Message from the President (October 22)

Posted on Friday, October 22nd, 2021

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

I want to once again, thank the College community for its ongoing support for our Mandatory Vaccination Policy. Information gathered from our AC Mobile Safety App indicates that over 97 per cent of College community members attending campuses are fully or partially vaccinated – with the latter group required to continue rapid antigen testing until fully vaccinated. This is excellent news as we turn our minds to the Winter Term and increasing our on-campus activities through more in-person academic programming, services, and events. We can’t wait to see you, and are planning for a more vibrant and engaging on-campus experience – something that I know I look forward to with excitement.

I also want to remind everyone that October 30, 2021 is the date when “complete” vaccination is required – meaning you need to have received your last dose and have waited the requisite 14 days to be considered fully vaccinated. If you have not received your last dose – and undergone the 14-day waiting period by this point – you will not be allowed entry to the campus. This is extremely important as we approach the October 30 deadline and look towards finishing out the term. It will also help us prepare to welcome new and returning students to our campus in January 2022. Your steadfast commitment to health and safety is paying off – with an expected 70 per cent of academic programming expected to be in-person. An update from our Senior Vice President Academic on our Winter Term plans will be communicated next week.

Please remember that the AC Mobile Safety Vaccine Passport App can be used at any time to register your vaccine status. As soon as an employee or learner is aware that they will be returning to campus, they can upload their vaccination status within the App. Doing so promptly will minimize processing delays.

If you are an employee or learner anticipating coming to campus for the Winter Term and are still unvaccinated, the latest date by which you can start your vaccine regimen in order to be considered fully vaccinated by January 3, 2022 is November 16, 2021. This allows for the 14-day wait period following a second dose and up to 3 days processing time once proof of vaccination information has been submitted via the AC Mobile Safety App.

While the provincial government has launched a vaccination certificate, Algonquin College learners and employees should continue to use the AC Mobile Safety App to provide proof of vaccination if you are required to be on campus. The user-friendly AC App has been specifically designed to meet Algonquin’s provincial reporting requirements for post-secondary institutions.

For visitors and guests to our campuses, we will accept proof of vaccination using the Ontario’s new proof of vaccination system (whether a digital or printed QR code) along with vaccine passports from other jurisdictions. Proof of identification is also required when using vaccine passports, in keeping with provincial requirements for a range of businesses and services.

Earlier today, the Ontario Premier announced plans for exiting Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen, including encouraging lifting of capacity limits and physical distancing in some settings where proof of vaccination is required. The College is currently examining these plans and we will notify the college community on any impact to our operations, campus activities, and current health and safety protocols (if any).

As the days get shorter, the onset of chillier weather reminds us that cold and flu season is around the corner. To keep Ontarians healthy this flu season, and prevent unnecessary visits to the hospital during the fourth wave of COVID-19, the Ontario government is launching one of the largest flu immunization campaigns in the province’s history starting in November.

The flu shot will be available for all Ontarians through doctors’ and nurse practitioners’ offices, participating pharmacies, and public health units. Visit Ontario.ca/flu to find out when to get your shot. (For Quebec flu vaccine information, visit here.) On Ottawa Campus, Health Services will be providing flu shots to students and staff eligible to be on campus (fully vaccinated or approved exemption) starting Nov. 1, 2021. In order to keep with physical distancing, capacity and other safety measures, flu shots will be available by pre-booked appointment only (call ahead to book your appointment at 613-727-4723 ext. 7222).

And finally, next week (October 25 to 29) marks our Fall Mid-Term Break Week for most of our academic programs. I would like to wish our learners a restful time to focus on their well-being and mental health.

As always, stay safe everyone.

Sincerely,

Claude Brulé

President and CEO

 


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