In the Community

What Will Be Open on Campus This Fall?

If you're coming to our campuses this Fall, here’s what you need to know about the buildings that are open and how you can access them.

  • June 24, 2021

Fall 2021 will see a significant return of activity to our campuses, and plans are well underway to ensure that the whole of our community will be able to participate in the Fall semester as fully and safely as possible. University buildings will be open during scheduled/normal operational periods, and all faculty, staff and students will continue to have ONEcard access to university buildings as assigned for after-hours building access.

We are looking forward to welcoming our community safely back to our campuses. Campus safety protocols will remain subject to change depending on public health needs and government regulations.

If you're coming to our campuses this Fall, here’s what you need to know about the buildings that are open and how you can access them.

>> What’s open on campus right now / this summer >>

Building Access

On North Campus, university buildings, including common spaces and gathering areas, will be open to all faculty, staff and students. Information about building hours will be updated prior to Fall term. The Students' Union Building (SUB), Van Vliet Complex (VVC), and Saville Community Sports will remain open to the public. Faculty, staff and students will continue to have ONEcard access to university buildings as assigned by departmental facility access control administrators (FACAs) for after-hours building access. 

ONEcard Distribution

There will be no on-site photos taken during Fall ‘21 ONEcard distribution. Those applying for a ONEcard MUST submit a photo in advance. Details are available here. Information regarding how to obtain a ONEcard can be found here. Students enrolled at the Augustana Campus can find ONEcard information here

Teaching and Learning Spaces

Central computer labs will be open for courses and students. Details on computer lab availability can be found here.

Touchdown spaces will be made available for those students on campus taking courses remotely. Details on these locations will be provided in August. 

Food and Retail Services

All food and retail services on campus will be open. Locations and hours are available here. 

The North Campus bookstore (located in SUB) is open for in-store shopping. Users can also download digital course materials and order course materials for free in-store pick-up or delivery. More information can be found here.

The University Health Centre and Pharmacy are open. Find UHC hours and vaccine information here. Pharmacy information, including information about COVID-19 vaccination bookings, can be found here.

Augustana Campus: Quick View

Campus and Community Recreation

Campus and Community Recreation will provide a range of services at near-normal levels. This will include group exercise, personal training, various healthy living activities, physical assessments, recreational sports, elite sport training, and dance.

All 37 indoor and outdoor recreation facilities will be open, including Clare Drake Arena, Universiade Pavilion (Butterdome), campus gymnasiums, Hanson Fitness and Lifestyle Centre, Saville Community Sports Centre Gymnasiums, Tennis Centre and Curling Centre, Foote Field Dome, and various outdoor sporting fields.

In addition to in-person recreational experiences, Campus and Community Recreation will continue to offer virtual options including fitness, dance, meditation and eSports.

Library

The Library will reopen onsite service points in August; dates to be announced soon. Until then, all resources, services and building information is available here. Once library locations open, print collections will be directly accessible again and the HathiTrust ETAS access and the curbside service will cease. 

Museums

U of A Museums hours for this fall will be confirmed by August 13, 2021. Please check uab.ca/museums for updates as they become available.

Student Services

Faculties and numerous central units across the university provide services to students. Beginning in mid-August, these services will resume on our campuses. In addition, some remote delivery of student services will continue.

Specific details related to what services are offered in each unit and specific hours of operation are under development and will be available in August. The most up-to-date Information will be available on the Campus Life website and from the Student Service Centre at uab.ca/ask.

Events 

Campus events that are outside of classes or faculty/staff meetings will be limited through early Fall as the community adjusts to the reopening of the university’s campuses and vaccination rates increase. As government public health measures are lifted, events may occur. Organizers must be prepared to adapt if measures change. By the end of December 2021, we expect that events will take place at pre-pandemic levels. 

The university’s catering partners will continue to provide individual “meals in a box” for events to enhance diner safety and confidence. See Classic Fare Catering and SU Catering offerings for more information.

Campus Saint-Jean: Quick View

  • The Daridon Pavilion at Campus Saint-Jean will only be accessible to staff and to students of the Language School (École de langues). 
  • UniverCafé may not be operating during the fall term unless demand supports it— check here for updates. 
  • Faculty, staff and students requiring after-hours access to the buildings must email saintjean@ualberta.ca or call the reception at 780-465-8780 during office hours.