What to expect on campus during fall semester

This fall, we’ll welcome about 30 per cent of Georgian students on campus for hands-on learning, while the remainder of our programming will be delivered remotely.

We’re following public health guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you’re scheduled to be on campus this semester, please familiarize yourself with the information on the page.

Only a limited group of people are allowed on campus this fall semester, including:

• students with scheduled in-person lab work/practical learning requirements
• faculty and program technologists with scheduled in-person courses
• students with a pre-booked reservation to use a library computer at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses 

If you meet any of these conditions, you must not come to campus:

• You travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days. You must self-isolate for 14 days from your date of entry into Canada, prior to coming on campus.
• If you feel ill or show symptoms of illness.
• If you believe you may have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19, you must not attend the college without first seeking the direction of your local health unit.

What to do if you don’t pass the screening assessment requirements

• Students are expected to contact their professor(s)/instructor(s).
• Employees are expected to contact their manager.

Complete the online training module

Before you arrive on campus for the first time, you’ll be required to complete online training*.

Students: Please log in to Blackboard. Within 48 hours of registering for your fall courses, your module will appear in your list of courses. It’s called Fall 2020 on-campus experience. The module only takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Employees: You’ll receive an email invitation to complete the training in Halogen.

* only mandatory for those individuals who will be on campus.

Download the Safe@Georgian app

Every time you come on campus, you’ll be required to complete our COVID-19 screening assessment. You can easily access the screening tool on the Safe@Georgian app on your mobile device.

If you don’t have a mobile device, the screening station attendant will ask you the questions verbally. However, you’ll be placed in a slower entry lane so give yourself enough time.

Watch this video

Chris Varney, Georgian’s Manager of Safety and Emergency Planning, will walk you through what to expect on campus during fall semester start up.

All campus visitors are expected to read these two protocols that apply to all persons – at all times – while on Georgian property:

1. Georgian’s Protocol for the Prevention of COVID-19 transmission
2. COVID-19 Reporting Protocol

In addition, this infographic shows the safety measures you’ll be expected to follow to help ensure the risk of transmitting COVID-19 is minimized to the greatest extent possible.

Failure to follow these protocols may result in discipline in accordance with the student code of conduct and employee code of conduct.

For more information on Georgian’s enhanced cleaning practices and procedures implemented for the health and safety of our community, read our Protocol for Cleaning and Disinfecting during COVID-19.

All questions regarding these protocols shall be directed to Campus Safety Services at ohs@georgiancollege.ca or 705.728.1968, ext. 6111.

Every person visiting a Georgian campus is required to to wear a non-medical mask or face covering when inside any college building.

The only exceptions to wearing face coverings will be for medical exemptions. Applications for accommodation must be made through the existing accommodation processes and must be made prior to attending campus.

You can wear your own face covering as long as it meets the Government of Ontario’s specifications for face coverings and face masks. Please note that masks with valves are not acceptable.

If you don’t have one, you will be provided one at the screening station. Face shields are also available from the college however, these must be worn in addition to face coverings and not as an alternative to face coverings.

If you’re in a program or job that requires additional medical grade or other personal protective equipment (e.g. health and wellness or welding programs), your faculty or manager will review the requirements with you.

If you’re staying in residence, please follow the residence operator’s instructions. 

Check out this video from Health Canada about how to wear a non-medical face mask or covering properly.

Effective Oct. 19, Georgian will update a new dashboard on the website every Monday with the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases reported to the college. The numbers will represent Georgian students, employees and others who were present on our campuses, either inside or outside, including on-campus residences.

You’ll no longer receive an email from collegeannouncements@ with every on-campus case reported. The dashboard will be available for you to check at any time and the government’s COVID alert app is another way you can track potential exposure. Students should also continue to check their Blackboard accounts regularly for any updates specific to their classes.

Georgian will continue to work with local public health units and assist them with contact tracing for any positive cases, as requested.

Open

• Your lab or office
• Limited food services at Barrie, Owen Sound and Midland campuses (see below)
• Microwaves will be accessible and cleaning supplies will be available (see break room section for locations)
• Break rooms (see below)
• Libraries for computer use only, at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses. Time slots are a maximum of two hours, and printers are not available. You can make an online reservation on the library website.
• Lockers at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses (updated as of Oct. 9).
• On-campus residence in Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound 

Closed

All other facilities not mentioned in the open column. This includes:

• All food services (to purchase food and beverage) not specifically mentioned below 
• Libraries (except for computer use)
• Study rooms
• Lounge areas
• Change rooms
• Printers
• Athletic facilities

Barrie

• Bun on the Run
• Georgian Dining Room
• The Last Class/The First Class – for takeout and delivery only. Use the app to place your order.

Midland

Chartwells cafeteria (hours to be announced)

Owen Sound

Takeout prepared by the Culinary program (hours to be announced)

All other locations

No on-campus food or beverage services, other than vending machines.

Barrie

• A115
• C226 (cafeteria)*
• D123
• F120A/B
• M126
• M132
• M134

Downtown Barrie (5 Ross St.)

R120

Midland

M112*

Muskoka

• M110
• M122A
• Lounge

Orangeville

A108*

Orillia

A103 (cafeteria)*

Owen Sound

D104 (cafeteria)*

South Georgian Bay

A121*

On-campus parking is free at all Georgian locations until the end of the fall 2020 semester.

At the Barrie Campus only, you must register for a free parking permit. This applies to all Barrie students, employees and visitors. This is to ensure only Georgian community members are using the lots and it provides an easy way to contact individuals should the need arise.

Registration is open now. Please review the instructions on our parking web page.

For employees who signed up for parking payroll deduction prior to March 2020, your free permit will be automatically activated.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have experienced increased levels of stress, worry, fear and changes in mood. As some of us begin to transition back to on-campus activities, we know people will continue to experience a range of emotions.

We’re here to help you maintain positive mental health and well-being. You can always access our mental health resources on the MyGCLife and employee portal, and you’re invited to register for one of these workshops.

Self-care workshop

It’s extremely important to practise self-care as it can help you manage stress, prevent burnout and maintain positive mental health. Remember, self-care is not selfish!

Mental health 101 workshop

Build mental health awareness that will help you recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and how to access resources and support for yourself and others.