Announcements

All-Employee Email from Lori Diduch – March 26, 2020
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When:
March 26, 2020

These really are unprecedented times. COVID-19 has changed how we live, work and interact with each other.

I know there are ongoing challenges as we transition to working remotely and I want you to know that we are here to support you. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all adapt to doing things differently. I hope that you and your family members are staying safe, connected and healthy during this time.

My last all-employee note on March 18, highlighted some of the resources available to help you work remotely. We have put together a list of additional resources of physical, mental health and ergonomics and will be sharing that in Communique. Live webinars on related topics will begin next week.

Humber campuses remain closed until further notice. Only employees providing essential on-campus services will be working on campus for the remainder of the Winter semester. Given what is being said by government leaders and public health agencies, we can expect requirements for physical distancing to continue for a number of weeks. As the situation continues to evolve, we are unable to determine at this point when employees will return to campus. Depending on the COVID-19 situation, we should all be prepared that the return to campus date may be well into the spring or summer. 

Effective as of the April 10, 2020 pay date, we will be stopping deductions for staff who have parking permits, until the College resumes regular on-campus business.

As we look ahead, we are assessing what impact the current situation will have on Humber’s Summer semester delivery and an update on that will come next week. Summer registration is being postponed while those decisions are being made.

All paid staff working remotely should be doing whatever they can to help their manager and their teams throughout this situation. Please continue to stay in contact with your team. If you have specific questions about workload or working remotely, please discuss them with your manager.

Due to these exceptional circumstances, all staff (full, partial load, part-time and student employees, including work study students) who would normally be scheduled to work during this period will receive pay consistent with their regular schedule. Humber is honouring all staffing commitments currently in place until further notice.

I also wanted to take a moment to say how proud I am of the work and commitment of everyone at Humber. Things are changing rapidly and we are working diligently to ensure student success, as well as support each other and the community.

Here are just a few examples of how we are stepping up:

  • Humber is making technology available to students and staff who need it to complete their studies and work 
  • IGNITE Student Union has provided Emergency Financial Relief Fund to provide Financial Need Bursaries which are open to domestic and international students with proven financial need. Humber College is combining this new funding with existing bursary funds to support students.
  • We are providing medical supplies and equipment to our community partner the William Osler Health System, along with providing access to the Queen’s Plate parking lot to enable a COVID-19 drive-thru assessment site.

As we continue to adjust to working and learning at home, it’s important to stay connected to our colleagues and our community. To help you with this, yesterday we launched the #HumberAtHome series. We want to know how you are taking care of your well-being right now, how your teams are adding a bit of fun into your interactions, and which resources are helping you. Please check your Communiqué daily for more information on this series.

In the meantime, I encourage you to check www.humber.ca/updates regularly for the latest information on Humber’s response to COVID-19. The Frequently Asked Questions section of the page has answers to some of the more common questions from staff right now. Please also check the Human Resources page often for additional supports and resources.

Stay safe, healthy and practice physical distancing. We wish the best to you, your families and friends during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Lori Diduch
Vice-President Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness

#HumberAtHome Series
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When:
March 25, 2020
Contact:
Emily Milic
Email:
emily.milic@humber.ca

Office of Sustainability has funny hat Friday on a video conference call. The Office of Sustainability has Funny Hat Friday on a team video conference call. 

As we adjust to working and learning at home, it’s important to stay connected to our colleagues and our community. To help keep us all connected, we are launching the #HumberAtHome series. We want to know about how you are taking care of your well-being right now, how your teams are adding a bit of fun into your interactions, and which resources are helping you. 

Here are some examples of what members of the Humber family are doing to bring their community together: 

Humber Fitness North

@humberfitnessnorth explains how it is more important than ever to take a mindful break during your day to clear your headspace and re-center. Mindful breathing is one easy way to do this. Follow Rose through this guided breathing exercise.  

Faculty of Media & Creative Arts alumni interactions 

Musician and composer Laila Biali, a Humber Music grad and a 2019 JUNO Award winner, is hosting an album release party for her new record, Out of Dust, on Friday, March 27. There will be a welcome from Laila at 10 a.m. EDT and then a Q&A at 12 p.m. The link to the event is here.

Writer and producer Nathalie Younglai, a Television Writing & Producing alumna and the recipient of the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards' Humanitarian Award, is doing a live chat on Instagram at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27 here.  

Bachelor of Music grad Emily Rockarts is performing as part of a virtual open mic night March 25 at 7 p.m. The open mic is being hosted by Arts Administration & Cultural Management grad Gillian Nicola, who is a musician in her own right. Find it here.  

Please send us your #HumberAtHome photos, video clips and stories to bethany.sharpe@humber.ca. 

Bursaries Established to Assist Domestic and International Students in Need
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When:
March 24, 2020

Amid the changing COVID-19 situation, IGNITE funds student bursaries

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, Humber students have expressed additional financial need.

In response, IGNITE Student Union has provided funds to establish an Emergency Financial Relief Fund to provide Financial Need Bursaries which are open to domestic and international students with proven financial need. Humber College is combining this new funding with existing bursary funds to support students.

Bursaries are awarded on an individual basis upon consideration of expenses, income, family support, part-time employment opportunities, academic standing and personal circumstances.

Application Process: 

Students who require emergency funding and wish to apply should email finaid@humber.ca and include a brief outline of their financial need.

Students will be asked to complete a budget sheet & short statement about how the COVID-19 situation is affecting their finances. Please note that students must be currently enrolled in a Diploma/Degree/Ontario Graduate Certificate/Ontario Certificate program in order to apply for funding.

Students will receive a response within 2 to 3 days for applications submitted online.  

The award amount is based on individual assessed need.

For more information regarding the emergency Financial Need Bursaries, please visit humber.ca/updates/frequently-asked-questions or email finaid@humber.ca. 

Residence Update
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When:
March 24, 2020

On March 23, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health sent some new directives on all post-secondary residences. As a result, effective March 24 at 4 p.m., the following measures will be in place in Humber Residence until further notice:

Guests will no longer be permitted in the residence. Residents who are approved to stay after today may continue to meet friends and family outside of the residence, and are encouraged to continue to maintain the recommended physical distance.
Residence lounges will be closed, with the exception of access for microwave/sink access in R&S Buildings at the North Campus. One resident at a time may enter the lounge to access the microwave/sink, and then take their food back to their room.
We continue to ask residents to maintain a safe social/physical distance and not gather in groups while in residence or on campus. The Medical Officer of Health has instructed us to monitor and enforce no group social gatherings on campus, including in residence.

We understand that this is a difficult time, and we will be reaching out to residents with approved extensions soon with ways to socialize safely. We also continue to clean common spaces and high touch surfaces in residence frequently throughout the day. The cafeteria will continue to be take-out only, and will be open from 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. daily for students to pick up all of their meals and snacks for the day. If you have run out of money on your meal plan, Humber will pay for your meals, however you must continue to present your residence card at the cafeteria each time. More information is available on the cafeteria posters located by the front desk and by the elevators on the first floor in each building.

If students require support while in residence, please call the front desk at x77201 for urgent matters, or email your RLC at northrlc@humber.ca.

COVID-19 Update: March 23, 2020
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When:
March 23, 2020

Humber is aware that earlier today, in order to help fight the spread of COVID-19, the Ontario Government ordered the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces effective as of Tuesday, March 24th at 11:59 p.m. This closure will be in effect for 14 days with the possible extension of this order as the situation evolves. A full list of businesses that are permitted to stay open will be released on Tuesday.

Once we receive the list of businesses and any further information, we will review and update the Humber community accordingly.

Even though the college is closed, there are limited operations on campus to support students who are still living in residence and to support essential services that align with critical activities of the college. There is a daily review of what is considered essential work. Employees who may have any questions about their work assignments should discuss those directly with their manager.

Fiscal Year-End: HRMS Time Management
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When:
March 23, 2020
Posters/Attachments: Event Poster

All hours worked in March are to be submitted and approved by end of day on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 by 5 p.m.

To facilitate fiscal year-end reporting, employees that enter time on a time card will need to enter and submit their time on Human Resource Management System (HRMS) by Friday, March 27, 2020.

Managers and Delegates need to ensure all time cards are submitted and approved on HRMS by end of day Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

COVID-19 Update: March 20, 2020
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When:
March 20, 2020

As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, several key decisions were communicated across the Humber community. Below you will find a recap of the latest news and resources available to support us throughout this time. 

Important Winter 2020 Completion Update

Here is an excerpt from a full message that was sent to all students on March 19, 2020. Students will all receive their academic completion by end of day on March 20, 2020. 

When academic delivery resumes on Monday, March 23, all Humber classes will be offered remotely/online until the end of the Winter 2020 semester on Friday, April, 17. Students will not need to return to campus for the remainder of the Winter 2020 semester. 

We know that this isn’t the way that any of us expected the semester to end. As your safety and academic success are of paramount importance, we believe completing the Winter 2020 semester in this manner is the best option.

Residence

Here is an excerpt from a full message that was sent to all students living in Humber Residence. 

Humber has closed its campuses and Faculties/programs are arranging for course completion to occur remotely/online. Students will not need to return to campus for the remainder of the Winter 2020 semester.

This means that there is no longer an academic need for students to remain in residence. As a result, we now expect residents to permanently move out of residence by Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 12 p.m.

We understand that some students have legitimate extenuating circumstances making it difficult for them to vacate immediately. Residents with no access to other accommodation options must complete the Residence Extension Request form on the residence portal at https://myresidence.humber.ca/starrezportalx by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020.

Remote Teaching and Learning Supports 

  • Student Learning Kit: We have created a Student Learning Kit to provide help with Blackboard, other online tools and tips for online learning. There is also information on how you can connect with Open Learning Centre staff for support by email or phone. The Kit can be found here. 
  • Learning Continuity Kit: A Learning Continuity Kit has been developed to assist in this transition. Online resources and training can be found here. Faculty members who have questions, can connect with someone for help. Contact information can be found here. 

All-Employee Communication from Human Resources

An all-employee notice was shared with staff on Sunday, March 15 outlining details about how to work remotely moving forward while the campus is closed. You can read the full message here.

**NEW** Spring Open House 

Humber has decided to cancel the physical Spring Open House, which was scheduled for April 18, 2020.  

We understand that visiting Humber's campuses, exploring the learning spaces and speaking with the faculty and students helps to inform post-secondary decisions. We look forward to providing those opportunities again as soon as possible. 

Employees from the Marketing team and the Registrar’s Office will be working with the academic division to explore other ways to connect with applicants and those that have accepted their offer of admission.

Student Services Update

A comprehensive list of student services and how they can currently be accessed is now posted here.

Emergency Service Interruption  

Following a power outage earlier this week, there is a need for an ITS service shutdown from Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m. to Sunday, March 22 at 8 a.m. During this period of time, Office365, HRMS and Blackboard will still be accessible. 

As always, the most up-to-date information as well as previously message about COVID-19 can be found on humber.ca/updates.

Financial Services & Planning Update
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When:
March 20, 2020
Posters/Attachments: Event Poster

Please see attached an important message in relation to the Financial Services & Planning team operations. This document also includes answers to questions we have received this week and information related to Year-End.

Year-End memo: humber.ca/finance/news/19-20-year-end-memo

  • Please note that no changes have been made in relation to Year-End deadlines

If you have any questions or concerns related to this document or any other information, please contact kelly.tsoumagas@humber.ca or sanjay.gandhi@humber.ca.

New Required Residence Move Out Date
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When:
March 19, 2020

As you know, the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly. Humber has closed its campuses and Faculties/programs are arranging for course completion to occur remotely/online. Students will not need to return to campus for the remainder of the Winter 2020 semester.

This means that there is no longer an academic need for students to remain in residence. As a result, we now expect residents to permanently move out of residence by Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 12 p.m.

We understand that some students have legitimate extenuating circumstances making it difficult for them to vacate immediately. Residents with no access to other accommodation options must complete the Residence Extension Request form on the residence portal at https://myresidence.humber.ca/starrezportalx by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020.

Students who are approved for an extension should be aware that Humber may need to relocate residents to different rooms or different campuses. As we may be required to close the residences at both Lakeshore and North Campus prior to April 18, we recommend any student granted an extension to find an alternative housing arrangement as soon as possible. 

As previously communicated, residents who move out permanently by 12 p.m. on March 24, 2020 will receive a prorated refund of $827 for single rooms and $1,045 for suite rooms, as well as the unused balance of their meal plan. Please ensure that when you move out, you take all your belongings with you, as once you check out at the front desk, you will no longer have access to residence for the remainder of the academic year.

As a reminder, many residence services have already been reduced, and we expect to further reduce services after March 24. Take-out meals will be offered on a reduced schedule from the residence cafeteria. We are no longer permitting overnight guests and we are restricting daytime guest visits to those that are necessary.

We know that this isn’t the way that any of us expected the semester to end, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Please direct any questions to resmail@humber.ca

Important Winter 2020 Completion Update
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When:
March 19, 2020

The following notice was sent to all Humber Students on Thursday, March 19. 

Dear Humber students,

We know that the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation has been challenging and a source of stress for you and your fellow students. Humber is monitoring the changes closely as the health, well-being and safety of our campus community is always our top priority.

We have made some important decisions that I want to share with you.

When academic delivery resumes on Monday, March 23, all Humber classes will be offered remotely/online until the end of the Winter 2020 semester on Friday, April, 17. Students will not need to return to campus for the remainder of the Winter 2020 semester. 

We know that this isn’t the way that any of us expected the semester to end. As your safety and academic success are of paramount importance, we believe completing the Winter 2020 semester in this manner is the best option. 

We will make every effort to ensure that you complete your studies successfully, and are supported along the way. We are working to ensure that students in the final semester of their programs will be able to meet graduation requirements in order to graduate on time.

Any critical learning outcomes requiring lab access will be addressed in one or more of the following ways:

  • they will be delivered through faculty-led online learning, including video tutorials;
  • they will occur in subsequent semesters;
  • they will be delivered through other appropriate means.

Regardless of any changes to delivery format, you will be granted the same credit value for completing your program based on the assessment of required learning outcomes.

All students will receive an academic completion plan by end of day on Friday, March 20, 2020. Completion plans are being created by your professors, and will include information about the content to be covered in your courses and any changes to assessments. They will identify how you will be required to complete outstanding course requirements for this semester. If you do not have access to the technology required to complete your studies, you should contact your program coordinator.

The academic completion plans will also include information related to the completion of work-integrated-learning. If you have any questions about the work-integrated-learning content outlined in your plan, you should contact your placement advisor. 

In addition to your forthcoming academic completion plans, we also have a number of academic support services to help you with your studies. Please visit the Student Services Update tab at www.humber.ca/updates for a full list of services and their availability in the coming weeks. All key updates will continue to be posted on the main updates page.

We have also created a Student Learning Kit to provide help with Blackboard, other online tools and tips for online learning. There is also information on how you can connect with Open Learning Centre staff for support by email or phone. The Kit can be found at http://bit.ly/humberslkit. 

Please note the following: 

  • Existing online classes will continue to be offered as scheduled.
  • There are a limited number of programs in which students may be required to come to campus during the Spring/Summer semester to complete mandatory lab components. This information will be included in your academic completion plan.
  • For Apprenticeship programs, Ontario colleges continue to have discussions with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. We will provide information on the plans for the in-class portion of these programs as soon as possible. 

As you know, campuses are closed indefinitely and we are significantly limiting the number of people on campus to only those providing onsite essential services. We recognize there may be specific circumstances that require students to pick up personal items from campus (i.e. those kept in lockers). If you absolutely must retrieve any items from campus, you must do so by Friday, March 27th at 5:00 p.m. 

Students must first contact Public Safety by email at publicsafety@humber.ca or call 416.675.8500 to make pick-up arrangements. You will receive direction on which entrance to access and you should be prepared to be asked some initial screening questions by security and to provide picture identification. If you do not contact Public Safety, you will not be able to access campus.

We know that you may have questions about refunds for services, such as parking, or planned field trips that now won’t occur.Updates regarding refunds for these kinds of items will be forthcoming as we continue to assess the operational impact of the COVID-19 situation and receive guidance from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.   

While this is an unprecedented situation, Humber has dedicated and experienced faculty and support staff who can respond to the varying needs of our students. Our immediate focus is on ensuring that each of you has the opportunity to complete your Winter 2020 courses. We are Humber and we are committed to your success.

Sincerely,

Laurie Rancourt
Senior Vice-President, Academic

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