Watch the newest Academic COVID-19 Video Newsletter (updated: Oct. 26, 4:00 p.m.)
Read UCN's Sharing Space Safely plan. The plan contains guidelines for safely reopening UCN (updated: Oct. 20, 11:41 a.m.)
A flowchart is available to show next steps when a UCN student, staff or faculty member is ordered to self isolate because of COVID-19. (updated: Oct. 6, 1:48 p.m.)
COVID Alert is Canada's free exposure notification app. You can download it here.
(updated: Oct. 1, 2:11 p.m.)
There is no shortage of information at presentwith regard to COVID-19; however, you will want to ensure that you seek information only from valid and authorized sources. Included below are a numberof links torelevant and respected training and information about COVID-19:
(updated: Aug 21, 4:16 p.m.)
Go here for the latest information about working from home: ucncovid.ca/ucn-employee-faq
(updated: Aug 21, 3:54 p.m.)
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that these have been challenging times for all within UCN. Adding to this challenge is having to move from the traditional face-to-face learning mode to online learning has added stress to all learners. We would like to assist in easing the burden and have introduced a new grade option in recognition of the circumstance we are dealing with.
Initially you will receive your final grade in the traditional manner. Following the receipt of your final grade, you have the option of choosing from the options described below. You have the ability to do this on a course-by-course basis by completing the Student Grading Option Form and submitting it as instructed on the form. The deadline to submit the request is May 29, 2020.(Note: Option 2 does not apply to all programs – see list below).
With this information in mind, you have the following options when it comes to grading for this current Winter term, or Fall courses which ran over the two terms:
Standard Grading: Accept the standard grading mode. This is the standard grading approach approved at UCN and represents the regular grading approach for students. This grade will be used in your GPA calculations. (No further action required)
Option 1: Accepting of the letter grade received but exclude it from your UCN GPA calculations. Letter grade will appear on the transcript with a notation indicating that the student has chosen to exclude it from their UCN GPA calculations due to COVID-19. Grades excluded from the GPA calculation will not be used in calculating the GPA for the purpose of program progression and/or overall graduation GPA requirements. However, letter grades will continue to be used for UCN prerequisite requirements into other courses, admission to other programs, and to satisfy any other program requirements.
Option 2: Choose to convert your final grade into a “Pass” or “VW”. A “pass” can only be chosen if the original grade achieved was a grade of “D” or higher. A “VW” grade can be chosen for those who have received an “F” grade. In either scenario, no letter grade will be recorded or retained. A notation indicating that the student chose this approach due to COVID-19 will be indicated on the student’s transcript. Neither the “Pass” or “VW” grade will be included in your UCN GPA calculation.
Note: Prior to making a selection with regards to grading, students are advised to contact their Academic Advisor as students are still obligated to meet all existing admission, prerequisite, progression, degree, and graduation policies and requirements that apply to them. (For example, a program or course may require a grade of “C” or higher as a prerequisite/admission requirement for enrolment in another subsequent course/program. In such situations a “pass” grade will not be accepted.)
Program Exceptions to “Option 2”:
The following programs will not be accepting the options noted previously, however will allow “VW”:
Adult Learning Centre
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Arts – Nursing Intent (if “P” is part of the 30 credit admission requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing)
Bachelor of Education – All streams
Diploma in Practical Nursing
Health Care Aide
Primary Care Paramedic
A reminder that the deadline date to submit your request is May 29, 2020.
(updated: April 19, 10:09 a.m.)
Keeping Students, Faculty, and Staff Safe, Healthy, and Engaged in Education
The Government of Manitoba released on March 30th a list of provincial-wide closures, and UCN is exempt from that closure order.
Manitoba Economic Development and Training advises that provision 3(4)(b) of the Public Health Order means that University College of the North is not impacted by the closures noted in the order or accompanying schedules. Specifically, this section states:
3(4) Nothing in this Order prevents operations or the delivery of services by any of the following, regardless of whether they are listed in the schedule:
(a) the Government of Canada, the Government of Manitoba or a municipality;
(b) any person or publicly funded agency, organization or authority that delivers of supports government operations and services, including health care operations and services.
However, while UCN remains open, UCN is adhering to physical distancing, intensified cleaning routines, encouraging handwashing, and advising students, faculty, and staff that they must stay home when ill, and following other direction from Manitoba’s chief public health officer to restrict transmission of the virus.
UCN is digitally open for learning. Our faculty and staff are working hard from different locations to ensure that northerners have ongoing access to high quality, relevant education! UCN will maintain essential staffing in its two main campuses and some Post-Secondary Education Access Centres to ensure that online and other resources remain available to support student learning. The vast majority of our courses and programs are taking place using alternative methodologies. In some cases, practicums, clinical and other work-integrated learning placements will continue in consultation with the partners offering those placements.
UCN is practicing physical distancing to ensure that students still have access to computer labs and library resources to support their ongoing education. Additionally, and as of today, 19 students live in residence, staying in single rooms. Security and minimal administrative and support activity is occurring on site. UCN is as near to closed as it can be given the current circumstances, and continues to work to move all activity online and off site.
(updated: April 1, 3:52 p.m.)
Travel
All University College of the North work-related travel, whether out of province or out of country, is suspended until July 1, 2020. Please remember to cancel any travel arrangements (hotel, airfare, etc.). UCN staff working out of Access Centres are to check local travel advisories or restrictions before leaving or travelling to and from their community.
MB Government is advising no out of province or out of country travel. If a UCN employee chooses to travel into another province on personal time, they will be required to self-isolate for 14 days when they return. If work from home arrangements are possible for the employee’s job, such arrangements must be approved by the supervisor before travelling. Employees will need to use personal leave if arrangements weren’t made in advance of travel.
Campus Hours
UCN campus doors in The Pas and Thompson will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Outside those hours, the campus doors will be locked.
Library Hours (for student/staff access only)
· The Pas: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
· Thompson: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(updated: March 25, 3:38 p.m.)
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