What to expect on campus during COVID-19

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

• students with scheduled in-person lab work/practical learning requirements (view program delivery information for winter 2021)
• faculty and program technologists with scheduled in-person courses, and other essential staff
• 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

The module will be available the week of Jan. 4. Please log in to Blackboard. Your module will appear in your list of courses. It’s called Winter 2021 on-campus experience. The module only takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Employees

Please log in to Halogen via the employee portal and complete the Return to Campus Training (COVID-19) module.

* 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.

Download the Safe@Georgian app on your device using the links below.

Watch this video

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

Note: This video was updated on Jan. 27, 2021 to explain revisions to our safety protocol.

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.

Questions?

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

---

Please note, safety protocols are subject to change based on public health and government guidelines. Information about summer and fall semester will be shared closer to the start of each term.

Effective Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, cloth masks will no longer be an acceptable face covering on Georgian College campuses; instead, Level 1 medical procedure masks will be distributed at entrances and worn while on campus. 

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

When you arrive on campus, please enter the screening station wearing your own face covering. Once you show your green check mark to the station attendant indicating you’ve passed the screening assessment, you’ll receive your Level 1 mask and face shield.

In labs, classrooms and work sites where it’s difficult to consistently maintain a distance of 2 metres, you’ll be required to wear eye protection in addition to a face mask. Face shields will be provided for this purpose and distributed at entrances. Furthermore, in settings where face shields cannot be worn for safety reasons, for example where a heat source is used, another suitable form of eye protection will be determined and outlined in your lab-specific protocol.

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

Georgian updates a 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 Campus only; The Last Class/The First Class is open for takeout and delivery only
• Vending machines available at all campuses
• Microwaves will be accessible in some break rooms
• Break rooms (see below)
• Libraries for computer use only, at the Barrie and Orillia (beginning Jan. 18) and Owen Sound (beginning Jan. 11) 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 
• 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 in the open column 
• libraries (except for computer use)
• study rooms
• lounge areas
• change rooms
• printers
• athletic facilities

Remote

Staff from student services are here to help you with all the usual supports and resources.

We’re just offering these services remotely while only limited on-campus activity takes place.

Find out how to contact each service area.

1. Do not move furniture
2. Maintain physical distancing of 2 metres (6 ft.)

3. Wear a face covering unless seated.
4. When finished, clean the table and dispose of all garbage.

Barrie

• A115
• C226 (cafeteria)*
• D123
• F120A/B
• M118
• 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

• A128 (student lounge)*

On-campus parking is free at all Georgian locations until the end of the winter 2021 semester.

You must register for a free parking permit at the following campuses: Barrie, Midland, Orillia, Owen Sound and South Georgian Bay. This applies to all 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. 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.

Please see the maps for designated entrances in Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound.

For all other Georgian locations, please use the main entrance.

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 student portal 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.