COVID-19 Update as of May 3, 2021

For new students landing on or after February 22, 2021:

The government of Canada has announced new measures for travelers arriving in the country:

1. A new mandatory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing requirement upon arrival to Canadian airports.

2. Travelers will be required to quarantine for up to three days at a designated hotel while waiting for their COVID-19 test result. The hotel costs will be at the expense of the travelers, which could cost around $2000.00.

3. If the COVID-19 test result is negative, travelers will be allowed to conclude their 14 quarantine at their preferred location.

In the interest of supporting our students, and in the case our students are required to pay additional accommodation charges while awaiting the COVID-19 test result, Arbutus College will provide a grant of up to $1500 to help with these additional hotel costs. This grant will be applied as up to $500.00 per month for the first 3 months of the student’s program tuition fees. In order to be eligible for this grant, the student must be enrolled in at least a 6+6 Diploma program.

This grant will be issued upon submission of proof of payment of their hotel quarantine cost.  As an example, if two students are sharing the same room in a designated hotel, then the grant will be just for the payment these students made for the hotel accommodation, it will not be granted per person. Arbutus College will provide the grant against the actual expense incurred for the hotel up to $1500.00.

For new students:

The Orientation for students starting in our May 31, 2021 intake will take place on May 31 on campus AND online at 8:00 AM PDT. You will need to confirm your attendance to the on-campus orientation prior to May 31 by sending an email to studentadvisor@arbutuscollege.com. You will also need to complete a health declaration upon entering the campus. Information about how to access the orientation will be provided in due time. For those of you who are not in Canada yet, more information will follow on how to access this orientation.

For current and new students:

The May term will start on May 31, 2021 in hybrid delivery.

For Students in Canada:

To facilitate the delivery of courses we will be using ZOOM as the online platform. If you are a current student located in Vancouver, your classes will be in real time. This means that for example, if you are scheduled to attend a class on April 6, you should follow the link to the class that your instructor will send you, the class will take place on the same days and time as per your schedule. Please note that if you are in Canada and your class is scheduled to be delivered in a hybrid format, you will be required to attend your class on campus at least once a week.

Here are the instructions to access your class:

1. Click on the link your instructor will send you
2. You are now in your class!
3. If you have difficulty accessing your class, please get in touch with your instructor directly.
4. Happy online learning!

Minimum technical requirements:

We recommend that you use a laptop with a good internet connection. Your laptop should have a good microphone and a video camera. You can access your class through your smartphone; make sure you are using Wi-Fi.

For Students outside of Canada:

Your classes will not be in real time but pre-recorded. This means that you can access your classes and work on your courses at the time that best suits you. However, your instructor will require you to do assignments and presentations that you will need to submit within a deadline. You will need to follow the classes as per your class schedule.

Here are the instructions to access your online course:

1. Click on the link your instructor will send you
2. You will be now looking at the recording of an actual class for your course.
3. If you have difficulty accessing the recording, please get in touch with your instructor directly.
4. Your instructor will provide you with instructions on how to complete your assignments and deadlines to submit them.
5. Happy online learning!

Minimum technical requirements:

We recommend that you use a laptop with a good internet connection. Your laptop should have a good microphone and a video camera. You can access your class through your smartphone; make sure you are using Wi-Fi.

We will continue to provide further announcements to all of you as the situation evolves. Please make sure to check your emails regularly.

Please contact us at customerservice@arbutuscollege.com or cell phone number 778-319-7320 regarding programs, intake dates and admission.

For tuition fees payment and payment, plans please contact us at myinfo@arbutuscollege.com

You can also contact us at studentadvisor@arbutuscollege.com or call us at 604-622-4446, 778-227-6496 or 778-227-6869 for any questions or concerns you may have about your courses.

For all students:

All students currently registered in a B.C. post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community referral service, conveniently available 24/7 via app, by phone (1-877-857-3397) and online at www.Here2Talk.ca

For students, faculty and staff:

We would like to emphasize that if you are feeling ill, please stay home, monitor your symptoms and call your family doctor for further instructions, and if you are in Vancouver, call 811 or visit the BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool website for further guidance (https://bc.thrive.health/).

Please also contact Arbutus College via our dedicated email covid-19@arbutuscollege.com regarding your health situation.

We will continue to provide further announcements to all of you as the situation evolves. Please make sure to check your emails regularly.

Arbutus College re-opening plan:

Arbutus College has started delivering its courses in a hybrid format since September 28, 2020. We are opening selected classes each term in a hybrid format. Details of these courses will become available in due time.

The school has begun the staged return of a very small number of employees to the workplace since Monday, June 1, 2020.

The opening of the Arbutus campus follows the recommendations of the provincial government as outlined in the BC Restart Plan and the COVID-19 in BC Go Forward Management Strategy, and comply with WorkSafe BC Health and Safety Guidelines (www.WorkSafeBC.com)

Physical Distancing:

• Only staff who must be on campus to do all, or part of their jobs, effectively will be onsite
• Onsite staff must be able to easily maintain social distancing requirements
• Staff will be encouraged to wear their mask when moving around campus
• Any visitors that must come to campus will make an appointment for a specific time and wear a mask when onsite
• Hallways are designated as “one-way” and marked with tape
• Stairways are marked for use “one person at a time”
• A plexiglass barrier has been installed at reception and enrolment services

Administrative Controls:

• The fridge, coffee machine, water cooler, and microwave will remain out of service
• Dishes and cutlery belonging to Arbutus may not be used
• At the moment all classrooms not currently used to deliver classes remain off-limits
• Any individual intending to work from campus must complete new OHS training with Patrick or Chanel prior to returning to campus
• The campus cleaning schedule will be adjusted with an increasing number of employees
• The staff washroom and photocopier will be supplied with sanitizing wipes
• All onsite staff will be furnished with their washroom key
• Any individual on campus should be aware that Arbutus will continue to maintain the WorkSafeBC reporting requirements for workplace injuries or illness including COVID-19

Monitoring:

• Anyone planning to enter campus must complete a health declaration prior to entering
• Employees, Visitors, and students will complete a health declaration daily or for each visit to campus

Finally, we urge you to continue practicing social distancing, continue to exercise good hygiene habits, wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer and avoid touching your face.