COMING TO CAMPUS? Complete the mandatory COVID-19 Pre-entry Screening Questionnaire
FEELING UNWELL? COVID-19 Reporting Form
Frequently asked questions
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.
Employee FAQS
General FAQS
Current Students
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.
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 your arrival.
At this time the residence is not offering locker space to all students moving out. If you have urgent need please contact info@dc-otresidence.ca and our staff will work with you to assess and assist in your needs.
If you would like to move out of residence, but are facing challenges, please email info@dc-otresidence.ca and residence staff will work to support you.
- 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.
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.
If you are still living with a chosen roommate, please encourage your roommate or neighbour 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.
Please contact us directly at info@dc-otresidence.ca to discuss your individual situation.
Yes, in addition to our semi-private suites, we have increased the number of single room options available to students. 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 the common areas of the residence.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Students will be asked screening questions prior to their arrival, and again when they arrive to move in. If a student should fail the screening questions upon arrival, they will be placed in a 14-day quarantine within residence.
Yes, if you are an international student arriving to Canada, you will need to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive.
The residence will not be forwarding any packages or mail you have delivered to the residence. Please contact the delivery provider and inform them of your change in address. The residence will only return packages to its original sender if you have moved out.
Please contact the residence front desk at 905.728.8700 ext. 8000 or at info@dc-otresidence.ca.
DC will be delivering training in hybrid model, a blend of remote and face-to-face course delivery. Students should regularly check DC Connect and DC Mail to access course outline addendums, class material and messages to support continuity of learning.
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.
If you have specific questions about apprenticeship training, please contact Christa Andrews at Christa.Andrews@durhamcollege.ca.
With Durham College’s (DC) blended-learning approach in place, there will be no charge for parking this semester.
Parking Services will not sell permits or charge daily parking rates during the fall term and all parking gates will remain open.
Spaces in all parking lots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Should your desired lot fill up, please use the next available lot.
Should the Whitby main campus lot fill up, please proceed to the free off-site lot, located at Landmark Cinemas, 75 Consumer’s Drive. A complimentary parking shuttle has been arranged, beginning on Tuesday, September 8, which will run Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., at roughly 15-minute intervals.
For more information please visit the Parking Services registration website or contact dccares@durhamcollege.ca.
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, please visit https://durhamcollege.ca/information-regarding-novel-coronavirus/winter-semester#student-service
- To book an appointment, call 905.721.2000 ext. 3037. Please ensure your phone is enabled to receive calls from No Caller ID. Email CHC@durhamcollege.ca or LIVECHAT
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: studentvip.ca/dcsi
- Good2Talk Helpline (24/7): 1.866.925.5454
- M. 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 Students Inc. DCSI, the independent student association representing all DC students, has additional services available for students. 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.ca to book an appointment.
Yes the pharmacy is accessible at this time.
Athletics and Recreation Resource Library
The Athletics and Recreation department has developed a resource library featuring valuable fitness and health information, including:
- Online exercise videos
- Workout plans
- Healthy eating
- Mental health and wellness
- App and play recommendations
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.
- Click on the icon for Virtual Fitness Classes; select the Virtual Fitness Class Library under "Classification"; select FALL 2020 under "Semesters".
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Enrolment Services
Please view the program fee calculator page here, by selecting your program, residency and semester intake.
All tuition due dates can be found on the important dates calendar here.
All ancillary fees and service fees can be seen here.
- Complete the Part-time Registration Form and submit it to oes@durhamcollege.ca for processing OR you may contact your student advisor for assistance.
- If you are unsure who your student advisor is, please visit the full list online.
- Once your form has been processed and registration opens on Monday, January 4th, 2021, you will individually register for courses through your MyCampus To do this, navigate to Helpful Links > Registration > Add/Drop Classes.
- After you register go to MyCampus > Helpful Links > Paying Your Fees > Account Summary to review your course(s) fees for the semester. Click here for further steps.
- Make a payment for courses either through your MyCampus account or banking institution.
- Students will be given five business days to make their payment. Failure to make payment within this time frame may result in course removal.
Please review a how to add part-time courses for your reference. If you have any questions, please contact Enrolment Services at oes@durhamcollege.ca or wes@durhamcollege.ca.
Once logged into your MyCampus account, refer to Helpful Links .> Registration > Look Up Classes to Add. If you have any questions, please contact Enrolment Services at oes@durhamcollege.ca or wes@durhamcollege.ca.
Once registered for courses, you may view your account summary for total charges. This can be found on your MyCampus account by referring to Helpful Links > Paying Your Fees > Account Summary or Account Summary by Term. If you have any questions, please contact Enrolment Services at oes@durhamcollege.ca or wes@durhamcollege.ca.
Credit Card
New students can make a credit card payment through the online student tuition credit card payment link.
If you are a returning student or you have paid your deposit, you can make a credit card payment through your MyCampus account. Once logged in, you refer to Helpful Links > Paying Your Fees > Credit Card Payment.
Bank payments
Students can make a payment through their banking institution. To make this payment, your payee would be either ‘Durham College’ or ‘Durham College-Tuition’, and the account number would be your nine-digit student number.
Please note: electronic banking takes 3 to 5 business days to be received by the college.
If you have any questions, please contact us directly at oes@durhamcollege.ca or wes@durhamcollege.ca.
- To request an official transcript you need to complete the Transcript Request Form and return it to oes@durhamcollege.ca or wes@durhamcollege.ca for processing.
- If you are applying to another institution, you may complete your request through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) or Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) portal, which will expedite your request.
- Depending on the individual need, you may be able to use an unofficial transcript. This can be accessed through your MyCampus account under Helpful Links > Student Records > Grades > View Unofficial Academic Transcript.
- You can also submit a form for processing where your transcript will be mailed through Canada Post to the address on file or your form.
It can take up to two to three weeks during this time for your transcript to be processed, and there is a $14 charge per official transcript request.
There is no pick-up option until the college returns to full services.
If you have any questions, please contact Enrolment Services at oes@durhamcollege.ca or wes@durhamcollege.ca.
Post-secondary students and students in the School of Professional and Part-time Learning can access their verification of program and semester enrolment letters through MyCampus under Helpful Links > Student Records.
Please note: a verification of semester enrolment letter is only available once you have registered for the chosen semester.
If you require a customized letter you can email oes@durhamcollege.ca and request the letter using the Official Documentation form. Please note there is a $6 service charge.
If you require a government verification form (eg. Service Canada or CPP) please note: Service Canada has approved students to submit their government form, without the official signature and stamp, along with a copy of their Verification of Semester Enrolment. Please visit the “Need to Know” section of MyCampus for more details. Please email oes@durhamcollege.ca. Please note these forms can only be submitted after January 6, 2021, the first day of classes.
You may complete and submit the Duplicate Credential Request to oes@durhamcollege.ca. Please note, due to the COVID 19 pandemic our access to printing and postal services is limited as such this request may take longer to fulfil.
To access your Verification of Graduation Status Letter go to MyCampus > Helpful Links > Student Records > Verification of Graduation Status Letter.
If you graduated prior to 2002 you may request a verification of graduation letter using the Official Documentation form. Please note there is a $6 service charge.
If you have any questions, please contact Enrolment Services at oes@durhamcollege.ca or wes@durhamcollege.ca.
Course registration can be done online by visiting www.durhamcollege.ca/ppl. You can also call 905.721.3000 to register. Please note you are required to make a payment by credit card after you are registered. If you have any questions, please contact ppl@durhamcollege.ca or oes@durhamcollege.ca.
Students can easily access their T2202 on their MyCampus account under Helpful Links > Student Records > Canadian Tax Forms If you have any inquiries, please contact us directly at oes@durhamcollege.ca or wes. If you need to reset your MyCampus password click here. If you require assistance, please call IT Support at 905.721.3333 or click here to go to the Service Desk portal.
Yes, fee appeals will still be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Decisions will be communicated via email. If you have any questions, please contact us directly at oes.
Domestic program and School of Professional and Part-time Learning course withdrawals will continue to be processed. The international office must process international withdrawals.
If you have any questions, please contact us directly at oes@durhamcollege.ca or wes@durhamcollege.ca.
Please visit the apprenticeship website for more information on the registration process.
Contact your designated Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) Employment Training Consultant (ETC). They will advise you what is possible at this time. If a withdrawal is necessary, complete an Official Withdrawal form and send it to wes@durhamcollege.ca.
Credit Transfer
You can make a payment for your credit transfer application online via the Credit Transfer portal on MyCampus.
After logging in to MyCampus, you can find the Credit Transfer portal on the right-hand side of the page under Helpful Links > Registration > Application for Credit Transfer.
If you have any questions about your application, please contact transfers@durhamcollege.ca.
We advise that you request to have an electronic transcript sent to Durham College directly, or mailed to your home address where you can then forward a scanned copy to transfers@durhamcollege.ca.
Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)
If you have submitted your PLAR challenge, there will be a delay with the subject matter expert (SME) assessing your challenge. If you already have mailed your challenge and/or exam to the college, please email PLAR@durhamcollege.ca indicating the date it was mailed out. If applicable, please provide a tracking number. Challenges and exams will be held at the college until the SME is able to pick it up.
If your exam was written with a proctor, please have your proctor email PLAR@durhamcollege.ca with the date your exam was mailed out. If applicable, please provide a tracking number.
If you were scheduled to complete your exam via proctor and are now not able to do so, please email PLAR@durhamcollege.ca.
No, in-person payments are not available at this time. You can pay for your PLAR application online via the MyCampus portal. You can make payments on MyCampus by clicking the following on the right-hand side of the page: Helpful Links > Paying Your Fees > click Credit Card payment. If you do not have access to MyCampus, please email PLAR@durhamcollege.ca.
Yes, if you have submitted a PLAR application, there may be a delay with the subject matter expert (SME) assessing your request. If you have any questions about the status of your PLAR assessment, please email PLAR@durhamcollege.ca. Telecommunications to the PLAR line ext. 3503 is currently suspended.
Financial Aid is successfully providing services virtually. Information on how students can access our services is available online under the Student Supports section.
Appointments can be booked through MyVisit for existing students. All Financial Aid appointments will be conducted virtually. Please do not come onto the campus for your appointment.
Financial Aid and Awards phone inquiries are currently suspended. Please send your question via email to the corresponding email address below. To avoid delays, all emails should be sent from your DC Mail account and include your full name (first and last) as well as your student number.
Financial aid inquiries: financialaid@durhamcollege.ca.
Student awards inquiries: studentawards@durhamcollege.ca.
On-campus employment inquiries: dcstudentemployment@durhamcollege.ca.
You can also reach us through Live Chat during the following hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bursary applications will be available at the start of the school year via the Financial Aid tab in MyCampus. Bursary applications and deadline dates can also be found in MyCampus on the Financial Aid tab
Documents required for Financial Aid and Awards purposes other than OSAP should be scanned in PDF format and forwarded to the appropriate email as listed below or to your financial aid coach if you have been dealing with them directly.
Financial aid inquiries: financialaid@durhamcollege.ca.
Student awards inquiries: studentawards@durhamcollege.ca.
On-campus employment inquiries: dcstudentemployment@durhamcollege.ca.
Your OSAP status Is available to you online 24/7 via your OSAP account at www.ontario.ca/OSAP. You should check your status regularly to make sure you have uploaded all required documents to support your application.
Confirmation of enrolment and release of OSAP funding will begin the week prior to start up. You do not have to initiate this process as it is automatic once your OSAP file is complete and error free. The earliest funds will be released is the first day of classes. You can expect to see your funds within 5-10 business days. You can check this status online as well on their OSAP account.
Confirmation of enrolment and release of out of province funding will begin the week prior to start up. Please ensure all required documents to support the release of your funding have been sent to the Financial Aid office. The earliest funds will be released is the first day of classes. Students can expect to see their funds within 5-10 business days of their enrolment being confirmed.
A list of SALS service areas is provided below. Please call 905.721.2000 ext. 2491 or ext. 4221 to schedule an appointment.
Subject |
---|
Basic math, business math |
Physics, statistics and technical math |
Biology, anatomy, physiology |
Writing skills/referencing/academic Integrity |
ESL/writing Skills |
Accounting and business |
Chemistry |
Learning Skills |
Peer tutoring |
Manager, questions / concerns Amanda Maknyik Amanda.Maknyik@durhamcollege.ca |
Learning skills and writing skills workshops are being offered in two formats: self-paced modules through SALS ONLINE or remotely delivered workshops at specifically scheduled times.
For information on and to register for workshops, please visit the Writing, Peer Tutoring, Learning Skills unit in SALS ONLINE on DC Connect. Workshops will be delivered via Zoom.
Learning skills and writing skills workshops are available through SALS ONLINE. The Academic integrity workshop will also be held on Zoom. No face-to-face workshops are currently being offered.
Students are encouraged to use SALS ONLINE resources to support their learning and check Announcements in SALS ONLINE for updates regarding available help. We will do our best to support you.
Peer tutoring is being offered virtually. Students are instructed not to meet face-to-face for tutoring. For further questions about peer tutoring, please visit the Peer Tutoring website or email SALS@durhamcollege.ca.
Registered students will not be charged for the UPass in their ancillary fee this semester. If using DRT public transit, you will be required to pay the applicable rates when entering the bus.
If you have any questions, please contact oes@durhamcollege.ca.
Yes, where you have not passed a course, you will automatically receive a Withdrawal (W) notation on your transcript. This will be reflected on your permanent transcript as a reflection of DC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the Grading Policy, you will not be granted credit for courses in which a ‘W’ was awarded, and the ‘W’ grade will not impact your GPA. You will still be required to repeat the course where necessary to complete program requirements. The course where a ‘W’ grade has been assigned will not count as a course attempt. There will not be a resulting tuition refund.
Where you have received a passing numeric grade in a course, but do not want that result to appear on your transcript or to adversely impact your GPA, you can have your numeric grade converted to Satisfactory (SAT) grade. To take advantage of this opportunity, you must complete the SAT Conversion form that will be available on MyCampus and submit it to the Office of the Registrar.
Students who choose this option should be aware that your eligibility for honours and awards (including financial aid awards that consider GPA) may be impacted. You may not be eligible for credit transfer, which may impact the evaluation of your transcripts (for admissions, credit transfer or advanced standing) and transfers to co-op options at Durham College and at other academic institutions.
Future Students and Applicants
Yes, applications are available at www.ontariocolleges.ca and applications are being processed. For a step-by-step overview on becoming a student this September visit our Student in a Day page.
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.
For up to date hours of operations, please visit https://durhamcollege.ca/information-regarding-novel-coronavirus/winter-semester#student-service.
Please contact admissions@durhamcollege.ca for next steps.
At this time, all on-campus events, including campus tours, Open House and in-person appointments, are cancelled. However, the recruitment team is available remotely to answer your questions. Members of the recruitment team are also available to schedule virtual program information appointments.
To book an appointment, please email recruitment@durhamcollege.ca.
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.
For the winter semester, Durham College is delivering as many programs remotely as possible.
DC will deliver programming through a combination of face-to-face and remote delivery for those programs that cannot be delivered fully remotely.
To review your program delivery method please review the program list on the COVID-19 information page.
Yes, ancillary fees have been reviewed and adjusted to reflect remote delivery.
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 Inc. (DCSI).
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 DCSI 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
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
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.
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:
- Quarantine for 14 days after your return from travel outside of Canada.
- Follow Durham College and Public Health advice.
- 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.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, for international students in Canada, courses of study being delivered online on an exceptional basis due to COVID-19 will not affect PGWP eligibility. For new measures please check this page.
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, email isa@durhamcollege.ca to discuss your financial concerns. In your email, include an outline of your financial need. You will be asked to complete a needs assessment application.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For all Durham College students who have recently completed their programs, it will be helpful to write a letter of explanation to the immigration officer within your application to note that while you have graduated and you have your official Verification of Graduation letter, due to COVID-19 your official transcripts are unavailable, and provide the Unofficial Transcript Letter from the Office of the Registrar, signed by our Registrar. Provide these explanations in one PDF file and include in your application in the section “Client Information” file. Include your study permit in this PDF file, as well. If you need more information during this process, contact ISA@durhamcollege.ca
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.
IRCC states that to apply for a PGWP, you require:
- an official letter from your school that confirms you’ve completed your study program (for Durham College graduates, this is your Verification of Graduation Letter)
- an official transcript, OR a copy of your transcript from your school’s website
See IRCC’s website for more details.
Access to the Durham College campus is limited due to efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. With little access to printing and postage facilities, paper (official) transcripts will take 2-3 weeks to process.
To support your PGWP application, please download and include your Unofficial Transcript Letter from the Office of the Registrar. This letter, which can also be found in the “Need to Know” section of MyCampus, will explain to an IRCC Officer that Durham College official transcripts are limited at this time.
We also encourage you to write a brief explanation in your application, as the first page of your Client Information File (a section in the PGWP application form), about why you are including a copy of your transcript instead of your official transcript. A sample note may be:
Dear IRCC Officer,
Please note that I have included a copy of my transcript from my school’s website in my application for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Due to our Office of the Registrar working off-campus in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, printing and postage services for official transcripts are limited. Please see the letter from our Registrar, included in my application, that confirms this information.
Thank you for your consideration,
{Your name}
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.
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.
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.
Please contact ISA@durhamcollege.ca. 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
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.
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.
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.
Information on English language proficiency requirements for admission to Durham College can be found here.
In addition to checking English language proficiency requirements for admission, please check English language proficiency requirements for your visa and study permit as required by IRCC for your country with your nearest Canadian Embassy or Visa Application Centre (VAC), as you may still need to write an in-person IELTS or TOEFL test for visa or study permit processing.
If you have additional questions about admissions, please contact the international admissions team at internationalapplications@durhamcollege.ca.
Applicants with questions can contact us at internationalapplications@durhamcollege.ca.
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.
Durham College will be accepting results from the Duolingo English Test until August 31, 2020. 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
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
- Dental Assisting (levels I and II)
- Dental Reception and Administration
- Health Care Technology Management - Honours Bachelor
- Journalism
- Massage Therapy
- Music Business Administration/Music Business Management
- Police Foundations
- 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.
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
Please note that you CANNOT travel to Canada if you have an Approval-in-Principle (AIP), you must have a letter stating that your study permit has been approved or have a valid study permit.
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.
- If you are planning to come to Canada, you must let us know in advance at ISA@durhamcollege.ca and have a plan to quarantine upon arrival for 14 days.
Visit our website to arrange quarantine and arrival services: https://durhamcollege.ca/info-for/international/new-and-current-students/arrival-services
- If you choose to make your own quarantine arrangements, you must submit your quarantine plan in advance to ISA@durhamcollege.ca. Remember to include your name and student number in your email. Here is a checklist of what to include in your quarantine plan.
- Please submit a copy or your valid study permit or letter stating approval of your study permit to visastatus@durhamcollege.ca.
When you arrive in Canada you are required to quarantine for 14 days according to Government of Canada regulations. Here’s a checklist for quarantining when you arrive: Quarantine Checklist.
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.
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 January (winter) 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 this week or after you have paid your tuition fees, at the email on your application.
If you have any questions, please visit our website www.durhamcollege.ca/international or contact us at isa@durhamcollege.ca or via Live Chat. Remember to include your name and student number in your email.
Sports
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has made the decision to cancel its sanctioned varsity athletic season for the winter 2021 semester.
Durham College (DC) sports directly affected by this decision include:
- Winter sports: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s volleyball and indoor soccer.
First and foremost, the health and safety of the student athletes and everyone involved in varsity and recreational sports is a top priority.
Durham College has adopted a hybrid academic delivery model for the fall and winter semester, thereby minimizing the number of students and staff on campus. This decision to cancel the OCAA varsity competition aligns with this decision.
CCAA eligibility consumption will be waived for the entirety of the 2020-21 seasons.
The OCAA is continuing to recruit student athletes to attend schools for when varsity sports fully resume. New students coming in September are encouraged to carry on their education path as planned.
Employees
DC has implemented a pay continuity model to protect the wages of our employees, while we continue to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our operations. The model of pay continuity is in place until further notice.
The college campuses are currently closed. Employees who are considered essential services have been advised by their supervisor, all other employees are not to go to campus, per the Government of Ontario’s directive.
- 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 closure period, 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.
- Sample voicemail message: Due to COVID-19, Durham College’s campuses and Pickering Learning Site are closed. Academic programs and operations have transitioned online. This voicemail is being checked on a daily basis. I will return your call, or feel free to reach me via email. The most up-to-date information on the college's operations is available on the DC website. Thank you.
- Use teleconferencing, Skype for Business or Office 365 to hold and attend meetings as necessary.
- 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.
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 direction from government officials and business continuity decisions made by DC.
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
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.
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.
If you are having difficulty keeping up with work while remote, please talk to your manager to review options, such as other accommodation measures, taking accrued vacation, borrowing on future vacation, change of schedule etc.
The Human Resources department, in collaboration with Communications and Marketing, has created a new section on ICE called Work@home. 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.
As Ontario's government continues a staged approach to re-opening the province, DC is developing plans for a phased return to campus when it is safe to do so.
A key consideration in DC's planning is safeguarding our workplace. To ensure protocols are in place to support employee health and safety, DC and Ontario Tech University established a joint Return to Work (RTW) operational task force.
The RTW task force has developed revised Working on Campus guidelines for employees whose roles required them to be on campus for the continuity of campus operations. Based on current public health and government advice, this document outlines specific actions taken to ensure a safe work environment for employees. It also guides managing and maintaining a safe workplace as campus operations resume in the future.
Despite DC's closure in mid-March, some essential services have remained on-campus. In the coming weeks, DC will be working toward a very careful and thoughtful phased reopening of additional essential services on campus, when it is safe to do so and based on government guidance.
More information will be shared as decisions regarding the reopening framework for the safe resumption of on-campus operations are made. Ensuring the health and well-being of our employees, students and the broader community will always remain our first priority.
Please follow the directions set out in the Durham College COVID Reporting infographic and continue to follow the direction provided by Durham Region Health.
Please continue to follow the direction provided by Durham Region Health.
Please continue to follow the direction provided by Durham Region Health.
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.
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.
- 1.844.8809142
- TTY: 1.877.338.0275
- Workhealthlife.com
- download My EAP app
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.
As of April 7, all support and administrative staff are to utilize all current year leave balances (vacation, and lieu time for support staff) by June 30.
Effective March 18, managers may need to speak with employees about rescheduling vacation.
All eligible employees (full-time academic, support and administrative staff as well as partial-load staff) currently on sick leave will continue to follow the normal process for managing their sick leave plans and ensure if needed, that the LTD application process is followed. For clarity, if an eligible employee exhausts their 100% paid sick days, they would switch to 75% paid sick days until the 130 days elimination period for LTD is reached.
For employees who left Canada prior to Wednesday, March 18:
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.
For employees who are leaving Canada to travel on or after March 18, 2020:
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 18th:
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-19-19.
The College will continue to administer Sun Life benefits according to the terms of our negotiated plan, which requires benefits coverage to conclude at the same time the partial load teaching contract ends.
Employees can find the enrolment form on the ICE.
Please complete the enrolment form and send an electronic scanned copy to your Human Resources Generalist via email. If you do not have access to a scanner please take a picture of each page of the enrolment form and email it to your HR Generalist. Please note that all sections of the enrolment form must be completed and coverage selection must be clear. You must submit the original hard copy of the enrollment form to your HR Generalist within two weeks of the college re-opening.
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.
Please ensure media inquires are forwarded to DC’s Communications and Marketing team at mediarelations@durhamcollege.ca.
Please speak with your supervisor. HR related questions can be directed to your Human Resources Generalist.
Given the diversity of our current work arrangements (remote, on-campus or a mix thereof), parking for Durham College employees and students will be offered free of charge.
Parking Services will not sell permits or charge daily parking rates during the fall term and all parking gates will remain open.
Employee parking permits will not automatically renew. Your preferred parking lots will be saved in the Parking Services database and reinstated once automatic renewal resumes.
If you must come to campus, spaces in all parking lots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Should the Whitby main campus lot fill up, please proceed to the free off-site lot, located at Landmark Cinemas, 75 Consumer’s Drive. A complimentary parking shuttle has been arranged, beginning on Tuesday, September 8, which will run Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., at roughly 15-minute intervals.
For more information please visit the Parking Services registration website or contact dccares@durhamcollege.ca.
Travel information
The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued travel advisories to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada.
Students and employees returning to Canada should:
- Self-isolate for 14 days after your return from travel outside of Canada.
- Monitor your health for fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
- Wash your hands often for 20 seconds and cover your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing or sneezing.
If you develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days:
- Continue to isolate yourself from others.
- Immediately call a health-care professional or public health authority, and:
- describe your symptoms and travel history.
- follow their instructions carefully.
Those returning from Italy, Iran, or Hubei province (China) are asked to contact the public health authority within 24 hours of arriving in Canada and to provide your contact information.
Government of Canada novel coronavirus information line: 1-833-784-4397.
If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use the Government of Ontario’s online self-assessment to help determine if you need to seek further care.
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 in the coming weeks are advised to continue to monitor the Government of Canada guidelines and follow the protocols listed for travel.
As of March 14, the Government of Canada is recommending that those currently outside of Canada:
- Find out what commercial options are still available to return to Canada and consider returning to Canada earlier than planned if these options are becoming more limited.
- Ensure that you have sufficient finances and necessities, including medication, in case your travels are disrupted.
For employees who left Canada prior to Wednesday, March 18:
- 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.
For employees who are leaving Canada to travel on or after March 18, 2020:
- 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 18th:
- 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
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.
Please note: as of Wednesday, March 18, DC’s campuses and locations are closed until further notice.
DC requires any student, employee or contractor returning from any country or region outside of Canada to not return to campus for 14 days while they undergo the mandatory period of self-isolation as directed by the Government of Canada.
If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use the Government of Ontario’s online self-assessment to help determine if you need to seek further care.
Applied Research
At all times, researchers are expected to follow the guidance provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada to protect themselves and research participants. Research involving in-person interaction shall be modified or postponed to avoid in-person interaction among participants and researchers, unless stopping the research would increase risk to participants. Ongoing research conducted face-to-face that cannot be modified to avoid in-person interaction must cease for the time being, unless ceasing such activity might pose significant risks to participant safety (e.g., ceasing the provision of an important service).
Researchers are encouraged to redesign their research to replace in-person interaction with telephone or online communication. Modifications to research design must be approved by the REB prior to implementation, unless delaying modification of the research design would pose a significant and immediate risk to participants.
As always, researchers are responsible for informing the REB of any changes or unanticipated issues to their study. Please contact reb@durhamcollege.ca to request the appropriate form to report changes or unanticipated issues, or if you have questions on amending your REB protocol.
Ongoing research not involving in-person interaction may continue as planned, if researchers employ strategies to mitigate any risks associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, where applicable.
New research related to, or arising from, the Publicly Declared Emergency will be given priority for REB review in accordance with TCPS 2 Articles 6.21 to 6.23, and REB Protocol #408 for REB Review during Publicly Declared Emergencies.
The REB will continue to review and approve new applications for ethical review as time permits, giving priority to the review of applications to amend already-approved research protocol.
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