FAQ

For information regarding current gathering limits in Ontario, please visit the Government of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen website.

Carleton University provides information on the cases on campus webpage of any individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and who have been on campus in the 10 days prior to the positive test result being received.

Prospective graduate students should visit the Graduate Admissions COVID-19 FAQ website.

Prospective undergraduate students should visit the Undergraduate Admissions COVID-19 FAQ website.

Carleton has updated its Mask Policy to comply with the Mandatory Mask use required by Provincial Orders, the bylaw adopted by the City of Ottawa and the recommendations of public health officials.

Non-medical masks are required in enclosed public spaces and in non-public spaces when in the presence of others and you are not able to consistently maintain a two-meter physical distance, or where maintaining such distance could be unpredictable or impossible (such as high-traffic areas, hallways, common rooms, washrooms or elevators).

All faculty and staff are required to read and familiarize themselves with the Policy.

The Carleton University Mask Policy requires:

• Mask use in Enclosed Public Spaces: A non-medical mask is required by law as outlined in Section A below by all members of the public and the Carleton community.
• Mask use in Non-Public Carleton Workspaces: Within non-publicly accessible Carleton Workplaces, wearing a non-medical Mask is required by law when in the presence of others and you are not able to consistently maintain a two-meter physical distance, or where maintaining such distance could be unpredictable or impossible (such as high-traffic areas, hallways, common rooms or elevators).

The current list of publicly accessible buildings and spaces, offices that are now open and hours of operation are listed on the Building Updates webpage.

The Carleton University Mask Policy defines a mask as “a cloth (non-medical) Mask, medical Mask or other face coverings for filtering respiratory droplets that securely covers the nose, mouth, and chin and is in contact with the surrounding face without gapping”. Visit our Mask Guidance webpage for more information.

We strongly recommend that individuals continue to seek guidance on masks and face coverings from the Government of Canada website in order to receive the most up-to-date information.

If you would like to request permission to run a campus activity or event, including a photography session, please complete the Application Form for Campus Activities/Events.

This application form must be submitted to Conference Services a minimum of 15 business days before the event date. Once this application form is submitted, it will be reviewed to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.

Beginning March 14, 2022, children aged 5 to 11 are required to present proof of full vaccination to come to campus, access Carleton facilities, and/or participate in in-person activities.

Mandatory vaccination requirements are currently in place for all community members 12 years of age and older since September 8, 2021.

In order to comply with the University’s mandatory vaccination requirements, children aged 5 to 11 must receive their second dose by March 1, 2022, as full vaccination is considered 14 days after the second dose.

At this time, you are not required to report your booster dose through cuScreen to be considered fully vaccinated. We are working with the vendor on implementing a module for individuals to be able to submit their third dose booster information and once this is available it will be communicated to the Carleton community.

We strongly recommend that all members of the Carleton community get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Please note that for individuals who have received a complete one or two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine that is not authorized for use by Health Canada, the individual will be fully vaccinated if:

1. they receive one additional dose of an mRNA vaccine; or
2. three doses of non-Health Canada approved vaccine

We are waiting on guidance from the Government of Ontario on third dose requirements. However, we strongly recommend that all members of the Carleton community get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Students who coming to campus or living in residence after completing their travel quarantine and prior to being fully vaccinated should receive their vaccination as soon as possible after the end of the quarantine period.

Please review the definition of being fully vaccinated in Ontario.

Once you have received your first vaccination, even if it is after the September 8 deadline, you will be allowed to attend campus for in-person activities. If applicable, this includes living in residence if you have a confirmed room assignment. Please note that until you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) you will be required to do twice-weekly rapid testing at Carleton. Rapid testing on campus is free of charge and more information on this process will be provided shortly.

Effective October 15, 2021, all individuals who are coming on to campus and/or participating in an in-person Carleton activity, must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to the University.

Yes, attestation of vaccination status and providing documentary proof is a mandatory legal requirement.

Any individual who cannot be vaccinated on medical grounds or other protected grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code can request an exemption. All individuals who are unvaccinated due to permitted exemptions or who are awaiting their second dose are required to adhere to additional health and safety measures, including frequent rapid testing.

Unvaccinated individuals without an approved permitted exemption will not be able to attend campus or any University activity in person. Carleton community members with approved permitted exemptions will be able to book a mandatory rapid testing appointment through cuScreen.

A negative rapid test will be required within 72 hours before participating in an in-person activity at Carleton.

All University employees, including, but not limited to, faculty, contract instructors, staff, teaching/research assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and casual staff are required to submit their attestation of vaccination status (and, if vaccinated, their proof of vaccination) in cuScreen. This requirement applies to all employees, whether or not their employment duties currently require them to be on campus and whether or not they intend to attend University property or in-person University activities now or in the future.

We encourage all students to complete the vaccination attestation form and submit their documents as soon as possible even if you are not planning to participate in in-person activities at this time.

In addition, individuals who cannot be vaccinated on medical grounds or other protected grounds should file an exemption form and submit them well in advance of any planned in-person activities to allow time for review.

Unvaccinated individuals without an approved permitted exemption will not be able to attend campus or any University activity in person.

To attest to being vaccinated:

• Log into cuScreen
• Click on “Report your latest vaccination status”
• Carefully read each question and answer appropriately
• Upload proof of vaccination (vaccine dose administration receipts or equivalent documents), preferably in PDF format

To assist with planning purposes, we encourage all members of the Carleton University community to complete the vaccination attestation form and submit their documents as soon as possible even if you are not planning to participate in in-person activities at this time.

All individuals who are coming on to campus and/or participating in an in-person Carleton activity, must attest to their vaccination status and having received their second dose vaccine.

All University employees, including, but not limited to, faculty, contract instructors, staff, teaching/research assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and casual staff are required to submit their attestation of vaccination status (and, if vaccinated, their proof of vaccination) in cuScreen. This requirement applies to all employees, whether or not their employment duties currently require them to be on campus and whether or not they intend to attend University property or in-person University activities now or in the future.

We encourage all students to complete the vaccination attestation form and submit their documents as soon as possible even if they are not planning to participate in in-person activities at this time.

Any individual who cannot be vaccinated on medical grounds or other protected grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code can request an exemption. Unvaccinated individuals without an approved permitted exemption will not be able to attend campus or any University activity in-person.

All individuals who are unvaccinated due to permitted exemptions or who are awaiting their second dose are required to adhere to additional health and safety measures, including frequent rapid testing. Carleton community members with approved permitted exemptions will be able to book a mandatory rapid testing appointment through cuScreen. A negative rapid test will be required within 72 hours before participating in an in-person activity at Carleton.

There is no exemption from rapid testing.

Yes, before attending campus each day, all individuals including students, faculty, staff, contractors and visitors must complete a screening self-assessment through cuScreen. This is based on the provincial COVID-19 screening standards.

cuScreen Ambassadors and university staff may ask (and are permitted to ask) to see your self-assessment status through cuScreen. Individuals on campus are required to show this status upon request.

Yes. The vaccination requirements complement the extensive health and safety measures already in place and our existing return to campus plans.  Existing health and safety protocols will remain in place including mask requirements, physical distancing, mandatory screening and enhanced cleaning protocols. Courses that are scheduled to be delivered in person and/or online will continue as planned, with all in-person courses proceeding with physical distancing, masks, and a maximum capacity of 60 students.

As a result of the recent strong recommendation of the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health (COMOH), which represents all 34 public health units across the Province, Carleton University along with all post-secondary institutions in Ontario, will be requiring mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 for all individuals (students, staff, faculty, contractors, and visitors) involved in any in-person activities both on- and off-campus. COMOH has issued a strong recommendation requiring individuals to provide proof of vaccination.

In addition, the University has received instructions from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Ontario requiring the University to implement a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy with proof of full vaccination to attend campus.

Carleton is legally required to follow the recommendations of public health officials

Carleton’s vaccination requirements comply with public health recommendations and are consistent with policies being implemented by other Ontario universities.

Carleton University has partnered with Thrive Health Inc. to provide the cuScreen web portal. As a health care technology company, Thrive Health Inc. has expertise in protecting individual private health information. All data provided or received through the platform is encrypted and your personal information is stored within Canada. Thrive Health Inc. follows data security and privacy standards that align with federal and provincial laws and guidelines such as PHIPA, FIPPA, HIPPA, PIPEDA, PCI, and NIST. Thrive Health Inc. removes all health screening responses from the application after 30 days and does not use this data for commercial purposes or marketing to our community.

cuScreen has also been assessed by Carleton University’s Privacy Office and Information Security team which confirmed its compliance with applicable privacy standards. For more information, please visit our privacy webpage.

For the purposes of meeting the university’s vaccination requirements, please review the definition of being fully vaccinated.

Health Canada has approved four vaccines for use in Canada:

• Pfizer-BioNTech – approved on December 9, 2020
• Moderna – approved on December 23, 2020
• AstraZeneca – approved on February 26, 2021
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) – approved on March 5, 2021

You can book a vaccine appointment through the Government of Ontario’s vaccine booking system, by calling the provincial hotline at 1-833-943-3900 or by calling Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.

Drop-in vaccinations are also available at any community clinic, pop-up clinic, or neighbourhood vaccination hub in Ottawa.

Health and Counselling Services offered vaccination clinics on campus until October 14, 2021. At this time we are not able to offer the third dose booster on campus.

Drop-in vaccinations are available at any community clinic, pop-up clinic, or neighbourhood vaccination hub in Ottawa.

We strongly recommend that all students living in residence get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Two doses deliver stronger protection against COVID-19. It is important to receive both doses of the vaccine to complete the vaccine series. The protection offered by the first dose helps your body build immunity and the second dose boosts your immunity.

Getting both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and completing the full course of vaccination further reduces your risk of being hospitalized as a result of COVID-19.

In order to be considered fully vaccinated, you must have received the full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines approved by Health Canada and received the last dose at least 14 days before the date of their attestation.

COVID-19 vaccines are a safe and effective way to help us safely return to regular life – including in-person classes, indoor sports, and visits with friends and family.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, please visit our COVID-19 Vaccination Information website.

Yes. As a result of the recent strong recommendation of the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health (COMOH), all students living in residence must be fully vaccinated.

Any individual who cannot be vaccinated on medical grounds or other protected grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code can request an exemption.

Drop-in vaccinations are available at any community clinic, pop-up clinic, or neighbourhood vaccination hub in Ottawa.

We strongly recommend that all students living in residence get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Yes, you will be able to receive your second vaccine dose in Ottawa.

You can call the provincial hotline at 1-833-943-3900 or Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.

International students currently in Ottawa should contact Ottawa Public Health by calling 613-580-6744 to book an appointment. Once booked, you will be instructed on what pieces of identification (IDs) you will need to bring to the appointment. For students with the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), Sunlife is advising that you bring your UHIP card, 3 pieces of ID and proof of your address in Canada).

You will still be able to get a vaccine. Call the provincial hotline 1-833-943-3900 to book an appointment.

For more information and specific FAQs on COVID-19 vaccines for international students please visit International Student Services Office (ISSO) website.

Changes have been made to the winter 2022 course schedule to provide a mix of in-person courses and online options to maximize flexibility for students. Students can access their timetable in Carleton Central from the new Carleton360 Student Portal.

In discussion with the Carleton University Scenario Planning (CUSP) working group and the Faculty Deans, it was deemed preferable to delay our return to campus by one more week, so as to give everyone additional time to prepare. As such, barring another dramatic change in the trajectory of the pandemic, we will re-open our facilities (following public health regulations) and resume our in-person courses (as per the winter 2022 schedule) and activities on Monday, February 7, 2022.

Yes, students and course instructors are required to wear a mask or face covering when in the classroom.

The Fall 2021 term will include a mix of in-person and online learning options. The Fall/Winter 2021-22 class schedule and registration course planning tool is available in Carleton Central and includes which courses will be available for in-person and online learning.

Student services and academic departments are open on campus and able to provide both in-person and online assistance. For more information, visit our departmental service listing website.

We all have an important role to play in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring the health and safety of all members of our community. Please take note of new access to campus measures and follow all public health guidelines.

We recognizing that Canadian travel restrictions may limit the ability of some students to travel to Ottawa. We are working to ensure the availability of online options for students who are unable to travel to Ottawa.

The Fall/Winter 2021-22 class schedule and registration course planning tool is available in Carleton Central and includes which courses will be available for in-person and online learning.

For additional assistance, questions or guidance on travelling to Canada, please visit the International Student Services Office (ISSO) website for more specific FAQs.

We are working to ensure the availability of online options for students who may not be able to travel to Ottawa or return to campus due to travel restrictions or medical reasons. Please note that not every course will have an online option.

The Fall/Winter 2021-22 class schedule and registration course planning tool is available in Carleton Central and includes which courses will be available for in-person and online learning.

In order to submit a registration override request, you must first attempt to register after your time-ticket has opened. Time-tickets will be made available in Carleton Central 1-2 weeks before registration.

The Override Request Form can be found on the Add or Drop Classes page in Carleton Central.  Please note,

Yes, in addition to study spaces in the Library, we have set up specific study spaces on campus which students can access. Study spaces will adhere to public health guidelines including wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance from others. For more information, visit our student study space website.

In addition to study spaces in the Library, we have set up specific study spaces on campus which students can access. Study spaces will adhere to public health guidelines including wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance from others. For more information, visit our student study space website.

In addition to study spaces in the Library, we have set up specific study spaces on campus which students can access. Study spaces will adhere to public health guidelines including wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance from others. For more information, visit our student study space website.

All international student exchange opportunities have been cancelled for the Fall 2021 term. The International Student Services Office (ISSO) will contact students to determine alternative options. A decision will be made early in the fall term regarding the international student exchange program for the Winter 2022 exchange. For more information, please visit the ISSO’s COVID-19 FAQ website.

Yes, students and course instructors are required to wear a mask or face covering when in the classroom.

Paper documents such as handouts, quizzes, sign-up sheets and the submission of some materials in hard copy is allowed. The science on surface transmission (fomites) suggests that surface transmission of COVID-19 occurs very rarely. However, hand sanitizer must be used before and after handling paper documents and individuals should avoid touching their face.

For more information, please see the In-Class Teaching COVID-19 Guidelines.

A COVID-19 information update has been added to the Co-op Office website.

As the current public health crisis continues to evolve, we regret that our November Convocation, a highlight of the year and such an important event to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, has been postponed.

Students who have applied to graduate in November 2021 and meet their degree requirements will officially graduate when the Carleton University Senate approves the list of graduates.

Postponement and Rescheduling

We would like to reiterate that this is a postponement of a face-to-face convocation and not a cancellation, and we continue to look at several options, considering the need to rigorously follow guidelines and regulations from health authorities and the provincial and federal governments. Specific details about Convocation will be updated on the Convocation website as they are finalized.

Celebrating our Graduates

To celebrate your academic success, the University will be hosting a Virtual Graduation Celebration in November 2021 along with smaller events within each faculty to join with graduates and celebrate this important event. Further updates will be posted on the Convocation website as they become available.

Carleton University has suspended the need for a doctor’s note or medical certificate until further notice when requesting academic accommodation related to COVID-19. Students should complete the self-declaration form available on the Registrar’s Office website to request academic accommodation for missed course work including exams and assignments.

Students are encouraged to connect directly with their instructors to discuss required accommodations arising from the COVID-19 situation.

Please contact the ITS Service Desk for technical assistance.

Please email covidinfo@carleton.ca from your Carleton email (cMail) account and ensure to include your student number, program and year of study to request assistance.

Synchronous courses are online courses offered in real-times where the instructor and students meet via web conferencing tools. These classes occur at scheduled days and times and students are expected to attend class at these times.

Asynchronous courses are online classes that are not conducted live and do not have a regularly scheduled class time. While there is a scheduled time associated with the course for registration, students can move through course material on their own schedule. Students are still expected to remain up to date with the deadlines and due dates provided by the instructor.

Blended courses are online courses where there is a mixture of synchronous meetings and asynchronous activities. This means students need to be prepared to meet some of the time online via web conferencing tools at scheduled days and times.

In all cases, courses are posted with a scheduled time (Eastern Standard Time) associated. Asynchronous and blended courses may use the time slot for class discussion, office hours, tests or midterms, etc. Students are expected to be available during those times.

For more information on time and equipment requirements for online courses, please visit the Types of Online Courses webpage.

Please visit the Brightspace support site for students.

A COVID-19 FAQ for graduate students has been added to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs website.

For up-to-date information on services currently provided, please visit the MacOdrum Library website.

Please visit the Bookstore FAQ website.

Tuition fees for the Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 terms are available on the tuition fee website.

Designing virtual classrooms and online opportunities for students requires multi-million-dollar investments in technology and experts to deliver the high-quality experience our students expect and deserve.

There is still a need for resources to be directed toward instructors, marking, academic advising and other student support that helps Carleton provide excellent academic instruction in every possible circumstance.

Your education is a significant investment and Teaching and Learning Services has been working closely with course instructors to develop their courses in a manner that facilitates online delivery and ensuring an inclusive learning environment for the fall.

Carleton is also developing resources to help students understand and navigate the online learning environment. We remain committed to continue supporting all students in their success, especially throughout this challenging time.

Almost all the services students normally receive continue to be available virtually. Here are just a few:

• The library has devised many creative and powerful ways to offer extensive online resources and services to our community. Notably, Carleton is now a member of HathiTrust, a digital repository of millions of books, serials, and other materials from research institutions and libraries around the world. Our faculty, staff and students can now access digitized copies of over six million public-domain works and, for a limited time, digitized copies of almost 500,000 works from Carleton’s print collection.
• Supervision for research projects, upper-year thesis projects and graduate work continues.
• Virtual mental health counselling and support continue to be available.
• Career Services will continue to run online programming and virtual appointments with career experts to help students prepare for their careers.
• Academic advising will continue to offer personalized guidance to all students.
• The Paul Menton Centre continues to provide academic accommodations and services that are individualized to each student and the learning needs of each course.
• Free student access to computer programs like Microsoft Office and Teams.
• Virtual fitness programs are being offered through the Department of Recreation and Athletics and creative virtual social spaces and activities for students are being developed by the Student Experience Office.

If you are in need of emergency financial assistance and are not eligible for other government programs, you can complete the Student Emergency Fund In-Take Form, which is available to graduate and undergraduate students to receive funding for essential expenses that may have arisen as a result of COVID-19. We continue to lobby both levels of government, with assistance from the Council of Ontario Universities and Universities Canada, for continued emergency assistance for students, and in particular for international students.

For information regarding paying tuition fees, please visit our Tuition Fee Payment Methods website.

For clients wishing to make payments to the university, please visit the financial services website for information.

All individuals wishing to access campus for their Campus Card or U-Pass are required to abide by public health regulations and posted signage, as well as complete the COVID-19 Screening Self-Assessment through cuScreen prior to entering the building.

• Pick Up: for current processes related to picking up or replacing your Campus Card or U-Pass, please see the Campus Card website. Residence students who meet all deadlines communicated by Housing will receive their card(s) at move-in.
• Return: Students with a valid U-Pass who become ineligible must return their card to receive a pro-rated fee adjustment.
• Renew: Students who may renew their U-Pass receive an automated email with detailed instructions – this process is only available on the 4^th floor UC whenever the building is publicly accessible.

For more information on the U-Pass, please visit the U-Pass website or email upass@carleton.ca.

The Risk Assessment Checklist for International Travel for Research and Professional Travel form (PDF, 238 KB) is optional and only has to be completed if specifically requested by your dean.

The form is a tool to help you prepare a Travel Risk Management plan and, as such, it is strongly recommended though not required that this form be completed.

In addition, the Office of Risk Management is available to assist you in preparing a Travel Risk Management plan. They can be reached at risk@carleton.ca.

Should a student disclose symptoms potentially linked to COVID-19 or a positive COVID-19 test result, please ensure the student completes the Symptom Reporting Form on cuScreen.

Health and Counselling Services (HCS) and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) will conduct a risk assessment based on information obtained from the Symptom Reporting Form and a conversation with the student.

HCS and/or EHS will advise you on the next steps as appropriate. No additional actions will be necessary.

Please see the Student Symptom Reporting COVID-19 Protocol on the policies and protocols web page.

Yes, students and course instructors are required to wear a mask or face covering when in the classroom.

One-on-one meetings with students should occur in a space that permits physical distancing and masks must be worn. Where possible, one-on-one meetings should be held virtually.

For more information, please see the In-Class Teaching COVID-19 Guidelines.

The safety and well-being of all members of the Carleton community is our highest priority. We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone and that the measures we are taking will cause inconvenience and disruption. Information and resources relating to mental health and well-being are listed on Carleton’s website. Other specific resources are listed below.

Faculty and Staff:

• The Supporting a Colleague in Distress guide provides information should you encounter colleagues in distress and in need of help.
• The Employee and Family Assistance Program is a free, confidential counselling service for faculty and staff (and their immediate family members). This service can be reached any time at 613-725-5676.

Students:

• Empower Me is a free, confidential counselling service for students. This service can be accessed any time by telephone, video-counselling or e-counselling.
• TAO Online Therapy is designed to address issues related to anxiety and depression. The online modules are accessible 24/7.
• For a listing of mental health resources across Canada, please visit our Provincial Support Resources website.
• For a listing of international mental health resources, please visit our International Support Resources website.
• Additional student resources are available on Carleton’s Mental Health and Well-Being website.
• Health and Counselling Services is remaining open virtually.

Reporting all cases of symptoms potentially linked to COVID-19 is mandatory through the COVID-19 Symptom reporting process.

If you are experiencing an emergency situation personally, please follow standard emergency procedures.

• If on campus, contact Campus Safety Services at 613-520-4444
• If off campus, contact your local emergency service(s)

Please review our Emergency Procedures for Online Situations (PDF, 135KB).

All university-related (including research and fieldwork) incoming and outgoing international travel, including to and from the United States, and non-essential domestic travel remains suspended until further notice as per Carleton’s updated Travel Advisories. Exemptions for university-related (including research and fieldwork) domestic travel need to be approved by the relevant Dean or Vice-President in consultation with Environmental Health and Safety and Risk Management as required.

All personal travel, and especially air travel, is strongly discouraged. All members of the Carleton community are advised to review the Government of Canada’s travel restrictions, expeditions and advice.

International students who are planning on travelling to Canada are strongly encouraged to consult with the International Student Services Office (ISSO) prior to making travel arrangements to ensure they have all required documentation and are in compliance with all Government of Canada regulations and protocols. International students should also take note of new important updates to entry and travel requirements to Canada.

International students should also consult the new Government of Canada travel restrictions and quarantine measures.

The Government of Canada has put in place emergency measures that require mandatory 14-day self-isolation for all persons entering Canada, even if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. All university-related incoming and outgoing international travel, including to and from the United States, is suspended until further notice.

Temporary residents, including international students, should continue to monitor how COVID-19 is affecting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processes for specific updates on travel to Canada and changes to immigration program delivery.

As of October 20^, 2020, Carleton University’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan has been approved, and we are prepared to welcome and support our international students. International students should contact the International Student Services Office (ISSO) before making any travel arrangements.

Any individuals arriving in Canada should take note of new important updates to entry and travel requirements to Canada.

Currently, all international arrivals are required to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine period immediately upon arrival in Canada. All international arrivals should also take note of new important updates to entry and travel requirements to Canada.

Carleton University has established a new comprehensive resource to assist students and their co-arriving family members with their quarantine planning, the Quarantine Planning Support website.

On this new website students will be able to learn more about:

• Quarantine planning guidance and resources;
• Immigration and travel considerations;
• On campus quarantine options for international students;
• Health coverage; and
• Supports for staying connected and healthy during the quarantine period

We strongly recommend that students review the content fully and carefully to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities as they plan for their arrival in Canada. It is important to note that failure to comply with the Government of Canada’s protocols may lead to students being denied entry into the country, and/or fines or other penalties can be imposed for non-compliance.

Students with questions about quarantine should contact the ISSO at isso@carleton.ca.

For information relating to mail delivery on campus, please visit the Mail Services website.

Please note that mail addressed to Carleton University must not leave the Carleton campus.

Guidance for disinfecting departmental spaces is provided in the COVID-19: Infection Prevention and Control Training. The cleaning and disinfecting of seating or waiting areas within departmental spaces are the responsibility of the department/unit. If you require additional guidance please contact the FMP Service Centre.

The Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services has created a series of FAQs with the latest available information on how to minimize the impact on research operations, while maintaining health and safety.

When eating or drinking on campus, you should be seated and maintain physical distancing from others.

When eating or drinking in food service locations, you must sit in designated areas as indicated by appropriate signage.

Masks can only be temporarily removed when actively eating or drinking.

We encourage the use of designated eating areas (like cafeterias, dining locations, or existing break rooms) and the outdoors, as weather permits. Those within individual offices that are not shared, may make use of their office space for lunch and breaks. Eating and drinking within shared workspaces should be avoided, where able.

No food is permitted in the Library. Drinks are allowed if they’re in a container with a lid and if your mask is only lifted temporarily to take a sip.

No food or drink are permitted to be consumed in classrooms, except for water as needed.

Yes. As a result of the recent strong recommendation of the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health (COMOH), which represents all 34 public health units across the Province, Carleton University along with all post-secondary institutions in Ontario, will be requiring mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 for all individuals (students, staff, faculty, contractors, and visitors) involved in any in-person activities both on- and off-campus. Carleton is required by law to comply with the recommendations of public health officials.

Any individual who cannot be vaccinated on medical grounds or other protected grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code can request an exemption. All individuals who are unvaccinated due to permitted exemptions or who are awaiting their second dose are required to adhere to additional health and safety measures, including frequent rapid testing. Unvaccinated individuals without an approved permitted exemption will not be able to attend campus or any University activity in person. In addition, Carleton community members with approved permitted exemptions will be able to book a mandatory rapid testing appointment through cuScreen. Rapid testing will be required within 72 hours before participating in an in-person activity at Carleton and more details will be communicated at a later date.

When going to the bathroom, please ensure you are respectful by wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing and washing your hands.

Everyone is required to comply with public health requirements and the University’s policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment. No person shall knowingly create a condition that endangers the health or safety of other persons.

The following steps should be followed if a student does not comply with physical distancing or other COVID-19 procedures. These steps follow existing processes for non-compliant behaviour in a classroom.

• A student in non-compliance should be dealt with in a stepped approach, whereby the instructor first speaks with the student. If the student does not comply with the request or guidance, the instructor should connect with Campus Safety who will triage the incident.
• If the behaviour is repeated, Step 1 is to be followed and the instructor should also elevate the matter to the Chair/Director and Student Affairs, who will engage with the student. If necessary, Student Affairs will consider the Student Rights and Responsibilities.

For more information, please see the In-Class Teaching COVID-19 Guidelines.

The return to campus will be phased, based on operational needs, with the aim of providing in-person support services for students also returning to campus in September. This phased approach will ensure we are following all public health guidelines and regulations, notably physical distancing and building capacity limits.

Beginning Monday, February 7, 2022, units in Phases 2 and 3 will resume in-person operations on campus similar to Fall 2021. Units in Phase 4 will be contacted regarding the scheduling of their return to campus.

The Return to Campus Working Group will be working directly with each of the Phase 4 departments and units towards a safe and gradual return. Specific plans and timelines will be developed in consultation with each unit and staff will be provided with a date of return with at least one month’s notice. As with the Phase 3 return, not all members of a unit will be returning at once. Units in Phase 4 will be contacted regarding the scheduling of their return to campus.

More information and guidance will be provided as we move forward.

Yes, everyone is required to complete the COVID-19 Screening Self-Assessment in cuScreen prior to coming to campus and entering a university building.

You must complete the screening self-assessment every day before coming to campus.

Across campus, the main air handling systems in all buildings have been fitted with high efficiency (MERV 13) filters. All main air handling systems are providing pre- and post-occupancy flushes of ventilation air at least two hours before occupancy and two hours after occupancy. The systems are continuously monitored throughout the day by Facilities Management and Planning (FMP) Building Operations staff and FMP has engaged a third-party consultant to verify and recommission ventilation systems. More information is available on the ventilation strategy for the return to campus website.

To support and encourage community compliance with public health regulations, Carleton will be implementing an Ambassador program on campus in the fall. Ambassadors will be spread across our facilities to help provide guidance on screening measures and to provide encouragement to the community to follow all public health regulations and restrictions. The Ambassadors will be assisted by Student Safety Patrollers and Campus Safety Officers, who will be tasked with securing buildings and will be directing members of the community to designated entrances and exits as per posted signage.

Each unit has been given capacity limits as part of its return to campus plan in line with physical distancing requirements. Carleton University will also monitor overall building capacity through the use of QR location code scanning in the new cuScreen system and through the Ambassador program. Signage has been posted across campus to direct appropriate traffic flow within buildings to assist with physical distancing requirements.

Yes. Non-medical masks are required to be worn on campus in the fall term in line with public health requirements and Carleton’s Mask Policy. Mask requirements will follow guidelines and regulations from the Government of Ontario, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public health.

Facilities Management and Planning (FMP) has cleaning protocols for buildings, classrooms, common spaces and study spaces. Additional resources are being secured to ensure compliance with public health cleaning guidelines. While custodial staff will clean internal departmental spaces (such as departmental offices, administration offices, graduate offices and teaching assistant offices) on a weekly basis, employees are responsible for wiping down their personal workstation (including desk surface, chair, keyboard, computer, etc.). For more information, please visit our cleaning information website.

Hand sanitizer stations have been deployed at building entrances for students, faculty, staff and community members to use while on campus. These stations are monitored regularly to determine the frequency of use. Depending on the traffic volume, additional stations will be deployed as needed. Should a hand sanitizer station require servicing, individuals are encouraged to notify the FMP Service Desk. Additional hand sanitizing mitigation measures are outlined in each unit’s approved return to campus plan.

Carleton University has been regularly flushing the water in our buildings, as well as testing for the presence of any Legionella bacteria since March 2020 to ensure the safety of all members of our campus community. Carleton University has also been following the testing protocols as outlined in the Public Works and Government Services Canada Standard, MD15161-2013 Control of Legionella in Mechanical Systems. In addition to Legionella testing, Carleton conducts regular testing of our cold-water systems to ensure our drinking water remains healthy and safe. More information is available on the water treatment program and legionella testing website.

At this time and to facilitate physical distancing, we anticipate the tunnels will remain restricted to authorized individuals only and those with approval for accessibility purposes. Access requests should be directed by email to your manager, supervisor, dean or relevant approver. They will submit your tunnel access approval to covidinfo@carleton.ca.

To facilitate the safe and gradual return to campus, departments can place orders for critical items through eShop. Departments will be able to order the necessary supplies directly from appropriate vendors or from Procurement Services, as outlined in the Return To Campus Purchasing Guide. For more information, please visit our supplies information website.

Any questions about the departmental return to campus process can be sent to returntocampus@carleton.ca.

If your department has completed its return to campus plan and chosen an anticipated return date, a copy of the detailed plan and the requested return date can be submitted to returntocampus@carleton.ca.

We encourage all departments to start the process as soon as possible to allow additional time for plan development, supply ordering/procurement, construction of customized items, plan review, and return approval. Most steps of the process can be conducted remotely.

Departments are encouraged to move furniture on their own. If support from Facilities, Management and Planning is required, please submit an eShop request to the FMP Service Centre. Please note that there may be significant delays in scheduling moving services due to resource issues across the City of Ottawa.

Fans are not recommended to be used in office spaces as they circulate air potentially spreading the COVID-19 virus. This is particularly critical if the space is being used for face-to-face meetings or is considered a shared or common space.

Guidance for disinfecting departmental spaces is provided in the COVID-19: Infection Prevention and Control Training. The cleaning and disinfecting of seating or waiting areas within departmental spaces are the responsibility of the department/unit. If you require additional guidance please contact the FMP Service Centre.

Please call the toll-free emergency line (1-877-557-2930) or Live Chat Support.

Please call the toll-free emergency line (1-877-557-2930) or Live Chat Support. In the meantime, email the completed examination to your course instructor immediately and explain what has transpired.

Please contact our emergency exam line (1-877-557-2930) or your course instructor to confirm the submission. A successful submission will appear as “1 attempt completed” in Brightspace.

Please contact your course instructor, or to resolve questions please contact the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities at equity@carleton.ca.

Please email your coordinator or pmc@carleton.ca. You can visit the PMC website for more information

You may apply for a deferral as per the University Regulations in Sections 4.1 – 4.4 of the Undergraduate Calendar.

Scheduling and Examination Services, in collaboration with Information Technology Services, is maintaining a toll-free emergency line (1-877-557-2930). We will be operating our emergency support line for in-class tests and midterms from Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 09:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time (weekends when applicable). During formally scheduled exam periods, the emergency exam support line will operate when exams are running.

Please ask your course instructor before the exam date if they will be accepting questions and the best way to reach them. If they are not accepting questions, please state your assumptions and continue writing.

As a first step, please refresh the page. If this doesn’t immediately solve the issue please log out of your Brightspace session and open the exam again in a new browser. If the issue persists please call our emergency exam line at 1-877-557-2930.

No, please submit an exam support ticket with your phone number or email to discuss further.

If service resumes, please complete your exam as soon as possible. If you are unable to complete your exam, please email your course instructor and copy onlineexams@carleton.ca to explain the situation once power or Internet access has been restored. Please call our emergency exam line at 1-877-557-2930 if you experience a prolonged outage.

Sustained infrastructure outages are grounds for an exam deferral. Contact onlineexams@carleton.ca to find out more information.

Visit the overload and conflict page on the Scheduling and Examinations Services website. If you have an overload, please email onlineexams@carleton.ca.

Please submit an exam support ticket and Scheduling and Examination Services will review your situation and contact you with options.

Although Scheduling and Examination Services has tried to prevent errors, errors are possible. Please verify exam details with your course instructor, or submit an exam support ticket.

Please contact your course instructor to discuss academic accommodations. If you have an accommodation request relating to exams, please submit an exam support ticket.

Please discuss with your course instructor or the chair of your department.

Please contact your instructor to discuss your concerns. They have been briefed on potential options.

Preserving and upholding academic integrity continues to be very important at Carleton. We have provided course instructors with guidance relating to assessment design. In addition, we have internally developed two virtual proctoring software solutions which may or may not be utilized depending on the pedagogical requirements of the course. More information can be found on the Carleton e-Proctoring webpage.

It is the expectation that all students respect and follow Carleton’s Academic Integrity Policy, which governs the academic behaviour of students.

You can use Carleton’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access Brightspace. Please make sure to configure the VPN prior to the start of your exam(s). Instructions are available from the ITS website.

These may be considered exceptional circumstances and may be grounds for accommodation. Please submit an exam support ticket as soon as possible to inquire.

There will be both online and face-to-face examinations on campus during the Fall 2021 final exam period. Exam locations will be posted on the Carleton Exam Schedule on November 26, 2021