At Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE), our top priorities are the health and safety of our community, and being able to provide our students with an exceptional learning experience. We are committed to taking the actions necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Our upcoming fall semester will be predominately virtual, with limited exceptions. Full in-person, on-campus learning experiences will not resume prior to January 2021.
General:
Will the CUE campus be open in September?
Our upcoming fall semester will be predominately virtual, with limited exceptions for classes and programs that require in-person interaction and extensive experiential learning. Some of our campus facilities will be open with restricted hours; however, we are discouraging non-essential travel and arranging for the majority of our campus community to work remotely.
Will the CUE campus be safe?
Yes. We take the health and safety of our community seriously. In addition to asking any person showing symptoms of COVID-19 to leave campus immediately, we are implementing protocols aligned with public health regulations and recommendations. These include: enforcing physical distancing; requiring the use of non-medical masks where physical distancing is not possible; limiting the number of students, faculty, and staff on campus; encouraging safe forms of social interaction; and enhancing campus sanitization practices. Failure to respect these protocols may result in removal from campus and potential further disciplinary action.
Will visitors be allowed on campus?
No. Visitors and guests will not be permitted on campus, and all students, faculty, and staff will be asked to carry their CUE identification with them at all times.
What is physical distancing?
Physical distancing will be enforced on the CUE campus, meaning all students, faculty, and staff will be required to keep a distance of at least two metres from others. Additionally, we are implementing measures to prevent crowding and gatherings, including limiting the number of people on campus at any one time.
I will be on campus in September. Do I need to wear a non-medical mask?
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are asking all students, faculty, and staff to carry a face mask at all times to be used when physical distancing is not possible. Any mask may be worn that is suitable for preventing the spread of droplets.
Why virtual learning?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CUE transitioned to virtual learning and began planning for the fall semester in March 2020. As a small university, we are limited in the number of spaces that will allow for adequate physical distancing and other COVID-19 prevention measures. We are supporting our faculty and staff to deliver the same high-quality classes, programs, and services that our students have come to expect from us, and look forward to a successful semester.
For Students:
Will I still be able to continue my studies? How will they be impacted by COVID-19?
Yes. Our top priorities are the health and safety of our community, and being able to provide our students with an exceptional learning experience. Our upcoming academic term will be predominately online; however, courses will continue to be taught by our dedicated professors and instructors who are committed to your success.
Which courses will be taking place in-person on the CUE campus?
While the majority of courses will be delivered virtually, there will be limited exceptions for courses and programs that require in-person interaction and extensive experiential learning. We appreciate your patience while we finalize our plans and want to assure you that more information will be available in the near future.
Will in-person, on-campus classes resume during the semester?
No. Courses that begin the semester online will remain that way for the entire fall semester.
Will it be safe to attend in-person, on-campus classes?
Yes. We take safety seriously and want to assure you that we are implementing measures to ensure our campus is prepared to welcome you in September. All in-person, on-campus classes will have limited capacity and adhere to public health regulations and recommendations, including physical distancing.
Will I be able to access services and support?
Yes. Students will be able to access services and support online and in-person; however, on-campus services may operate with restricted hours.
I live outside of Edmonton but need to be in the city in September. Is residence open?
No. Our residences will be closed for the fall semester. If students need to physically be in Edmonton, our Residence Life team is available to help find appropriate accommodations.
Will campus facilities be open in September?
Some facilities will be open with restricted hours; however, we would encourage students to limit non-essential travel to campus. The Fitness Centre will remain closed and student fees will be adjusted accordingly.
I will be on campus in September. What do I need to know?
We are committed to taking the actions necessary to protect the health of our community. Our facilities will be managed to promote physical distancing and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, and some buildings, areas, and exits will be restricted. No visitors are permitted on-campus and all students, staff, and faculty will be required to carry their CUE identification at all times.
Can I study on campus in September?
We will be designating a monitored area on campus for students who do not have adequate facilities to study at home. This area will be designed to allow for physical distancing and students will be asked to register to use this area in advance for planning purposes.
I am an international student. What do I do?
We are pleased that international students will be able to begin the semester virtually. We would encourage all international students experiencing challenges to contact our International Office.
I am experiencing financial challenges related to COVID-19. Is support available?
We recognize that COVID-19 has created difficult financial conditions for many of our students. We are here to help—please contact Financial Aid to learn more about available support, including CUE’s COVID-19 Support Bursary.
I am interested in an exchange program. Will I be able to study abroad?
All outgoing study abroad opportunities for the upcoming fall semester have been suspended. The COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly and we will continue to monitor changes to evaluate and determine the status of opportunities for the winter term.
Will internships and practicums still take place?
We are continuing to monitor the situation to evaluate and determine the status of internships and practica. Our priorities are the health and safety of our students, and the quality of learning opportunities. More information will be shared in the near future.
My program includes extensive work with industry partners. What do I need to know?
We are continuing to monitor the situation to evaluate and determine the status of industry collaborations. Our priorities are the health and safety of our students, and the quality of learning opportunities. More information will be shared in the near future.
Will extracurricular activities be available?
We are currently evaluating opportunities to offer extracurricular activities virtually and in-person within the scope of health regulations and the constraints of our campus buildings. More information will be shared in the near future.
I am a student athlete. Will I be able to compete?
Our Thunder Athletics program will continue to run with remote and in-person training opportunities that adhere to public health guidelines. Given physical distancing requirements, there remains some uncertainty about when the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference (ACAC) season will resume; however, our Athletics Department is working closely with ACAC to ensure an eventual return to play when it is safe to do so.