Remote work and other important updates

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UFV has paused all classes for the week of March 16-20 with classes resuming in an online or remote environment on Monday, March 23.

A reminder: UFV encourages you to check factual health sources like Health Canada for information relating to COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolation, and testing. The province of BC has also set up a dedicated COVID-19 line at 1-888-COVID19 or text at 1-888-268-4319, or 604-630-0300.

Remote Work:

In order to help protect the health of UFV faculty, staff, students, and the broader UFV community, and comply with the Provincial Health Officers advice, UFV is implementing a phased approach to working remotely for employees.

Important UFV updates:

Student Services:

UFV remains committed to supporting students as we move to remote instruction. While we are not offering face-to-face appointments and drop-in sessions in several areas, we are still available to help you. If you are ill or have been outside of Canada within the past 14 days, please do not attend campus in person. Please find the updated UFV Students Services details here.

Libraries:

Library services will be available online, however, the libraries at Abbotsford and Chilliwack will both be closed. As determined by Library administration, Library staff will continue to work at these locations.

Events:

  • In order help promote social distancing, all internal and all external UFV face-to-face events scheduled to occur between today and April 30 are now cancelled or postponed.
  • All external room bookings at UFV should also be cancelled.
  • All program information sessions, graduation showcases, and other events are cancelled or postponed.
  • UFV is not taking any new requests for campus space from external groups, until further notice. All external groups who have reserved space will be contacted and informed the campus is no longer available for their event.
  • UFV PD Day (April 30) will not be held this year.
  • Graduation photo sessions will occur with appropriate measures in place for social distancing.
  • UFV Convocation is still scheduled to occur in early June and this will be re-evaluated in late April.
  • Assessment services are also cancelled.
  • The following UFV services have modified hours this week:
    • The UFV Bookstores: Abbotsford and Chilliwack: 8:30am – 4:30
    • Tim Hortons: Closed
    • Cascade Café: Abbotsford and Chilliwack  8am – 2pm (Monday – Thursday) closed Friday
    • The Parking Desk: 8:30am – 4:30
    • Campus Card Office: 9am – 4:00
    • Print Services – 8am – 5pm
  • The in-camera UFV Board of Governors meeting (April 2) will proceed with the option for members to attend via video conference. The public portion of the meeting will not occur.

Counselling for faculty and staff:

Support for faculty and staff is available through the UFV Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider, Homewood Health. Homewood provides immediate, confidential help and may be contacted, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll free at 1-800-663-1142.

UFV appreciates your patience while we adapt to this new environment.

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31 thoughts on “Remote work and other important updates”

    • Hi Sam – yes they are open. Except in the library. The libraries are closed now. Online library services are still available.

  2. What are the hours of operations for the computer labs? I don’t have access to internet where I live.

  3. Is all the classes are cancelled from March 16 to 20th and classes wil resumme on 23rd or classes will be online. I have midterm on Mon. 23rd. I am worried.

    • Recommend connecting with your faculty instructor on this for the best answer.
      And Gag, I used to worry about mid-terms all the time. You’re not alone.

    • Sam – this is terrible. I physically went and checked it. You are right. Sincerest apologies – it was because the access was through the library.
      We are rectifying that going forward. If it happens to not be open, please knock on the library door – they will open another door for you.

    • Gur,
      Once we have transitioned the Winter classes to remote learning, we will begin to review courses offered in the Summer term. Once we have answers we will communicate with the campus community. Please be aware though that if you register for Summer classes, the mode of learning may be different than it is currently in the schedule of classes. COVID-19 has that effect…

    • Harry,
      Hope you saw my answer to “M” below. In case you didn’t, no trades will be taught face-to-face starting Monday. Your instructor will be getting in contact with you so watch for that. All classes will be proceeding online or remotely, except welding which will be paused. If you’re in welding, connect with your instructor for more.

  8. Hi there, thank you for the updates. Is there any chance that summer semester will be completely cancelled? Or will the other option be it will be remote learning if it needs to happen? I’m just trying to figure out my finances and plans for the coming months and I want to make sure I can count on my summer semester being there. Thank you so much.

    • Hi Ashley, we will begin to review courses offered in the Summer term. Once we have answers we will communicate with the campus community. Please be aware though that if you register for Summer classes, the mode of learning may be different than it is currently in the schedule of classes. This is part of the adjustment to COVID-19.

      • Me again, Ashley.
        A little bit more info – from the Registrar’s office. “Preparations for summer semester are continuing. There are some changes to courses and we may not be able to offer all courses as originally scheduled. If a course you need is not offered your deposit is fully refundable or can be applied to the Fall semester.

  9. Why are the nursing students still being exposed? Yes one could say it’s great for real world experience, but these are students and not licensed professionals and they’re still directly in harms way and you’ve done nothing for them.

    • Hi Confusion,
      Nursing students are also paused this week and are going to be learning remotely beginning March 23. There is one small group of last semester students in preceptorship who cannot learn remotely.

    • Hi, as a preceptor nursing student I absolutely understand people’s concern about our safety. However, being so close to graduating and working as a nurse where I would be just as exposed as I am now, I really appreciate UFV’s choice to let us stay and finish our preceptorships. The skills I am learning now will be invaluable in a few short months.

  10. Hi,
    I was wondering what’s happening with registration for summer 2020 sem? I needed geo 103 and its no longer offered? If they do not have the classes I need will I be refunded my $200 or can we use it towards the next sem?

      • Hi again Tanisha,
        The Registrar’s office tells me this, “Preparations for summer semester are continuing. There are some changes to courses and we may not be able to offer all courses as originally scheduled. If a course you need is not offered your deposit is fully refundable or can be applied to the Fall semester.”

  11. What is the scenario regarding the final exams at this point. Are they going to happen or not.

    • Final exams will take place, but in order to maintain social distancing as recommended by health authorities, they will not be in a face-to-face environment. Please check with your instructor for the details on finals for your courses.

  13. George. The computer labs have printers. No scanners though. So you will need to scan using your phone. Hope this answers your question.

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