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Return to Campus Framework

Return to Campus Framework

Current Phase

Nipissing University is currently in: Phase 4 – Open Campus Access

Framework Creation Process

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our Nipissing community has been paramount and has served as the guiding principle behind all of our decisions.

Early on in the pandemic, Nipissing University established an Operational Readiness Committee (ORC) to identify, evaluate and offer proposals related to pandemic concerns with the goal of creating a multi-phased implementation plan for the eventual return of campus operations. The Committee will remain in place for the remainder of the pandemic. Members of the ORC participate in national and provincial university peer group meetings and share best practices with the committee for evaluation.

The Return to Campus Framework presented below was developed by the ORC with input from a variety of sources and stakeholders, incorporating best practices to ensure the health and safety of our community. The Framework offers a gradual, phased approach to safely bringing students, faculty and staff back to campus.

You’ll note that there are no specific timelines attached to the phases as the timing and transition from one phase to the next will be guided by provincial directives and public health advice. The Framework is a living document and will remain flexible in order to comply with provincial requirements and address guidelines provided by the Council of Ontario Universities.

Assumptions

The University’s Return to Campus Framework is based on the following assumptions:

  • The province’s 3 step plan called ‘Roadmap to Reopen’ is incorporated into the Return to Campus Phases

  • The health and safety of the entire Nipissing University community is paramount
  • Enhanced cleaning protocols remain in place for common, high contact, and high traffic areas
  • Personal hygiene, regular hand washing, and physical distancing remain in place
  • Signage, barriers, and personal protective equipment / community protective equipment (PPE/CPE) continue to be utilized as required and as available
  • Active screening will be required for those reporting to campus until further notice

Phases

Phase 0 – Restricted Campus Access

Campus access is restricted to those who are required to perform essential duties, as defined by the province (i.e. Facilities & Maintenance, Residence Services, University Technology Services, Caretaking/Custodial, Finance, Registrar, HR/Payroll, Residence Operations, and Shipping & Receiving).

  • Construction and maintenance projects continue (as permitted by the province)
  • Student Residence operations will continue normal operations
  • Research Recovery Plan can implement Stage 2 which requires valid application through Romeo
  • Library Services will continue to provide curbside services
  • Outdoor Summer Camps can be hosted with groups up to 30 dependant on age group
  • Athletics facilities remain closed but outdoor team and personal training of 10 people with distancing is permitted

Roadmap to Reopen Step 1 applies

Phase 1 – Required Campus Access

Campus access is expanded to allow more Nipissing University employees to work from campus as provincial or local health guidelines permit.

  • Phase 1 department plans will be developed in consultation with employees to determine those required to return to campus - employees returning to campus will be provided with appropriate notice 
  • Employees returning to campus will be provided with appropriate notice
  • Wherever appropriate, NU employees will be encouraged to continue working at home
  • Students may be permitted to visit campus to obtain limited available services - pre-approval may be required
  • Student Residence operations will continue normal operations
  • Research Recovery Plan can implement Stage 2 which requires valid application through Romeo
  • Library Services may open facility with reduced capacity

  • Summer Camps can be hosted with groups up to 30 dependant on age group

  • Athletics facilities remain closed but outdoor sports leagues and team training are permitted with capacity limited by 3m social distancing on the play surface to be used and personal training with max limit of 25 people with distancing is permitted

Roadmap to Reopen Step 2 applies

Phase 2 – Limited Campus Access

Phase 2 represents expanded campus operations permitted in compliance with the provincial framework requirements.

  • Campus access is expanded to include more staff members from university departments with capacity limits implemented.
  • Select departments that normally provide face to face services will have a physical presence on-site
  • Students will be permitted to visit campus to obtain approved services
  • Student Residence operations will continue normal operations
  • Research Recovery Plan can implement Stage 2 which requires valid application through Romeo
  • Library Services may open facility with reduced capacity
  • Athletics facilities open for indoor personal training with social distancing and outdoor sports leagues are permitted, outdoor team and personal training with distancing is permitted

Roadmap to Reopen Step 3 applies

Phase 3 – Limited Campus Access – On-site Academic Program Delivery

Phase 3 represents expanded campus operations permitted in compliance with the provincial framework requirements.

  • Campus access is expanded to include more staff and faculty members from university administration and academic departments with capacity limits implemented
  • Students will be permitted to visit campus to obtain approved services and attend classes offered in-person
  • Student Residence operations will continue normal operations
  • Research Recovery Plan can implement Stage 3.1 which requires valid application through Romeo
  • Library Services may open facility with reduced capacity
  • Athletics facilities open for indoor personal training with distancing and outdoor sports leagues are permitted, outdoor team and personal with distancing is permitted

Roadmap to Reopen Step 3 applies

Phase 4 – Open Campus Access

Phase 4 represents further expanded operations permitted in compliance with the provincial framework requirements.

  • Campus access is expanded to include all required staff, faculty members, students and visitors
  • Resumption of all remaining on-site services
  • Student Residence will continue normal operations
  • Research Recovery Plan can implement final Stage which requires valid application through Romeo
  • Library Services will resume full operations
  • Athletics facilities will resume full operations

Roadmap to Reopen is completed

Contact

For questions regarding the Return to Campus Framework, please contact: coronavirus@nipissingu.ca

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