U of L residence remain open for students
By Bobinec, Greg on March 18, 2020.
Greg Bobinec
Lethbridge Herald
The University of Lethbridge has issued an updated statement to address all of their facility closures, moved services, alternative delivery and practicum placements to help students have a clearer view of how the final weeks of their semester will look.
For students who are living on campus, the university’s residence will remain open for students who currently live on campus. All students with current licence agreements are welcome to stay and there is no requirement to move out. Opposed to the living situation, a number of facilities at the U of L are closed.
“The Testing Centre is closed, consistent with the Government of Alberta’s directive to cancel all in-person classes on campus,” says Mike Mahon, U of L president and vice-chancellor, in a release. “Instructors who had planned to administer tests on Wednesday and Thursday have been notified of this decision. The Teaching Centre team will work with instructors to assist them in navigating this challenge. We have asked instructors to reach out directly to their students to make appropriate accommodations.”
The university has also closed its recreational facilities in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sports and Wellness. While the building will remain open for access, the Fitness Centre, Ascent Climbing Centre, Max Bell Regional Aquatic Centre, the High Performance Centre, all gymnasiums and the indoor track are closed.
Food services throughout the university will remain open to provide services on campus such as the Urban Market running from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tim Hortons in the 1st Choice Savings Centre will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other food services will be closed at this time.
The U of L will not be extending the academic semester, as alternative delivery models made by the faculty should help students finish the semester. The university recognizes that some students rely on the university for internet and they expect to make up part of their alternative delivery model.
“These are extraordinary circumstances and we know that professors will try to deliver as strong an academic as possible given the challenges our community faces,” says Mahon. “Professors will have the flexibility to determine the appropriate formats necessary to deliver the remainder of the spring semester. The university will not be extending the academic term. Implementing alternative delivery models will allow us to complete the spring semester on time.”
For practicum, placement, internship or co-op students, the university officials continue to seek clarity on the status of those programs. These experiences will continue to be paused and deans will be in touch with students regarding this as details become clearer.
In-person counselling supports have been replaced with video-conference through the Zoom platform to enable greater student access in light of the COVID-19 situation. Face-to-face counselling and career coaching appointments will be moved to a tele-counselling format. To contact the counselling services at the university, email counselling.services@uleth.ca.
The University of Lethbridge emphasizes the importance of being mindful of people’s health through this time, continue to be diligent in following Alberta Health protocols of hand washing and social distancing.
Follow @GBobinecHerald on Twitter
16-15
