As we start a fresh academic year, our University of Alberta campuses are abuzz with excitement and energy. This year, more than 44,000 students will attend classes at the U of A, accompanied by more than 13,000 faculty and staff members. I want to reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for each and every one of our students, faculty and staff.
Maintaining a healthy campus community
In addition to being the start of classes, fall is the unofficial start of cold and flu season. As the school year progresses, there are a number of important steps we can take to help prioritize our personal health and that of our university community.
Stay home when you feel unwell
Sometimes, despite best efforts, members of our community may become unwell, or may need to take time away to care for dependents who are ill. If this happens, and you feel unwell, please continue to follow the university’s recommendation to stay home and take care of yourself. Staying home will allow you time to deal with your illness, and will help prevent its spread to others.
Making accommodations for those who need to stay home
We want to ensure students who feel unwell and are unable to attend class are provided with the proper accommodations for their circumstances.
Instructors, please be aware of the academic accommodations and wellness services available to students, and know what to do when a student is sick from exams or term work. Please note that you cannot require students to visit a doctor or other healthcare provider nor require them to provide a medical note. We ask that you lead with compassion and discretion when deciding whether circumstances justify granting an excused absence.
Boosting your immunity against viruses
One way to boost one’s immunity and help others stay healthy is by getting the influenza vaccination and recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. The U of A's annual, free influenza vaccination clinic will be offered in October – when available, more details will be shared in institutional channels.
Academic accommodations and wellness services for students
- Wellness Supports — social workers help bridge gaps and connect students with resources that provide ongoing mental health support and referrals to other mental health resources.
- Academic Success Centre — for student inquiries regarding academic accommodations for students with permanent documented disabilities and chronic physical and mental health conditions.
- Student Service Centre — provides information and access to services to support students’ academic, financial, mental and physical well-being.
- Office of the Dean of Students — for inquiries about accommodations and wellness.
Maintaining a safe and secure campus for our community
Just as we have a responsibility to look out for the health of our community, we must also work together to build a safe and secure campus environment. The U of A is an institution that values the equality and dignity of all persons, and we remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for learning, living, working and activities on all of our campuses.
As I mentioned over the summer, we continue to work on opportunities for enhancing safety and security measures to protect our community.
A new approach: restorative practices
Led by Carrie Smith, Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we are collaborating and advancing conversations around restorative and transformative practices.
This October, listening circles will be held as a way to engage the broader university community in discussions around a transformative approach to safety, justice and accountability. These circles provide an opportunity for listen, support and amplify grassroots work by equity-denied groups and their allies, and build community and spaces for voices not often heard. We urge you to participate in these circles, and more information will be shared as planning progresses. Please consider contributing and engaging to this work by subscribing to the VPEDI newsletter.
Safety requires a collective effort
Safety is not an individual phenomenon – U of A students, faculty, staff and third-party users of our campuses have a vital role to play in keeping our campuses safe for learning and work. Even small actions can make a big difference.
I urge students, faculty and staff to be aware of and exercise personal safety and security measures on a daily basis, and help inform their peers and colleagues when opportunities exist. More information about campus security is available in the University of Alberta Safety and Security Committee’s 2023 Report to our Community.
Reporting an emergency situation
First and foremost, please remember to call 911 to save a life, report a fire or report a crime. We also ask that you call U of A Protective Services (780-492-5050) after 911 has been called, and for non-emergency safety and security concerns. Please know that UAPS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In case of an emergency, I want to reiterate that the U of A alerting system is regularly tested. The system includes numerous tools and procedures to support our community in the event of an emergency.
In the coming months, an additional 27 per cent investment in U of A Protective Services resources will add capacity to support the physical safety of faculty, students and staff on U of A campuses. As part of this investment and a holistic approach to security and public safety, the Community Assistance Team’s capacity will be doubled. This will enhancem U of A Protective Services’ ability to respond to incidents and concerns by conducting outreach and providing assistance to people facing barriers who may have been disadvantaged by the system.
Verna Yiu
Interim Provost and Vice-President (Academic)