To all Members of the Carleton Community,
We write to provide a summary of measures in place on campus as we prepare to resume our safe and gradual return to campus on Monday, February 7. As always, the health and safety of all members of the Carleton community is our top priority. All protocols previously established for the fall term will remain in place throughout the rest of the winter term. We summarize this information below and provide additional information regarding mask requirements, third dose booster vaccinations and self-isolation guidelines.
As we write this, we are acutely aware of the disruptions created by the protests downtown and around the city. Unfortunately, it is possible that they will still be unfolding when we resume our on-campus activities next Monday. Events of this type and on this scale, in our own city, can be very disturbing or even traumatizing to members of our community. It has been especially troubling to see symbols of hate, and we reiterate that antisemitism, anti-Black racism and indeed any form of discrimination or racism is absolutely unacceptable. We encourage everyone to take care of themselves and each other, and to remember that support is available for students through Health and Counselling Services and Empower Me and for faculty and staff through the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
This message attempts to capture the most useful information about the return to campus in a concise and easily accessible way, but further details are also available on the COVID-19 website.
Vaccine Requirements
Pursuant to public health recommendations, Carleton requires proof of full vaccination (two doses) to attend campus. Individuals are required to submit their attestation of vaccination status (and, if vaccinated, their proof of vaccination) in cuScreen.
Third Dose Booster Vaccine and Clinics
In alignment with recommendations from Ottawa Public Health, we strongly recommend that all members of the Carleton community get their third dose booster of the COVID-19 vaccine when eligible. Although not mandated to access campus at this time, individuals will be able to submit their proof of their third-dose booster in cuScreen as of tomorrow.
Health and Counselling Services will be offering booster vaccination clinics on campus from Monday, February 7 to Friday, February 11, 2022. Advanced registration is required. Additional clinics may be held on campus based on overall demand and more information will be available on the Health and Counselling Services website.
Arriving on Campus
Before arriving on campus, you are required to complete the COVID-19 screening self-assessment in cuScreen. This screening must be completed each day you come to campus. You are also required to wear a mask while indoors, use hand sanitizer upon building entry and check in to your final destination using QR location codes in cuScreen. Signage has been posted for designated entrances and exits, directional flow and physical distancing markers.
About cuScreen
As previously communicated, cuScreen is Carleton’s COVID-19 screening tool. cuScreen is an easy-to-use web-based application that can be used on any device with a web browser, including your phone, tablet or computer, and allows users to:
- complete their daily COVID-19 screening self-assessment prior to arriving on campus,
- check in to designated locations by scanning QR location codes posted in buildings across campus, and
- report symptoms potentially linked to COVID-19.
You can log in to cuScreen using your MyCarletonOne (MC1) credentials. Additional information is available through the FAQs on the website.
cuScreen Ambassadors
cuScreen Ambassadors, identified by their red cuScreen Ambassador t-shirts, will be on campus to encourage everyone to follow public health guidelines and regulations, help with directions, check screening results and answer any questions about COVID-19 procedures you have.
Mask Requirements
Masks are required to be worn on campus including in classrooms and labs, in line with public health requirements and Carleton’s Mask Policy. Members of the Carleton community can continue to wear a three-layer non-medical mask that completely and comfortably covers the nose, mouth and chin without gaps and does not allow air to escape from edges.
A limited supply of KN95 masks are available from Procurement Services in eShop and we are working on acquiring an additional supply. A limit of five KN95 masks are available to each individual and can be reused with proper care. Level 3 Rated Medical Masks are also available from Procurement Services in eShop. Level 3 medical masks are acceptable alternatives, having achieved filtration efficiency comparable to the KN95. We ask that you be responsible in your approach to ordering masks and ensure your unit/department is coordinated in its requests.
Symptom Reporting
All individuals who have been on campus in the 10 days prior to the onset of symptoms potentially linked to COVID-19 or who have received a positive COVID-19 test result must submit a COVID-19 Symptom Reporting Form through cuScreen. A series of protocols have been developed by Environmental Health and Safety and Health and Counselling Services that are in line with public health guidelines to provide step-by-step instruction to managers, directors, supervisors and course instructors when a member of our community discloses symptoms of COVID-19 or receives a positive test result. The Employee COVID-19 Protocol and Student COVID-19 Protocol are available on the COVID-19 website.
Self-Isolation Guidelines
If you are experiencing symptoms potentially linked to COVID-19, please submit a COVID-19 Symptom Reporting Form through cuScreen. To minimize confusion regarding self-isolation guidelines, Environmental Health and Safety or Health and Counselling Services will be in touch following the report to advise on appropriate self-isolation procedures and timelines.
Building Ventilation
The main air handling systems in all buildings have been fitted with high-efficiency (MERV 13) filters. All main air handling systems are providing pre- and post-occupancy flushes of ventilation air at least 2 hours before occupancy and 2 hours after occupancy. The systems are continuously monitored throughout the day by FMP Building Operations staff and FMP has engaged a third-party consultant to verify and recommission ventilation systems. More information is available on the ventilation strategy for the return to campus website.
Capacity Limits and Physical Distancing
Each unit has been given capacity limits as part of its return to campus plan in line with physical distancing requirements and signage has been posted to direct appropriate traffic flow within buildings to assist in this regard. As previously communicated, capacity limits in classrooms have been incrementally increased to provide more in-person learning opportunities for students while ensuring appropriate physical distancing in line with public health guidelines for instructional spaces.
Classroom Guidelines
Guidelines have been developed for in-class teaching and labs and are available on the COVID-19 website. In addition, language has been provided for course instructors to include in course outlines to keep students informed of expectations surrounding safety protocols. This information is available on the Provost’s Intranet site.
Supplies
To facilitate the safe and gradual return to campus, departments can order critical items through eShop. Departments will be able to order supplies directly from vendors or from Procurement Services, as outlined in the Return To Campus Purchasing Guide. You are asked to be responsible in your approach to acquiring items and ensure your unit/department is coordinated in its requests.
Cleaning Protocols
Facilities Management and Planning (FMP) has implemented cleaning protocols for buildings, classrooms, common spaces and study spaces in compliance with public health cleaning guidelines. Custodial staff will clean internal departmental spaces (e.g. departmental, administration, graduate and teaching assistant offices) weekly, and employees are responsible for wiping down their personal workstation (e.g. desk surface, chair, keyboard, computer, etc.) at any frequency they require for their personal safety.
Hand Sanitizer Stations
Hand sanitizer stations have been deployed at building entrances and are monitored regularly to determine the frequency of use. Depending on the traffic volume, additional stations will be deployed as needed. Should a hand sanitizer station require servicing, individuals are encouraged to notify the FMP Service Desk. Additional hand sanitizing mitigation measures are outlined in each unit’s approved return to campus plan. Units looking to acquire full-service hand sanitizer stations in their space may engage with the university’s preferred supplier by completing the Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Service Form in the Return to Campus Purchasing catalogue in eShop.
Water Treatment and Legionella Testing
Carleton has been flushing the water in our buildings as well as testing for the presence of any Legionella bacteria regularly since March 2020. The university has also been following the testing protocols as outlined in the Public Works and Government Services Canada Standard, MD15161 -2013 Control of Legionella in Mechanical Systems. In addition to Legionella testing, Carleton conducts regular testing of our cold-water systems to ensure our drinking water remains healthy and safe. More information is available on the water treatment program and legionella testing website.
Tunnel Access
Access to the tunnels remains restricted to authorized individuals only and those with approval for accessibility purposes. Tunnel access requests should be directed by email to your manager, supervisor, Dean or relevant approver. They will submit your tunnel access approval to covidinfo@carleton.ca.
Dining Services
The Food Court will reopen on Monday, February 7 and will remain open Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additionally, the Starbucks in Residence commons, the Tim Hortons in Richcraft Hall and Bridgehead in the Nicol Building will remain open. For up-to-date information on what is open, please visit the Dining Services website.
Winter Term Events
To assist with maintaining capacity limits and physical distancing, departments and individuals are encouraged to host in-person events only when they cannot be hosted remotely and are critical to the core mission of the university. Capacity for any in-person events is limited and will be restricted in line with provincial requirements. Requests to host events can be made by submitting the Application for Campus Activities and Events form.
Phased Return of Units
Beginning Monday, February 7, 2022, units in Phases 2 and 3 will resume in-person operations on campus similar to Fall 2021. Units in Phase 4 will return to campus as previously planned unless otherwise communicated. Questions regarding your unit’s return can be directed to your manager or supervisor.
For additional information on protocols and mitigation measures in place for the health and safety of the Carleton community, please visit the COVID-19 website for more details. Staff who have further questions relating to their unit should speak to their supervisor/manager.
As always, we are grateful for our community’s flexibility and compassion in this challenging context. Thank you for continuing to work together to facilitate a safe and successful return to campus.
Sincerely,
Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President and Vice-Chancellor
Suzanne Blanchard
COVID-19 Lead
Wednesday, February 2, 2022 in Coronavirus
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