Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

If you’re going to campus, you’re expected to read this protocol that applies to all persons – at all times – while on Georgian property:

• COVID-19 Reporting Protocol (Last updated Jan. 4, 2022)

Please review important information about what to expect on campus during COVID-19.

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

• Self-screen for COVID-19 before you come to campus
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often
• Stay home or go home if you feel unwell

Active screening has been discontinued and all entrances are open.

You will not be required to complete the screening assessment on the Safe@Georgian app anymore. To support the health, safety and well-being of our Georgian community, everyone is encouraged to self-screen before coming to campus.

If you’re not feeling well for any reason, please stay home and do not come to campus.

Use the provincial self-assessment tool and follow the guidance provided. Students are expected to contact their professor(s)/instructor(s), and employees are expected to contact their manager if they can’t attend campus.

Effective June 25, Georgian has suspended masking in all locations on campus, unless required by lab-specific PPE requirements.

This follows the province’s announcement lifting remaining masking requirements across Ontario. Georgian will continue to monitor the ongoing pandemic and will respond to any emerging guidance from public health and the government.

While masks are no longer required, they are still strongly encouraged as an effective measure against the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.

Anyone who wishes to wear a mask on campus will have their choice respected.

For more information about 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.

As of Jan. 3, 2022, Georgian has suspended its COVID-19 case reporting dashboard. This suspension is aligned with changes to case and contact management announced by the Ministry of Health and Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and consistent with reporting in elementary and secondary schools.

Please check with your local health unit to learn about nearby clinics and appointment options:

• Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
• Public Health Grey Bruce
• Public Health Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

International students

In Canada, if you’re five years of age or older, you’re eligible for a vaccine. In Ontario, you don’t need a valid Ontario health card to book your appointment. To book your vaccination over the phone, call the provincial call centre at 1.833.943.3900. You can also register online for a vaccination appointment.

If you don’t have an Ontario health card and you live in Simcoe County or Muskoka, complete this online form to request a pseudo health card number for use in the vaccine registration form. Access more information on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit COVID-19 vaccination web page.

You are expected to adhere to any vaccination procedure implemented by your placement host or employer. 

Georgian continues to encourage all students and employees to get vaccinated.

First, do a search for which textbooks you’ll need on the Georgian Stores website. Book lists are usually available around the same time that registration opens. You’ll need the course reference number (CRN) and your student number.

Then, we recommend these options to purchase your books:

1. Georgian Stores is open for online orders.
2. Search Amazon’s used book market.
3. Search Facebook groups for used books: Orillia Georgian College Book Exchange, Georgian College Barrie Book Swap, Georgian College Used Textbooks. Students post their used texts or post as wanted.
4. Contact the publisher. Some publishers are making textbooks open access. Use your Georgian student email.
5. The Georgian library has an open educational resource (OER) guide that offers a search engine and suggestions for some subjects. These might not be your textbook but an OER could have the same or similar content.

We’ve outlined some at-home technology requirements to complete your courses online, e.g. internet speed, hard drive specifications, operating system, etc.

The following are minimum technology specifications for all programs. Your program may have unique technology requirements. For program-specific requirements, please see our remote delivery technology specifications and look to see if your program has additional requirements.

Internet connection

• 30 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up or greater is recommended

Computer specifications

Basic:

• Core i3 or Ryzen 3 processor
• 8GB or more of RAM
• 250GB SSD disk
• One full-size USB port
• Wireless 802.11ac
• Windows 10

Better:

• Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor
• 8GB or more of RAM
• 250GB SSD disk
• One full-size USB port
• Wireless 802.11ac
• Windows 10

Best:

• Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 processor
• 16GB of RAM
• 500GB SSD disk
• One full-size USB port
• High-end graphics video card (consider a dedicated video with 2GB of video memory)
• Wireless 802.11ac

Mac:

• A Windows-based computer may serve your general educational purposes better at Georgian College.
• Note: Mac computers are a program-specific, unique requirement in some college programs.

Additional technology specifications to consider

• Built-in ethernet port
• USB C port
• Two-year warranty
• Four hours of battery life
• Nvidia-based dedicated graphics card
• External USB hard drive for local backup

Note, your existing notebook computer may satisfy the above hardware requirements.

You can access WiFi at your nearest Georgian campus, or use the computers at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campus libraries. Computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students are encouraged to secure the necessary technology required to support their academic program requirements. You may be interested in applying for awards, scholarships and bursaries to help cover these technology costs, notably the new Georgian Technology Bursary.

You can use the computers at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campus libraries. Computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students are encouraged to secure the necessary technology required to support their academic program requirements. You may be interested in applying for awards, scholarships and bursaries to help cover these technology costs, notably the new Georgian Technology Bursary.

Georgian is also offering free, short-term loaner laptops, dispensed through automated machines, to students at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses. Tech on the GO laptops are meant for on-campus, emergency use and must be returned within 24 hours. Charging cables are not provided with the laptops.

Each course will be different and your faculty will review the expectations on the first day of class. They may also post details in advance on Blackboard so be sure to check your course shell.

We know it’s a big adjustment! Staff from our Centre for Teaching and Learning have prepared a Student Remote Learning Kit with lots of great resources. Check it out. Don’t forget you can also connect with your student advisor remotely.

Please connect with Accessibility Services. We can often support students regardless of what documentation is provided. We understand during this time that documentation is challenge to gather.

If you’re a prospective, full-time or part-time student, please email or call us to make an appointment to discuss your eligibility for accommodation. Our email address is studentsuccess@georgiancollege.ca and our phone number is 1.877.722.1523.

We can also provide accommodations for writing admissions tests for students who qualify. Please contact us if you feel you need accommodations to write your admission test(s).

Domestic students: If you’d like to defer your May acceptance offer to September 2022, January 2023 or May 2023, you’ll be expected to re-apply through OCAS as September is the start of a new admissions cycle. Unfortunately, we’re not able to guarantee your seat for a future intake. 

International students: Eligible international applicants starting their first semester at the college may request a deferral to the same program to the next available intake. However, approval of the request is based on deferral eligibility and program availability. Please complete the international request for deferral form and email it to intlrecruit@georgiancollege.ca. If this is your first deferral request and the request is approved, your paid deposits will be transferred to your new starting term. Please check academic regulations for eligibility requirements.  

Exceptions to the non-refundable tuition deposit policy will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For further information, email admssions@georgiancollege.ca.  For more questions and answers about deferrals, please visit the Office of the Registrar’s FAQs on MyGCLife.  

Most services are available in person, with some continuing to offer remote service as well. Review the list of student services and how to access each service by campus. We’ll continue to update this resource throughout the semester.

If you’re scheduled for a work term, you’re required to conduct an active job search. Many employers have returned or are returning to full operations. There are many jobs posted for you in GeorgianConnects.

Need help? You can find contact information for your co-op consultant and FAQs about co-op on the Career | Co-op | Field Placement Resources pages on MyGCLife.

Yes, in most cases your clinical placement will run as scheduled.

At this time, Georgian has been successful in optimizing student success with the completion of clinical and student-led clinic placement requirements through actual in-person clinical as well as other approved strategies (e.g. virtual simulation and case studies).

If our community partners must reduce their capacity to take on clinical students, or if we must close student-led clinics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgian will continue to investigate alternative placement models and work with accrediting and regulatory bodies to support student success. We will work diligently to provide students with the opportunity to graduate from their programs according to the traditional academic schedule. Extreme circumstances may impact the program duration.

Excitement is building as Georgian looks ahead to the fall and is planning a return for students and a semester unlike any other. Georgian will return to the in-class learning and on-campus services and activities that students want – with the added benefit of flexible options we’ve implemented over the past two years using innovative technology.

Students and applicants can now use our online searchable chart to look up programs and get an overview of the delivery method(s) that will be used for their program in fall semester. These delivery methods include in person, online, hybrid, and GC Flex. Each delivery method is defined on the fall 2022 webpage.

Yes, we’re still open for applications! Domestic applicants can apply via the OCAS website.

We encourage you to connect with our student recruitment team first to discuss your options. Book a phone appointment with a recruiter. You can also book a tour of our Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses.

Georgian Stores continues to offer online ordering and shipping.

• Bear Essentials at the Barrie Campus is open for in-person shopping Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Bear Essentials at the Owen Sound Campus is open for in-person shopping Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Depot in Barrie may be open for online order pickups/returns by appointment only. 

Fitness centres at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses are open. Please visit the GeorgianGrizzlies.ca website for more information.

Please visit the Registrar’s Office FAQ page on MyGCLife for all frequently asked questions about ONEcard, or visit the ONEcard web page.

Yes. As of April 25, all full-time Barrie Campus students who are registered for courses this term can use their plastic ONEcard for unlimited access to the City of Barrie transit system, including accessible transit.

Access UPass FAQs and learn more about commuting options on the transit web page.

Given the full breadth of services and experiences now available to students on and off campus, you will be charged full fees, including ancillary fees, for the summer semester.

Where ancillary fees may be altered due to adjusted learning delivery, you will receive an email to your Georgian inbox, directly notifying you of the process.