Flood update: Most classes resume face-to-face Monday, November, 29

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UFV will resume scheduled on-campus classes, educational programming including most face-to-face classes, and exams effective Monday, November 29.

Faculty, in discussion with their deans, department heads, and directors may choose to complete the term online rather than returning to in-person learning. This decision is based on information currently available. If conditions change suddenly, additional measures or changes to these plans will be implemented and communicated promptly.

Earlier today, the Province of British Columbia opened Highway 1 to traffic between Abbotsford and Chilliwack. The opening of this major artery re-connects campuses and communities in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, making travel across the valley possible for students, faculty, and staff.

Students:

  • Check email – it’s vital to connect to Blackboard and/or check your UFV email – depending on how your professor has been communicating through this crisis – so you are aware of next steps.
  • Accommodation – professors expect that some students will need to be accommodated. If your class returns fully to in-person learning and you are unable to come to campus, please connect with your professor to work out a plan for you to complete the semester.
  • Changes to course syllabi – professors may change this to ensure learning outcomes for their courses can still be met despite the 2-week disruption. You will be informed of these changes by your professor.
  • Final exams – The final exam schedule remains in place. Many exams will continue as scheduled, while some may shift to online. Your professors will update you on any changes.
  • Flexible course options – If you will struggle to complete a course because of your personal circumstances, please connect with your professors. They have a variety of options available to them to help you complete your course.
  • Supports – All student services will also continue to be available online.
  • More in-person service on campus will be coming. Staffing levels are dependent on the ability of staff to get to campus, so there could be some disruptions.
  • Support – If you need support, please visit 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.

Shuttle – the Student Union Society has indicated that the shuttle will be running Monday morning. Please check their website and Twitter page for the most current information.

Faculty:

Deans will be communicating details and flexible options relating to academic programming delivery modes, final grade options, and accommodations for students who have been significantly impacted by flooding.

Staff, faculty, and academic support faculty:

If you cannot travel safely to campus, please coordinate with your supervisor or manager where you will work: 1) on campus; 2) at a remote work location; or 3) if you require a leave and are unable to work due to the state of emergency caused by flooding.

Special leave:

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.

Employee support:

UFV faculty and staff 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.

26 thoughts on “Flood update: Most classes resume face-to-face Monday, November, 29”

  1. This message is regarding some concerns I have about reopening the campuses and having face-to-face courses. I am a full-time student whom lives in Chilliwack, and it has been great news about the reopening of highway 1. However, I would like to address, the Government BC advises that “people are asked to stay off Highway 1 through Abbotsford unless necessary” (Government of BC, 2021). The reopening of campuses provides reason for instructors to conduct classes face-to-face. As, I would love to continue with face-to-face, the thought of driving on highway 1 right now for classes brings me and other students with great fear. I don’t think this allows the students with much choice if instructors choose to continue with face-to-face classes. The students that are not in areas affected have a greater advantage to access campus than students needing to take highway 1 to and from class. I would strongly recommend that the University of the Fraser Valley to take this into consideration when making the choice of reopening campuses.

    https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TRAN0075-002262

    • Hi Scharie,
      I understand your concerns. Safety is key. We are monitoring the weather and road safety factors. Should either deteriorate significantly the status of the university will be re-evaluated. In the meantime, it is vital you check your UFV email and the channels you use to communicate with your professors. Many may choose to continue online. You have a lot of options Scharie here they are https://blogs.ufv.ca/urgent-news/2021/11/25/flood-update-information-for-ufv-students/
      Take care.

      • I definitely agree with Scharie, I feel like this was not the right decision. We are told to stay off the highway if possible which probably means its not completely safe to drive. Every student is used to completing work online if that resource is available I don’t understand why not take advantage of online learning.

      • All of my classes are continuing face-to-face, and I live at Cultus Lake. The fuel rationing is still in place until midnight Tuesday, and DriveBC explicitly states to stay off of the highway unless necessary. Commuting to school is not listed as essential travel. So yes the highway is open, but we’ve essentially been advised to not use it unless we have to. Now students who live in Chilliwack and have classes that are continuing in person in Abbotsford have travel to campus despite these things. It’s unfortunate that the university has the means to consider government advisories and operate remotely but still chooses the other option.

  2. Hi Dave,

    Well it seems like there are many student that are having to stress about taking the highway and getting to the campuses. I really don’t think it is fair nor safe for students to take the highway. This is having a toll on many students mental health, this needs to be considered. The student should be the number 1 priority not what’s best for the University.

  3. This is making life so stressful, the 2 roads I take to school are closed around me, I don’t have a timeline for when they are going too open. Is UFV also thinking about the students that are literally stuck and have no way of transportation. If I could answer that would be great.

    • Hello Jack,
      I REALLY DO understand where you, and others commenting here, are coming from on this situation. I’m collecting your feedback. I also think it is super-important for you to communicate with your professors re: your options. Talk to them via Blackboard or the channel they use for communicating with you. They can provide flexibility. Please check your UFV student email for information that was sent on Thursday. If you missed it here it is again:
      https://blogs.ufv.ca/urgent-news/2021/11/25/flood-update-information-for-ufv-students/

  4. Will there be any new update? Or is this the set decision. I just find this kind of crazy as I’m still evacuated out of my house, and now I have to find a way to go too University.

  5. Hi all. I just want to share my opinion. I am the president of a club on campus, and all I am hearing from my members is stress and fear about driving to school. In the science department, all profs are opting to be in person, and we have presentations and exams this following week. Many students don’t know how to even get to school. I haven’t heard a single one of my members say they feel ok with this decision. While I understand the importance of in person class, and trust me, I’d love to be there in person, I feel that as all students and staff are well adjusted to online learning, it would be best to finish the semester online. Mental health and safety of students is of utmost importance. Many of my members don’t even live at their homes as they are still displaced due to damage. Just food for thought.

  6. I agree with what people have said here and find it further important to note that, per the Province of BC, traveling for post-secondary is non-essential and should therefore be avoided.

    This decision that UFV has made flies in the face of a Province Order under the Emergency Program Act.

    (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/natural-disaster/support/restrictions)

    We have online capabilities, why should we tax limited fuel resources, add more cars to precarious roads, and be mandated to go against a provincial order that is meant to help all persons in the province through this difficult time?

    Yes, this is a critical time for students with end of the term assignments coming due; however, COVID has taught us to be flexible. So, let’s be flexible and acknowledge the reality of our circumstances, rather than ignoring what is in front of us.

    At the very least, if classes are to resume being in person, please consider resuming face-to-face classes once the ban on travel under the Emergency Program Act has lifted.

    Thank you.

  7. I agree with those who have commented here. I too commute to UFV for in-person classes and I am feeling very uneasy about this decision. Please reconsider.

    • I very much agree with everyone. Look at the weather outside at the moment, this is scary I commute to UFV everyday it takes 50 minutes to get there. This is putting our lives at risk, this decision needs to be reconsidered!

  8. I understand the stress ect. with the commute. UFV will make the safest call for everyone! And those that are stressed about it or currently evacuated appears that there are options available to them. Please remeber they have to make very tough calls and can not/will not please everyone. This is an unprecedented time for most of us and definitely not sometime we wanted on our already full covid plate. I am not in love with the idea of commuting but if you follow proper driving/speed the highway is very much drivable, and drive bc says highway 1 is open to all but of you do not need to be on it then don’t but it has NOT been deemed essential only. I would very much like to go back, so i hope mother nature calms down.

  10. I am hopeful there will be an update respective to the current situation. Newly flooded and/ or evacuated areas have quickly upgraded the level of uncertainty here in the Fraser Valley. Thank you Dave & UFV for your support and continued understanding for all students and faculty. I am hopeful there will be an update by tonight at the very least.

  11. The Nooksack River is also expected to flow into Abbotsford which will definitely also affect highway 1. Hopefully that Is also considered.

  13. I understand that UFV takes all students into account and situational factors when making decisions as to opening or not. Some of the newly introduced restrictions such as the gas restrictions most likely have been taken into account. We need to understand that a decision will be made and not all students will be happy. If your concern is about safety of driving conditions you can use the campus connector which has a professional driver. Otherwise you signed up for an in person class you should be prepared to finish it that way as well.

  14. With the highway closing at 5:00pm today, the campus should be closed without question as students cannot get to their classes, leaving them disadvantaged.

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