Once again, the excitement of AC Day 1 and the flurry of first week activities has re-energized our College Community and has fully engaged everyone for the fall term after some well-deserved summer vacation. A big thank you to those of you who were either teaching during the spring/summer term, were busy supporting our learners or preparing our campuses for the fall term.
We are now seeing that our gradual and safe approach to returning our campuses to their full vibrancy – and your continuing commitment to following public health guidelines – is paying dividends for everyone.
Half of the College’s programs now have an in-person component this term. We will also see a return of a limited number of organized events and an increase in support services on campus this fall, such as the re-opening of our libraries. This is another positive sign of the progress we are making together.
As always, we continue to closely monitor and respond to any changes in public health policy and guidelines. This included developing our Mandatory Vaccine Policy and user guide, and updating our Mobile Safety App to serve as the primary vehicle to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. To date, over 9,500 College Community Members have used the App to register their vaccination status. Of these applicants, over 90% are either fully or partially vaccinated.
It is encouraging to see that many of our College Community have rolled up their sleeves to be fully vaccinated, and we will continue our vigilance to keep our Algonquin community healthy and safe. Algonquin College Health Services is now booking appointments by phone to administer first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines to students and employees at its Ottawa Campus clinic. You can check here for details, and other for opportunities to book a vaccine appointment. For details at Pembroke and Perth campuses, please check here.
In previous communiqués, it was indicated that October 12, 2021 is the deadline by which College community members are expected to have achieved full vaccination (required dose regimen plus a 14-day wait period).
The College recognizes that this policy has been prepared and implemented with very short notice for many of our College Community members in response to recent changes in the provincial mandate. This has posed a challenge for many of our learners and employees, who may now be pursuing vaccination in order to comply with the policy requirements to meet the October 12th date.
We strongly support those College Community members who have responded and who have now received their first dose of the vaccine and are waiting the required period to receive the second dose. Following the second dose, there is a requisite wait period of 14 days for immunity to build before one is considered fully vaccinated. These required time periods will extend beyond the October 12th deadline that has been previously communicated, and we want to assure these College community members that their access to campuses and in-person activities will not be disrupted as a result.
Therefore, to recognize the required turnaround times and wait periods, the deadline for College Community members who are actively pursuing vaccination is being extended until October 30th, 2021. Please note, in order to reach this deadline, you must have your second shot no later than October 16, 2021. In addition, the College reimbursement policy for COVID-19 testing for these persons will also be extended to October 30th, 2021 to encourage continued participation in the vaccination program.
Please note, however, until you are fully vaccinated, the requirement for regular rapid antigen testing to be able to access campuses and in-person activities still applies, and if you are not fully vaccinated as of October 30th, you will be unable to access campus after that point. Until this deadline, a reminder that eligible learners and employees can access rapid tests on campus at no cost, or be reimbursed for approved tests accessed elsewhere.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a successful, safe, and healthy Fall Term.
Every year, Algonquin College celebrates the incredible achievements of its alumni through the Alumni of Distinction Awards. These awards honour the extraordinary contributions our graduates make to the community while achieving career success. Here is a closer look at the Alumni of Distinction – Alumna of the Year Recipient Patricia Boal.
Co-anchor, CTV News at 6 p.m.
Journalism – Print, Class of 1994
Journalism wasn’t on her mind when Patricia Boal began her post-secondary education at McGill University in pursuit of an English degree. “I took that thinking, study what you love and get the best marks you can for your undergrad. Then you can move on to a degree that will take you on a career path. My plan was to follow the English degree by going to law school.”
But like many journalists before her, Boal started writing for the school newspaper and fell in love with the trade. The chance to go anywhere, ask anyone anything, was irresistible. “I’m naturally curious about a lot of things, and as a fairly shy person this opened doors for me to explore.”
As detailed in the College’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Addendum (Policy HS16), alternate safety protocols are being administered for eligible College Community Members who have not achieved a full COVID-19 Vaccination status (required number of doses plus a 14- day wait period) and are required to attend on-campus or in-person activities.
Negative results from Rapid Antigen Tests are being relied upon to provide a high level of assurance that a College Community Member is not carrying the COVID-19 virus if the Member is not fully vaccinated.
To support this requirement, Algonquin College is beginning to offer Rapid Antigen Tests to eligible College Community Members starting Thursday, September 9th.
As a result of additional information received from Colleges Ontario today and a subsequent Algonquin College Executive Team meeting, there are two key changes in our Mandatory Vaccination Policy protocols that are crucial to be aware of. These changes are being made immediately, in recognition of the timing challenges for start-up on Tuesday.
the following temporary change has been made, in conformance with guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health. From September 7th to September 12th, inclusive, persons who are not fully vaccinated only need to provide proof of a single rapid antigen test within the past 48 hours to gain access to campus. Effective September 13th, the policy requirement of 2 rapid antigen tests during the previous seven (7) days will be applied.
Persons who have tested positive for COVID-19, using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, during the past 90 days are not recommended for rapid antigen testing. In these cases, in order to gain access to campus, persons will be required to show both a positive PCR test for COVID-19 dated in the last 90 days as well as documentation from a public health unit that indicates they have completed self-isolation requirements and are cleared. After 90 days from the date of the test has elapsed, persons who remain unvaccinated will be required to produce proof of 2 negative rapid antigen tests in the previous seven (7) days each time they require access to campus, unless they become fully vaccinated.
Algonquin College has implemented the use of a digital Vaccine Passport using our existing AC Mobile Safety App. This tool supports the Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination policy, which has been introduced in response to provincial regulations and public health requirements to help ensure the safety and well-being of the College community and to promote education and awareness regarding vaccination. Implementing the use of the Vaccine Passport App will enhance the existing health and safety measures and improve coordination of access at all campuses.
If you already have the AC Mobile Safety App on your mobile phone, you will see a clickable link at the bottom of the screen to update the version of the app you have. The new version includes a COVID-19 Vaccine Passport option. If you do not already have the app, you can download the AC Mobile Safety App for an iOS or Android mobile phone by using this link: https://apparmor.apparmor.com/clients/algonquincollege.com/
I want to update you with the latest details on the College’s Mandatory Vaccination Policy – originally announced last week.
I know many of you have urgent questions regarding this policy and its impact, and I want to sincerely thank you for your patience. While some implementation details are still being finalized, you can read the official policy here, and visit our FAQ for more information.
Our mandatory vaccination policy applies to all learners, employees, contractors and visitors attending in-person activities at our campuses or off-campus locations leased by the College such as Corporate Training Services at 700 Sussex Drive in Ottawa and Employment Services Offices operated by the College. In-person activities include participation in academic instruction, accessing services or attending organized events. The College’s new policy responds to regulatory requirements to implement public health guidance calling for post-secondary institutions to require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for those attending campuses.
The College is implementing the use of a digital, proof-of-vaccination feature within the Algonquin College Mobile Safety App – which is already being used for COVID-19 self-screening purposes. Information on how to download the app is available here; the app’s proof of vaccination feature will be available Wednesday, September 1. If you already have the app, you will be prompted on the screen to update your settings once the vaccine module is launched
Our Mandatory Vaccination Policy only applies to those attending in-person activities. If you are studying or working remotely, and not planning to attend campus, please do not use the App to submit proof of vaccination. The College does not require your proof of vaccination.
Algonquin College’s pedestrian bridge lit up the night sky with all the colours of the rainbow on Sunday (August 22) to help recognize the start of Capital Pride Week.
“To celebrate the beginning of Capital Pride Week and show the city our true colours, we are lighting up our Woodroffe Avenue pedestrian bridge in vibrant, rainbow colour for the very first time. For one week, rainbow lights will illuminate this walkway each and every night, declaring our pride in and support for our 2SLGBTQ+ learners, employees, and community members,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and CEO.
The rainbow colours of the bridge will offer many in the 2SLGBTQ+ community hope, said Osmel B. Guerra Maynes, the Executive Director of Capital Pride, who spoke to those gathered to help celebrate the flicking of the switch on the bridge.
“A lot of folks within our communities sometimes just need that glimmer of hope, and to walk or drive down this street and see this bridge lit-up can offer that. This bridge can give hope to folks, that if I am not accepted in my own home, I can be still be accepted in my own community and live my authentic life,” said Maynes.
Emily Ferguson, President of the Algonquin Students’ Association said that “lighting the Woodroffe pedestrian bridge in rainbow colours shows the Ottawa community some of our best qualities here at Algonquin College – accepting of one another, celebrating differences, and respecting the freedom to love.”
Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean, attended the official lighting ceremony and told those gathered that “it is so fitting that as we mark the beginning of celebrations for Capital Pride that Algonquin is lighting up this beautiful pedestrian bridge that welcomes people. It really shows that we are totally embracing this celebration of diversity and sending a signal right out across the city that we respect diversity and respect people to live as they wish to live.”
Capital Pride is taking place August 22 – 29. This year’s festival will include both virtual and in-person events, allowing participants to enjoy programming at home and outdoors. This year’s celebrations have the theme – ‘We Still Demand’ – which honours the first large-scale queer rights demonstration in Canada in 1971. You can learn more at capitalpride.ca
To watch the video of the lighting ceremony please check here
Driven by new public health recommendations and the growing impact of COVID-19 variants of concern, Algonquin College has decided to implement a mandatory vaccination policy for the Fall 2021 Term.
All learners, employees, contractors and visitors will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination – unless exempted – in order to attend in-person activities at our campuses in Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth. This includes those learners living in our Residence on the Ottawa Campus.
Starting September 7, the College will require those accessing our campuses to show proof they have received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine – with a second-dose vaccination requirement to follow by October 12 at the latest.
A small group assembled in the DARE District Tuesday to recognize the contributions of PCL Construction to Algonquin College with a ceremonial plaque dedication.
Welcomed by Mark Savenkoff, Vice President, Advancement, the participants admired the new plaque, shared a few words and then visited the Three Sisters Garden. The DARE District, Three Sisters Garden and the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) have all been generously supported by PCL Construction.
“PCL is special in the sense that not only have they built several of our College buildings but they have expressed an ongoing interest in becoming more familiar with Indigenous culture and we are thrilled to share in their journey,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College. “After their original contribution of $50,000 to the DARE District, they pledged $216,000 over six years to the DARE6 initiative, which supports Indigenization efforts on our campus – such as plans currently under development to expand our Three Sisters Garden.”
At the event, Algonquin students exhibit forward-looking research and technology projects produced in collaboration with industry, institutional and community partners to offer innovative solutions to everyday problems.
From a joint effort with CHEO on a web application that connects parents of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit patients to hospital research studies, to an online tool that allows you to calculate home renovation costs before you hire a contractor, these projects offer a glimpse of the future.
Dear Colleagues and Learners,
A small group assembled in the DARE District Tuesday to recognize the contributions of PCL Construction to Algonquin College with a ceremonial plaque dedication.