Visit Carleton’s COVID-19 website.
April 9, 2020
Good morning everybody,
I hope this finds you well as we head into the long weekend.
We have collectively reached an important milestone this week, and I would like to start by offering my warmest congratulations to our faculty and students upon successfully completing course work for the winter 2020 term. Given the circumstances, that is a remarkable accomplishment. The full winter exam schedule has been posted in anticipation of final assessments starting next week, and I wish all students the best of luck!
Looking forward, our full summer schedule has been posted on Carleton Central, and registration will open on April 16. I am really amazed to see the number and diversity of courses offered, and I want to thank all the faculty members and contract instructors who are in the process of developing engaging online content to ensure a high-quality experience for all students.
There is a significant economic impact to the current public health crisis and one consequence, as we head into the summer, is that many students are worried about finding employment. Yesterday the prime minister announced temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program that are expected to create 70,000 jobs for people aged 15 to 30. In addition, you will have seen a number of emergency assistance programs from both the provincial and federal governments, and I strongly encourage our students to take advantage of these programs, if applicable.
At Carleton, we have also put in place emergency financial assistance and accommodations for students. Notably, we have made and continue to make emergency funding available to both graduate and undergraduate students. In addition, we have delayed a number of financial deadlines, waived late fee penalties, suspended interest on outstanding balances, and reimbursed on a pro-rated basis or waived a number of ancillary fees for the winter and summer terms.
Many people are asking: How can I help? One option is to contribute to the Carleton Student Emergency Fund 2020, primarily intended for students who have lost their jobs and are struggling with basic living expenses. If you are interested in supporting this effort, and are in a position to do so, you can make a donation on our FutureFunder website. The university will match all gifts on a one-to-one basis and these funds will be made available immediately to students in need.
Finally, I think you will agree that especially in these unsettling times, we need to highlight inspiring stories of community engagement and compassion. I see so many great initiatives in the Carleton community, and I am sure there are many more happening. Please help us share these great stories by bringing them to our attention through the Share Kindness initiative on our Hub for Good.
Any questions you may have that are not answered by Carleton’s COVID-19 information website and its FAQ section should be forwarded to covidinfo@carleton.ca.
Please ensure that the information you read and share online comes from credible sources like Ottawa Public Health, the Ontario Ministry of Health or the Public Health Agency of Canada, as the spread of misinformation poses a significant risk to the health and safety of our community.
The university is closed for the Good Friday statutory holiday, but open on Easter Monday, as it normally is. As always, if you are required to work on Easter Monday, you will receive an alternate day off with pay.
Have a great long weekend everyone!
Benoit
Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President and Vice-Chancellor