COVID-19

Through ongoing consultation with public health and the close monitoring of COVID trends, government directives and vaccine eligibility and supply, Niagara College has determined that students living in on-campus residence this fall will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

As we prioritize safety, this requirement recognizes that students in residence are in congregate living settings while sharing spaces and amenities, and it allows us to offer students a residence-life experience that is as safe, fulsome and rewarding as possible.

Students who are moving into a NC campus residence for the Fall term will be required to:

• provide government-issued documentation indicating that they have received at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization; and
• provide documentation indicating that their second dose is scheduled, or provide government-issued documentation indicating that they have received their second COVID-19 vaccination.

Students who have been accepted to residence will receive an email the week of July 12 with a secure link for submitting documentation. The required documentation must be submitted to Niagara College’s Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services no later than Monday, August 9, 2021. Students facing extenuating circumstances may contact Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (notifyHWAS@niagaracollege.ca).

With residence move-in dates scheduled for September 4-5, residents are strongly encouraged to have their second doses booked by August 21 – two weeks prior to their move-in date.

Until proof of both COVID-19 vaccine doses is provided, additional restrictions may apply to students living in residence who are not fully vaccinated, based on public health guidelines this fall.

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for detailed information regarding vaccine requirements for on-campus residences, the process for submitting vaccination documents, deadline dates, accepted vaccines, the exemption process, restrictions for those who are not fully vaccinated, and more.

Students living in residence who are not vaccinated due to disability or religion/creed may apply for an exemption in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. A form for a medical exemption can be downloaded here, and a statement of religious belief/creed can be downloaded here.

Studies continue to show that vaccines are safe, and the most effective tool in reducing the risk of serious illness, and limiting the spread of COVID-19. Currently, people 12 years of age and older are eligible for a second dose in Ontario. For further information, including updates on eligibility, how to book vaccination appointments, and frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 vaccines, visit the Niagara Region Public Health vaccine page and the government of Ontario’s vaccine page.

As we approach a Fall term that will see a significant increase on on-campus learning, all on-campus activity will comply with public health measures and directives. All members of the College community are strongly encouraged to further contribute to the safety of our learning environment and workplace by getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

The College continues to plan for Fall term and updates will be available at niagaracollege.ca/covid19.

Questions regarding the vaccination policy for on-campus residences can be directed to notifyhwas@niagaracollege.ca. Other questions regarding on-campus residences can be directed to residence staff at the Welland Campus at 905-732-9700 or at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake at 905-641-4435.

Where a student lives in their first year attending Niagara College can have a direct impact on their academic success, making on-campus housing a great choice especially for those who do not live in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, or the surrounding area.

Living in Residence has many benefits, including access to additional supports to facilitate a student’s transition from high school to Niagara College.

Additionally, Residence is also a convenient option for students who may not have previously considered living on-campus prior to COVID-19. For those with in-person components to their program, living on-campus is a great way to eliminate or reduce your daily commute.

We are committed to ensuring your experience in Residence is a positive one, regardless of the current situation we are all facing. Our Residence Life Team is ready to adapt our community model as restrictions continue to be eased to support and encourage not only your academics but also your social success. We will continue to have Resident Advisors and Residence Services Representatives available to all students – our methods of programming and communication may change, but our commitment to the student experience will never weary.

The Residence in collaboration with Niagara College will continue to monitor provincial recovery plans on an ongoing basis to ensure the safety of our Residents and Staff remains a priority. As the province continues to reopen, housekeeping services are expected to restart in September 2021.

Students will be provided with a weekly housekeeping schedule upon moving into the Residence. Cleaning of the suites is limited to the common areas. (I.e., cleaning of counters, floors, showers and toilets in student-occupied suites weekly). Students should come prepared with the necessary supplies to sanitize their personal and common space in between the Residence provided weekly cleanings. Bedrooms will not be entered by staff unless the need arises

Staff will arrive to clean each suite and must wear a face shield, mask, and gloves while inside an occupied suite. Students will be required to wear a mask and adhere to physical distancing recommendations keeping a 2m distance while the staff are present in their suite.

Along with increased sanitization throughout the building, residents are required to comply with physical distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed while on campus due to COVID-19 or other public health emergencies.

When the minimum recommended physical distance of six (6) feet is not able to be maintained, residents will be expected to wear a mask.

Residents are recommended to wear a mask when in shared areas of the Residence and are required to maintain the posted room occupancy guidelines (e.g. common kitchens, laundry rooms, elevators).

The Residence is available to all full-time Niagara College students, even if your classes are only offered online at this time. If you are planning on living in Residence with only remote fall classes and have accepted your offer, please check your e-mails periodically for any essential communication from the Residence.

If you do not have an offer of acceptance for Residence, you may cancel your application at any time and you will receive your security deposit back in the form of a cheque.

Please note that refunds take a minimum of 6-8 weeks to be processed and then delivered. With Canada Post COVID-19 delays, please allow additional time for delivery.

Unfortunately, the Residence cannot guarantee available spots or deferrals for another semester at this time. Therefore, if a student is looking to cancel their current application, they must log onto My Housing Portal and cancel their application.

Please note that refunds take a minimum of 6-8 weeks to be processed and then delivered. With Canada Post COVID-19 delays, please allow additional time for delivery.

Applications for Academic Year 2021/2022 – Open February 1, 2021

Applications for Spring/Summer 2021 – Open February 1, 2021

Note: The Residences underwent an update of their account software in October 2020 and are not able to accommodate deposit holds to another semester.

Winter Residence will be first come, first served based on when the application has been received, complete with the $500 deposit.

Please note: Bill payee payments take 3-5 business days before being received at the Residence.

Acceptance will be completely dependent on the number of spots available. If you have not applied for the fall, you will need to submit a $500.00 security deposit in order for your application to be valid and considered.

If you have cancelled your fall application and have received your refund, or your refund is processing, you will have to be required to have an active $500 deposit applied to your current application.

Yes! The Residence will continue to accept mail and parcels from Canada Post and all other courier companies. The process will be adapted so physical distancing can be maintained between Residence staff and delivery people. Our staff will process and store mail while maintaining personal protective equipment guidelines. Students will be notified by email or phone that they have received mail and arrange for a time to pick up to ensure physical distancing can be maintained while students are retrieving their mail.

The Residence will be temporarily suspending drop-offs from family or friends of a resident’s belongings at the front desk. If a student requires a personal delivery including grocery and/or food deliveries, it must occur without the reliance on a Residence staff member.

Please note, the Residence will only hold mail and parcels for students currently living in Residence upon delivery.

Niagara Residences only offer two-bedroom suite accommodations and will be moving forward with double occupancy in all suites. This means that you will have a roommate – however, there will be an emphasis on cleanliness in the suite and ensuring both parties are doing their part in consistently sanitizing their common spaces routinely.

The Residence is prepared with a full Residence Life Team including student employed Resident Advisors and Residence Life Coordinator to aid in facilitating cleanliness conversations between roommates and help implement Residence measures in place. 

If you would like to get in contact with a manager about your specific situation, you may contact the following person on or before June 15, 2021, to discuss a potential alternative payment plan that better suits your needs.

You must inform a Residence staff member if you have a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19 in Residence. It is important that proper steps are taken to support the needs of the impacted individual, their roommate(s) if applicable, and the greater Residence & campus community. If you experience flu-like symptoms with a fever while living in Residence, contact your local family doctor or call Telehealth Ontario 24/7 at 1-866-797-0000.

During any cold and flu season, it’s a good idea to stock up on supplies in case you need to stay in for a few days, like cold and flu meds, a thermometer, hand sanitizer, and tissues.  Comfort and cleaning kits are available to provide students with the ability to clean/sanitize the isolated suite until students can provide their own supplies.

Students are responsible to arrange their own food delivery through delivery services, and/or by immediate family/emergency contacts.

Students who have been directed to Self-Isolate and/or diagnosed are required to notify the Residence Management immediately and follow the How to Self Isolate at Home when you have COVID-19.

Students should know the difference between Self-monitoring, Self-isolation, and Isolation. Know The Difference: Self-Monitoring, Self-Isolation, And Isolation For COVID-19.

In order to reduce the spread of infection, students who have been directed to Self-Isolate/Isolate will be asked directed to do so within their assigned suite or at their permanent home address.

Roommates and students living with a suspected case of COVID-19 will not be relocated to ensure the spread of the virus is contained within the isolated suite.

 

SELF-MONITORING should commence if you have reason to believe:

1. You have been exposed to a person with COVID-19,  
2. You are in close contact with older adults or medically vulnerable people, OR,
3. You have been advised to self-monitor for any other reason by your Public Health Authority.

SELF-ISOLATE: if you have:

1. Travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days,
2. Your Public Health Authority has identified you as a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19,
3. If you develop symptoms, even if mild, stay home, avoid other people and contact your Public Health Authority as soon as possible.

ISOLATION: will commence if:

1. You have been diagnosed with COVID-19,
2. You are waiting to hear the results of a laboratory test for COVID-19, OR,
3. You have been advised to stay at home for any other reason by your Public Health authority.

In order to reduce the spread of infection, the Residence will coordinate with Public Health, Niagara College, and Niagara College Health, Wellness, and Accessibility Services to support the student’s (and roommate’s) health and academic needs.

Students who have been directed to Self-Isolate/Isolate will be asked directed to do so within their assigned suite or at their permanent home address.

Roommates and students living with a suspected case of COVID-19 will not be relocated to ensure the spread of the virus is contained within the isolated suite.

SELF-MONITORING should commence if you have reason to believe:

1. You have been exposed to a person with COVID-19,  
2. You are in close contact with older adults or medically vulnerable people, OR,
3. You have been advised to self-monitor for any other reason by your Public Health Authority.

SELF-ISOLATE: if you have:

1. Traveled outside of Canada within the last 14 days,
2. Your Public Health Authority has identified you as a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19,
3. If you develop symptoms, even if mild, stay home, avoid other people and contact your Public Health Authority as soon as possible.

ISOLATION: will commence if:

1. You have been diagnosed with COVID-19,
2. You are waiting to hear the results of a laboratory test for COVID-19, OR,
3. You have been advised to stay at home for any other reason by your Public Health authority.

If you have a question that has not been answered above, please feel free to e-mail us with the contact information below.

Please note, due to COVID-19, we are experiencing delays returning your e-mails and phone calls. During this time, we appreciate your patience while we work to provide you with the information you request. Staff will respond within a 1 – 2 day timeframe. While we encourage e-mail communication during this time, if you wish to speak to a representative on the telephone, please call between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm due to limited staffing.