I am writing today to provide you with updates on the measures we are taking to protect the health and safety of our campus community.

Like all of you, I’m looking forward to a more active and vibrant campus this fall, and to experiencing the enthusiasm and energy of our campus community. As Edmonton’s downtown university, we are proud to be a place where students learn and grow through interactions with our faculty, staff and the surrounding community. All of us contribute to that transformational change and to the vibrancy of our community.

Being on campus and experiencing those connections are core to who we are – and we all have a role to play in keeping our campus community safe and healthy so that those connections remain strong.

I know that this rapidly changing environment has been a cause for anxiety for many of us, but please be assured that we have been preparing for our return to campus for many months. We continue to consult with our community, including our student, faculty and staff associations as we implement our plans for a safe return to campus this fall. Offering hybrid, on-line and in-person classes allows us to pivot quickly depending on changing health regulations. We are prepared to, and will, adapt our plans as needed as we have over the past year. Throughout all our planning, maintaining a safe and healthy campus remains our top priority. Here are some of the measures we have in place for our Fall return:

Vaccination

We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated.  Vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself and our community from COVID-19 and the severe outcomes of the disease. In June, the Chief Medical Officer of Health reported that 96 per cent of Albertans who have tested positive for the virus since January 1 had not had two doses of vaccine. She also stated that 91 per cent of COVID-19 deaths and 95 per cent of hospital and intensive care unit admissions followed the same trend.

Our student-athletes are required to receive two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to compete with other institutions. Students living in Residence will be asked to voluntarily disclose their vaccination status. Whatever the response, it will not be used to determine whether they can live in Residence. The information will be helpful if there are cases in Residence.

To support vaccination efforts, we are partnering with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to host a pop-up vaccination clinic on campus on September 14 and 17. As a downtown university, there are also many options near campus to receive vaccinations. Watch for details on the clinic and vaccination clinic options in the coming weeks.

Masks on campus 

Wear a mask on campus.  Along with vaccination, masks are proven to be very effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. Wearing a mask not only protects you, it protects those around you. Faculty can require students to wear masks in instructional spaces. For staff and faculty, if distancing is not possible, you should wear a mask while you are working. As you move through campus in our shared public spaces, you should wear a mask out of consideration of others. You will already see me and my executive team wearing masks as we move through campus and interact with the university community.

Ventilation

We are proud to say that MacEwan’s ventilation and air quality systems are among the best in the province. MacEwan uses highly effective MERV-13 air filters as a standard on all air handling units. With the onset of COVID last year, the facilities department began installing MERV-14 filtration as filters came up for replacement. MERV-14 filtration is comparable to that used in hospitals; only the HEPA filtration systems that are used in isolation wards and operating rooms are more effective. Testing in our buildings proves that air quality meets and exceeds ASHRAE normal recommendations, as well as their recommendations for high-virus scenarios.

Other safety measures

  • Hand sanitizing stations will remain in place.
  • Increased pandemic cleaning protocols will continue across campus.
  • Plexiglass shields will remain in place in areas where face-to-face interactions take place, including the Office of the University Registrar, the mStore and Food Services.
  • The Return to Campus guide will be updated to reflect government announcements and requirements to prevent the spread of COVID. You are also encouraged to continue to use the AHSCOVID Self-Assessment tool before coming to campus and to stay home if you are sick.

I know that there are diverse perspectives related to the pandemic. It is important that we continue to be kind and understanding and, most importantly, make decisions that protect our health and the health of others.

Know that there is support available if you need it: mental health supports are available to all students, faculty and staff. Resources for employees can be found on the Wellness and Benefits segment of the portal and resources for students can be found on the university website.

I look forward to being on campus and meeting many of you in person for the first time in September. Experiencing the vibrancy of our downtown campus is one of the many things that makes MacEwan special.  Let’s do all we can to keep our campus community safe and healthy.

Dr. Annette Trimbee
President and Vice-Chancellor