Thanks to $25,000 in funding announced this week through Bell Let’s Talk, Algonquin College will be conducting an audit to assess its current mental health support services and the mental health needs of students.
“Algonquin is extremely thankful for Bell’s contribution – it will help strengthen mental health supports and services to our learners, at a time of heightened need,” said Laura Stanbra, Algonquin’s Vice President, Student Services.
The federal budget released Monday, A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth and Resilience, outlines several investments related to the post-secondary education sector, including $5.7 billion over the next five years to help young people pursue and complete their education, ease student loan debt and create new job placement opportunities.
“We are pleased to see that the federal government has recognized the impact of the pandemic on young people and students, and is putting forth measures to address their financial challenges – including support for student assistance, child care, youth employment and skills training,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and CEO. “New investment in applied research at polytechnics, colleges and institutes will also create great opportunities for our learners.” Continue reading Federal Budget Supports Students, Young People and Applied Research
The Province has extended its existing stay-at-home order and Ontario’s state of emergency to a total of six weeks (April 8 to May 19) – while adding enhanced public health measures and travel restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Our campuses will continue to operate as they have, in very limited ways, under these updated restrictions. These new restrictions will not require us to modify our present academic delivery model (the current state of restrictions on our campuses’ services are available here.) But it is crucial that attendance on our campuses is absolutely limited to only those students participating in hands-on instruction – indoor or outdoor – and those employees specifically authorized to attend campus in support of these activities.Continue reading Message from the President – April 19
Making change happens one step at a time. To take that step, you need a good pair of shoes, and that’s where William Bourgault comes in.
Last summer, Bourgault, a 21-year-old Police Foundations student was looking to donate shoes he had outgrown. He knew of Dress for Success and The Snowsuit Fund but realized there wasn’t a place where you could donate shoes. Footwear 4 Kids was born.
Today, Footwear 4 Kids operates out of space provided by the Caldwell Family Centre. They have 13 volunteers, four family support workers, and one family advisor. The program is run and managed by Bourgault. Four of the volunteers are students from the Police Foundation program at Algonquin College. They provide footwear to children, youth, and families in need including newcomers to Canada, those fleeing domestic violence/abuse, those experiencing homelessness, and those facing unforeseen circumstances such as job loss, house fire, etc. Continue reading Volunteer Week at AC – Stepping Up for Kids in Need
The Spring season has arrived in Eastern Ontario. With the changes in weather and our part of the world coming out of the Big Sleep of winter, also comes the end of the Winter 2021 term. This is the last week of classes for most programs.
The Winter 2021 term is ending in a period of increased COVID restrictions in Ontario. The Provincial Government has issued a Stay-at-Home order that began on Thursday, April 8 and will be in effect until at least Wednesday, May 5. In that respect, the Winter term will end the same way it began, under a Province-wide lockdown. I echo President Claude Brulé’s sentiments to say thank you for your continued strength, patience and flexibility as we continue to move forward and make progress together. Continue reading Message from the Senior Vice President, Academic – April 13
A 28-day stay-at-home order came into effect in Ontario at 12:01 a.m. this morning. The Premier announced this order yesterday along with a new state of emergency declaration; the announcement extends restrictions established in the ongoing province-wide shutdown.
Our campuses will continue to operate, in very limited ways, under these updated restrictions – similar to the stay-at-home order that was in effect at the start of the Winter Term. These new restrictions will not require us to modify our present academic delivery model. (Again, you should not visit campus unless you are a student participating in hands-on instruction or an employee who has been specifically authorized to attend campus in support of these activities.)
The government’s new restrictions – which include limiting non-essential businesses to curbside pickup – come in response to rising COVID-19 case rates, escalating hospital and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions, and the increasing emergence of variants of concern.
“The Third Wave is different than anything we have experienced so far… the risks are greater; the stakes are higher,” the Premier said, “The COVID-19 situation is at a critical stage and we must act quickly and decisively to stay ahead of these deadly new variants.”
As a reminder, you can monitor cases on the College’s campuses here. The College has seen relatively few COVID-19 cases related to our campuses throughout the pandemic and I want to thank those required to come to campus for continuing to follow our health and safety guidelines, and helping to ensure continued operations are as safe as possible.
I discussed ongoing restrictions within our academic spaces in last week’s message. Any additional changes to course delivery – including placements and labs – will be communicated on a program-by-program basis as required. You can also review the current state of restrictions on our campuses’ services here.
Earlier this week, Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health, supported additional measures being implemented stating that, “the COVID situation in Ottawa is concerning and we need further restrictions to bend the curve. Younger people are being hospitalized in Ontario. ICU admissions are increasing. Cases are too high in our city.”
The stark warning is a reminder that COVID-19 knows no boundaries, and the variants currently circulating in our community are easily transmitted and affect young and older people alike. While it is encouraging to see the increasing pace of the vaccine roll-out across Ontario, our adherence to public health guidelines – practicing physical distancing, wearing masks, washing our hands and staying at home – remain critically important.
We have all experienced fatigue in dealing with the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, but the progress on vaccinations is finally offering everyone hope. (For more information on the vaccine rollout in our campus communities, see my previous message.) Thank you for your continued strength, patience and flexibility as we continue to make progress together.
Finally, to our College’s Muslim community, I wish a happy, safe celebration to all those marking the Ramadan holiday starting Tuesday, April 13.
RE/ACTION features innovative applied research projects undertaken by studentsin collaboration with industry, institutional and community partners. Each project offers a glimpse into leading-edge technology or research that could profoundly impact our future.
April’s virtual showcase will feature the top five teams selected from over 75, who will present their projects to a panel of industry professionals during a live Zoom meeting. The judges will then have the opportunity to ask the team questions before retiring to a breakout room to decide on first, second, and third place winners. Continue reading RE/ACTION: Virtual Applied Research Showcase on April 9
This afternoon, the Premier announced that Ontario would move into a 28-day province-wide shutdown on the province’s COVID-19 response framework as of Saturday, April 3 at 12:01 a.m.
Our campuses can continue to operate under the new restrictions – similar to the previous Ontario shutdown that ended in early February.
While the vaccine rollout strategy is well underway, our communities are now dealing with a third wave of COVID-19 – as evidenced by rising case rates, rising hospital ICU admissions and the increasing emergence of variants of concern.Continue reading Message from the President – April 01
We are taking this opportunity to remind all members of the College community of the importance of the need to continue practicing all of the COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures.
While the vaccine rollout strategy is well underway, our communities continue to deal with the threat of a third wave of COVID-19 and we are currently seeing rising case rates and the emergence of variants of concern, which bring additional complexities and concerns. The circumstances in Ottawa are grave and it is entirely likely that increased restrictions will be implemented in the coming days. Perth Campus is still operating in the Red Zone of the reopening framework and our Pembroke Campus is operating in the Yellow Zone.Continue reading COVID-19 Safety Protocol Reminder
In a year when its business has been inundated with pandemic-related work, the Yordas Group has been turning to Algonquin College to find students trained to be industry-ready.
Dr. Giselle Vincett, Vice President North America for UK head-quartered Yordas Group, said the last year has been particularly busy thanks to a proliferation of pandemic-related products that clients want to market around the world.
