This page is an archive of Lakehead-Georgian’s updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
For current information and recent updates, please visit our main coronavirus page.
Updates from Lakehead-Georgian
See below previous updates from Lakehead-Georgian regarding the COVID-19 situation.
To Lakehead-Georgian students, faculty and staff,
As you may be aware, yesterday afternoon Lakehead University announced a delay to the start of the Winter 2021 semester. Because the Lakehead-Georgian Partnership follows Lakehead University’s academic schedule, this delay will also apply to all LUGC programs.
The first day of classes for the Winter 2021 semester will now resume on Monday, Jan. 11. This will extend the term’s last day of classes to Tuesday, April 13.
The full announcement is included below.
Should you have any questions, please contact your instructors/program chairs or supervisors for more details.
Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season!
—
Message from Lakehead University
Following a recommendation made by the Senate Academic Committee, Lakehead University’s Senate has decided to delay the first day of classes of the Winter 2021 term to Monday, January 11, 2021 and subsequently extend the term’s last day of classes to Tuesday, April 13, 2021 for all programs with two exceptions.
In order to fulfill their respective program’s requirements, the academic schedules for all Faculty of Law students and the Faculty of Education’s Professional Program years will remain unchanged with classes and placements resuming on January 4, 2021. All Faculty of Education’s Concurrent Education students will begin their term on January 11.
At a Dean’s discretion, a faculty’s academic activities other than regularly scheduled academic classes—such as placements, practica, and field activities—may still resume on January 4, 2021 as previously planned. In such cases, faculties will communicate directly with their students and instructors.
Students and faculty are encouraged to refer to the revised academic calendar or to contact their instructors or supervisors for more details.
Please note that all other University operations will resume on January 4 as previously planned.
Thank you to everyone who have been working hard to gather the information necessary to consider and implement this decision.
Have a safe holiday season!
Please take care and remember to continue to adhere to all public health guidelines.
Dear students, faculty and staff,
The start of an academic year is always an exciting time. This year is no different even as we adapt to new approaches to teaching and learning.
Even though the fall term has just begun, we wanted to provide you with an update as we look ahead to the winter 2021 term. The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our priority as is our commitment to providing you with a high-quality learning experience.
After discussions and consultation with public health authorities, government, and other postsecondary institutions, the Lakehead-Georgian Partnership has decided to continue with a primarily online and alternative delivery model for the winter 2021 term. The term will begin as scheduled on Jan. 4, 2021.
Over the coming weeks we will be working with our program faculties to determine specific course requirements, with a particular focus on ensuring students are able to graduate in a timely way. It is our intent to confirm these details as soon as program plans are determined. Please watch your Lakehead-Georgian email for further updates.
If you are experiencing challenges of any kind, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support at lgpartnership@georgiancollege.ca.
We encourage you to connect with your fellow classmates, get involved in virtual events, programs and groups. In these times it is important that we continue to stay connected.
Stay safe and be well,
Dr. David Barnett
Provost & Vice-President (Academic)
Lakehead University
Kevin Weaver
Vice-President, Academic
Georgian College
Are you required to be on the Orillia or Barrie campuses for a course or lab this semester? If so, Lakehead University and Georgian College have instituted mandatory training modules focused on an overview of COVID-19, measures in place on campus, what to do if you have symptoms/exposure to COVID-19, and more.
Dear new and returning students,
It is incredible to look back and realize that a little more than 12 weeks ago we left our on-campus lives behind, quickly moving to remote delivery of our academic programs and campus services. We realize that this has been an incredible adjustment for everyone and want to express our sincere thanks for your patience and perseverance.
We know that there have been questions surrounding delivery of the fall term. We are pleased to announce that this information is now available online.
We have developed a searchable table on our website where you will find information about each of your required courses. In the table you can search by course, year, and program. The “course” column indicates your required course and the “delivery” column indicates whether that course will be delivered remotely or include an in-person component.
As indicated in our previous communication, we plan to move forward with remote delivery wherever possible and, only when necessary, in-person, on-campus activity will be permitted.
The health and safety of our students and faculty remain a top priority, and we are making the best decisions we can with the information and guidance available from public health authorities and the government.
If you have any questions about course registration or academic advising, please contact Student Central at osa@lakeheadu.ca or your program chair.
Even though this semester may be different than what you expected or hoped for, know that you will still receive the quality education, support and services you need to be successful.
We encourage you to check LakeheadGeorgian.ca/coronavirus for important updates.
If you have any questions that you need answered immediately, please contact LGpartnership@georgiancollege.ca. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding.
Dear students,
We wanted to provide you with an update as we look ahead to the start of the 2020-2021 academic year in September. The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our priority as is our commitment to providing you with a high-quality learning experience. Although we still face considerable uncertainty, we know that many of you have questions.
Fall semester
Looking towards the fall, we plan to deliver our best-case scenario and to move forward with primarily online delivery of courses for the fall semester. Where possible, in-person experiences such as labs and experiential learning opportunities will be provided but may be modified to ensure a safe learning experience.
It is our intent to confirm these details as program plans are determined to assist you in making informed decisions and course selections.
Restarting campus activity
Guided by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the province has started to gradually ease certain restrictions in order to re-start the economy. In parallel, we’ve struck a steering committee and working group to establish the parameters for a return to on-campus activities. This will involve a phased approach and comprehensive safety measures to ensure a safe return, and all decisions will be informed by, and made in full compliance with, public health authorities and the Government of Ontario.
Support for students
We know that this is a challenging time and students in particular are facing many new pressures. We would like to remind you of the student services and supports that continue to be available to you remotely.
The COVID-19 Student Relief Fund is available to assist current students who are facing hardships and financial need during the pandemic. Students who are interested in applying for the Fund can find the application on Lakehead University’s website.
In addition to our own supports, the Government of Canada recently announced a $9 billion economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic that includes the Canada Emergency Student Benefit to be delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Looking ahead, we must remain flexible and agile in our approach to returning to campus and we must be prepared to adapt to new information as it becomes available. We will continue to communicate with you as our plans develop.
Should you have any questions please reach out to LGPartnership@GeorgianCollege.ca.
Stay safe and be well,
Dr. David Barnett
Provost & Vice-President (Academic)
Lakehead University
Kevin Weaver
Vice-President, Academic
Georgian College
On March 19, Lakehead University transitioned to a required on-site services model that was to last until April 30, and on March 25 we announced that “until further notice, only those employees who need to be on site to sustain current operations will be able to continue to work on our campuses. All other employees, including faculty, should work remotely.”
As we continue to follow the latest information, advisories and recommendations from health and government authorities, and in light of the Province of Ontario’s recent announcement to extend its state of emergency until May 12, Lakehead University will remain in a required on-site services model until further notice.
As outlined in previous updates, until further notice:
Consistent with our update on March 25, and until further notice, only those employees who need to be on site to sustain current operations will be able to continue to work on our campuses. All other employees, including faculty, should work remotely.
All buildings on our Thunder Bay campus, except for the University Centre and ATAC, have been secured with access restricted to persons with cards, keys, or with assistance from Lakehead Security Services; and
At our Orillia campus, Heritage Place is secured; the Orillia Cafeteria is open for food service take-out only; Orillia Residence is only accessible with an access card; and Simcoe Hall is open, however limited to the first floor.
It is our responsibility to do as much as we can to minimize the risk of the spread of COVID-19. This means continuing to keep any necessary visits to our campus to a minimum unless otherwise authorized to do so.
Please refrain from gathering in groups, and exercise proper physical distancing and good hygiene practices as per health unit recommendations.
We wish all our students success in these final days of our examination period.
Thank you students, faculty, and staff for your commitment and willingness to do what is necessary for the health and safety of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognition of this, please be advised that effective May 1, 2020, the parking lot at the Orillia campus will be free (including metered parking spots) until further notice.
Temporary Suspension of Payments and Credits
For those of you who have parking fees deducted by payroll deduction, these deductions will automatically cease on May 1, 2020 and remain suspended until the free parking period has ended.
For those of you who purchased an annual parking permit, you will be credited a pro-rated amount from May 1 through to the end of the parking free period. This credit will be automatically processed after the parking-free period has ended and applied to your next annual parking permit purchase.
For more information, please contact Security Services.
We recognize the extraordinary challenges you, our students, are facing during these unprecedented times and the impact it has had on your learning and overall well-being.
In recognition of this, the Senate of Lakehead University has approved a Temporary Grading Scheme under Exceptional Academic Measures for Year-Long 2019/20 and Winter 2020 Courses. This grading scheme will provide you with flexibility to account for your unique academic and personal challenges faced as well as aid in mitigating additional stressors as you work towards completing this academic year.
For more information on the Grading Scheme and how it will work, please visit https://www.lakeheadu.ca/studentcentral/exams-grades/temporary-grading-scheme.
It is highly recommended that you reach out to Student Central (studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca) and your faculty advisor or program chair to learn more and discuss your individual circumstances and future goals.
Update: March 16, 2020, 7:45 p.m.
Dear students and colleagues:
Today our Prime Minister and Premier each made announcements regarding efforts to slow and prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus. With the health and safety of our students and employees foremost in my mind, all Georgian campuses will reduce operations to essential services effective tomorrow, Tuesday March 17. This means that for the remainder of this week, the campus is closed to students. Employees should only come to campus if you are asked to do so by your manager.
Critical student supports such as counselling services, registrar’s office, student advisors etc. will continue with remote access. More details to come shortly on georgiancollege.ca and the student portal.
Here’s what else you need to know.
Students:
- As stated in previous messages, all Lakehead-Georgian joint degree courses will move to remote delivery on March 18. All labs and clinics are suspended until further notice. All day and evening apprenticeship classes are postponed effective Monday, March 16.
- Students will have limited access to computers and quiet study rooms in campus libraries by appointment only beginning March 23. Information regarding appointment booking will be provided later this week and posted on the student portal.
- For domestic students living in residence, you are encouraged to return home if it’s safe to do so. You will be eligible for a partial refund.
- Students who choose to remain in residence or in off-campus housing, should practice social distancing and follow all public health guidelines to prevent the spread of illness.
- Co-ops and placements, including clinical, will continue unless suspended by the employer or host institution. For those concerned with continuing their co-ops, and placements with employers and host institutions, you have the option to suspend this activity. To understand how suspension will affect you, for those on co-op contact your consultant and placements your program placement office.
- If your co-op is with the college, please follow directions for Georgian employees.
The academic leadership team continues to review and prepare academic contingency plans. We are committed to ensuring these plans do not jeopardize your ability to complete your academic semester. Specific details regarding your course completion strategy will be communicated by your instructor or professor via myCourselink.
Contact Campus Safety Services at extension 5100 if campus access is required during this week.
Employees:
- If you require items from your office in order to complete work remotely, please contact your manager who will contact campus safety services to make arrangements.
- Discuss your work assignments with your manager to work remotely or make other arrangements.
- As the college will continue to deliver programs and services to students remotely, arrangements are being made this week to ensure employees have the tools and resources to support this.
- During a temporary campus closure, all full-time employees will continue to be paid. Part-time employees will receive compensation for their regularly scheduled shifts.
Georgian employment services centres will be closed to walk-in traffic however will continue to serve clients remotely and move to a rotating staff schedule for activities that must be done onsite per ministry guidelines.
Stay up to date by using reliable sources of information such as georgiancollege.ca or the student and staff portals. Employees should remain in close contact with their managers to ensure a consistent approach that still fits the needs of each area. Access to the campus will be reviewed weekly.
I appreciate this rapidly evolving situation is stressful. The college is moving quickly, while adhering to the advice of our public health officials and trying to anticipate all that we can to meet the needs and expectations of our students and employees.
I will provide you as much information as I can, however, we may not immediately have all the answers to your questions. I ask for your continued patience as we work through the many details and I am certain that with your understanding and support we will work through this together. Please continue to look after yourselves and your loved ones and be kind and respectful of each other.
Update: March 14, 2020, 6:00 p.m.
In our message sent yesterday, Georgian College announced the suspension of all in-person classes from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, to allow time to retool our programs and move to remote delivery where feasible beginning Monday, March 23.
Please note, this does not apply to students studying in a Lakehead-Georgian program at the Barrie campus.
Students registered in Lakehead-Georgian programs will transition to online learning effective Wednesday, March 18, to ensure content delivery completion and maintain the 12-week term delivery in alignment with programming at Lakehead University. There will be no classes held on Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17, allowing your faculty to retool course content for remote delivery. The campus will remain open.
As you know, D2L is the learning management system used for all Lakehead-Georgian courses.
Please log into D2L on Wednesday, March 18, to review messages and course material posted by your relevant faculty member.
At this time, there is no additional information regarding the delivery of lab courses. Please continue to monitor your email and the relevant course D2L site for updates.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we move quickly to support the health and well-being of our students and work to ensure the successful completion of your semester. We are also grateful for the commitment, flexibility, and talent of our faculty and staff during this rapidly-changing situation. Your commitment to our campus community is exceptional.
To members of our community requiring accommodations to sustain their mental and physical health as the COVID-19 outbreak evolves, we are here to support you with our Health and Wellness Services.
As we continue to follow the advice of public health officials and keep you informed of issues affecting your Lakehead-Georgian experience, please continue to monitor your email and the COVID-19 update pages on Lakehead University’s and Georgian College’s websites.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Update: March 13, 2020, 7:18 p.m.
In the interest of the health and safety of our visitors and campus community, we have decided to cancel the Lakehead-Georgian Applicant Reception scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 1 at the Georgian Barrie Campus.
If you have questions about your program or Offer of Admission, we encourage you to contact Student Central at studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca or 1-800-465-3959.
We look forward to engaging with you later this spring, online, and seeing you in September!
Update: March 13, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
Dear members of our Lakehead University community,
Since December 2019, Lakehead University has been working through its emergency planning processes to assess and be prepared to respond to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
Following recent developments and our ongoing contingency planning at Lakehead, we have updated the next phase of our Institution’s action plan in response to COVID-19.
I am writing to provide an important update, and will focus on the most important elements as of March 13.
Lakehead University is cancelling classes on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 to provide instructors, faculty, and academic support staff the time to prepare to deliver course content in alternative ways. Any exams scheduled during this time period will be rescheduled. The University is preparing to provide workshops and specific support to assist instructors with preparations for other modes of course delivery.
Starting Wednesday, March 18 and for the remainder of the term, Lakehead University will be delivering all of its courses using online or alternative modes of delivery.
We recognize that specific academic programs may have unique requirements that need alternate solutions. These will be developed and communicated early next week.
Our University campuses (Thunder Bay and Orillia) remain open. Residences and all of our facilities, including but not limited to libraries, research facilities and laboratories, athletics facilities, food services, and Health and Wellness Services all remain open. Please direct any specific questions to your supervisor. All other Lakehead University events are to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Faculty and staff should continue to report to work as usual.
You are strongly encouraged to adhere to public advisories and recommendations, including washing hands frequently and avoiding touching one’s face. I remind everyone that you should stay home if you feel ill.
If you begin to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms — fever, cough and respiratory distress — contact your local health unit (see contact information at bottom of Lakehead’s COVID-19 information and updates page) and reduce contact with others by isolating yourself.
The health and safety of our University community is paramount as we continue to help ensure the continuity of our University’s operations. Please continue to monitor your Lakehead University email and this web page for updates.
While the measures outlined above are a reflection of extraordinary circumstances, I believe Lakehead University’s faculty, staff and students have the collective strength to come through this with resolve. Being part of Lakehead University means that we work together to create an inclusive, accessible and safe environment for all.
I am grateful to all members of our University community who are working together to help us during this rapidly-changing situation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Moira McPherson
President and Vice-Chancellor, Lakehead University
Update: March 13, 2020, 1:36 p.m.
Dear students and colleagues,
The health and safety of our campus community is always my top priority. After careful consideration, all in-person classes at all Georgian College campuses are suspended from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20 to allow us the time to retool our programs to move to remote delivery where feasible. Existing online courses will continue as usual. Our campuses — including libraries, student services and counselling, food services, the athletic centre and others — will remain open. Georgian Employment Ontario offices will also remain open.
Beginning Monday, March 23, all programs will be delivered through remote means. Students are required to check Blackboard next week regarding their specific program delivery, as well as how we’ll address hands-on learning. Students are expected to attend their co-ops and placements unless otherwise notified.
We are focused on developing solutions that support the safety and wellbeing of staff and students and allow for the successful completion of their semester in a timely fashion.
The college will remain open. Employees are expected to report for work however, we will be encouraging and implementing flexible work arrangements where we are able. We will also be adopting measures that support social distancing and minimize personal contact to create a safer work and learning environment.
I’d also like to remind everyone it’s critical we all continue to be vigilant with illness-prevention practices – including effective hand-washing and staying away from the college if you are ill. I appreciate this is a challenging time for us at the college and would remind everyone the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available for employees and counselling services for students.
As this is a dynamic and evolving situation, we will be providing more information as it becomes available. Your patience at this time is appreciated as we work through the details of this plan.
The decision to suspend classes was not taken lightly, but the health and well-being of our Georgian community, is our priority. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented and evolving situation and we are making decisions as quickly as possible with the guidance of public health officials.
I want to thank our faculty, staff and administrators for their commitment to our students and their education. They are moving swiftly to retool their methods of delivery and their expertise and focus on this is deeply appreciated.
Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes
President and CEO, Georgian College
Update: March 13, 2020, 10:30 a.m.
After careful consideration, the Lakehead-Georgian Partnership has decided to cancel Student for a Day scheduled for Monday, March 16 at the Georgian Barrie Campus.
This decision has been made to ensure the health and safety of our visitors and campus community, using the Government of Canada’s risk assessment tool for planning events, in light of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
At this time, no decision has been made to reschedule our Student for a Day event.
While we are disappointed we will not get to meet you, your health and safety, and the health and safety of our campus community, is our top priority.
We look forward to engaging with you later this spring, and online.
FAQs: Academic Program Delivery
What is the plan for winter 2021 program delivery?
After discussions and consultation with public health authorities, government, and other postsecondary institutions, the Lakehead-Georgian Partnership has decided to continue with a primarily online and alternative delivery model for the winter 2021 term. The term will begin as scheduled on Jan. 4, 2021.
Over the coming weeks we will be working with our program faculties to determine specific course requirements, with a particular focus on ensuring students are able to graduate in a timely way. It is our intent to confirm these details as soon as program plans are determined.
What are ‘online’ and ‘alternative’ delivery modes?
Online and alternative courses are delivered online in either synchronous or asynchronous formats. All content of the course, learning activities and assessments are delivered online providing the greatest flexibility for student learning.
In synchronously delivered methods, the instructor and students are all online at the same time, and the material is delivered in real time using methods such as video. You can ask questions, take tests, or participate in discussions online while the instructor is available to assist you.
In asynchronous delivered methods, online course delivery is self-paced with course materials (lectures, readings, forums, assessments, etc.) made available for you to access and engage with on your own schedule. There are still deadlines, and some instructors will release materials on a week-by-week basis rather than all at once, but you can usually decide how and when you will work through the course materials.
Alternative modes may also include compressed delivery of courses, flipped classrooms, and other pedagogical approaches but are still based on synchronous or asynchronous online delivery.
Are there any courses that are being delivered on-campus?
Yes, there are a select number of courses delivered on-campus for the fall term. Please refer to our searchable Fall 2020 Program Delivery table for each course.
Is there a possibility that online courses will switch back during the fall term to physical courses on-campus?
If a year-long course is delivered via Zoom will it continue to be delivered this way all year?
Will students be expected to physically attend their courses even if they don't feel comfortable doing so due to COVID-19?
Will we be able to communicate with our professors to ask questions and discuss classes, grades, future goals, etc.? And how can we be in touch with them?
FAQs: Applicants
When do the undergraduate applications for Fall 2021 open?
The application for Fall 2021 opened on September 17. Apply today.
I am worried that COVID may affect my ability to submit documents required for my admission assessment. What should I do?
You should continue to work with your school to secure all documents required for admission. Your school can send us electronic copies of your in-progress or final transcripts. They can email copies to docs.admission@lakeheadu.ca. If you cannot obtain your transcripts, please contact Student Central.
What happens if I received a conditional offer of admission and my studies are impacted by COVID (i.e. closures, exam cancellations, changes to evaluation methods, etc.)?
Are you accepting any online English language proficiency tests during the pandemic?
Yes. We are currently accepting the DuoLingo English Test. Learn more about our required English language proficiency scores.
How do I defer my offer of admission to an undergraduate program?
Am I still able to visit the campus for a tour?
At this time, in-person campus tours are no longer available at either campus. We encourage you to visit our website and sign up for a virtual tour.
I’d like to meet with a recruiter - how do I arrange that?
Lakehead-Georgian is here to support you with all your information needs. You can reach out to us as follows:
Canadian domestic applicants and prospective students
Book a phone appointment with our recruitment advisor or email us at info@lakeheadgeorgian.ca.
International applicants and prospective students
Book a 1-on-1 online appointment with an international recruitment advisor or email welcome@lakeheadu.ca
FAQs: Courses & Registration
How and when will I know which of my classes will be online and which will be on-campus / face-to-face? Can I choose not to attend on-campus and take online courses only? Can I defer my on-campus courses until next year?
Our academic units are working hard to determine which form of instruction can achieve the learning outcomes of the course within the constraints imposed by COVID-19. Only those courses that meet the safety regulations established by Public Health will be held in person; this means that many courses will be online, and some may be in person. Where possible both options will be available to students to accommodate those who may not be able to attend in person. Students can choose to defer their on-campus courses until next year, but they should be aware that doing so may delay completion of the program.
If I am learning online, how will I be able to access my instructors for questions and support? Will they hold regular office hours and be available, as many do not seem to respond to emails now?
What platform will be used for online learning? I know that some platforms are blocked in some countries.
My program includes hands-on and practical learning experiences. How will I be able to access these if I am studying online elsewhere/ in another country?
I am living in another province and/or country with a significant time zone difference. Am I expected to attend classes at the local time?
No. Courses will be delivered online in either synchronous and/or asynchronous formats. If you join synchronously, the instructor and students are all online at the same time, and the material is delivered in real time using methods such as video. Students can ask questions, take tests, or participate in discussions online while the instructor is available to assist them. In contrast, if you choose to join via the asynchronous online course delivery, this is self-paced with course materials (lectures, readings, forums, assessments, etc.) made available for students to access and engage with on their own schedules. There are still deadlines, and some instructors will release materials on a week-by-week basis rather than all at once, but students can usually decide how and when they will work through the course materials. If you are studying in a different time zone, you may wish to choose the asynchronous option in order to avoid having to learn in the night. Either way, you can expect to receive a quality learning experience and the ability to achieve the learning outcomes associated with their program.
FAQs: Tuition, Fees and Financial Support
Will there be a reduction in my tuition fees?
If I have already paid my deposit and/or tuition for the Fall 2020 semester and I defer my start to a future semester, will I lose that deposit?
If I am learning online in the fall, will I still have to pay ancillary fees? Or will some fees be removed/reduced?
Ancillary fees will be charged according to what is published for 2020-2021. Please visit Schedule of Academic Fees to review ancillary fees for your program, year level, and campus.
The Schedule of Fees for Services (including co-op and course related fees listing displays which fees will be suspended for 2020-2021 due to COVID-19). Questions about Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) fees while studying remotely should be directed to LUSU.
What are tuition and fee payment deadlines?
The schedule of payment dates, fees, and late penalties are available at https://www.lakeheadu.ca/students/finances/tuition-fees/payment-due-dates.
How will government student loans (e.g. OSAP) be impacted?
In Canada, government student aid is jointly provided by the federal and provincial governments. The federal government released information on increased aid packages to students for the 2020/21 academic year. This specifically included an increase to the weekly maximum allowed from $210/week to $350/week, and a doubling of many of the grant funding that is available to students. The federal government also waived the fixed student and spousal contributions for every student, meaning that you will likely qualify for more money from the federal government this year, in order to help offset loss of work. The federal government also paused repayment and interest accrual of Canada Student Loans until September 30, 2020. This means that your loans would not enter repayment until October 1, and if you were in repayment, payments were not required up until September 30, 2020.
Lastly, the federal government released the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) that was available from May 1 – August 30, 2020. These funds were to help students offset any loss of work that they may have experienced during the summer months. For more information please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/notice-covid-19.html.
Each provincial government also reviewed their programs to determine if any changes would be made and how they would help to accommodate the changes due to lack of income for many students. The response from provinces varied but many did not implement measures to help assist students, but implemented all of the federal changes in order to ensure students received the increase in federal funding. In Ontario, the provincial government aligned with the federal government to defer interest accrual and loan payments on all students loans until September 30, 2020. The Ontario provincial government also indicated that any supplement funding issued by the federal government (e.g. CESB) would be treated as earned income, not as government income. This income would only impact a student if they saved the money to help pay for school, or if they earned more than $5,600 within a term.
Will I still be eligible to receive an entrance scholarship? How will my scholarship average be calculated?
Yes. We continue to assess and award undergraduate entrance scholarships for domestic and international students. Scholarships will be awarded based on the admissions assessment. If you are facing unique challenges, or challenges related to completing your final year, you are encouraged to contact Student Central directly to assess your current scenario and determine your scholarship eligibility.
I am a Canadian student who wishes to continue my studies, however I have lost, or am unable to obtain, employment. Is there any support available so I can pay for food and rent?
If you are currently enrolled in classes some funding is available for Canadian domestic students who can demonstrate a financial need. Contact a Student Central Professional at studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca.
Is Lakehead-Georgian offering any emergency funding for students during COVID-19?
Lakehead University and Georgian College have established student relief funds to help ease the financial burden our students are experiencing as a result of the pandemic.
The Lakehead University COVID-19 Student Relief Fund will assist with travel and living costs based on available funds and students’ demonstrated financial need. Visit myInfo to apply.
The Georgian College COVID Hardship Bursary will be split equally among eligible domestic and international students who are enrolled in a regular, full-time postsecondary program for the summer semester and demonstrate an urgent financial need. Applications will be accepted between May 12 and June 3. Read the full story for eligibility criteria and how to apply. If you experience any difficulty with your application, please email covidbursary@georgiancollege.ca.
Is there COVID-19-related government funding available for postsecondary students?
On April 22, the federal government announced a $9 billion aid package for eligible postsecondary students. It is called the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). Visit the Government of Canada’s website to learn about the eligibility requirements for this fund and to apply for the CESB.
My family’s financial situation has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Is there any extra support available from Lakehead-Georgian to help me during this time? Can there be special payment arrangements?
FAQs: Residence
Will residence be open in September?
Can I move into residence and still take my classes online?
Will the deadline to apply for on-campus residence be adjusted?
If I pay my fee for on-campus residence by the deadline but find out that I won’t need to be on-campus will I receive a refund?
How do I cancel my on-campus residence application and get a refund for my fees?
(Georgian Barrie Campus) You will need to cancel your application via the housing portal by July 1. After you submit your cancellation, you’ll receive a cheque in the mail to the address submitted on your application. The refund process will take approximately eight weeks. Click to visit the Barrie Housing Portal.
FAQ about COVID-19
What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). Some transmit easily from person to person while others do not. COVID-19 is a new disease that has not been previously identified in humans.
Source: Government of Canada
What are the symptoms?
Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold.
Symptoms of human coronaviruses may be very mild or more serious, such as:
- fever
- cough
- difficulty breathing
Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus.
Coronaviruses are most commonly spread from an infected person through:
- respiratory droplets when you cough or sneeze
- close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- touching something with the virus on it, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands
These viruses are not known to spread through ventilation systems or through water.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada
How can I protect myself?
Your hands play a major role in the spread of bacteria and viruses that can cause illness.
Handwashing or using a hand sanitizer is the best way to prevent illness. It’s not new, but it works because it removes or kills germs before they can find their way into our bodies. As more bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, proper hand hygiene is essential in protecting your health.
Proper handwashing: To make sure you’re washing your hands properly, use soap and water. Wet your hands. Add soap and rub your hands vigorously together for 15 seconds. Rinse hands and dry with a clean towel, then turn off the tap with the towel. It’s the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps free and remove germs. Also remember to keep nails short and clean, wash wrists and remove watches and jewellery when you wash your hands.
Proper hand sanitizing: Alcohol-based sanitizers and gels (minimum 60 per cent alcohol) are also an option, but should only be used when your hands are not visibly soiled or dirty. This is because they do not remove visible dirt. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. When using a gel or sanitizer, rub it on all surfaces of your hands until they’re dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in the gel kills non-visible germs that cause colds and the flu.
What can I do to stop the spread of germs?
Protect yourself and others from getting sick:
- Cover up when you cough or sneeze
- Clean shared surfaces often. Cleaning with soap or detergent physically removes surface dirt and large numbers of germs. Don’t forget to clean commonly touched items like doorknobs, light switches and faucets. Regularly clean your desk and keyboard and avoid eating at your desk.
- Stay at home if you are sick. When you’re sick, you can spread your illness to those you come in contact with. Stay home from work if you’re sick and keep your children home from school or child care when they have cold or flu symptoms such as fever, runny nose, dry cough, tiredness and muscle aches.
Everyday actions to maintain your immunity and prevent the spread of germs that cause illness:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands.
- Get plenty of sleep and manage your stress levels. Lack of sleep and high levels of stress can reduce immune functioning, thus lowering the body’s ability to fend off colds and flu.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can be dehydrating.
- Use a lotion or moisturizing cream to prevent cracks in the skin that can provide an entry point for germs.
- Be physically active by maintaining a moderate exercise program three to four times a week. It will strengthen the immune system and increase the body’s natural ability to fight infection.
- Eat healthy, nutritious food; five to nine servings per day of fruits and vegetables is recommended.