As we move forward with our COVID-19 relaunch process ahead of the Fall 2020 term, we continue to prioritize the safety of our staff and students with modified or limited activity on campus, which will ensure physical distancing and enhanced cleanliness while also providing resources to students. As part of our relaunch process, to support our programs and our students this fall, employees will also start to return to campus.

Having some of our university community working on campus will help us prepare a welcoming environment for our students who are here for face-to-face classes, labs and other activities. By the end of July, we expect that the common areas on campus will be accessible and that limited services will be available for those who will be on site — you will be able to safely walk from one end of campus to the other, get a coffee and say hello to people you have not seen in person for over three months.

Returning to campus

To guide the relaunch of our operations and return-to-work procedures, the MacEwan Relaunch Strategy Team has developed guidelines to ensure safe work and learning spaces. There are a number of processes that must be completed in order to meet the requirements of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the opening of our campus and the safety of our staff.

Last week, managers were provided guidelines and tools to determine if their teams need to return to campus to support our operations, and if so, how to do so safely. Guidelines include determining physical distances, reconfiguring workspaces and learning spaces, creating safe work stations and ordering PPE and cleaning supplies. As managers work through the guidelines, you or your colleagues may be asked to return to campus. This is a unique situation and determining what a return to campus looks like will be based on several factors. That may mean that you work full-time on campus, or work in a combination of remote and on-campus work.

Mandatory re-entry orientation and employee expectations

Employees that do return to campus in any capacity will be required to complete the mandatory re-entry orientation. Employees are also asked to observe several health measures including self-screening for symptoms every day using the Alberta Health Daily Checklist. Employees should also practice enhanced hygiene and good respiratory etiquette, follow signage and safety measures, and be aware of the reporting process if they experience COVID-19 symptoms or are self-isolating.

If you are returning to campus, you are also encouraged to download and use the Alberta contact tracing app, ABTraceTogether, and download and use the Safe@MacEwan app for quick access to MacEwan COVID-19 information.

More information

To support you during our relaunch process, re-entry guidelines and more detailed information can be found on myPortal. This information will be kept up to date and will be the main point of information for employees. If you have specific or additional questions about our relaunch or returning to campus, please reach out to your manager or supervisor.

Next steps

As we finalize our relaunch plans over the summer and into fall, we will continue to apply the guidelines and orders issued by the CMO. I want to emphasize that employees who will return to campus will only do so if it is necessary and safe. We are committed to our employees’ well-being and safety and we remain prepared to respond to any change in Alberta’s current health measures.

As we begin to expand our relaunch process, I want to thank you for your efforts in supporting our continued operations and keeping each other safe. If you have any questions about this process, please connect with your supervisor.

Regards,

John McGrath
Acting President