Get the latest information about the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation in the February 2020 newsletter here. 

Additional information about the Barrett CTI can be found at humber.ca/barrettcti.

The director general of the World Health Organization has named the coronavirus, COVID-19. Humber College continues to monitor the situation and the potential impact on our community. Toronto Public Health issued a letter on February 7 with new recommendations to support global containment efforts and limit the spread of the virus, including self-isolation. Read the letter here.

Any students with reason to believe they should be self-isolated will be accommodated, as long as the appropriate notice and documentation is provided. Any student in this situation is asked to contact their Associate Dean.

Faculty members who believe they should be self-isolated should contact their Associate Dean to discuss appropriate next steps.

All other employees with reason to believe they should be self-isolated should contact their manager to discuss appropriate next steps.

Humber is following all respiratory illness protocols and prevention measures already in place. In addition, areas of the College that provide health-related services, including the Health Centres, Dental Centres, the Humber Spa and the Tzu Chi Clinic of Chinese Medicine, have the recommended screening protocols in place.

All classes, campus operations and college activities will continue as scheduled.

Health authorities have stated that there have been seven confirmed cases in Canada to date (February 8). While the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an international public health emergency, the current risk to Canadians remains low. We maintain ongoing contact with Toronto Public Health and have been advised that there are no additional actions required, and to follow regular respiratory illness protocols and prevention strategies.

As we are in the winter flu season, we ask everyone to:

• wash your hands as frequently as possible,
• cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and clean your hands,
• if you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm,
• and stay home if you’re feeling ill.

Soap and hand sanitizer dispensers across campus will be monitored and filled regularly. Flu shots are still available in the Health Centres.

For the most up-to-date information in Ontario, community members are encouraged to visit the Ontario Ministry of Health website.

Humber takes the health and wellbeing of our staff and students seriously. Updates and more information will be provided as we continue to monitor the situation closely. If you have any questions, please contact:

• Jacqueline Anderson, Associate Director, Health and Counselling, at jacqueline.anderson@humber.ca
• Margaret Fung, Manager, Occupational Health and Safety at margaret.fung@humber.ca.

As news of the virus continues to dominate headlines, it is understandable that anxiety is heightened in the community, and this can often result in discrimination and racism. As an institution, we are proud of our diversity and the richness it brings to the classrooms, hallways and boardrooms. We see it as one of our greatest strengths. While coronavirus can be traced to a province in China, it is important not to characterize the coronavirus as being transmitted from any one group. As always, we work to ensure that Humber is a safe place for staff, students and visitors. We must now come together as a community to avoid any hint of xenophobia. Thank you for continuing to uphold our foundational values of equity, diversity and inclusion.

An oversight group comprising representatives from the Academic Division, Communications, Human Resources, Legal and Risk Management, Public Safety, Student Success and Engagement, and the University of Guelph-Humber has been established and will provide weekly updates to the community, or as needed.

Other links:
Ontario Ministry of Health Statement
Public Health Agency of Canada
Toronto Public Health 
Toronto Public Health Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet
Canada Travel Advisory

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is looking for big ideas to accelerate change that will protect and restore our planet at the annual Designing Change for a Living Planet competition on Saturday, March 14, 2020. 

Humber and Guelph-Humber students are invited to apply to join professionals from different industries at the WWF Toronto office to create and share their ideas on how to build a sustainable future. 

Participants will have the opportunity to: 

• Represent their campus 
• Create and innovate at WWF with their team of four students 
• Connect with other post-secondary students and staff 
• Develop new contacts with professionals from different industries 
• Present concepts to WWF staff and a panel of expert judges 
• Compete for prize (to be announced) and a one-on-one mentoring opportunity with an industry professional in a sector area of their choice 

How to apply: 

• Students can apply as an individual or as a team of four to represent their campus through the Living Planet @ Campus website before 11:59 p.m. E.S.T Monday, February 17, 2020. 

The chosen participants will be contacted by a representative from WWF the week of February 24, 2020. The event is Saturday March 14, 2020 (all-day, exact timings to come), at WWF's Toronto office (410 Adelaide Street W, Suite 400). 

Share with your students about this amazing opportunity!

If you are interested in bringing your applied research project to life and would like to apply for a grant, Raeshelle Morris, ARI’s Innovation Program Manager, will now have one-on-one drop-in sessions on Mondays at the Lakeshore Campus to support you.

Some of the areas she will cover are:

• Current Applied Research Projects
• Funding options
• Grant writing consultations
• Grant submission requirements

Book your session through Outlook Calendar: raeshelle.morris@humber.ca

Lakeshore Campus, Room H206

Open schedule on Mondays