The Ontario government announced that effective Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, the province will return to a modified Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen in response to the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 hospitalizations. In light of this, effective Tuesday Jan. 4, 2022, Nipissing University will revert to Phase 1 of its Return to Campus Framework – "Required Campus Access." 
This phase will remain in effect for at least 21 days (until Jan. 26, 2022), subject to trends in public health and health system indicators. 

Course Delivery 

• Winter Term classes will begin online on Jan. 10. Those courses that were scheduled to return to in-person learning on Jan. 24, 2022, will now be delivered online until Jan. 31, 2022. Faculty should be prepared to deliver all classes online including laboratory and studio sections of courses until Jan. 31, 2022. Note: in-person nursing courses will still proceed as planned. 

• We intend for this shift to online learning to be a temporary measure and hope to return to offering both in-person and online options for the remainder of the Winter Term as planned. 

Remote Work 

• Only those employees approved to access campus during Phase 1 of the Return to Campus Framework are required to report to campus for work. All other employees should work remotely. Please check with your supervisor or Dean if you are unsure about what this means for you. Staff should be prepared for the University to return to Phase 3 of its Return to Campus framework on Jan. 26, 2022, subject to any changes in public health requirements. 

• Any employees who need to access campus to pick up essential items to facilitate remote work are asked to do so tomorrow, Jan. 4, 2022. Please make this request through your supervisor or Dean for approval. Once approved, the request should be forwarded to facilities@nipissingu.ca with a copy to michellb@nipissingu.ca so that campus access can be granted. Individuals will be able to access campus through the main doors and must complete the self-assessment and vaccine passport via the Nipissing Safe app. If you have any symptoms, please do not come to campus. Alternative arrangements will be made to retrieve any items you may require.  

• Faculty members should teach their courses from home rather than from their University offices. If this is not possible, please contact your Dean immediately for further direction. For any IT-related issues, please create a ticket with the Help Desk at https://helpdesk.nipissingu.ca 

Research & Research Travel 

• As previously communicated, face-to-face research is currently suspended until at least Jan. 26, 2022.  

• At this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada is advising travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, to avoid non-essential travel internationally. Since research travel is considered non-essential and many countries have already imposed travel restrictions, we are asking all faculty to avoid research travel until further notice. 

Vaccines 

• All students, faculty and staff members are encouraged to get their COVID-19 booster shot as soon as they are able. You can book a COVID-19 vaccine through Ontario's online booking portal. 

Updated Illness Policy, Return to Campus Framework and Communications Protocol 

• We are carefully reviewing the latest announcements and public health developments and will be updating our COVID-19 Illness Policy, Return to Campus Framework and Positive Case Reporting Protocol accordingly in the coming days.  

Meetings & Events 

• All in-person events should be moved online or cancelled.  

Food Services 

• In-person dining will not be available on campus during Phase 1. Details on cafeteria hours of operation will be forthcoming shortly. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for updates. 

Library 

• The Harris Learning Library will be open at limited capacity. Please check the Library website for updated hours of operation. 

Athletics 

• The R.J. Surtees Student Athletics Centre will remain closed during Phase 1. 

Residence 

• Residence will be reopening to students as planned on Jan. 8, 2022.  Students living in residence will receive a separate communication regarding any changes to residence operations. Any questions regarding residence should be directed to residence@nipissingu.ca. 

Internships, Clinical and Practical Placements 

• For students with internships, clinical courses, preceptorships and placements in Winter Term, more information will be forthcoming from the appropriate School or Faculty. 

Student Services 

• During Phase 1, students are asked to access services remotely. Below are some helpful contacts: 

Registrar's Office - registrar@nipissingu.ca 
Academic Advising - advising@nipissingu.ca 
Admissions - admissions@nipissingu.ca 
Fee Payment Inquiries - finance@nipissingu.ca 
General Financial Aid Inquiries - finaid@nipissingu.ca 
Student Accessibility Services - sas@nipissingu.ca 
Student Counselling Services - counselling@nipissingu.ca 
Student Development Services - General Inquiries - sds@nipissingu.ca 
Student Learning and Transitions / Academic Skills - slt@nipissingu.ca 
Residence - residence@nipissingu.ca 

For questions regarding COVID-19 protocols at the University, email coronavirus@nipissingu.ca or read our Frequently Asked Questions. Thank you for your ongoing support as we navigate these latest challenges together.