COVID-19 News Archive

This week we completed the first non-invasive detection tests of COVID-19 among our residents. We have collected samples from about 70% of our residents and we hope to test the remaining residents on Tuesday.

The completed tests have not indicated any traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far. It is important to underscore that lack of detection in a pooled saliva sample does not mean that no one in the samples have been infected with COVID-19. Rather, it means that no individuals in the samples were shedding significant amounts of virus at the time of testing. It is for this reason that pooled saliva testing is considered an added layer of prevention and will not replace COVID-19 protocols. Research is still being conducted on the accuracy of pooled saliva tests, but a recent meta-analyses (Butler-Laporte, et.al., 2021) does support the use of such tests in the proactive management of preventing COVID-19.

We are currently working on expanding our testing program to run weekly through the semester for our students in residence. We hope that together; the protocols in place and our testing program will add to our first line of defence: physical distancing, mask wearing, and frequent handwashing in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

We are following the spread of COVID-19 in our region and in Quebec and Canada closely and we communicate with our regional Public Health Authority frequently to ensure we keep well informed on the progression of the pandemic in our community. We will continue to appraise the community in instances where COVID-19 is confirmed by public health and collaborate to reduce the risk of transmission as we had done this fall.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.
Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force

Welcome back and best wishes for 2021.

We hope that despite the constraints you were able to enjoy a peaceful and restorative break. 

Yogi Berra, the New York Yankee catcher and philosopher said that “it’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future”. Nonetheless, it seems credible to predict that although the next few months will continue to be difficult, the situation will improve as the year progresses. 

Effective vaccines have been developed and inoculations have begun. We can reasonably hope that we will be able to increase the number of in-person classes at some point during the semester and that by next fall we will be able to resume most of our normal operations. 

In the interim, we will focus on the same priorities that have guided us since last March: 

1. Keep everyone safe
2. Continue the academic program so that students can complete their courses on schedule. 

 It is important that we do our part to contribute to the societal efforts to reduce propagation of the virus. 

For now, the Eastern Townships remains a Red Zone and we will continue to operate as we have since November 2020. 

Classes that were to be offered in person while in a Red Zone will proceed. This includes evening classes. More details to follow. All students and employees who need to be on campus at night for academic purposes will be given an attestation to that effect that they can show to a police officer if they are questioned. 

The Library Learning Commons and the Sports Centre will be available for individual study. More information will come soon regarding opening hours etc. 

We are asking that all employees who are required on Campus for work consider reducing face to face contact where and whenever possible. In cases where this is not possible, and even when two metres can be maintained, the use of procedure masks is required. Indoor breaks and meals must be taken individually.  

Please don’t forget that it is mandatory for all employees to complete a self-assessment when coming on Campus each day. The self-assessment can be easily completed online or submitted by downloading the BU safety app SafeGaiter and clicking on the COVID 19 header. (Make sure your app is updated).  

For employees who are required to be on Campus during the government curfew hours (8pm to 5am) contact your manager for an “Attestation de l’employeur” letter. 

Please contact healthandsafety@ubishops.ca  if you require additional protective equipment or have questions about working safely on campus. 

Residences will be welcoming domestic students from the 16^th and international students are already here in quarantine. We are planning an engaging and enriching residence life program while respecting public health guidelines. We are also working on enhancing our testing strategy including using pooled saliva testing for residents to help us detect possible COVID-19 infections early. 

A pandemic can have a grave effect on the mental health of our community. We have increased our student services and mental health supports to help students cope with these challenges. Counsellors are available and we offer in person as well as virtual support (Mental health support at Bishop’s University). Support is only a click away! 

Sincerely,

Michael Goldbloom, C.M.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor

And

Dr. Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.
Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force

___

À la communauté de Bishop’s,

Bienvenue, bon retour et meilleurs vœux pour 2021.

Nous espérons qu’en dépit des contraintes, vous avez pu profiter d’une pause reposante et revivifiante.

Yogi Berra, le receveur des Yankees de New York et philosophe disait « qu’il est difficile de faire des prédictions, surtout à propos de l’avenir. » Néanmoins, il semble crédible de prévoir que bien que les prochains mois continueront d’être difficiles, la situation ira en s’améliorant alors que l’année avancera.

Des vaccins efficaces ont été développés et ont commencé à être administrés. Nous pouvons espérer de façon raisonnable d’augmenter le nombre de cours en personne à un certain moment au cours du semestre et que d’ici l’automne prochain nous serons en mesure de reprendre la plupart de nos opérations normales.

D’ici là, nous demeurons vigilants par rapport aux mêmes priorités qui nous ont guidés depuis mars dernier :

1. Veiller à la sécurité de chacun
2. Poursuivre les programmes académiques pour que les étudiants puissent compléter leurs cours selon l’échéancier prévu.

Il est important que nous fassions notre part pour contribuer aux efforts de la société pour réduire la propagation du virus.

Pour l’instant, les Cantons-de-l’Est demeurent une zone rouge et nous allons poursuivre les opérations comme nous le faisions depuis novembre 2020.

Les cours qui devaient continuer à être offerts en personne même en zone rouge se poursuivront. Cela inclut les cours du soir. Des détails additionnels suivront. Tous les étudiants et employés qui doivent être sur le campus en soirée pour des raisons académiques se verront délivrer une attestation à cet effet qu’ils pourront produire à la demande des agents de police qui la demanderaient.

 Les espaces d’études de la Bibliothèque et Carrefour des ressources d’apprentissage ainsi que du centre sportif seront rouverts pour l’étude individuelle. L’information concernant les horaires d’ouverture suivra sous peu.

Nous demandons que tous les employés qui doivent être présents sur le campus s’efforcent d’éviter de côtoyer les autres où et quand il est possible de le faire. Lorsque cela n’est pas possible, mais même si la distanciation de deux mètres est observée, le port de masques de procédure est requis. Les pauses et les repas à l’intérieur doivent être pris individuellement.

S.v.p. n’oubliez pas qu’il est obligatoire pour tous les employés de compléter une autoévaluation à chaque jour qu’ils viennent sur le campus. Cette autoévaluation peut être facilement complétée en ligne ou à l’aide de l’application mobile téléchargeable SafeGaiter en cliquant sur la bannière COVID-19. (Assurez-vous que vous utilisez la dernière version de l’application).

Pour les employés qui doivent se trouver sur le campus lors des heures visées par le couvre-feu du Gouvernement (20h à 5h), contactez votre gestionnaire afin d’obtenir votre lettre d’Attestation de l’employeur.

Veuillez contacter healthandsafety@ubishops.ca si vous avez besoin de matériel de protection additionnel ou si vous avez des questions concernant les précautions à prendre pour travailler de façon sécuritaire sur le campus.

 Les résidences accueilleront des étudiants du Canada à compter du 16 et des étudiants internationaux sont déjà en quarantaine sur le campus. Nous prévoyons un programme de vie en résidence riche et engageant dans le respect des mesures de sécurité. Nous tentons également d’améliorer nos capacités de tests notamment à l’aide de tests salivaires combinés afin de détecter d’éventuelles infections à la COVIDS-19 le plus rapidement possible.

Une pandémie peut avoir des conséquences graves sur la santé mentale de notre communauté. Nous avons augmenté les services aux étudiants et les ressources de soutien en santé mentale pour aider nos étudiants à composer avec cette situation. Des conseillers sont disponibles et nous offrons du soutien en personne comme en ligne (Ressources en santé mentale à l’Université Bishop’s). Il peut suffire d’un simple clic!

Sincèrement,

Michael Goldbloom, C.M.
Principal et vice-chancelier

et

Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.
Présidente du groupe de travail de l’Université Bishop’s sur la COVID-19

It is with pleasure that I write the last COVID-19 update of 2020. This has certainly been a semester like no other and I hope you will be able to take some time to relax and recover before we see each other in January.

Currently we do not have any active COVID-19 cases and those who contracted the virus this fall have all fully recovered. Although COVID-19 was present in our community, it did not transfer to any employees on campus. We are constantly reviewing our protocols and procedures to adapt to changes in guidelines from public health authorities and to continue to improve health and safety on campus.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back next semester. As you will know by now, international students will start arriving for their quarantines the 5th of January and courses will begin as of January 18th. Employees should verify with their managers what the week of January 4th will look like for them.

We believe our region will still be a red zone (QC red zone) when we return to campus in January. Dr. Turnbull sent out an email yesterday with information on courses offered in person and online. You will also have seen that the Library Learning Commons and The Sports Centre will be open for individual study even in a red zone.

For the safety of all of us, we will all be required to wear procedure masks in classes, in the LLC and in the Sports Centre while studying. We all will need to do our part to make sure we can protect our bubble.

It may be tempting to let down your COVID-19 guard over the holidays, but I would urge you to continue to follow your local public health guidelines, to remain physically distant, to wear your mask and to wash your hands frequently.

I would like to end this year’s COVID-19 updates with a thank all of you who have worked tirelessly throughout the semester to provide support for students and to keep our campus safe. I would specifically like to thank the entire COVID-19 Task force and the Campus COVID-19 Community Committee for their efforts and dedication.

Happy Holidays,

Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.
Chair of Bishop’s University COVID-19 Task Force
Dean of Student Affairs
Associate Professor of Psychology
Clinical Psychologist

---

November 24, 2020

COVID-19 testing available on campus on November 25

Dear community,

Through our collaboration with our regional public health authorities, we have arranged for on campus COVID-19 testing tomorrow afternoon. The CIUSSS de l’Estrie (CHUS) will offer a COVID testing clinic, by appointment only on Wednesday November 25th, from noon to 4 p.m. in the “Hangar” building, near parking P2 behind the John H. Price Sports and Recreation complex.

To make an appointment, call 819-481-0851 before 8 p.m. tonight or during the day tomorrow.

Testing is available to the following individuals:

Bishop’s University students and employees in one or several of the following situations are invited to get tested.

1. If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, coughing, shortness of breath, respiratory distress, loss of smell or taste, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting).

2. If you have been considered as a contact of another person having tested positive for COVID-19, whether in residence, during sport team practices or in University common areas.

3. If you during the last week:

• took part in a private gathering (four persons or more) on or off campus (excluding your allowed family unit in residence);
• frequented indoor public gatherings at establishments without respecting physical distancing, such as bars (e.g. Lion’s Pub), restaurants, etc.;
• traveled at a distance of less than two metres in buses, shuttles or ride-sharing with other Bishop’s students without wearing masks or physically distancing.

Important information about testing:

• Students who have an address in another province or outside the Estrie region are admissible to get tested. IMPORTANT: please make sure to give your residential address in Estrie when you are getting tested.
• Bring your health insurance card, hospital card or other official identification document.
• Wear a mask or face covering.
• Observe a physical distance of 2 metres from other persons on location.

Reminder about sanitary precautions:

• Avoid gatherings;
• Observe 2 metres of physical distancing at all times;
• Wash your hands often and wear a face covering in public places such as the University
• Don’t ignore COVID-19 symptoms
• Use the symptoms self-evaluation tool to make the right choice: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/covid-19-symptom-self-assessment-tool/

It is very important to inform the Health Clinic of all positive cases whether on or off campus. Please advise Jill Johnson at the Health Clinic (jill.johnson@ubishops.ca 819-822-9696).

Thank you for your collaboration in stemming the spread of COVID-19.

Sincerely,
Stine

Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.
Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force
Dean of Student Affairs
Associate Professor of Psychology, Clinical

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 cases on and off campus. As of today, we have 16 positive cases in residences and at least 12 cases off campus. All those who have tested positive or who have been in close contact with a positive case are in isolation. Many of those who received a positive test result have left campus and Lennoxville and are isolating elsewhere. Those in isolation on campus are having meals delivered and they will remain in isolation as required. Those who have contracted COVID-19 are all recovering well.

Eight of the cases in residences are considered to be an outbreak. Public health authorities consider cases as an outbreak when they find evidence of community transmission. We have implemented increased security and limited social interactions in the residences to stem the spread of COVID-19. We are collaborating with our local public health authorities and we have learned that someone contracted COVID-19 from an outbreak at The Lion and then brought it to the residences. We will continue tracing to learn from this outbreak in order to prevent further cases.

To date, no employee of the University has contracted COVID-19.

After considering our current case numbers, we have decided to complete the fall semester online. This means that we will extend the suspension of in-person activities on campus until the end of classes on December 6th, 2020. Most exams and end of term assessments will also take place online. You will receive a more detailed notice soon regarding final exams and projects. We are examining when we can open the Sports Centre and Library Learning Commons for individual study and we will update you on this at the end of this week.

This has been a long semester for everyone. I would like to thank you all for working hard to keep our community safe. We look forward to communicating with you shortly about increased safety precautions for January.

Take good care of yourselves and others, and stay vigilant. It is more important than ever to remain physically distant, to wear masks and to wash your hands frequently.

Sincerely,

Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.
Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force
Dean of Student Affairs
Associate Professor of Psychology, Clinical

We have learned of seven additional COVID-19 cases (for a total of 15) within our community and in our residences. For that reason, we have decided to suspend most in-person activities until Wednesday morning November 25 to allow us time to fully assess the situation. This means that all in-person classes will be moved online, that the access to the Library Learning Commons and the Sports Centre will be restricted to card access only. Research activities will be restricted*. The Residences and Dewies Dining Hall will remain open with increased sanitary measures. The Health Clinic and counselling services will also remain open.

The individuals who tested positive are in isolation, and anyone who has been in close contact with them has also been placed in isolation. Anyone considered at increased risk has already been placed in isolation. If you have not been contacted you are not considered to be at increased risk.

We have engaged an external cleaning company to conduct a deep clean of any affected areas on campus.

We continue to work with our local public health authorities to determine the sources of cases. Here is a link to information about testing: Estrie testing information. We are providing free taxi vouchers to students who want to go for testing. Please contact Security (819-822-9711) for taxi vouchers.

It is very important to inform the Health Clinic of all positive cases whether on or off campus. Please advise Jill Johnson at the Health Clinic (jill.johnson@ubishops.ca 819-822-9696).

In order for us to prevent further spread of the virus, it is crucial that we all follow strict COVID-19 rules, including physically distancing, wearing masks and washing our hands. As we are now in a red zone, we are not allowed to visit each other. Only those who live alone are allowed to receive a visitor or visit others.

*please check with the research office if your research activities will be permitted.

Thank you for your help in implementing these important measures.

Sincerely,

Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.
Chair of Bishop’s University COVID-19 Task Force
Dean of Student Affairs
Associate Professor of Psychology
Clinical Psychologist

Unfortunately, the pandemic has progressed in our region such that the government has deemed it necessary to impose additional red-zone restrictions that will impact academic program delivery. The following summarizes the actions that will take effect as of Friday, November 13, 2020, and until further notice.

1. All classes will continue for the rest of the semester (last day of classes remains December 3, 2020 – Click here for more details about Sessional Dates).
2. All classes currently delivered online will continue to be delivered online.
3. All classes that are currently offered in person or in a hybrid approach will now move to online only with the exception of the following courses. Details will follow shortly from instructors.

4. The Library Learning Commons will remain open, but with restrictions. Circulation services will continue in-person as will individual study spaces. No group studying will be permitted.  Pick-up service will continue, as well as online instruction and reference librarian services.
5. Education practica will continue as planned, unless students are advised otherwise by the School of Education and/or their host school. Students must abide by all government health and safety practices imposed by the host organization, even if different and more stringent than those at Bishop’s.
6. Community-based experiential learning, internships and COOP placements will continue unless the host organization is unable to host our students, in-person or virtually.   Government health and safety practices must be observed for all in-person activities.
7. Fall 2020 Exams:
   1. As per the Senate-approved examination policy, students who are participating in hybrid courses ONLINE will not be required to come to campus to complete an in-person examination or assessment activity.
   2. Exams that are already  set to take place in person may, at the discretion of the instructor, continue in person as per the published exam schedule.
   3. However, students who are scheduled to write an in-person exam have the option to choose not to return to campus to write their exam. The Deans and Student Accessibility & Accommodations Services will work with instructors to arrange for online invigilation for these students. Such students need to identify themselves to the instructor as soon as possible.
8. Research activities may continue, following approved public health guidelines (including research with human participants).
9. Faculty office hours will move to be virtual only. No in-person meetings with students outside of class are allowed.
10. Faculty may come to campus to access their offices, classrooms and the video-recording room in the LLC to prepare and deliver classes. It is not necessary to obtain permission to do so.

Please remember to complete the SAFEGAITER self-assessment each time you physically access campus, to physically distance, to wash/disinfect hands, and to wear procedural masks.

Many thanks

Miles Turnbull
Vice-Principal Academic & Research

Claire Grogan
Associate Vice-Principal Academic

The University will be in a COVID-19 red zone as of Friday, November 13th. We do not yet know how long we will remain in the red zone, but we do not anticipate changes until the end of the semester.

Activities on campus are governed by the public health guidelines (red zone regional public health guidelines). We have completed our review of on campus activities. Below you will find a detailed description of campus activities that will either be closed, modified or remain open as of Friday. You can also find answers to questions at our FAQ Hub.

Academic programming and exams: Some in-person and hybrid courses will move entirely online. You will receive detailed information later as to which courses will remain in person and which ones will move entirely online. A later notice will also include details about exams.

As of Friday November 13th, 2020:

• Campus will remain open and operational
• Faculty and staff can continue using their offices and other IT equipment on campus
• Residences will remain open
  • Residence life activities and programming will move online
• Dewies dining hall will remain open for both on-site service and take-out
• The Gait will close as of Thursday
• The Health Clinic will remain open for non-COVID-19 related services
• The Sports Plex will remain open for individual studying only
  • The fitness and weight rooms will be closed
  • Locker rooms will be closed
• The Library Learning Commons will remain open for individual studying only
  • The service counter will remain open
  • No group work will be allowed in the LLC
• ITS help services will remain open
• Counselling, career and accessibility services will remain in person and virtual
• Registrar’s Office services will remain open
• Doolittles Co-op will remain open
• The Printshop will remain open
• Bishop’s Gaiters Boutique will remain open
• Tim Hortons will remain open for take-out
• The LLC café will remain open for take-out
• Centennial Theater and Bandeen Hall will be closed for events
• St. Mark’s Chapel will remain open for services with a maximum of 25 people in attendance

Thank you for your diligence in helping us implement these changes.

Sincerely,

Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.
Chair of Bishop’s University COVID-19 Task Force
Dean of Student Affairs
Associate Professor of Psychology
Clinical Psychologist

Good afternoon community,

The Direction de la Santé publique has observed a COVID-19 outbreak within the Champlain College community, meaning active transmission of the Coronavirus. It has detected less than five positive cases at this point.

Public health authorities have reached out to individuals they consider to be at risk. All those considered to be at moderate or high risk have been placed in isolation.

This means that if you have not heard from public health authorities at this point, you are not considered to be at increased risk. Champlain College has been instructed by authorities that it can continue its activities, alongside a possible review and increase of some measures of infection prevention and control.

We currently have no cases within the BU community, but we are monitoring the situation closely.

Please consult our FAQ, protocols and policies if you have any question about our response to potential positive cases at BU (https://www.ubishops.ca/covid-19-at-bishops-university/).

I understand that this may be concerning and that you may have questions, please don’t hesitate to email me with any concerns or questions you have.

I apologize that the link to the Moodle course was not working on Monday, this was an issue with the training company, not our ITS department. The site is up and running again, so please try again here:

For employees:
https://moodle.ubishops.ca/course/view.php?id=535

For students:
https://moodle.ubishops.ca/course/view.php?id=536

Sincerely,

Stine Linden-Andersen
Chair, Bishop’s University Task Force on COVID-19

La Direction de la Santé publique a observé une éclosion de COVID-19 au sein du Collège Champlain, c’est-à-dire une transmission active du Coronavirus. On y compte moins de cinq cas confirmés.

Les autorités de santé publique ont déjà communiqué avec les individus qu’ils considéraient à risque. Tous ceux considérés comme présentant un risque modéré ou élevé ont été placés en isolement.

Cela signifie que si les autorités de santé publique ne vous ont pas déjà contacté, vous n’êtes pas considéré comme étant à risque. Le Collège Champlain a été informé par les autorités qu’il pouvait poursuivre ses activités, en parallèle avec des démarches avec le milieu en vue de réviser et peut-être augmenter certaines mesures de prévention et de contrôle des infections.

Nous ne recensons à l’heure actuelle aucun cas dans la communauté de Bishop’s, mais nous continuons à observer la situation avec vigilance.

Veuillez vous référer à nos Questions fréquentes (FAQ), protocoles et politiques si vous avez des questions concernant notre réponse à d’éventuels cas au sein de Bishop’s. (https://www.ubishops.ca/covid-19-at-bishops-university/).

Je comprends que cela puisse être préoccupant et soulève des questions, n’hésitez pas à communiquer avec moi par courriel pour soulever les inquiétudes ou questions que vous pourriez avoir.

Je m’excuse également que le lien vers le cours Moodle n’ait pas fonctionné lundi; il s’agissait d’une défaillance de la part de l’entreprise qui offre la formation et non notre service des TI. Veuillez tenter à nouveau ici :

For employees:
https://moodle.ubishops.ca/course/view.php?id=535

For students:
https://moodle.ubishops.ca/course/view.php?id=536

Sincèrement,

Stine Linden-Andersen
Présidente du groupe de travail de l’Université Bishop’s sur la COVID-19

As Chair of the Bishop’s University Task Force on COVID-19, I have been deeply impressed by the resourcefulness and resilience of our community.  Within hours of the March 13th imposed academic suspension by government authorities, staff, faculty, and administrators mobilized to ensure that courses offered in the Winter and Spring terms might provide the same outstanding undergraduate education online as face to face.

Your peers, for their part, confronting unprecedented obstacles, rose to the challenge of thriving in new modes of work, study and discussion.  As we prepare now for return to classes in September, I am confident that we will succeed in building an educational experience – both in person and online – of which we can all be proud.  I write to you today to emphasize two essential ingredients of that success.

First, our work on all fronts must take as its frame and safeguard the parameters laid out by our colleagues in Public Health.  With this in view, Bishop’s University will:

• Prepare all spaces on campus for optimally safe use by students, staff, faculty and administrators.
• Distribute arrivals of students in residence over a five-day period in order to minimize crowding and preserve physical distancing in the process of moving in.
• Schedule some events in orientation week online.
• Run all in-person events in orientation week in strict conformity with government approved COVID-19 guidelines.
• Modify student life throughout the term, replacing large concerts and pub nights with outside events.
• Encourage small gatherings outside while limiting student gatherings inside to 10 people.
• Require all members of our community to wear face coverings when circulating inside buildings as of Saturday, July 18, 2020.
• Strictly enforce all government-mandated COVID-19 guidelines on and off campus.

We cannot guarantee that this or any slate of precautions will prevent every case of COVID-19 at Bishop’s.  All those working and studying on campus must assess their own level of risk and act in what they take to be their own best interest per the Public Health guidelines and recommendations. In doubt, we invite you to consult a physician. That being said, we believe that rigorous adherence by all to the guidelines above gives us the best chance to see our educational environment thrive in these extraordinary circumstances.

Secondly, recognizing that both the behavior of the pandemic and our understanding of it continue to evolve, we must stand ready – as a community – to embrace whatever adjustments to Public Health parameters may be necessary in the course of the Fall term.  Students, staff, faculty and administrators must be ready to modulate their work on short notice (as in Winter and Spring 2020) without sacrifice of quality and with minimal impact on the intimate learning environment we’ve built together.

In all scenarios, it is crucial that you and everyone else associated with our institution take the preservation of our learning community as a personal responsibility.  It will be challenging.  But it’s what we ought to do in any case.  Whether in a time of pandemic or not, care of community is one of the deepest aspirations of University education.

Best,

Stine Linden-Andersen
Chair, Bishop’s University Task Force on COVID-19

Chers étudiants, chères étudiantes,

En tant que présidente du Groupe de travail de l’Université Bishop’s sur la COVID-19, je suis profondément impressionnée par la débrouillardise et la résilience de notre communauté. Suite à l’annonce de suspension des activités du gouvernement le 13 mars dernier, tous nos employés, professeurs et administrateurs se sont mobilisés afin que tous les cours prévus durant les semestres d’hiver et du printemps bénéficient de la même rigueur académique qu’en présentiel.

Vos collègues quant à eux, confronté à des obstacles inédits, ont su relever le défi de prospérer dans de nouvelles méthodes de travail, d’études et d’échanges. Alors que nous préparons le retour en classe prévu en septembre, je suis confiante que nous réussirons à bâtir une expérience éducative, tant en présentiel qu’en ligne, dont nous serons tous fiers. Je vous écris aujourd’hui afin de mettre l’emphase sur deux aspects-clés qui contribueront à ce succès.

Tout d’abord, notre travail, sous toutes ses formes, doit s‘intégrer dans le cadre des paramètres déterminés par nos collègues de la Santé publique. De ce fait, l’Université Bishop’s s‘engage à :

• S’assurer que tous les espaces sur le campus soient sécuritaires et conformes aux normes sanitaires pour une utilisation optimale par les étudiants, employés, professeurs et administrateurs ;
• Répartir l’arrivée des étudiants en résidence sur une période de cinq jours afin de minimiser les regroupements et maintenir la distanciation physique durant leur déménagement ;
• Planifier des événements virtuels pour les nouveaux étudiants (Orientation Week) ;
• Organiser tous les événements en présentiel durant Orientation Week en conformité avec les normes mises en place par le gouvernement ;
• Moduler la vie étudiante durant le semestre, remplaçant les concerts majeurs et les soirées dans le Gait par des événements extérieurs ;
• Encourager la tenue de petits rassemblements à l’extérieur et limiter les rassemblements intérieurs à 10 personnes ;
• Exiger que tous les membres de la communauté portent un masque lorsqu’ils circulent à l’intérieur de nos édifices, et ce, dès le samedi 18 juillet 2020 ;
• Veiller au respect intégral des consignes et mesures gouvernementales en lien avec la COVID-19 tant sur le campus qu’à l’extérieur de celui-ci.

Nous ne pouvons malheureusement pas garantir que toutes ces mesures empêcheront l’éclosion de cas de COVID-19 à l’Université Bishop’s. Tous ceux et celles qui travaillent et étudient sur le campus doivent évaluer leur risque et agir selon leur meilleur intérêt de façon judicieuse quant aux normes et recommandations de la Direction de la santé publique. Si vous avez le moindre doute quant à votre santé, nous vous invitons à consulter un médecin. Cela dit, nous croyons qu’en faisant preuve de rigueur pour nous conformer aux lignes directrices précitées mettra toutes les chances de notre côté pour que notre milieu éducatif s’épanouisse, malgré ces circonstances exceptionnelles.

Ensuite, en considérant que le déroulement de la pandémie et notre compréhension de celle-ci soient en constante évolution, nous devrons être disposés — en tant que communauté — à nous ajuster à toutes nouvelles directives de la santé publique au cours du semestre d’automne.  Nos étudiants, employés, professeurs et administrateurs doivent être prêts à moduler leur travail à brève échéance, sans toutefois sacrifier la qualité de ce dernier et en minimisant l’impact sur cet environnement éducatif de proximité que nous avons bâti ensemble.

Quels que soient les scénarios auxquels nous devrons faire face, il est impératif que vous, ainsi que toutes les parties prenantes impliquées au sein de notre institution, fassiez de la préservation de notre communauté d’apprentissage une responsabilité personnelle. Certes, il s’agit d’un grand défi. Mais c’est ce que nous devons faire de toute manière. Pandémie ou non, de prendre soin de notre communauté fait partie intégrante des aspirations profondes d’une éducation universitaire.

Sincèrement,

Stine Linden-Andersen
Présidente du groupe de travail de l’Université Bishop’s sur la COVID-19

Our committee has been working throughout the Spring and Summer to ensure compliance with government guidelines on campus and to prepare an optimally smooth return to classes in September.

In the context of that preparation, our committee will now be providing regular updates on actions taken and planned in different sectors of the University. Below please find Bishop’s University’s plan for implementing the new government regulations on face covering.

The Quebec Government has announced that face-coverings will be mandatory starting Saturday, July 18th in all closed public places, including university campuses.

This requirement is a compliment to the other prevention measures and public health recommendations such as physical distancing and hand hygiene to prevent the transmission and the propagation of the COVID-19 virus on Campus.

This directive applies to all faculty, staff, managers and visitors (exemptions apply for children under 12 and anyone who has trouble breathing or is unable to remove their mask or face covering without assistance).

Face-covering will be mandatory when entering and circulating in all of Bishop’s hallways or open areas of buildings. The wearing of face coverings is also strongly encouraged in classrooms and at workstations.

You will be able to pick up your reusable face covering from either your Dean, Manager, Human Resources office or at Security.

This Quebec Government directive will come into effect starting Saturday, July 18th, 2020.

Please consult this link for more information: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/wearing-a-face-covering-in-public-settings-in-the-context-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/

Please e-mail your questions or concerns, to healthandsafety@ubishops.ca.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home and call the Quebec COVID-19 line at-1-877-644-4545.

Best,

Stine Linden-Andersen
Chair, Bishop’s University Task Force on COVID-19

Notre comité a travaillé tout au long du printemps et de l’été pour assurer le respect des lignes directrices gouvernementales en matière de santé et de sécurité sur le campus et pour préparer un retour optimal en classe en septembre.

Dans le cadre de cette préparation, notre comité fera désormais le point régulièrement sur les actions entreprises et prévues dans les différents secteurs de l’Université.

Veuillez trouverez ci-dessous notre plan de mise en œuvre de la nouvelle réglementation gouvernementale sur les couvre-visages.

Le gouvernement du Québec a annoncé que le couvre-visage sera obligatoire à partir de samedi, 18 juillet prochain dans tous les lieux publics fermés, y compris les campus universitaires.

Cette exigence s’ajoute aux mesures de prévention et les recommandations de santé publique récentes telles que les mesures de distanciation physique et d’hygiène des mains pour prévenir la transmission et propagation du virus COVID-19 sur le campus.

Cette directive s’applique à tous les professeurs, membres du personnel, gestionnaires et visiteurs (des exemptions s’appliquent aux enfants de moins de 12 ans et à toute personne qui a des difficultés respiratoires ou qui est incapable de retirer son masque ou couvre-visage sans assistance).

Le couvre-visage sera obligatoire lors de l’entrée et de la circulation dans tous les couloirs de Bishop’s ou dans les zones ouvertes des bâtiments. Le port du couvre-visage est également fortement encouragé dans les salles de classe et au poste de travail.

Vous pourrez récupérer votre couvre-visage réutilisable auprès de votre doyenne, gestionnaire, bureau des Ressources humaines ou de la Sécurité.
Cette directive du gouvernement du Québec entrera en vigueur le samedi 18 juillet 2020.

Veuillez consulter ce lien pour plus d’informations : https://www.quebec.ca/sante/problemes-de-sante/a-z/coronavirus-2019/port-du-couvre-visage-dans-les-lieux-publics-en-contexte-de-la-pandemie-de-covid-19/

Veuillez envoyer vos questions ou préoccupations par courriel à healthandsafety@ubishops.ca.

Si vous présentez des symptômes de COVID-19, veuillez rester à la maison et appeler la ligne COVID-19 du Québec au 1-877-644-4545.

Portez-vous bien.

Stine Linden-Andersen
Présidente, Groupe de travail de l’Université Bishop’s sur COVID-19.

Dear members of the Class of 2020,

I hope that you are healthy, safe and in good spirits.

As you know, when we decided to postpone your June Convocation we hoped to hold an on-campus event on August 29, 2020 and I committed to letting you know our plans by July 1st.

To our great chagrin, it now appears that we will not be able to hold an in-person ceremony at the end of August.

At present, the public health rules in Quebec do not allow for gatherings of more than 50 people. The limit may be raised to 250 people later in the summer, but that would still not allow us to welcome more than 1,000 people into the Denver Gym twice in the same day as we traditionally do.

In determining what to do we have heard two different perspectives.

One perspective is that an in-person Convocation is such a critical component of the Bishop’s experience that we should hold off until next spring in the hope of being able to hold an on-campus ceremony. Several students have written to say how meaningful it would be for them to cross the stage in their academic gowns to receive their diplomas from their University in the presence of their family, friends and classmates.

Of course I get it.

Convocation is the best day of the year at Bishop’s and we all want to celebrate it together.

The other perspective we have considered comes from students who have said that the year ended abruptly in March in an unsatisfying way. After several months of isolation and physical distancing, they would like to have a communal experience this summer to celebrate individual and collective achievement and to acknowledge the unique challenges everyone is experiencing.

The message from those students has been that there is a need to come together before they go off to the next phase of their lives at other universities or in the working world.

We have also had to consider that not everyone will be able to return to Lennoxville next year and that unless a vaccine is created and a global inoculation program is undertaken there is a risk that large gatherings may not be possible next spring.

We have spent a lot of time considering what we could do that would respond to both of these perspectives and satisfy the hopes and expectations of all our students.

Here is what we have decided:

You will receive your diplomas and prizes by mail over the next few weeks.

We will hold a two-part Convocation which will begin with a virtual ceremony on Saturday August 29th, 2020 and conclude with an in-person ceremony on Friday June 4th, 2021.

The virtual ceremony will include some of the elements of a traditional Convocation with a recognition of each graduate and speeches by the two Valedictorians, the Chancellor and me. (We have a number of ideas that will allow us to make this a truly Bishop’s event with joy, humour, camaraderie and inspiration.)

The continuation of the Convocation next spring will include a traditional in-person event with a formal ceremony in academic regalia in which each student who is present will cross the stage to be acknowledged by the Chancellor, the Principal, their classmates, their professors, their families and their friends.

We will bestow an Honorary Degree, and honour a Distinguished Professor Emeritus, the Turner Teaching Award winner, and the winners of major student awards. We will also hear from a Valedictorian.

The Convocation schedule for the Class of 2020 will be as follows:

• Saturday August 29th, 2020, noon – 1:30 p.m. EDT: virtual ceremony
• Thursday June 3rd, 2021, 7:00-10:00 p.m.: Chancellor’s Graduation dinner in the Denver Gym (including an address by Marilyn Hardy)
• Friday June 4th, 2021, 10:00 a.m – noon: Convocation in the Denver Gym or in Centennial Theatre
• Friday June 4th, 2021, 9:00 p.m.: Celebration in the Gait.

There are many components to work out for both portions of the Convocation and the details of the ceremony next June may need to be modified once we know how many members of the Class of 2020 will be present.

I hope that you will agree that this approach will allow us to meet the expectations of as many students as possible and to have a unique Convocation to celebrate you and this unique year.

We look forward to celebrating your Convocation with you.

With warm best wishes to all of you.

Be healthy
Be resilient
BU

Michael Goldbloom, C.M.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor

J’espère que vous soyez en bonne santé, en sécurité et que vous gardez le moral.

Comme vous le savez, lorsque nous avons pris la décision de reporter votre collation des grades prévue en juin, nous espérions pouvoir vous accueillir sur le campus le 29 août 2020. Nous vous avions promis de vous confirmer le tout au plus tard le 1er juillet.

À notre grand regret, il semble maintenant que nous ne pourrons pas organiser une cérémonie en personne fin août.

Au moment de vous écrire, les règles de santé publique du Québec ne permettent pas les rassemblements de plus de 50 personnes. Cette limite augmentera possiblement à 250 personnes au courant de l’été, mais ce changement ne nous permettra pas d’accueillir plus de 1 000 personnes dans le gymnase Denver à deux moments dans la même journée, comme le veut la coutume.

Deux points de vue différents ont guidé nos réflexions :

Une perspective est qu’une collation des grades en présentiel fait partie intégrante de l’expérience Bishop’s. Donc, l’événement devrait être reporté au printemps prochain. Bon nombre d’étudiants ont signifié l’importance et la signification de monter sur scène vêtue de leur toge et mortier et de recevoir leur diplôme de leur Université en présence de parents, amis et camarades de classe.

Une réalité que je comprends très bien.

La collation des grades est sans contredit la journée préférée de la communauté de Bishop’s et nous souhaitons la célébrer ensemble.

Des étudiants nous ont également fait part du fait que leur année s’était terminée abruptement en mars dernier et, qu’après des mois d’isolation et de distanciation physique, ils souhaitaient bénéficier d’une expérience collective cet été. Ce serait l’occasion de commémorer les réussites individuelles et collectives et de souligner les défis uniques qu’ils ont vécus.

Pour ces étudiants, le message est clair : ils ont besoin de s’unir une dernière fois avant d’entamer le prochain chapitre de leur vie dans une autre université ou sur le marché du travail.

Nous avons également pris en compte que certains étudiants ne pourront pas revenir à Lennoxville l’an prochain. De plus, sans la découverte d’un vaccin ou l’implantation d’un programme d’immunisation globale, il y a un risque que les rassemblements à grand déploiement ne soient pas permis le printemps prochain.

Nous avons longuement réfléchi sur ce que nous pourrions faire pour répondre aux deux perspectives de nos étudiants et ainsi répondre à leurs attentes.

Voici donc ce que nous avons conclu :

Vous recevrez, dans les semaines à venir, vos diplômes et mentions et prix d’honneur par la poste ;

Nous organiserons une collation des grades en deux volets : une cérémonie virtuelle prévue le samedi 29 août 2020 ainsi qu’une cérémonie en présentiel le vendredi 4 juin 2021 ;

La cérémonie virtuelle inclura certains éléments traditionnels de notre collation des grades standard, avec la mention de tous les diplômés ainsi que les allocutions des deux majors de promotion (valedictorians), le chancelier et moi-même. (Nous avons quelques idées en tête pour marquer cet événement avec joie, humeur, camaraderie et moments inspirants.)

La continuation de la collation des grades, prévue au printemps prochain, sera à l’image des événements tenus sur notre campus. Durant cette cérémonie formelle, les diplômés porteront leur toge et mortier et monteront sur scène pour recevoir leur diplôme devant le chancelier, le principal, leurs camarades de classe, leurs professeurs, leurs familles et amis.

Nous remettrons un doctorat honorifique et célébrerons un professeur émérite distingué, le récipiendaire du prix d’enseignement Turner, ainsi que les gagnants des prix étudiants majeurs. Nous aurons également la chance d’entendre l’allocution d’un major de promotion.

La collation des grades pour les finissants et finissantes 2020 se tiendra comme suit :

• Samedi 29 août 2020 de 12 h à 13 h 30 (HAE) : cérémonie virtuelle ;
• Jeudi 3 juin 2021 de 19 h à 22 h : Dîner du chancelier des diplômés dans le gymnase Denver (incluant l’allocution de Marilyn Hardy) ;
• Vendredi 4 juin 2021 de 10 h à midi : Collation des grades dans le gymnase Denver ou le Théâtre Centennial ;
• Vendredi 4 juin 2021 dès 21 h : Célébration dans le Gait.

Nous avons encore des détails à peaufiner quant à l’organisation des deux cérémonies, dont la confirmation de certaines composantes de l’événement prévu au printemps 2021 selon le nombre de finissants et finissantes qui pourront se joindre à nous sur le campus.

Nous espérons que vous êtes en accord avec ce plan qui nous permettra de répondre aux attentes de bon nombre d’étudiants et d’avoir une collation des grades unique et festive pour célébrer cette année unique.

Nous avons hâte de célébrer votre collation des grades avec vous.

Avec mes vœux les plus sincères,

Michael Goldbloom, C.M.
Principal et vice-chancelier