Information for Students

Please note this information posted by the Nova Scotia Government, specific to parents/guardians coming to Nova Scotia to pick up or drop off their students. (Taken from https://www.novascotia.com/travel-info/covid-19-faq)



“Individuals dropping off students must self-isolate for the period of time they’re in the province other than when they’re doing the drop off and follow social distancing guidelines and public health measures.



This means you do not go shopping, do not get groceries etc, do not go to restaurants, do not visit/ explore the community, etc. You can leave the province anytime (i.e. you do not need to stay here for 14 days). When returning home, you should make as few stops in Nova Scotia as possible. You must self-isolate as much as you can, stay 2 metres/6 feet away from others, and wear a mask in indoor public places.



If you are dropping off a student on campus, please follow the university’s rules for this process.”

Students will need to make arrangements for their own travel. We recognize this may limit what they can bring with them, and to this point StFX has limited storage available over the summer months for students living in residence. Students should contact residence@stfx.ca for more information.

No. As a safety precaution, no parents, guardians, or friends will be allowed in residence buildings to assist with the move out. This applies to all persons arriving on campus to pick up a student, regardless of where they are coming from. 

• A limited number of student staff are available to assist with a student’s move out. To arrange one, contact your building’s Community Life Coordinator.
• A limited number of moving carts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in each building. They can be retrieved via the building Community Life Coordinator between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day. 

All students must vacate their residence no more than 24 hours after the end of their last exam.

Before leaving, students will need to complete a check-out form and return their keys. Forms can be retrieved from a building’s Community Life Coordinator. Students living in apartment-style residences can find forms and return keys at Governors Hall.

Limited storage space is available for students returning to residence next year who wish to leave some belongings on campus over the summer. Please email residence@stfx.ca for more details. 

Maritime Bus is arranging for additional bus service during the move-out period. Students should check www.maritimebus.ca for schedules.  

Please email our university housing team at residence@stfx.ca.

StFX has produced three documents outlining plans and procedures, including information on quarantine requirements related to travel and isolation requirements related to COVID-19 symptoms. All students, including those who don’t need to quarantine (i.e. who haven’t travelled), should take ten minutes to review the document relevant to their situation. It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of and abide by the requirements outlined in these documents:

• Plan for students quarantining in residence
• Plan for students quarantining off-campus
• Plan for students who don’t need to quarantine

We have also produced a document outlining isolation protocols for students who develop COVID-19 symptoms:

• Isolation Protocols for Students with COVID-19 symptoms

For more information on any of these plans, please email studentlife@stfx.ca.

In accordance with provincial government requirements, anyone who travels or comes from outside Atlantic Canada or from New Brunsick (as of January 9, 2021) needs to complete a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period. This means that any StFX student who leaves Atlantic Canada during the Christmas break (or who is in New Brunswick as of January 9, 2021) will need to self-isolate upon their return.

Students who need to quarantine in residence:

Residence Students Coming from Outside Atlantic Canada

Residence students who travelled outside Atlantic Canada during the holiday break arrived between January 3^rd and 6^th.

All students arriving on or before 5^th will be in quarantine up to and including January 18^th, with their first day not in quarantine on January 19^th. Please note that this means some students who arrive before the 5^th will need to quarantine for more than 14 days. This is necessary to reduce the potential for interaction between students in quarantine and those who have already finished their quarantine period.

Students who arrive on the 6^th will be in quarantine up to and including January 19^th, with their first day not in quarantine on January 20^th.

Residence Students Coming from New Brunswick

The Nova Scotia government announced a mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement for persons from New Brunswick as of January 9, 2021. Residence students coming from N.B. need to arrive on campus either January 9th or 10th to begin their quarantine period. Please note we cannot accommodate students who arrive to quarantine after 5 p.m. on January 10th. These students must make their own arrangements at their own cost, and communicate these arrangements to the university by emailing studentlife@stfx.ca.

Students who need to quarantine off-campus:

In-person classes resume on January 25th. All students who need to quarantine in off-campus housing are strongly encouraged to arrive at least 14 days before the 25th so they can complete their mandatory quarantine period before in-person classes resume. No student who needs to quarantine can return to campus and resume in-person learning until after their 14-day quarantine is complete.

Students who do not need to quarantine:

Residence students who don’t need to quarantine are asked not to return to campus until January 24^th. This is also the date we recommend that off-campus students return to Antigonish. If possible, we encourage students to not come earlier than this date.

Please note: If you live off campus and don’t need to quarantine, but you have a roommate who does, it is strongly encouraged that you delay your return to Antigonish until after they have finished their 14-day quarantine period. According to new government regulations, all persons who share a dwelling with a person in quarantine must themselves also quarantine for 14 days. Therefore, it is strongly recommend that all roommates coordinate their arrival times in accordance with these new regulations.

A critical health measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to prevent interaction between people who have not yet finished their 14-day quarantine with those who have, or those who didn’t need to quarantine in the first place. With the number of students in residence, it would simply be too complicated to have students ending their quarantine at many different times while also ensuring there was no inadvertent interaction with students who hadn’t yet finished their quarantine period. As most students are arriving on January 4^th or 5^th, it was determined that the safest and most straightforward course of action is to have all students who arrive on or before the 5^th stay in quarantine up to and including January 18^th. Please contact studentlife@stfx.ca for more information or with questions.

This term, students will be escorted to Morrison Hall to pick up their meals, which they will take back to their residence rooms to eat. Meals will not be delivered unless in case of illness of if the student has made alternate arrangements with their designated residence staff person:

• Meal will be served twice per day (brunch and dinner) at scheduled times per building in Morrison Hall.
• Students will travel to, enter, pick up food and return to their dorm by building.  Students from one building will not line up with students from another building.
• Two volunteers will lead residents from their building to Morrison Hall, ensuring physical distancing and masks.
• Student will pick up their meals and return to residence to eat. Snacks and drinks will be also available as grab and go options for students to take back to residence. 
• Students who do not currently have meal plans will have their information taken at meal hall each time they go to get a meal. Brunch is $12.75 and Dinner is $16.80. This will be billed directly to the student’s account.
• Once classes start, students can either take extra ‘grab and go options’ the day before in case their class conflicts with the designated meal-time for their building.
• Any additional dietary needs or requests can be sent in an email to Tim Hierlihy: thierlih@stfx.ca.

Students will be able to complete their own laundry one time during quarantine. Students will sign up for a slot, and only one student will be permitted to be in a residence’s laundry facility at a time. The student must wear their mask the entire time, and wipe down the machine and surfaces both before and after use. Disinfectant wipes will be provided.

Plans for fall-term quarantine were developed using the best and most stringent information available at the time with regard to health and safety standards.

Based on recent conversations with Public Health, it was determined that it would be possible to have students walk to meal hall to pick up meals and complete their own laundry service so long as standard safety practices were followed. This applies to ALL students isolating within residence. 

 These practices include mask wearing, physical distancing, and enhanced cleaning. For more information, please email studentlife@stfx.ca.

Yes. Starting on January 6, students will have outdoor times available twice per day from 9-10am and 2-3pm. The location will be the Main field. Supervisors will lead the group to the field and back as scheduled. Masks are required during all outdoor recreational activities. Students who don’t follow the rules will be removed and not permitted to return for that recreational activity.

There will also be other indoor (in-room) recreation activities made available to students, similar as in September. More information will be provided over the holiday break and as students return to campus in January.

Deliveries of groceries and other essential items must be arranged and approved in advance with a volunteer or supervisor. Please note it is not permitted to have take-out food delivered to residence while in quarantine. Email studentlife@stfx.ca for more details.

Any student coming from an area where self-isolation is required by the Nova Scotia government must self-isolate for 14 days, even if they live off-campus.

It is possible to have roommates while self isolating AS LONG AS THE BELOW CONDITIONS are met. Students isolating in off-campus accommodations should follow these guidelines shared by Public Health:

• have your own separate room in the home (like a bedroom, basement or attic) 
• wash your hands before leaving the separate room 
• wear a non-medical mask when outside your separate room 
• avoid contact with people you live with 
• use a separate bathroom or use the following cleaning protocol for a shared bathroom - clean high touch surfaces (like doorknobs, taps, toilet handle and sink) after each use 
• have food and beverages prepared by others and delivered in a non-contact manner 
• don't share dishes, drinking glasses and cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding and other items with others in the home 
• keep your personal items (like toothbrush, cups, cell phones, tablets and laptops) separate from others in the home 
• don't share food or drinks with others in the home 

If you expect to have difficulties following these guidelines, then everyone in your household must quarantine.

+ What supports are available to students in quarantine, whether on or off campus?

StFX will designate a community support person for students, who can purchase groceries and complete other errands for the student while they are in quarantine. Please note the student will be responsible for the cost of groceries and/or other supplies purchased. Email volunteer@stfx.ca if you have not already been assigned a support person.

Students arriving on campus to complete their quarantine in residence should proceed to the Keating Centre upon arrival. Here, they will be checked-in by university staff, issued a wristband, and be provided with information and snacks. From the Keating Centre, students will proceed to their rooms to begin their quarantine period. Please note that students who are isolating will be issued a red wristband, and students not isolating will be issued a green wristband (Non-isolating students would include student staff and those who stayed in residence over the break.)

Please note these procedures that will be in place during students’ quarantine period:

• Other than to go to meal hall and recreational activities, or to use the washroom (in buildings with shared washrooms), students must stay in their room with the door closed.
• Masks are required to be worn except when students are alone in their rooms.
• Masks must be put on before opening the door to exit the room, and must not be removed until back in the room with the door closed.
• Should there be a need to leave the room other than to use the washroom or at scheduled times, the student must first contact Safety and Security Services at 902-867-4444.
• Lounges are not available.
• Garbage and recycling should be removed by the student and brought to the sorting stations on their way to pick up dinner.
• No guests are permitted at any time in residence during isolation.
• Deliveries of groceries or essential items must be arranged in advance with a volunteer or supervisor. It is not permitted to have take-out food delivered to residence while in quarantine. 

The Nova Scotia government has announced specific quarantine requirements for anyone travelling to the province from outside of Canada, including university students. Specifically, international students will not be permitted to complete their isolation in a private residence. If you are an international student and are planning to leave Canada during the Christmas break, or if you are coming from outside of Canada to begin your studies in January 2021, you will be impacted by these rules. For more information, please reivew the message that was sent to international students outlining these requirements. If you have questions, please contact the international office:

Larissa Strong

Director, Internationalization

lstrong@stfx.ca

The N.S. Government is reintroducing COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic students this January. All students entering Nova Scotia from outside Atlantic Canada in January 2021 should get tested.

• Students should get 1 COVID-19 test on day 6, 7 or 8 of their 14-day quarantine. Please book your appointment up to 3 days in advance by completing the COVID-19 self-assessment. 
• If you need help with transportation to/from you testing appointment, please call 1-844-996-0694.
• While testing is voluntary, we expect students to help protect their households and communities by getting tested.

Anyone in Nova Scotia who thinks they have symptoms of COVID-19 should do the COVID-19 self-assessment. You can call 811 if you cannot complete the self-assessment online.

Yes. University Housing will offer basic accommodations during the break; however, meal hall will be closed. If you wish to stay on campus, we may need to relocate you into another residence during this time period especially if you are in a residence without a kitchen. While the cost of living in residence over this period is not included in your residence contract, we are pleased to offer a discounted rate to any student who wishes to stay.

Christmas break residence fees (accommodations from Dec. 16 – Jan 4, no meal plan): $250.00

For more information, contact the Housing Office at stay@stfx.ca or you can stop by the Housing Office located on the lower level of Morrison Hall.

Students in residence may move back in as of January 24^th, but not before. Off campus students should plan to move back once everyone in their house has completed their quarantine.

Effective January 9th at 8 a.m., any traveler from New Brunswick must now complete a 14-day self-isolation period upon arrival in Nova Scotia.

Students who started their travel in Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador and who are travelling through New Brunswick with minimal or no stops will not be subject to the 14-day self-isolation period. Try not to make any stops in New Brunswick. If a brief stop is necessary, please ensure you practice public health protocols such as keeping a physical distance of two metres away from other people, wear a non-medical mask, and wash or sanitize your hands often.

Students who originated travel from outside of the Atlantic provinces and are traveling through New Brunswick MUST self-isolate upon arrival to Nova Scotia.

Yes. Canadian students can complete their quarantine anywhere in Nova Scotia, PEI or NFLD. You may move back into residence on January 24^th.

Everyone, who moves in to isolate on the 9^th and 10^th will be done isolation as of the 24^th. This means that those who moved in on the 9^th will have 15 days of quarantine in residence.

Email studentlife@stfx.ca to see what accommodations if any can be made.

Those who began their quarantine by the 6^th will continue to go to meal hall to pick up their meals according to the schedule (insert link to programs and info). New Brunswick students who began their quarantine as of the 10^th will go to meal hall according to the schedule until January 18^th. From January 19^th to  23^rd meals will be delivered to them.

Notify isolate@stfx.ca immediately. If you have been referred for testing, there are things that the university will do to help, including things to protect your safety as well as the safety of the community while you wait for your test results.

Tests can be booked online at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en or by calling 811.

Yes. Regardless of your test result during your isolation, you must isolate for the full 14 days. 

If you start to feel sick – do not go to meal hall or recreation time! Call the Safety and Security and ask to talk to the RLC on call right away. You must also notify isolate@stfx.ca.

Do the assessment online at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en or by calling 811 or call 811 to see if you need to go for a test. Then notify isolate@stfx.ca if you are referred for testing.

Students returning from NB following the holidays and isolating in off campus accommodations should follow these guidelines shared by Public Health:

• have your own separate room in the home (like a bedroom, basement or attic)
• wash your hands before leaving the separate room
• wear a non-medical mask when outside your separate room
• avoid contact with people you live with
• use a separate bathroom or use the following cleaning protocol for a shared bathroom - clean high touch surfaces (like doorknobs, taps, toilet handle and sink) after each use
• have food and beverages prepared by others and delivered in a non-contact manner
• don't share dishes, drinking glasses and cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding and other items with others in the home
• keep your personal items (like toothbrush, cups, cell phones, tablets and laptops) separate from others in the home
• don't share food or drinks with others in the home

If you expect to have difficulties following these guidelines, then everyone in your household must quarantine for 14 days after the last person arrived.

The arrival of New Brunswick students will not impact your current isolation plans.  Please continue to quarantine in accordance with requirements set forth by the provincial government and StFX’s Student Community Protocols. We encourage you to re-read StFX’s updated Student Community Protocols if you have questions. 

Clinical and co-op placements, as well as limited research activities, including thesis-based Masters co-op work placements can continue.

Yes, for any inquiries related to the Tramble Centre, please email Elizabeth Kell, Coordinator of the Tramble Centre for Accessible Learning.

Yes. Appointments are available through our online booking system, and will be conducted online in real time, via Moodle/Collaborate. Students without access to suitable technology (or in distant time zones) can also get help through alternative media.

Options for tutoring are similarly available. Users of the Nimbus app for tutoring will find it active as normal.

Open group tutorial sessions through Success @ Schwartz have moved online.

• BSAD 223 sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 1:15pm to 2:15pm and Thursdays 11:00am-12:00am at this link: https://ca.bbcollab.com/guest/2ce26ad1614e47d191563ec29dc97920
• BSAD 221 sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:15pm to 3:15pm at this link: https://ca.bbcollab.com/guest/a0cc5baf911d475286e4bf3b51088365

The Library building is closed, but most services are still available online via chat, online meeting software or through telephone.

The Library's “Live Help” chat service is available 10 a.m. -10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. -6 p.m. Friday, and 4-10 p.m. on Sunday. One-on-one virtual appointments are also available with librarians; please contact them directly to set up a time. 

The new Library Services Guide also pulls together a variety of useful information, including tutorials and access to new ebooks and journals.

If you have specific questions, please visit the library website for more information or email library@stfx.ca.

As we have moved to a virtual platform, Academic Advising remains a valuable resource for your academic needs. We are all working from home and offer phone appointments in place of the normal face-to-face option. Two of our advisors are piloting an online appointment option where you connect via online chat in the appointment. For those students who are not in a time zone in line with our regular office hours, or students who prefer this method, we offer assistance via email.

To book an appointment with Academic Advising please use the appointment booking system: https://stfx.mywconline.com  Advisors' contact information:

• General inquiries email advising@stfx.ca
• Carol Bray: cbray@stfx.ca
• Kara Deon: kmdeon@stfx.ca
• Martin Capstick: mcapstic@stfx.ca
• Suzanne Russell: srussell@stfx.ca
• Tyson Ball: tball@stfx.ca

More information can be found on our website.

• All classes will begin the week of January 13th, and will be offered via online delivery for the first week of term.
  • In-person classes will transition to in-person delivery beginning the week of January 25th.
  • Online classes will continue online for the rest of the term.

Students who order books via the StFX Store will have them delivered to their room on either January 7^th or 8^th. Other students should arrange delivery directly through the StFX store.

The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. With regard to residence, we will introduce a number of procedures, including:

• Self-isolation for students arriving from regions where isolation is required by the Nova Scotia government.
• Staggered arrival times to ensure there are never too many people arriving in residence to maintain safe distancing. 
• Introduction of a designated entrance for each residence building. All other exterior doors will be fitted with an alarm to prevent outside entrance, let-ins and/or tailgating.
• Installation of cleaning wipes in all shared washrooms, lounges, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Students will be expected to wipe down surfaces after each use.
• Safety restrictions for residence washrooms that are shared and/or semi-private.
• Reduced access to student common areas. 

No. The university will only offer single rooms, a move that reduces our residence capacity by almost 300 students.

Students who selected a double room will be contacted by University Housing for relocation to a new room. The student will be charged the lower residence fee where there is a difference between the original assignment and their new assignment.

Two of our residence buildings (Cameron and MacKinnon Hall) have shared semi-private stall washrooms. The washrooms in these buildings will be restricted to one-person occupancy at a time, to ensure physical distancing.

MacIsaac Hall washrooms will have a reduced number of sinks available to ensure two metres of space between user.

To ensure safety in meal-hall, we will:

• Eliminate buffet and self-service options to reduce contact touch points. 
• Increase the number of take-out and grab-and-go options.
• Reduce our meal hall capacity to ensure there are never too many people in the building at one time. 
• Re-arrange our seating to ensure physical distancing requirements are met.

No. Access is restricted only to residents of a given building, and any approved university staff or contractor. Allowing unauthorized guests into a residence is a serious violation of this policy.

Students who require health accommodations should contact the University Housing office (residence@stfx.ca) with their documented needs. It is recommended that these students consider a later arrival date after other students have completed their mandatory self-isolation. They may request suite-style rooms with separate washroom facilities. 

Community is integral to StFX, and part of what makes us so special. To this point, we have already introduced community building activities for all incoming students through our new X and U initiative. Through X and U, students will be able to virtually meet their residence-mates over the summer months and take part in a number of community mixers. To learn more about X and U, email studentlife@stfx.ca

Our residence communities will also offer more programming and social opportunities (within each residence building) throughout the fall term. Rest assured it will still be possible to make friends!

Students who live off-campus are integrated within the town and have a responsibility to do their part for the safety of themselves and the entire community. The Town of Antigonish, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Antigonish detachment, the Landlords’ Association, and StFX have partnered on a plan to support students who live within the town, and to ensure the safety and peace of mind for the permanent residents of the town.

Students living off-campus are citizens of the Town of Antigonish, sharing neighbourhoods with permanent residents of the town and representing StFX in the community. Good neighbours cre- ate strong communities. All citizens have a responsibility to each other to adhere to the provincial rules regarding social gatherings, self-isolation, diligent hygiene practices, self-monitoring for symptoms, and any additional requirements that may be in place when you arrive in the commu- nity. Local businesses and organizations may have additional requirements such as the require- ment to wear a mask or move through the building by following arrows and other directions. Please be diligent about watching for, and following building specific requirements.

Off-campus students are responsible for any guests they permit in their home. They are responsible for ensuring that:

• Social gatherings are within the regulations set by the province. Current maximum gathering sizes are available at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restriction-updates;

• Requirements for physical distancing are maintained at all times;

• The property is kept clean and environmental waste is placed curb side on the designated day for pick up;

• Noise is not a nuisance or disruptive to the neighbours;

• They and their guests do not have open alcohol on the sidewalks or while in transit, to or from the home;

• They and their guests use appropriate washroom facilities (no public urination); and,

• They and their guests are respectful and kind towards members of the community at all times.

Any student coming from an area where self-isolation is required by the Nova Scotia government must self-isolate, even if they live off campus.

StFX will designate a community support person for these students, who can purchase groceries and complete other errands for the student while they are in self-isolation. Please note the student will be responsible for the cost of groceries and/or other supplies purchased. Email volunteer@stfx.ca if you have not already been assigned a support person.

Please note that the N.S. government has tightened restrictions for people in self-isolation. Please see the next question for more information.

Students isolating with roommates in off-campus accommodations should follow these guidelines shared by Public Health;

• have your own separate room in the home (like a bedroom, basement or attic) 
• wash your hands before leaving the separate room 
• wear a non-medical mask when outside your separate room 
• avoid contact with people you live with 
• use a separate bathroom or use the following cleaning protocol for a shared bathroom - clean high touch surfaces (like doorknobs, taps, toilet handle and sink) after each use 
• have food and beverages prepared by others and delivered in a non-contact manner 
• don't share dishes, drinking glasses and cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding and other items with others in the home 
• keep your personal items (like toothbrush, cups, cell phones, tablets and laptops) separate from others in the home 
• don't share food or drinks with others in the home 

If you expect to have difficulties following these guidelines, then everyone in your household must quarantine.

Once settled within Antigonish, we strongly encourage students to restrict and limit travel to es- sential travel only during the academic term. In fact, StFX’s Fall Reading Week has been cancelled in order to minimize campus community travel and the risk of exposure from other communities outside of Antigonish. This follows StFX’s employee protocols, which only permit essential work-related travel during the term.

For students to be on campus, they must follow these seven protocols:

1. Be Symptom-Free
2. Practice Diligent Hygiene
3. Maintain Physical Distancing (MPD)
4. Proximity Work: When MPD is not possible
5. Non-Medical Masks (NMM)
6. Limit interaction
7. Respect and care for yourself, your peers, and your community

1. Be Symptom-Free

Anyone accessing campus must be able to answer ‘no’ to the questions noted below. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the potential risk to the community, please conduct this questionnaire daily (before you come to campus or leave your residence room.) Further, accoring to the provincial government you should call 811 for assessment if in the past 48 hours you have had, or you are currently experiencing:

• Fever (i.e. chills/sweats) OR Cough (new or worsening)

OR

Two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening):

• Sore throat
• Runny nose/nasal congestion
• Headache
• Shortness of breath

You should also call 811 for assessment if you think you've been exposed to COVID-19 or have any other symptoms that concern you.

Only persons who are not experiencing any of the symptoms noted above will be permitted on campus.

Any individual who answers ‘Yes’ to one of these symptom questions should consult 811, Nova Scotia’s tele-health service and follow the advice presented. They should not come to campus (or leave their residence room) until their symptoms subside and, if directed for a COVID-19 test by public health officials, their test results come back negative.

2. Practice Diligent Hygiene

Students must wash and/or sanitize their hands frequently. Hand sanitizer will be available in office buildings near common areas used for work. Students using shared surfaces and equipment will be required to sanitize their hands prior to use (photocopier/door handle, study spaces, etc.) and again after use of a common area.

Students will be provided wipes to use on contact areas within their residence/study area.

Students are encouraged to bring ample supplies of hand soap, hand sanitizer, and prescriptions/medications to last the duration of the term. We also recommend that students bring 2-5 clean, reusable non-medical masks.

3. Maintain Physical Distancing (MPD)

Everyone on campus must maintain a physical distance from other persons of two metres whenever they can. Current Public Health directives require that all Nova Scotians follow physical distancing guidelines to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of getting sick.

4. Proximity Work: When MPD is not possible

When MPD is not possible and two or more people are required to be within two metres of each other, each person must wear a non-medical mask.

5. Non-Medical Masks (NMM)

Students are expected to have at least two washable masks and are responsible for ensuring they are cleaned regularly in the laundry. Masks are required to be worn in all campus buildings unless there is no potential to be in contact with others (I.e. when you are alone in your own residence room) and outdoors when physical distancing is not possible. This measure may change depending on the ongoing risk assessment of the virus in our region and campus.

StFX will require NMMs be worn by all employees, students and visitors to campus. The university will train students about correct use, care, and their limitations.

StFX recognizes that masks represent a significant change in the day-to-day routine of most people and may require specific accommodations. Accommodations will be based on a hazard assessment of each person’s work and learning environment and duties.

6. Limit interaction

Face-to-face meetings should be avoided wherever possible. In cases where face-to-face meetings are unavoidable, the number of people may not exceed the current public health regulations, and those meeting must maintain a two-metre distance between people.

7. Respect and care for yourself, your peers, and your community

All members of the StFX community have a responsibility to follow these mandatory measures and do their part to keep each other safe and healthy. To this end, all students are required to respect the Public Health and StFX directives regarding:

• Quarantine requirements;
• Self-isolation requirements;
• Self-assessment of symptoms;
• Personal mask wearing;
• Social gathering group sizes;
• Physical distancing; and,
• Other StFX protocols listed in this plan and yet to be developed.

Yes. As students return to campus in January, masks will be mandatory at all times on campus, both indoors and outdoors. The only exception is a situation where there is no potential to be in contact with others (I.e. when you are alone in your own residence room) This measure may change depending on the ongoing risk assessment of the virus in our region and campus.

Students are expected to have at least two washable masks and are responsible for ensuring they are cleaned regularly in the laundry.

If the student lives on campus:

• Students directed to self-isolate by 811 must inform the university immediately by emailing iso- late@stfx.ca or calling Student Life at 902-870-2976. This information will be kept confidential and only shared with the specific isolation supports students can access, such as Health and Counselling for medical information and services and Student Life for meal or grocery delivery, laundry service, cleaning and maintenance coordination, and academic accommodation.
• If your COVID-19 test comes back positive, you must update the university of a positive test result immediately by emailing isolate@stfx.ca or calling Student Life at 902-870-2976. Public Health will contact you with further instructions and to gather contact tracing information. Students are required to cooperate with Public Health so that the appropriate follow-up and support is given to those who may have been exposed. Public Health will determine who needs to be contacted and/or tested.
• Students who live in Cameron, MacKinnon, Mount Saint Bernard, Bishops, or MacIsaac who are symptomatic or have been exposed to COVID-19 will be isolated in their own residence with a designated washroom until they are cleared or test positive.
  
  • The exception to this is for students in Cameron and MacKinnon, where it is not possible to designate separate washrooms for isolated students. They will be placed on a floor of FX Hall, away from students who have tested positive.
• Students in Cameron, MacKinnon, Mount Saint Bernard, Bishops, or MacIsaac who test positive for COVID-19 will be isolated on a designated floor of FX Hall.
• Students who live in a suite or apartment in Riley, O’Regan, Governor’s, Somers, or Power Hall will isolate in their assigned residence space.
• While in isolation and/or recovery, residence students will be supported with meal delivery and any other assistance measures we are able to provide.
• All residents of Nova Scotia who contract COVID-19 are provided with daily health monitoring by public health officials. Student Life staff will also check-in on their wellbeing.

If the student lives off campus:

• Students directed to self-isolate by 811 must inform the university immediately by emailing iso- late@stfx.ca or calling Student Life at 902-870-2976. This information will be kept confidential and only shared with the specific isolation supports students can access, such as Health and Counselling for medical information and services and Student Life for meal or grocery delivery, laundry service, cleaning and maintenance coordination, and academic accommodation.
• If your COVID-19 test comes back positive, you must update the university of a positive test result immediately by emailing isolate@stfx.ca or calling Student Life at 902-870-2976. Public Health will contact you with further instructions and to gather contact tracing information. Students are required to cooperate with Public Health so that the appropriate follow-up and support is given to those who may have been exposed. Public Health will determine who needs to be contacted and/or tested.
• Off-campus students who become ill may, capacity permitting, be able to complete their isolation and/or recovery in a designated residence space (FX Hall.) These students would be supported with meal delivery and any other assistance measures we are able to provide, which would be arranged on a pro-rated fee basis.
• All residents of Nova Scotia who contract COVID-19 are provided with daily health monitoring by public health officials. Student Life staff will also check-in on their wellbeing.

StFX has a Community Code of Conduct that governs appropriate behaviours for all students, whether they live on or off campus.

A violation of any health and safety measures related to COVID-19 will be considered a violation of our Community Code of Conduct, and could result in penalties that range from fines to suspensions, or even expulsion from the university without any refund for tuition costs and residence fees.

Under the Emergency Measures Act in Nova Scotia individuals can be fined up to $1000 for failing to follow the self-isolation requirements, physical distancing, gathering size limits, or other regulations imposed under the act. The local RCMP notifies StFX when they respond to a call that results in a charge or summary offence ticket issued to a student. StFX will follow up with the student and may impose additional outcomes such as probation, loss of student privileges, or even suspension from the university.

All community members are encouraged to notify the university of any concerns about behaviour that violates this policy or the Public Health regulations by emailing studentlife@stfx.ca or phoning 902-867-2276. Reports can be made in confidence.

Your health and safety is our top priority. There will be no tolerance for students who wilfully disregard any safety measure in place regarding COVID-19, whether that measure has been introduced by StFX, the Town and/or County of Antigonish, or Nova Scotia public health officials.

If you suspect or are aware of someone who is not self-isolating when they should be, have a conversation with the person to understand why they are not self-isolating – for instance, do they need help getting groceries or medications so that they can stay home? Offer assistance and inform them of the supports and services available on campus. Remind them to email isolate@ stfx.ca. Students can also send a message directly to us using this email address to let us know of an individual who needs support and we will reach out to assist them.

If you encounter an individual, group or business that is blatantly ignoring or going against self-isolation requirements, or any Public Health regulation, you must contact Student Life 902- 870-2976 or the non-emergency line of the RCMP Antigonish 905-867-6500 to report it.

Students are integral to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the Antigonish area. That’s why we continue to work closely with government officials, including the town and county of Antigonish, on our plans to safely and responsibly welcome students back to campus.

Our plans have also been reviewed, and have incorporated any feedback provided, by the Province (Public Health and the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. 

The health, safety, and wellbeing of students is our top priority. To this end, we are taking a number of steps this year to foster positive mental health and resiliency:

• New this year, all new StFX students will be assigned a dedicated student life advisor who can help connect them with resources and supports for social, mental, and academic wellbeing.

• StFX already offers a robust array of services through our Health and Counselling Centre, and we will work to make sure that students understand the range of services at their disposal.
• We have also increased our staff capacity, with the addition of a clinical therapist who will be available to assist students on an as-needed basis.
• Parents and family members play a critical role in helping their students stay healthy. To this end, we are committing to enhance our parent communication with proactive and targeted updates through the year.

For more information on mental health and other wellness supports, please visit Health and Counselling Services: http://www.mystfx.ca/health-and-counselling