CBU Return to Campus Update – January 11

To the Campus Community,

As we continue to adjust to life with COVID-19, the Province of Nova Scotia is shifting to a strategy focused on slowing the spread of the virus while maintaining daily operations. Throughout the course of the pandemic, Cape Breton University has worked diligently with Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and Nova Scotia Public Health to develop an approved protocol for post-secondary intuitions. We continue to adhere to this plan and the measures put in place allow us to continue to learn and work in person while keeping one another safe. For these reasons, we are confident in our decision to return to in-person learning on January 17, 2022. Some of the safety measures currently in place on campus are outlined below:

• CBU has a mandatory Vaccination Policy, which has been recently updated for clarity and to better align with new provincial best practice and government regulations. All those accessing campus must be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption. If you have not yet submitted your proof of vaccination, please do so by following the steps on this page.
• Masks are mandatory on campus and should be three-ply. Masks can only be removed when actively eating or drinking. Masks cannot be removed while sitting in the cafeteria with a coffee or water bottle next to you. As usual, masks are available to employees at the mailroom during their hours of operation, and from Campus Security or Student Ambassadors outside of the CIBC Welcome Centre beginning tomorrow.
• Social distancing continues to be encouraged wherever possible.
• Rapid testing on campus has changed due to provincial requirements and is now paused. Rapid tests are now only available to those who are considered close contacts or are symptomatic.

We know some of you may feel hesitant to return to in person classes. Please know that we understand and these decisions are not being made lightly. We know it is important for students to have access to in person learning in a safe and inclusive environment with access to the required support services. We have heard from many students that the return to in-person learning is crucial for their mental health and continued academic success.

Vaccines continue to be an important tool in slowing the spread and can reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms drastically. Booster shots are now available for those ages 30+ and 168 days out from their last dose. Please make the time to book your booster when you are eligible. At this time, CBU is not asking for proof of the booster. However, we know vaccines work and should that change, you will be notified. I also cannot stress enough that if you are sick, you must stay home. Staying home protects others from becoming sick. Even if you do not have COVID-19, we are in the midst of cold and flu season and it’s important to ensure everyone stays well.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and will continue to take direction from the Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang, and the CBU Medical Advisory Board. As always, we are prepared to pivot should we need to at any time. Please protect each other and be kind. As things evolve and change, more communication will be provided.

For the most up-to-date public health guidelines and restrictions from the Province of Nova Scotia, please click here.

For more information on CBU’s response, please visit our FAQ’s. These FAQ’s will be updated frequently, so please save this link and continue to check for additional items of interest.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett

Chair of the Return to Campus Committee

Associate Vice President, Academic and Research