Helpline (24/7): 1.866.925.5454 I.M. Well Student Assistance Program: 1.877.554.6935 Ontario 211 Community and Social Services Help Line (24/7): dial 211 Campus Health Centre Services including medical appointments and appointments with mental health nurses, wellness coaches and therapists are available via teleconferencing. To book an appointment, call 905.721.2000 ext. 3037. To speak with a nurse, please call ext. 2854. Please ensure your phone is enabled to receive calls from No Caller ID. Durham College Students Inc. – DCSI, the independent student association representing all DC students, has additional services available. In addition to the information listed here, please go to their website or contact them directly for updates. Counselling available via online delivery. Email outreachdcsi@durhamcollege.cato book an appointment. In the case of emergency, please dial 911. I am struggling with social-distancing or isolation, what can I do? Social distancing can change our regular routine and distance us from our sense of community. However, there are many ways we can connect to each other and many ways we can stay healthy both mentally and physically during challenging times. Take advantage of social technology: Watch a movie with friends from the comfort of each of your own homes through Skype or a browser extension like Netflix Party. Continue to eat healthy: Have a video chat dinner date with friends or family where you cook the same meal. Cook big batches of healthy meals to save in your freezer so you don’t need to head to the grocery store as frequently. Dance and enjoy music: Watch a recorded concert of your favorite band and have a living room dance party. Disconnect: Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage and do not share misinformation. Get outside: enjoy some fresh air and go for a nature walk. Keep learning: read a new book, try a puzzle, or text riddles to your friends. YouTube also has many lectures on interesting topics. Stay active: search YouTube and Instagram for recorded or live fitness classes to take part in. Express gratitude: text or video chat with your family and friends. Get crafty: bust out some art supplies and create greeting cards for upcoming birthdays and holidays. Durham College Student Association (DCSA) DCSA, the independent student association representing all DC students, has additional services available. In addition to the information listed here, please go to their website or contact them directly for updates. UPASS WILL WE RECEIVE A UPASS FOR USE ON DURHAM REGION TRANSIT (DRT) THIS SEMESTER? Yes. For more information on registering for U-PASS please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/digital-wallet. Future Students and Applicants CAN I STILL APPLY TO DURHAM COLLEGE? Yes, applications are available at www.ontariocolleges.ca and applications are being processed. WHAT HOURS WILL THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE BE AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY? For up to date hours of operations, please visit the Coming to Campus tab. HOW DO I APPLY FOR A PROGRAM? Once you have found a program you are interested in (For available programs, please click here.) and wish to apply, applications for open programs can be made online at www.ontariocolleges.ca If you have any questions about the application process, please connect with our recruitment team at recruitment@durhamcollege.ca. If you have applied and have questions about your application, please contact Admissions at admissions@durhamcollege.ca. WHAT IF I CAN’T GET A TRANSCRIPT BECAUSE MY SCHOOL IS CLOSED? Please contact admissions@durhamcollege.ca for next steps. WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR OSAP APPLICATIONS, DISBURSEMENTS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENT UPLOADS AT THIS TIME? OSAP applications and disbursements will continue to be processed without any interruption. Until further notice, any supporting documents you are required to submit for your OSAP application should be uploaded directly to your OSAP account. Instructions on how to upload can be found on the OSAP website. www.ontario.ca/OSAP. HAVE ANCILLARY FEES BEEN REDUCED FOR THIS SEMESTER? Yes, ancillary fees have been reviewed and adjusted to reflect remote delivery. Ancillary fees will be assessed as approved by the board and DCSA. Services have resumed on Campus and therefore fees reflect our service delivery. We are pleased to reintroduce the UPASS for our students this year which represented the most significant reduction to mandatory fees during COVID shut-down. WHY DO WE NEED TO PAY ANY ANCILLARY FEES? Some ancillary fees are used to support the college’s infrastructure that are non-tuition-related expenses and are subject to approval through a framework that involves both Durham College and the independent student union, Durham College Student Association (DCSA). Any increases or new ancillary fees are voted on by a committee and in some cases by a referendum to support the college's investment in facilities that students value like the Campus Recreation Centre and Student Centre. While we understand that there may be limited access to campus this semester, we can assure you that most of our services will be offered remotely. Adjustments made to the semester ancillary fees have been carefully reviewed by both DC and DCSA to ensure that students are paying for services that they will receive in this upcoming semester and into the future. International Students, Applicants and Agents Current International Students Are the residences open? Yes. Student residences are still open and students living on campus are permitted to stay until the end of the academic term. For additional questions, contact the residence via their website to live chat, call 905-728-8700 ext. 8100 (Oshawa) and 905-728-8700 (Whitby) or email info@dc-otresidence.ca. WHAT SPECIAL MEASURES IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKING FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS? Keep checking this page for up-to-date information on special measures put in place by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to help international students, temporary and permanent residents, and applicants affected by COVID-19. WHAT IS THE COLLEGE’S POLICY ON STUDENTS TRAVELLING INTERNATIONALLY? DC is restricting college academic and business-related travel and is strongly encouraging employees or students to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada. DC employees and students who are travelling for personal reasons outside of Canada are advised to continue to monitor the Government of Canada guidelines and follow the protocols listed for travel. Students and employees returning to Canada must visit this website for up-to-date information on entering Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid. International students returning to or coming to Canada for the first time MUST visit this website for instructions prior to being approved to travel to Canada. IS THERE FINANCIAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOB AS A RESULT OF COVID-19? Students who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 can apply to the International Student Emergency Bursary. This fund is intended to support students with proven financial need due to COVID-19. This includes students who have lost income, are unable to secure a job to support expenses, are unable to transfer money from their home country to Canada, are unable to return to their home country and have therefore incurred unforeseen in-Canada costs (housing, etc.), and other impacts. This emergency bursary is awarded on an individual basis after a careful review of a student’s expenses, income, employment and personal situation. The amount awarded will be based on a student’s individual assessed need. If you require emergency financial support and would like to apply, contact us to discuss your financial concerns. Include an outline of your financial need. You will be asked to complete a needs assessment application. I HAVE A JOB OFFER FOR MORE THAN 20 HOURS/WEEK AND WOULD LIKE MY COURSE COMPLETION LETTER SOONER SO I CAN ACCEPT THE OFFER. CAN YOU ADVISE ME? If you have a full-time job offer, please send a copy of your job offer to ISA@durhamcollege.ca; you might be eligible to receive an early Verification of Graduation letter. Apply for your PGWP before the expiry date of your study permit. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO APPLY FOR MY POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT (PGWP)? You have 180 days beginning from the date listed on your Verification of Graduation letter or when you receive your final marks, whichever date is earlier, to apply for your PGWP. For example, if you completed your courses in April 2020 and your Verification of Graduation(graduation) letter is dated June 22, you have 180 days starting from then. WHEN CAN I START WORKING FULL-TIME? If you wish to work full-time once you apply for your PGWP, you will need to apply for your PGWP before your study permit expires. Students with a valid study permit may continue working 20 hours per week until they receive their Verification of Graduation letter. Once you receive the Verification of Graduation letter, you must stop working until you submit your PGWP application. After submitting your PGWP application, students who had a valid study permit at the time of applying for the PGWP may work full-time until a decision has been reached. HOW DO I APPLY FOR A POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT (PGWP)? IRCC has provided a helpful guide for applying for a PGWP. See here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html If you have extended your stay as a visitor OR extended your study permit, include the submission confirmation letter of either of these extensions in your PGWP application. I PLAN ON STAYING IN CANADA UNTIL I APPLY FOR MY POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT (PGWP), BUT I DON’T WANT TO WORK. If you plan on staying in Canada while waiting to apply for your PGWP and not work, but your study permit expires before you apply, you can apply to remain in Canada as a visitor to keep your legal status while waiting for your PGWP. In your PGWP application, include the submission confirmation letter of your application to extend your stay as a visitor. Here’s how to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor. For more information, see Guide 5551 – Applying to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada – Online application. WHEN CAN I RECEIVE MY OFFICIAL COURSE COMPLETION LETTER? The course completion letter is now called the Verification of Graduation letter. Current and past graduates can obtain a copy of their graduation status(es) at Durham College by visiting MyCampus to obtain your Verification of Graduation letter. This official letter can be accessed at any time on MyCampus and will provide you with your graduated status whether you have just begun your program, have applied to graduate or have successfully graduated from your program. You can provide this letter to another academic institution for admission, for employment or for PGWP purposes. If you completed your program in July/August 2020, your Verification of Graduation letter will be ready in your MyCampus on October 29, 2020. HOW CAN I GET MY VERIFICATION OF GRADUATION LETTER? Please visit MyCampus, in the DC Home tab, go to the right side of the page and under “Student Records” click on Verification of Graduation letter. If you have any questions regarding the status of your letter please email convocation@durhamcollege.ca. If you graduated in July/August 2020, your Verification of Graduation letter will be ready on October 29, 2020. If you have a full-time job offer, please send a copy of your job offer to ISA@durhamcollege.ca;you might be eligible to receive your graduation letter sooner. You should apply for your PGWP before the expiry date of your study permit. I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED FOR MY POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT WITHOUT HAVING MY VERIFICATION OF GRADUATION LETTER AND MY OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT. RECENTLY I HAVE RECEIVED MY VERIFICATION OF GRADUATION LETTER. HOW CAN I SEND IT TO IRCC TO BE ADDED TO MY DOCUMENTS? After submitting your PGWP application, if you have received a letter from IRCC requesting you provide one or more documents, a new section was created on your application page. Sign in to your IRCC account (MyCIC), click the “View submitted application” button at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions provided on the Documents Submitted page. Should you be unable to provide the information and/or other documents requested, you must advise IRCC in writing detailing the reasons why you cannot provide the document/information requested. You must upload this written explanation electronically through the MyCIC portal instead of the document requested. This would include, for example, that your official transcript is not available due to COVID-19 situation. AS A CURRENT STUDENT, WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? Please contact us! Be sure to include your name and student number in your email. Also please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/international and https://durhamcollege.ca/info-for/international/contact-us/faqs CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TRAVEL TO CANADA TO STUDY? If you are planning to come to Canada, you must let us know in advance. Please visit https://durhamcollege.ca/info-for/international/new-and-current-students/arrival-services for a complete guide on travelling to Canada. International Applicants and Agents I AM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMITTED TO THE JANUARY INTAKE. SHOULD I STILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO TRAVEL TO CANADA AND START MY PROGRAM? Our January intake is open for international students and is currently set to start as scheduled. As of October 20, 2020, if you are a registered Durham College student you may be permitted to travel to Canada for your studies, if you meet certain requirements. For full details, see IRCC’s website: Update to Travel Restriction Exemptions. Requirements include, but are not limited to: You have a valid study permit OR You have approval of your study permit in the form of a letter from IRCC plus you have a valid TRV visa sticker in your passport For more information please review the information found here. I PLAN TO TRAVEL TO CANADA, WHAT ARRANGEMENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE? When you travel to Canada, you are required to quarantine for 14-days and we can help with that. Please find information on the arrival services that we offer, including quarantine requirements here. WHO CAN INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS CONTACT IF THEY HAVE A QUESTION? Applicants with questions can contact us at international@durhamcollege.ca. WHAT SPECIAL MEASURES IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKING FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS? Keep checking this page for up-to-date information on special measures put in place by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to help international students, temporary and permanent residents, and applicants affected by COVID-19. I AM AN INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT, BUT I CAN’T ACCESS IELTS OR TOEFL TESTING. HOW CAN I COMPLETE MY ADMISSION STEPS? Durham College will be accepting results from the Duolingo English Test until further notice. This interim measure has been approved as an alternative for applicants who cannot access testing at English Language testing centre closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The College reserves the right to add additional testing once students arrive on campus, in order to ensure that students’ learning is supported appropriately. Minimum Scores (2022 intakes) Certificate and Diploma Programs: 105 Most one-year certificate programs Most two-year diploma programs Most three-year advanced diploma programs Post-Graduate and Degree programs: 110 One-year Ontario college graduate certificate and compressed, fast-track programs and the following diploma or degree programs: Behavioural Science - Honours Bachelor Health Care Technology Management - Honours Bachelor PR and Strategic Communications Social Service Worker Sport Administration/Sport Management The following selected programs: 120 Practical Nursing Communicative Disorders Assistant (graduate certificate) TOEFL is now offered online. Access to a new online test has recently been posted on the TOEFL website. Here is the link:https://www.ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home/ Please note: If a student is from an SDS Country, it is up to the student and agent to verify with IRCC if using Duolingo will affect their applications as an SDS student. If it will, student will need to apply under the general stream as we have no control or say over IRCC rulings. CAN I TRAVEL TO CANADA? We are excited to announce that Durham College has received approval for its readiness plan to welcome international students to Canada. We look forward to seeing you in Canada! As of October 20, 2020, if you are a registered Durham College student you may be permitted to travel to Canada for your studies, if you meet certain requirements. For full details, see IRCC’s website: Update to Travel Restriction Exemptions. Requirements include, but are not limited to: You have a valid study permit OR You have approval of your study permit in the form of a letter from IRCC plus you have a valid TRV visa sticker in your passport You should not make any travel plans until you have met all requirements. For full details, see IRCC’s website: Update to Travel Restriction Exemptions. ARE THERE ANY QUARANTINE EXPECTATIONS? If you are planning to come to Canada, you must let us know in advance. You may be required to quarantine. Please visit https://durhamcollege.ca/info-for/international/new-and-current-students/arrival-services for a complete guide on travelling to Canada. DOES DURHAM COLLEGE PROVIDE AIRPORT PICKUP? When you arrive in Canada you are required to have a quarantine plan and you might be required to quarantine for 14 days according to Government of Canada regulations. We can arrange your quarantine! Through our partner Maple Assist, Durham College will arrange an airport pickup and your first two nights of your quarantine for FREE. For the rest of your quarantine at the same location, we were able to secure low rates. And for those who need financial assistance to help with the cost of quarantining, you may be eligible for a bursary. Book your airport pickup and quarantine here: https://www.mapleassist.com/durham-college/arrival-services. Program Delivery for Fall 2021 If you are a first semester student who has paid their tuition fees, you will be receiving an email and notification regarding your program delivery methods for the September (fall) 2021 semester. Most of our programs will be offered in a remote delivery format, which means the program will be fully online. You can find program delivery information for your program here. If you are in a hybrid program, most of your classes will be online with some practical components face-to-face on campus. This notification will be sent to you after you have paid your tuition fees, at the email on your application. If you are in a flexible program, professors teach some classes and/or workshops from DC’s learning spaces and you have the choice of attending in person or attending remotely (online). If you have any questions, please visit our website www.durhamcollege.ca/international or contact us at https://durhamcollege.ca/info-for/international/contact-us or via Live Chat. Remember to include your name and student number in your email. If you are in a flexible program - Professors teach some classes and/or workshops from DC’s learning spaces and students have the choice of attending in person, on campus in the classroom/lab or attending class remotely. These classes and/or workshops are delivered in real-time [synchronously]. Flexible programs may also include courses that are delivered remotely. Attending these workshops in-person is not mandatory. The workshops will be ‘streamed’ so those learning remotely will have an experience very close to ‘being there’. If students cannot travel to campus due to illness, quarantine, or feel that the risk of coming to campus is too high, they will be able to achieve all of the course learning outcomes. Learn more - Fall semester | Durham College. Employees Work Related Items IF I NEED OR CHOOSE TO WORK ON CAMPUS ON A DAY I’M SCHEDULED TO WORK REMOTELY, CAN I DO THIS? WHO SHOULD I NOTIFY? Employees are to speak with their supervisor for approval and complete the Remote Work Request form and COVID screening. FOR THE DAYS I’M APPROVED TO WORK FROM HOME, WHAT AM I EXPECTED TO DO? Ensure you have a suitable remote work space, taking into consideration safety, ergonomics, privacy and confidentiality. Ensure an internet connection is available. Managers should ensure they have a means of contacting all of their employees during the their scheduled hours, and have communicated how they should contact them. Guarantee regular check-in of work voicemail and/or have calls forwarded to a home, or cell phone device. Voicemail should also be updated to identify to callers the frequency with which voicemails will be checked. Log into email and calendar regularly. Ensure access to applications and files remotely and request VPN access, if necessary. Note: VPN access is not necessary to access email, DC Connect, ICE, Office 365 or MyCampus. Employees require VPN access to connect to Banner, Fast and the network drives. Fulfill the expectations agreed upon with their manager regarding the scope of their remote work assignment and honour agreed upon hours of availability to communicate. Avoid working on personal computers, and take all reasonable steps to ensure the protection of confidential information. Report any malfunctions to equipment as soon as possible to supervisor and IT Services. Continue to report absences due to injury, illness, or caring for a family member to their supervisors/attendance keeper as soon as possible. What does work from home mean? In support of business continuity plans, most employees, with the exception of small teams of in-person essential services, are being asked to work from home. Below are some guidelines to assist managers and employees with establishing and maintaining work from home arrangements. A work from home arrangement should maintain an employee’s regular hours of work, any shifts in hours of work or availability should be discussed with your manager in advance. Working from home does not change the basic terms and conditions of employment under the applicable collective agreement, employment contract, policies and law. All employees are expected to continue to comply with college policies while working remotely. In some cases, a manager may require an employee to report in a different way, or with different levels of frequency than when they are working onsite. This is generally to ensure the manager is up-to-date. For example, the manager may wish to schedule additional update meetings, have updates provided by email, or implement schedules and methods of reporting. The length of time work from home arrangements are in place will be based on manager’s approval and business continuity decisions made by DC. WHAT ARE SOME GUIDELINES FOR ENSURING I HAVE AN APPROPRIATE WORKSTATION SET UP AT HOME? A remote workspace should provide a comparable level of health, safety and security to college office space. For more information about ensuring a safe work space at home, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A STUDENT OR COLLEAGUE DISCLOSES COVID-19 RELATED SYMPTOMS? Please direct the person to Public Health information and advise they follow the direction provided. Please do not share health related information with others, without the express consent of the individual. Please refer to the Illness Reporting Process. AM I EXPECTED TO WORK FROM HOME IF I AM ADVISED BY PUBLIC HEALTH TO SELF-ISOLATE? If you are in self isolation due to travel, or another reason as directed by Public Health, but are not symptomatic, you are able to work remotely. WHAT IS EMPLOYEE SUPPORTS ON ICE AND HOW WILL IT HELP ME? The Human Resources department, in collaboration with Communications and Marketing, has created a section on ICE called Employee Supports. Dedicated to supporting employees while they are working from home, the site provides a variety of resources and new ways to connect with the DC community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the resources on Work@home include tips and tricks for working remotely, online professional development offerings, health and wellness webinars/resources, virtual coffee breaks, and information on employee benefits and the Employee and Family Assistance Program. Employees are encouraged to take some time to check out this great new resource. How is pre-screening conducted for those attending work at satellite DC locations or facilities? For employees that attend work at a DC satellite or facility, managers within those specific units will ensure that their employees are in compliance with DC’s vaccination policy and the provincial requirement to pre-screen prior to entrance utilizing the COVID-19 Pre-screening App. Personal Health What should I do if I am experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms? Please follow the directions set out in the Durham College Illness Reporting Process and continue to follow the direction provided by Durham Region Health. What should I do if I need to self-isolate? Please continue to follow the direction provided by Durham Region Health. What should I do if an employee or colleague discloses to me they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms? Please continue to follow the direction provided by Durham Region Health. DO I NEED TO PROVIDE A DOCTOR’S NOTE IF I AM ILL DUE TO COVID-19? The college has reinstated its standard sick note policy in which employees must provide a doctor’s note for short term sick leaves longer than 5 days. For leaves due to illness or injury longer than 10 days, the college has also reinstated its policy that requires physician’s clearance and disclosure of any required accommodations prior to returning to work. The exception to the above will remain in instances where an employee has been diagnosed with COVID19 or are self-isolating because they are believed to have COVID19. Or if the employee has requirements to care for a loved one who is ill with COVID19. In these situations, no doctors note will be required. Please speak with your supervisor or your HR Generalist if you have any specific questions. IF AN EMPLOYEE OR STUDENT FROM DC/ONTARIO TECH IS DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19, WILL DC INFORM ME? All members of Durham Region are advised to follow the COVID-19 reporting protocol identified by Durham Region Public Health. The Public Health department will communicate with you directly if there is a need for you to be tested or isolated. If DC is contacted by Public Health, we will fully cooperate with their investigation. What health supports are available to employees? EFAP is available to full-time employees and their eligible dependents. If you are a contract or part-time employee and are interested in EFAP supports, please contact Kelly.doyle@durhamcollege.ca. EFAP services can be accessed: 1.844.8809142 TTY: 1.877.338.0275 Workhealthlife.com download My EAP app Attendance How are absences due to illness recorded for days I’m scheduled to work from home? Absences due to illness should continue to be reported and recorded through the normal, established process within your department. Attendance keepers will continue to report attendance to HR. If an employee who is eligible for sick leave entitlements advises the College that they are ill or injured, the College will compensate that employee using the appropriate sick leave per the normal process. If an employee has been instructed to quarantine, are they required in this circumstance to take sick leave? This is determined on a case-by-case basis. Employees are required to contact Maureen Calhoun if they have received direction to quarantine from public health. Benefits Has Sun Life implemented any changes to my benefits coverage as a result of COVID-19? Sun Life is treating illness due to the Coronavirus as any other medical emergency. This means there is no exclusion to treating someone because this is an epidemic vs. another type of medical emergency. The out-of-country coverage will cover the employee in the event of a medical emergency, even if it is related to the Coronavirus. This applies as long as the employee is within the trip duration limit. For more information please review the College Employer Council update. The administrative exceptions included above will not apply. This is in-line with the Government of Canada’s efforts to prevent non-essential travel and repatriate Canadians traveling abroad. The following will not be available under the out-of-country travel benefit for employees on or after March 18, 2021: Coverage of any expenses during and after a period of quarantine (directed by a doctor or public health official), unless the plan member shows symptoms of or has tested positive for COVID-19-19 Employees who are currently abroad, but not in quarantine and cannot return home will continue to have access to out-of-country coverage up to the 60-day limit under the Plan. After this time, they will not have out-of-country coverage. If an employee or their dependent needs the immediate attention of a doctor for a medical emergency, they must contact Allianz for assistance: In the USA and Canada call: 1.800.511.4610 From anywhere else: 1.519.514.0351 Fax: 1.519.514.0374 Allianz is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information please review changes to out-of-country coverage due to COVID-19. Health & Safety What are some guidelines for ensuring I have an appropriate workstation set up at home? A remote workspace should provide a comparable level of health, safety and security to college office space. For more information about ensuring a safe work space at home, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website. Communications What if someone from the media contacts me about COVID-19? Please ensure media inquires are forwarded to DC’s Communications and Marketing team at mediarelations@durhamcollege.ca. If I have further questions about COVID-19 and the impact to my work for DC, who should I ask? Please speak with your supervisor. HR related questions can be directed to your Human Resources Generalist. Parking IS THERE A CHARGE FOR PARKING DURING COVID-19? Yes, paid parking has now resumed at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. For more information, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/parking. WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT PARKING? For more information please contact parking@dc-ot.ca. Facilities How is Durham College (DC) upgrading ventilation equipment to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infection within college buildings? Since March 2020, DC has commenced upgrades, where applicable, to the current ventilation systems the Whitby and Oshawa campuses, Campus Corners and . This includes: Upgrades to all DC air handling equipment, so they can use an air filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13, as per recommendations from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). These filters will capture virus particles to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread. New centralized humidification systems added to the college’s central air handlers to assist in mitigating the aerosolized concentration levels of contaminants (such as viruses) in the air. These systems are currently undergoing commissioning and are expected to be fully operational by Tuesday, February 1. The installation of ASHRAE-recommended ultraviolet light (UV-C) systems in all central air handling units to support the elimination of microorganisms living on HVAC air ducts. The operational increase of fresh air make-up to the maximum possible level (dependent on outside temperature) and overnight building air flushes to lower aerosolized virus levels. COVID-19 About COVID-19 Where can I access information about COVID-19? The following links will act as valuable resources for you about COVID-19 Durham Region COVID-19 website: https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/novel-coronavirus-update.aspx Government of Ontario COVID-19 website: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/ Government of Canada COVID-19 website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
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