Eight ways UFV plans to keep you safe on campus this fall
The University of the Fraser Valley is looking forward to welcoming you to the fall semester. And while nearly all classes and instruction will be online, there may be times you are required to come to campus.
UFV is committed to three key themes for your safe return to university.
- Health — your health and safety are UFV’s number one priority
- Quality — you will receive an excellent education regardless of delivery method or model
- Certainty — you will have certainty about how education and services will be delivered
To keep these promises, we’ve made some changes. You’ll see them if you have to come to campus for a lab, an experiential class, to access a safe study space, or for a meeting. From Wi-Fi hotspots in the parking lots, to one-way traffic in the halls, we’re doing all we can to keep you healthy and safe.
A detailed list of all these measures is available on the UFV Coronavirus site.
1) Online classes
As you know by now, nearly all classes will be online this fall, with the exception of certain labs and experiential learning instruction that simply cannot take place in an online setting. This is the best way we can help keep you safe while you receive an excellent education.
2) Monitor your health
You can help. Please make sure you’re healthy before coming to campus. If you think you’re sick or have COVID-19-like symptoms, take this online test from the BC Centre For Disease Control testing page or use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to help determine if you need to see a doctor.
3) Social or physical distancing
If you come to campus for a meeting or to use a safe study space, or for a face-to-face meeting, you’ll notice our public spaces will have less furniture and more room for the mandatory two meters of space. One person per table will be the norm.
Classrooms will be configured so if you are required to attend, you can sit at least two metres apart.
Entrances and exits to buildings may be set up to ensure a one-way flow of traffic and some buildings and spaces may have maximum numbers of people allowed.
4) Masks
Please note as of September 4, if UFV has identified the need for a mask in a given class, the university will provide them to you. Otherwise, wearing a non-medical mask or face covering is strongly recommended in all UFV common spaces. This includes hallways, washrooms, cafeterias, lounge or study areas, or any situation where physical distancing of two meters (six feet) cannot be maintained.
5) Handwashing and hand sanitizing
We all know washing your hands with soap for 30 seconds will help prevent the spread of all diseases and if you can’t get to a washroom, UFV has increased the number of hand sanitizing stations across all campuses so you can easily disinfect your hands. Dispensers will be installed at an accessible height in visible locations.
6) Cleaning and disinfecting
Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. High touch surfaces (examples: door knobs, light switches, railings, and bathrooms) will be disinfected multiple times a day and common areas will be cleaned at least twice per day.
If you are in a Lab class it will be disinfected at the end of each face-to-face session and any shared equipment during face-to-face classes will be cleaned between each student.
7) Physical Barriers
You’ve seen them in retail settings and where two meter distancing is not possible, or is challenging, UFV will assess and install protective measures where appropriate. These may be Plexiglas barriers or other measures that provide a safe environment.
8) Signage
It’s on the floors, the walls, the doors. You’ll notice a lot of new signage on campus because we want you to know right away what you need to do. Watch for arrows, stickers on where to stand, and what to do to keep the two meter social distance.
We’re looking forward to the fall. If you have questions please contact
Employees — hrsupport@ufv.ca
Students — studentsupport@ufv.ca
Health & Safety — ehs@ufv.ca
General questions — covid19@ufv.ca
