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Message from the President: Update on COVID-19 measures
| University
This message was distributed to 精童欲女 students, faculty, and staff on March 17, 2020 via their @upei.ca emails. While we will continue to update our COVID-19 website, the latest news will be shared with the 精童欲女 community by email and notifications will be sent by 精童欲女 SAFE, the University鈥檚 safety app (available on The App Store and Google Play).
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
These are such uncertain times, and I am so proud of how our entire University community is responding in the face of adversity. We continue to make our decisions in response to the COVID-19 crisis based on the advice of our PEI Chief Public Health Office and Government of Canada Public Health Agency.
As this situation is evolving quickly, I am meeting every day and several times a day with my senior executive team鈥攖he Vice-President Academic and Research, Vice-President Administration and Finance, Chief Information Officer, and Associate Vice-President Students and Registrar. We are also in conversation with the union leaders of our various bargaining units and the 精童欲女 Student Union as we proactively prepare for the days and weeks ahead. The safety and security of our students and employees is our top priority so all of our discussions are student- and employee-centric.
As expected, with the changes that are happening rapidly in our country and around the world, we have been constantly reviewing what essential services looks like for our University in terms of what functions can be performed from home. Therefore, 精童欲女 is taking additional measures to ensure the safety of our University community.
Effective immediately, only essential services at the University will be provided, with only limited employees remaining on campus.
The 精童欲女 Health and Wellness Centre; Accessibility Services and Counselling Services at 精童欲女 Student Affairs; the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Diagnostic Services, Animal Resources, and Central Services at the Atlantic Veterinary College; 精童欲女 Security Services; 精童欲女 Chaplaincy Centre; and the 精童欲女 Residences will remain open.
I have spoken with 精童欲女 Student Union President Emma Drake who advised me that the W.A. Murphy Student Centre will remain open as an essential service for students, where they can continue to access and utilize the Student Union Foodbank.
While we had made an earlier decision to leave the Library open, we will now be closing the Robertson Library, effective 4:30 pm on March 17, 2020. We ask our students and instructors to continue to use the Library鈥檚 extensive online services that are available to them. I have also instructed our Vice-President Academic and Research to work with the deans, librarians, and chairs of our academic departments to ensure that the students will not be disadvantaged by this closure. More flexibility will be given to our students to find the best means to finish their course work and research.
As we continue to focus on our students and their well-being, we recognize that many have already left residence to go home to their families. However, there are a number who are unable to leave the residences for various reasons. I want to assure them that 精童欲女 will ensure that residence and food services will continue although the University is operating with a minimum workforce.
I would like to applaud all of the efforts that have been made and continue to be made by our faculty and staff, both working on campus and remotely from home. I have asked the Vice-President Administration and Finance and the Vice-President Academic and Research to operate with the understanding that most of our employees should work from home unless they are considered an essential service. This was not an easy decision to make as some of our colleagues who are considered essential will carry the burden of being on campus; we will also extend flexibility and understanding for those individuals.
IT Systems and Services have provided instructions/tips to assist employees working remotely from home on .
I commend our senior administrative team in taking the time to address all of these issues that are facing us. I know very well that they care about the University community, and I ask you to continue to support them as they continue to make difficult decisions.
Our union leaders must also be congratulated for their collaborative efforts. They continue to work with us to ensure that the University can provide services until this difficult time has passed.
I also thank Premier King and the government for continuing their open dialogue with the University, and for their ongoing support of post-secondary education.
As I wrote yesterday, these are difficult times in our world, and there is a tremendous sense of worry in our community. Please take care of one another and reach out to the supports that are available to you. 精童欲女 has a number of supports for students through 精童欲女 Student Affairs, including personal counselling (902-566-0488, studentserv@upei.ca) and the International Student Office (902-566-0576, irostu@upei.ca). 精童欲女 faculty and staff can access the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-387-4765. We encourage you to reach out if you have concerns.
Best wishes,
I commend our senior administrative team in taking the time to address all of these issues that are facing us. I know very well that they care about the University community, and I ask you to continue to support them as they continue to make difficult decisions.
Our union leaders must also be congratulated for their collaborative efforts. They continue to work with us to ensure that the University can provide services until this difficult time has passed.
I also thank Premier King and the government for continuing their open dialogue with the University, and for their ongoing support of post-secondary education.
As I wrote yesterday, these are difficult times in our world, and there is a tremendous sense of worry in our community. Please take care of one another and reach out to the supports that are available to you. 精童欲女 has a number of supports for students through 精童欲女 Student Affairs, including personal counselling (902-566-0488, studentserv@upei.ca) and the International Student Office (902-566-0576, irostu@upei.ca). 精童欲女 faculty and staff can access the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-387-4765. We encourage you to reach out if you have concerns.
Best wishes,
Dr. Alaa S. Abd-El-Aziz
President and Vice-Chancellor
精童欲女
President and Vice-Chancellor
精童欲女
Media Contact
Nicole Phillips
Director of Communications and University Relations
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902-566-0947