Update: Nov. 21, 5pm – UFV transitioning to remote learning for Mon. Nov. 22- Fri. Nov. 28.

As the Fraser Valley community navigates the state of emergency caused by the flood, and while emergency services continue their essential work responding to the disaster, UFV is transitioning all educational activities to remote learning beginning Monday, November 22 through to (and including) Sunday, November 28, 2021.  There will be no in-person classes offered during this time.

Highway one closure:

Estimates for the re-opening of Highway One between Chilliwack and Abbotsford are not yet complete.  This main artery, and other closed roads, are critical for students, faculty, and staff who commute to our campuses from inside and outside of the region. For example, 66% of students who take a face-to-face course in Chilliwack do not live in Chilliwack and 25% of students taking courses in Abbotsford live in Chilliwack, Hope, Agassiz, or Mission.

Working and studying online will allow students, staff, and faculty to remain safe and will assist adherence to new provincial restrictions on fuel purchases and travel.

Communication to classes:
Instructors are asked to communicate with students regarding the mode of delivery (i.e., either synchronous or asynchronous) and provide status updates on assignments that will be due for next week or revised dates as a result of this week’s postponement. Instructors not able to deliver their courses remotely are asked to speak directly with their Dean. Students not able to access their courses remotely or complete assignments due to personal circumstances will be asked to contact their instructors directly.

Students participating in off-campus experiential learning activities (e.g., clinical placements, practicums, etc) will be contacted by a representative from their program to provide guidance on the status of these activities for the week ahead.

With a few exceptions, on-campus events and activities are also cancelled during this period. Event and activity organizers will inform participants if an on-campus activity has been approved to continue.

UFV campuses are open:

All buildings will resume normal hours of operation in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Clearbrook and Mission, with limited services in some cases being offered. Hope Centre will be open from 830 to 530 Mon to Fri.

Libraries at both the Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses will resume operations according to this schedule. The Office of the Registrar will be open its usual hours on all three campuses.

Staff and academic support faculty:

Staff and Academic Support Faculty are asked to coordinate with their supervisor or manager where they will work:

1) on campus;

2) at a remote work location or;

3) if they require leave and are unable to work due to the state of emergency caused by flooding.

Student support:

If you know students who need support, please refer them through the Priority Access to Student Supports (PASS) system. UFV has increased the number of people dedicated to PASS right now and activated a triage system to prioritize response to those with greatest need. PASS will also be monitored throughout the weekend.

While Student Services continues to manage a very large volume of referrals, we ask that you please use this PASS system and avoid phone calls and emails. The team does not want anyone to fall through the cracks, so using the PASS system is the fastest and best way to get the information to us. Students have also been asked to self-refer through the system. Thank you all for your support of our students and for directing them to us for help.

Employee support:

UFV employees have access to Employee and Family Assistance Program. EFAP is a confidential service available to you at no cost, 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Toll-free: 1-800-663-1142

International (call collect): 604-689-1717. You may also sign up/log in to your Homeweb account for advice, counselling or treatment.

Special leave:

In addition, please remember staff and faculty members impacted by the flood can use special paid leave. UFV employees (Type A and B) have up to seven days of paid time off. For temporary staff (Contract Type C and D) who are employed on a contract basis, you may be eligible for three days of paid time off in the form of special leave days.

Disaster relief fund:

If you would like to help people impacted by the flood, UFV and community partners have jointly established the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund. This fund will provide grants to local agencies who will provide relief on the ground to those impacted by the flood.

A decision regarding the educational delivery methods to be used after Sunday, November 28 has not yet been made. The Academic Continuity Committee will meet on a regular basis next week to discuss contingency plans in the event that transportation continues to be significantly disrupted.

Further updates will be provided at UFV.ca throughout the week.

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