Based on the most recent public health directions from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer and the GNWT, Aurora College will not be implementing the planned COVID-19 Student and Volunteer Vaccination Policy. We will also no longer be implementing the GNWT employee and contractor COVID-19 Vaccination policy, as of March 1 2022.

As a result, requirements for proof of vaccination and for testing of those who are not vaccinated will no longer be required effective March 1, 2022.

Please note, however, that some programs have pre-existing vaccination requirements for practicums and work experiences, such as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Practical Nurse, Personal Support Worker, and Early Learning and Child Care programs. Please contact your Program Head or Senior Instructor if you have questions about vaccination requirements for practicums.

While some processes are being relaxed, mandatory masking will remain in place for the foreseeable future.  All Aurora College students, employees, contractors, volunteers and visitors will still be required to wear masks in all areas of College facilities and worksites. In compliance with Health Canada recommendations, Aurora College now requires the use of 3-layer non-medical masking as a minimum standard.  This includes 3-layer blue disposable or cloth masks or the five-layer N95 or KN95 masks available commercially.  The use of neck warmers or less than three layer masks is now unacceptable at Aurora College facilities. The masking requirement will remain in place until further notice.

The processes and rules we have in place make our facilities very safe. However, as individuals we must remain cautious, conduct our own risk assessments, and continue to engage in healthy practices by masking, following good hand hygiene and respiratory practices, and using physical distancing where appropriate. It is still possible for further COVID-19 cases to occur and taking simple proactive measures like the ones mentioned here will help keep the risks low.

We appreciate the cooperation and efforts of students, employees and volunteers to be compliant with our policies under the public health orders. Going forward Aurora College will continue to be responsive to any changes that may occur in order to maintain the health and safety of the College community and the communities we serve.

If you have concerns regarding your mental or physical health, please speak with your instructor about your situation. You can also connect with Student Services on your campus for additional supports or visit the Student Toolkit for a list of wellness resources in your campus community.

As always, our top priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, employees and communities. We thank you for your resiliency and your commitment to your studies.

Andy Bevan, President

Aurora College is pleased that we will be resuming face-to-face classes in on Monday, February 21, 2022. All classes that are ordinarily face-to-face will return to that format as of February 21, 2022.

 The health, safety and wellbeing of students, employees and communities is our top priority.

 At the present time, masking is mandatory while on campus, and all individuals are required to observe proper physical distancing, hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer. Aurora College has an approved exception plan from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer and we will be following all aspects of that plan. While in Aurora College locations, please follow all directional signs and campus directives for walking through hallways and common areas, and in the case of emergencies.

 Students will not be required to sign in when entering the buildings, but may be required to sign in to individual classes. All visitors will be required to sign in and provide contact information.

 We will continue to update you through your “myAuroraCollege” email and our COVID Updates as information changes.

 If you have any questions, please bring them to your instructor(s). If you are in need of any additional supports during this time, please reach out to your instructors, student services staff, student counsellor, or access the mental health and other supports identified in the Student Toolkit on our website.

Sarah Tilley

Interim Vice President Student Affairs

Based on the current public health information regarding COVID-19, Aurora College is planning to extend online learning for most programs until Friday, February 18 and resume all face-to-face programming at campuses and Community Learning Centres by Monday, February 21.

While online learning will be extended, we will be gradually transitioning students and programs back into face-to-face learning during the two-week period of Monday, February 7 to Friday, February 18. Our goal is to have all face-to-face programming restored as of February 21.

Instructors will be connecting with students about whether courses will be face-to-face or online for the period of February 7 to February 18. If you do not receive instructions to be on campus or at a CLC for your course(s), assume that they will be delivered online during that time. Your instructor will let you know if anything changes with how your course(s) will be delivered.

A number of programs or courses have already received approval to be delivered face-to-face. This includes certain skills labs in Health, Trades and ENRTP.  For new ALBE students joining us for the first time in the winter semester from either a campus or a Community Learning Centre, program orientations will begin to take place on Monday February 7, 2022, through online and some limited in-person activities.

The decision to extend online learning has been a difficult one, as we are aware of people’s concerns and feelings with the current environment. We understand that everyone is tired from the many restrictions and challenges placed upon you and your families due to the pandemic. However, our number one priority continues to be the health and safety of our students, employees, families and communities and we believe this approach is in the best interest of all members of the College community.

Omicron’s high transmission rate has resulted in a higher percentage of students and employees becoming ill or being in isolation at the same time. We are concerned with the impact this could have on student learning and learning outcomes if more instructors are unable to teach or more students unable to attend classes for extended periods of time. We believe that this gradual approach to returning students to our facilities will allow us to return to face-to-face learning while keeping members of the College community safe.

Library Services will continue to provide contactless delivery of materials and services. Students and employees will be unable to physically access the libraries during this time. There have been some exception plans approved to access library resources and those will continue through this extended period.

The restrictions, processes and rules we have in place help make our facilities safer. However, as individuals we must remain cautious, conduct our own risk assessments, and continue to engage in healthy practices such as masking, cleaning personal workspaces, good hand hygiene and respiratory practices, and the use of physical distancing where appropriate.

If you are onsite at a campus or a CLC, please be aware that the entire NWT remains under a mandatory masking mandate for indoor public spaces, which includes all Aurora College facilities. Masks must be worn at all times in all public areas where you may encounter others, including foyer and entrance areas.  In compliance with Health Canada recommendations, Aurora College now requires the use of 3-layer non-medical masking as a minimum standard.  This includes 3-layer blue disposable or cloth masks or the 5-layer N95 or KN95 masks available commercially.  The use of neck warmers or less than three layer masks is now unacceptable at Aurora College facilities.

It is still possible for COVID-19 cases to occur and taking simple proactive measures like the ones mentioned here will help keep the risks low. If you have concerns regarding your mental or physical health during this transition, please speak with your instructor about your situation. 

If you aren’t feeling well, or have any symptoms of COVID, please stay home. Similarly, if you live with an individual who is not feeling well, please stay home. If you’ve had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, we ask that you notify your instructor as soon as possible and follow the recommendations of the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer.

As always we will continue to update all members of the Aurora College when the situation changes or there is new information to share.

Thank you for your continuing patience; let’s stay safe and treat each other with kindness and compassion.

Andy Bevan

Due to the increase in the Omicron variant of COVID-19 cases in the NWT and in an effort to protect the health and safety of the Aurora College community, we will be extending online learning for most programs until February 4, 2022.  In-person classes are now anticipated to resume on Monday, February 7.

There will be a limited number of exemptions for classes that require face-to-face learning, specifically, certain skills labs in Health, ENRTP and Trades programs. These classes will continue under restrictions laid out in our current exemption plans. If these exemptions apply to a course or courses you are taking, your instructor(s) will be in touch to provide further details.

Library Services will continue to provide contactless delivery of materials and services until February 4.  Students and employees will be unable to physically access the libraries during this period.

Internet connectivity issues are ongoing across the NWT. The issues originate with the Territorial network and are being worked on and have resulted in several service interruptions. Please be prepared for further potential interruptions to the MS Team platform and other internet-dependent programs. This is not an Aurora College issue; there is nothing our IST team can do.

The restrictions, processes and rules we have in place make our learning environments very safe. However, as individuals, we must remain cautious, conduct our own risk assessments, and continue to engage in healthy practices such as cleaning personal spaces, good hand hygiene and respiratory practices, and the use of physical distancing where appropriate.

Public health experts have indicated that with the Omicron variant COVID-19 has hit a new level, that potentially everyone has been exposed or will be exposed in the near future and that we should govern our actions accordingly. However, taking simple proactive measures like the ones mentioned here will help keep the risks low. If you have concerns regarding your mental or physical health, please speak with your instructors about your situation.

If you have to access the campus to pick up bookstore or library items please be aware that the entire NWT remains under a mandatory masking mandate for indoor public spaces, which includes all Aurora College facilities. Masks must be worn at all times in all public areas where you may encounter others, including foyer and entrance areas.  In compliance with Health Canada recommendations, Aurora College now requires the use of 3-layer non-medical masking as a minimum standard.  This includes 3-layer blue disposable or cloth masks or the 5 layer N95 or KN95 masks available commercially.  The use of neck warmers or less than three layer masks is now unacceptable at Aurora College facilities. 

If you aren’t feeling well, or have any symptoms of COVID, please stay home. Similarly, if you live with an individual who is not feeling well, please stay home. If you’ve had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, we ask that you notify your instructor as soon as possible and follow the recommendations of the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer.

As always we will continue to update all members of the Aurora College community as soon as we are able when the situation changes or there is new information to share.

Thank you for your continuing patience; let’s stay safe and treat each other with kindness and compassion.

Due to the increase in the Omicron variant of COVID-19 cases in the NWT and in an effort to protect the health and safety of the Aurora College community, we will be pivoting to online learning for most programs for the two-week period of January 10 through January 21, 2022.  In-person classes will resume on Monday, January 24. 

There will be a limited number of exemptions for classes that require face-to-face learning, specifically, certain skills labs in Health, ENRTP and Trades programs. These classes will continue under restrictions laid out in our current exemption plans.   

Also during January 10-21, Library Services will pivot to contactless delivery of materials and services.  Students and employees will be unable to physically access the libraries during this period.  

Internet connectivity issues are ongoing across the NWT. The issues are TSC-based and are being worked on, but have been resulting in several service interruptions. Please be prepared for further potential interruptions to the MS Team platform and other internet-dependent programs. This is not an Aurora College issue; there is nothing our IST team can do.   

The restrictions, processes and rules we have in place make our workplaces very safe. However, as individuals and employees we must remain cautious, conduct our own risk assessments, and continue to engage in healthy practices such as cleaning personal workspaces, good hand hygiene and respiratory practices, and the use of physical distancing where appropriate.  

It is still possible for COVID-19 cases to occur and taking simple proactive measures like the ones mentioned here will help keep the risks low. If you have concerns regarding your mental or physical health during this transition, please speak with your supervisor about your situation. 

Most importantly, we ask that if you aren’t feeling well, please stay home. Similarly, if you live with an individual who is not feeling well, please stay home. Additionally, if you’ve had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, we ask that you notify your manager and follow the recommendations of the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 17, 2021

FORT SMITH, NT – Aurora College is committed to the health and safety of students, employees and residents of the NWT. To meet the commitment to safety, all students and volunteers onsite at any of the College facilities will be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 starting on March 1, 2022. A similar policy was put in place earlier this year for College staff and contractors.

Students and volunteers are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible so that they will have time to have both doses required to meet the policy by the March 1 deadline. A person is considered “fully vaccinated” 14 days after receiving their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis for medical reasons or based on protected grounds under the Human Rights Act.

Students who choose not to be vaccinated, who do not have both doses, or do not provide vaccination will still be able to come to classes at the College but will be required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing and wear specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). COVID-19 testing kits and PPE will be provided to students and volunteers by Aurora College.

Early in the new year the College will engage with students to get feedback on how to make the implementation of the vaccine policy as student-centred as possible. Discussion is expected to focus on how the policy can be made to work in the most effective way possible for students while still achieving the goal of having students fully vaccinated by March 1, 2022.

Quotes:

“Aurora College is committed to ensuring a safe teaching, learning, and working environment for everyone. Considering the new COVID-19 variants in Canada and the world, introducing a student vaccination policy at this time will help keep students, employees and the communities we serve safe and healthy.”

–            Andy Bevan, President, Aurora College

— 30 —

Aurora College delivers academic upgrading, trades and industrial training, certificate, diploma and degree programs to more than 3,000 full and part-time students at three campuses, 21 Community Learning Centres and other community sites in the Northwest Territories. Community-centred post-secondary programs reflect Northern culture and the needs of the Northern labour market. Aurora College’s research division, Aurora Research Institute, conducts, supports, and licenses research in the NWT. Research centres are located in Inuvik, Yellowknife and Fort Smith.

For more information, please contact:

Jayne Murray

Manager, Communications & College Relations Aurora College

Phone: 867-872-7021

Email: jmurray@auroracollege.nt.ca

POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE

17 décembre 2021

La politique de vaccination obligatoire des étudiants entrera en vigueur le 1^er mars 2022

FORT SMITH, TNO – Le Collège Aurora s’engage à assurer la sûreté des étudiants, des employés et des Ténois. Pour respecter cet engagement, à compter du 1^er mars 2022, tous les étudiants et bénévoles qui étudient en personne à l’un des campus du Collège Aurora devront fournir une preuve de vaccination contre la COVID-19. Une politique similaire a été mise en place plus tôt cette année pour le personnel et les entrepreneurs travaillant au Collège.

Les étudiants et les bénévoles sont encouragés à se faire vacciner le plus tôt possible pour qu’ils puissent être doublement vaccinés et respecter la politique avant le 1^er mars 2022. Une personne est considérée comme étant entièrement vaccinée 14 jours après avoir reçu sa deuxième dose d’un vaccin contre la COVID-19.

Les exemptions pour des raisons médicales ou pour des motifs protégés par la Loi sur les droits de la personne seront étudiées au cas par cas.

Les étudiants qui choisissent de ne pas se faire vacciner, qui n’ont pas reçu les deux doses ou qui ne fournissent pas de preuve de vaccination pourront tout de même suivre leurs cours en personne au Collège Aurora, mais devront passer régulièrement un test de dépistage de la COVID-19 et porter de l’équipement de protection individuelle (EPI) particulier. Des trousses de dépistage et de l’équipement de protection individuelle seront fournis par le Collège Aurora aux élèves et aux bénévoles.

Pour faire en sorte que la mise en œuvre de la politique de vaccination soit la plus axée possible sur les besoins des étudiants, le Collège Aurora recueillera leurs observations sur le sujet au début de la prochaine année. Les discussions porteront sur la façon de procéder à la vaccination le plus efficacement possible pour que tous les étudiants soient entièrement vaccinés le 1^er mars 2022.

Citations

« Le Collège Aurora s’engage à assurer un milieu d’apprentissage, d’enseignement et de travail sûr pour tous. Compte tenu des différents variants de la COVID-19 circulant au Canada et dans le monde en ce moment, la mise en place une politique de vaccination nous permettra de garder les étudiants, les employés et les résidents que nous servons en sûreté et en santé. »

– Andy Bevan, président du Collège Aurora

— 30 —

Le Collège Aurora donne des cours de perfectionnement scolaire et des formations aux métiers et dans les domaines techniques par l’intermédiaire de programmes postsecondaires menant à un certificat ou à un diplôme. Il compte plus de 3 000 étudiants inscrits à temps plein et à temps partiel dans trois campus, 21 centres d’apprentissage communautaires et d’autres établissements communautaires des Territoires du Nord-Ouest. Les programmes postsecondaires axés sur la collectivité reflètent la culture du Nord et les besoins du marché du travail dans le Nord. La division de la recherche du Collège Aurora, appelée Institut de recherche Aurora, mène et soutient les recherches et octroie des licences de recherche aux TNO. Les centres de recherche sont situés à Inuvik, à Yellowknife et à Fort Smith.

Pour en savoir plus, communiquez avec :

Jayne Murray

Gestionnaire des communications et des relations du Collège

Collège Aurora

Téléphone : 867 872-7021

Courriel : jmurray@auroracollege.nt.ca

Student and Volunteer Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

 

How does the new policy affect students and volunteers of Aurora College?

Starting on March 1, 2022, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required to enter any building or facility for any reason – including classrooms, labs, libraries. 

Students who choose not to be vaccinated, who do not have both doses, or do not provide proof of vaccination will still be able to come to classes at the College but will be required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing and wear specified Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). COVID-19 testing kits and PPE will be provided to students and volunteers by Aurora College.

Why did Aurora College decide to implement a student and volunteer vaccination policy? Why now?

Aurora College is committed to ensuring a safe teaching, learning and working environment for everyone. Introducing a student COVID-19 vaccination policy will help keep our students, employees and the communities we serve safe and healthy. In light of the new developments in Canada and the world, and the recent implementation of a mandatory vaccination policy for all employees of the GNWT, it makes sense for Aurora College to make this decision now.

We want to ensure you were aware of the new policy before the upcoming holidays to give you additional time to get fully vaccinated before March 1, 2022.

What does “fully vaccinated” mean?

A person is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose of a Health Canada authorized COVID-19 vaccine or an approved combination of Health Canada authorized vaccines.

When will the policy come into effect?

The policy will come into effect on March 1, 2022.

Will students get a chance to voice their opinions or give feedback about this policy or how and when it is being implemented?

We want to hear from students about how to best implement the policy before we finalize the details of how the policy will be rolled out. 

Early in January, we will let students know how and when you can help inform the implementation of the Student and Volunteer Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

The Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) updated several public health orders for the NWT. Communities affected are Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, Dettah, and Behchokǫ̨̀.

Please refer to the Government of the Northwest Territories’ website for the most up-to-date information.  https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/

As a result:

• Aurora College programs and classes based out of Yellowknife North Slave Campus will continue to be delivered online until October 31. Subject to public health orders in place at the time, face-to-face classes will resume on Monday, November 1, 2021.
• The majority of Aurora College employees in Yellowknife will continue to work remotely until October 17. Instructors and staff will continue to be accessible through MS Teams, email or voicemail.
• Face-to-face programs that had been scheduled to begin at the Behchokǫ̨̀ Community Learning Centre in September and October will be continue to be postponed until after the containment order in that community has been lifted.
• Programming at the Ndilǫ Community Learning Centre will be postponed until further notice.

At Yellowknife North Slave Campus, the following measures will remain in place through at least October 17:

• Payments will only be accepted online or over the phone (920-3030) by credit card
• A contactless system has been set up at the YKNS campus to receive textbooks, resources, ID cards, etc. and is by appointment only

We will continue to update you through your “myAuroraCollege” email and our website https://www.auroracollege.nt.ca/covid-19/ as information changes.

As always, our top priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, employees and communities. Please follow all public health directions and guidelines.

Despite the limitations on gatherings in many of our communities, I hope that you are able to take some time for a well-deserved break this Thanksgiving weekend and are able to refresh and recharge. I hope you are able to connect and share the holiday with your family and friends whether it is in person or virtually.

Finally, below is a list of resources available to you and directions to access them.

Sarah Tilley
Interim Vice President, Student Affairs