Spring Convocation 2022: NC welcomes return of in-person ceremonies

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Niagara College is excited to announce the highly anticipated return of in-person convocation ceremonies this spring, as well as an option to celebrate virtually for its Class of 2022 graduates.

Spring Convocation will be held from June 20-24, with ceremonies taking place at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Ceremonies will be held at the Welland Campus (Athletic Centre), marking NC’s first in-person convocation ceremonies since 2019.

Alternatively, the College is also pleased to continue offering graduates and their families a virtual option to celebrate their special milestone from their homes anywhere around the world. Ceremonies may be viewed in the moment via virtual livestream, or later at their convenience via the convocation website.

Further details, including ceremony schedules, will be announced during the weeks ahead. Graduating students are encouraged to monitor their student email, NC’s social accounts, and NC’s Spring Convocation website niagaracollege.ca/convocation for updates.

Please note that NC continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and Ontario Public Health guidelines. In the event that in-person gatherings once again become limited, Spring Convocation will proceed virtually.

Niagara College also plans to welcome back its Class of 2020 and Class of 2021, who graduated with virtual convocation ceremonies, for an on-campus celebration this fall. Further details will be announced during the months ahead.

 

Strike Averted: Colleges and OPSEU Agree to Unconditional Interest Arbitration

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March 18 news from the Collge Employer Council:

Today the College Employer Council and the OPSEU academic employees bargaining team representing full-time and part-time faculty, instructors, librarians, and counsellors met at the virtual bargaining table with a Ministry of Labour appointed Mediator.

On Thursday evening, the parties issued the following joint statement:
The CEC and OPSEU/SEFPO have reached an agreement to enter binding interest arbitration and the strike that was scheduled to commence at 12:01 a.m. on March 18, 2022, is called off. This also includes all work-to-rule strike activities.

“We are pleased to advise that after 12 hours at the bargaining table, the parties have agreed to unconditional interest arbitration on both parties’ outstanding issues. Hearing dates mutually convenient to the parties will be scheduled soon,” said Dr. Laurie Rancourt, Chair of the Management bargaining team. “We remain committed to putting students and their education first”.

There will be no strike at any of the 24 Ontario Public Colleges. The parties have reached an agreement to enter binding interest arbitration and the strike that was scheduled to commence at 12:01 a.m. on March 18, 2022, is called off. College programs will continue normal operations and program delivery.

“In order to avoid any disruption to students, we were prepared to proceed, immediately and unconditionally, to binding interest arbitration before William Kaplan on all of the outstanding issues,” said Graham Lloyd, CEO of the CEC. “After all that students, faculty and the College community have been through over the past two years, we felt it was essential that we put our differences aside and conclude these negotiations without a strike.”

If you have any questions please send an e-mail to [email protected]

Bargaining update: Strike averted

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A joint message from CEC and OPSEU CAAT-A bargaining team:

The CEC and OPSEU/SEFPO have reached an agreement to enter binding interest arbitration and the strike that was scheduled to commence at 12:01 a.m. on March 18, 2022, is called off. This also includes all work-to-rule strike activities.

 

Bargaining update: Strike averted

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A joint message from CEC and OPSEU CAAT-A bargaining team:

The CEC and OPSEU/SEFPO have reached an agreement to enter binding interest arbitration and the strike that was scheduled to commence at 12:01 a.m. on March 18, 2022, is called off. This also includes all work-to-rule strike activities.

 

College hours and operations during mid-term break week, Oct. 25-29

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Please note the following hours for Niagara College operations, services and learning enterprises during the mid-term break, October 25-29:

Campus access: College campuses and buildings can be accessed through the following designated access points from Oct. 25-30. Note: changes to our campus access protocols for students, employees and visitors, took effect at the start of the Fall 2021 term. For details, visit our Return to Campus website.

Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Transit (Main)
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Note: The Marotta Main Entrance will be closed for the week.

Welland Campus

Applied Health
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

West
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Athletics
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Rankin (Main)
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Note: The Rankin Technology Centre South East Entrance will be closed for the week.

Pavilion
Monday and Tuesday only, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parking Services: For on-campus parking inquiries during break week, call 905-933-0765.

Wine Visitor + Education Centre: Retail store, patio and indoor service will be open all week within provincial guidelines and requirements. Tasting, shopping, drinks by the glass, and snack service is available daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Products include NC wine, beer, cider and spirits. For curbside pickup, local delivery and shipping across Ontario, please call 905-641-2252 ext. 4070 or visit niagaracollegewine.ca.

NC Teaching Greenhouse: Open for online sales with curbside pickup available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the Teaching Greenhouse’s online store to place an order and learn more.

Community Employment Services: (43 Church St. in St. Catharines): Open with virtual services available weekdays between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit the CES website for more information.

Bookstores: Both campus bookstores will be open for in-store shopping, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bookstores will resume regular hours (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) on November 1. Online ordering is also available. Visit the Campus Bookstore website for information.

Enrolment Services: Open with services available on-campus and virtually Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit the Enrolment Services website for information.

Food Services: Cafeterias are closed all week. The Shack (Welland Campus) and The Undergrounds (Daniel J. Patterson Campus), operated by NSCAC, are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services: Maintaining regular hours and services for students, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Services are available in person, by phone or by video. Visit the HWAS website for information on how to book an appointment and access services.

Indigenous Education: Indigenous student centres are open.

ncLibraries and Learning Commons: In-person and virtual services, including student support, test centre, academic drop-ins and peer tutoring services, available Monday to Friday. Online resources are available 24-7 at niagaracollege.ca/library.

NCSAC offices and Student Centres: On-campus offices and virtual services open Monday to Friday. Visit the NCSAC website for information.

For a comprehensive list of services and resources available to assist students, visit the Campus Services page on NC’s Return to Campus website.

Transit

Please check with individual transit providers for the most up-to-date information, schedules and fares:

Niagara Region Transit
St. Catharines Transit Commission
Welland Transit (including Port Colborne)
Niagara Falls Transit

For information and Frequently Asked Questions related to student transit, visit the NCSAC website.

Virtual Convocation ceremonies to celebrate fall graduates on Oct. 29

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Niagara College will host a virtual send-off to remember for almost 1,000 new graduates this fall.

Preparations are well underway for the College’s Fall 2021 Virtual Convocation ceremonies. To be held on October 29, two unique convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed from the Welland Campus – a 10 a.m. morning ceremony and a 2 p.m. afternoon ceremony – each tailored to groups of graduating students from different program areas.

With safety as a top priority and a continued adherence to restrictions on public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Virtual Convocation enables graduating students to celebrate their special academic milestone in a safe and meaningful way before moving on to the next chapter of their lives.

No one hosts Virtual Convocation like NC! Since they debuted in June 2020, the College’s standout Virtual Convocation ceremonies – powered by staff and students from the College’s renowned Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film program – have been applauded by graduates and families alike. The upcoming ceremonies follow the resounding successes of Spring and Fall 2020, and Spring 2021, which not only proved to be memorable for graduates, but drew tens of thousands of visitors from Niagara, Canada and around the world.

What happens at Virtual Convocation

NC’s Virtual Convocation ceremonies feature the same treasured traditions of the College’s on-campus ceremonies, while leveraging modern technology and NC broadcasting expertise to create a live, interactive experience for graduates.

College President Sean Kennedy and Vice President Academic Fiona Allan will conduct each formal ceremony from the Welland Campus, while a team of faculty and students from NC’s Broadcasting program work behind the scenes to bring the livestream to a virtual audience.

Graduates and their families may visit the convocation website to view their ceremony as it happens, live in real time, from anywhere in the world. They will hear inspiring speeches from College officials and a special guest speaker (to be announced). Graduates will hear their names called out during their ceremony, one by one, and see them appear on screen.

Interactive, digital elements are also infused into the ceremonies to bring grads and viewers #NCTogether. Videos will be incorporated into the live broadcasts, featuring well-wishes from the College community and beyond. Graduates will be invited to connect with their classmates and faculty through program Zoom parties held during their convocation ceremony. Select clips from the Zoom parties will be incorporated into the convocation livestream, enabling graduates to make an on-screen appearance during their ceremony.

Virtual convocation will also feature an immersive social media experience. Photos, videos and text messages shared with the NC convocation hashtag #NCGrad2021 will be incorporated into ceremonies. Graduates and guests can participate by using the hashtag during the ceremonies, which will make their likes, comments and reactions visible during the livestream.

A suite of digital NC Grad swag and printables, customized for the Class of 2021, is available to help graduates celebrate their special day – including animated gifs, phone and desktop wallpapers, Zoom backgrounds, social media photo frames, Instagram AR filters, and printable signs. Visit the ‘Downloadables and Printables’ section of the Convocation website.

Those unable to attend their ceremony livestream won’t miss out on the celebration. For the convenience of those unavailable to watch in real time, ceremony broadcasts are archived online and available for later viewing via the Convocation website.

Important info for graduating students: October 1 deadline

Please note that October 1 is the deadline to meet graduation requirements for NC’s Fall 2021 Virtual Convocation ceremonies. Students who are expecting to graduate this fall must review their Graduation Requirements by this date, ensure that all of their expected final grades are submitted, and review the grade report listed on their MyNC account.

Students who have concerns about their final grade report results may contact [email protected] with their name, student ID number and program before October 1.

Important info for College employees

The planning team will reach out to staff and faculty with information on how to submit well wishes to graduates for Fall 2021 Virtual Convocation. Videos will be aired during the live ceremonies.

While virtual convocation ceremonies are being held during the COVID-19 pandemic, NC plans to invite those who have graduated virtually to an in-person gathering on-campus in the future, after it has become safe to do so.

Visit niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation for updates.

Reminder: GO-VAXX mobile vaccination clinic at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus on September 20

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GO-VAXX bus, a mobile vaccination clinic, will be at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake on September 20.

Niagara College students, staff, and members of the public will be able to receive a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in parking lot A (south side). Maps of campus lots can be found on the NC website. Parking is free for those visiting the GO-VAXX bus.

The GO-VAXX bus operates as a fully functioning vaccine clinic with the necessary supplies and trained staff to provide assistance to people and ensure vaccines are administered safely. All COVID-19 safety precautions will be followed on board, including the required pre-vaccination screening and post-vaccination monitoring. A tent will be set up where you will be asked to wait for 15 minutes after your vaccine. The GO-VAXX bus is administering the Pfizer vaccine.

Bring your health card. If you do not have a health card or if it’s expired, bring another form of government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, status card, or birth certificate. Please do not visit the GO-VAXX bus if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

To learn more about the GO-VAXX bus, visit ontario.ca/page/go-vaxx-bus-schedule.

NC plans for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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Earlier this year, Government of Canada established a new a federal statutory holiday for September 30 to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools: the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

While September 30 is not a statutory holiday in the Province of Ontario, plans are well underway for the College community to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in a meaningful way.

While September 30 will mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation for NC, it builds on the College’s strong tradition of annual Orange Shirt Day initiatives, which have served to reinforce that ‘every child matters,’ and remind the College community of the devastating history of Indigenous residential schools and their impact on Indigenous children, families and communities.

This year on September 30, Indigenous Education asks the College community to take time to mourn the losses and honour the survivors of residential schools. NC students and employees are encouraged to get involved by supporting events at the College and in their community, and to learn more about the truth of residential schools. The events planned for Sept. 30 are intended to be a starting point for an ongoing discussion around Truth and Reconciliation, and an initial step in the important work the College will be undertaking related to Truth and Reconciliation.

Events planned for Sept. 30:

Honouring the Children – Sept. 30 (9-11 a.m)

A land-based event will be held in the Indigenous Garden at the Daniel J. Patterson in Niagara-on-the-Lake on the morning of Sept. 30. Elder Dave Labbe (who is also a NC alumnus) will light a fire, offer medicines, and guide the College community to reflect on the children who were forced from their communities to attend residential schools. Attendance will be limited to maintain COVID-19 gathering restrictions; staff will be on site to monitor. Additional details will be announced in the near future.

Virtual Circle Discussion: Truth Before Reconciliation – Sept. 30 (2 p.m.)

On September 30, NC Indigenous Education will host its first Virtual Circle Discussion: Truth Before Reconciliation. The initiative will focus on the need to learn about Indigenous culture and understand the truth of the profound effects that residential schools continue to have on Indigenous communities while honouring the strength of survivors.

NC employees and students are invited to join Indigenous Education for this virtual event to learn more about Indigenous cultures and the effects that colonization had on them, and listen to stories told by the guest speakers and those impacted by residential schools in Canada.

Indigenous Education’s Virtual Circle Discussion, Truth Before Reconciliation, will be held via Zoom for an estimated 60-90 minutes. More information will be announced during the weeks ahead.

Faculty, administrators and students are encouraged to register at niagaracollege.ca/indigenouseducation/event/orange-shirt-day-2/

Additional events leading up to Sept. 30:

Community of Practice – Sept. 27 (9 a.m.)

The first Community of Practice session of 2021-22 will be held for faculty and from the School of Business and Management; Hospitality, Tourism and Sport; and Environment and Horticulture.

The one-hour virtual session (via MS Teams) will aim to help staff and faculty learn about the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Staff from NC Indigenous Education will share information about how they support NC Indigenous students, and faculty members will share their experiences. The session will conclude with a question-and-answer period. A calendar invite has been sent to staff and faculty within the schools.

T & L Conversations: Decolonizing Education – Sept. 27 (1:30-3 p.m.)

As part of its Teaching and Learning Conversation Series, the Centre for Academic Excellence will host a session grounded in the book, Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit by Marie Battiste. Participants will be asked to read the chapter “The Legacy of Assimilative Education for Indigenous Peoples” and reflect on guiding questions prior to attending the 90-minute conversation facilitated by CAE staff.

The event is open to NC faculty and staff. Due to the conversational nature of the session, participation will be limited to 40. If interest is high, the session will be repeated later this year.

To register and view details, visit the event page here.

Visit InsideNC for updates.

Important update and reminder for all Students and Employees: Mandatory Vaccine Policy

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As we prepare for the start of term we are providing important reminders for students and employees who will be studying or working on campus this Fall.

Niagara College has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, in consultation with public health authorities and at the direction of the province of Ontario. You can view Niagara College’s COVID-19 vaccination policy here. The policy applies to all students, employees contractors and official visitors who are attending a Niagara College campus as of September 7, 2021.

Important Reminder: Check the status of your vaccine documents

If you are working or studying on campus starting next week, you have been advised of the requirement to submit documentation via the student or employee portal. Once you’ve done so, an important reminder to confirm that your vaccine documentation has been approved. This can be done via the student or employee portal by clicking the “Vaccine Policy Documentation” link. The status column will be marked as ‘approved,’ ‘pending,’ ‘rejected’ or ‘flagged for review.’ If the status is ‘rejected,’ it will indicate the reason for rejection, which must be addressed before you can access campus. Common issues that lead to documentation being rejected include:

  • Legibility (documents are unreadable);
  • Validity (ie: not government-issued, or not in English or French);
  • Names on the documents don’t match names on College records.

New: Mandatory Testing

On August 31, the province of Ontario notified all colleges and universities in the province that, in addition to having mandatory vaccine policies in place, colleges and universities must require individuals who are only partially vaccinated or who have an approved exemption to “submit to regular antigen point of care testing for COVID 19 and demonstrate a negative result at … a minimum of every seven days,” and “provide verification of the negative test result in a manner determined by the (College).”

If you are a student or employee to whom this new provincial requirement will apply, you will be contacted directly, and you will be provided with further information on the College’s processes for testing and submitting an attestation of negative test results in the coming days, including how and where you can access testing. Once this process is underway, those who have provided vaccine documentation and are not fully vaccinated, AND those who have been approved for an exemption must provide Niagara College with an attestation of a negative test result at least every seven days, and in some cases every day that you attend campus, until you have provided proof of full vaccination (two doses, and 14 days have elapsed), or until further notice if you have been exempted from the mandatory vaccination policy on medical or religious/creed grounds. In the meantime, current access procedures and requirements will remain in place.

Niagara College’s mandatory vaccine policy will be updated to reflect this new provincial requirement as of September 7.

Update: Exemptions

Niagara College’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy also outlines how employees and students who are not vaccinated due to medical or other grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code can request an exemption. Application forms can be found here.

Those who have applied for an exemption under the grounds outlined above will be contacted directly when their application has been reviewed and approved or denied. If your application has been denied or you have not received confirmation that your application for an exemption has been approved, you will not be approved for access to campus until your application has been approved.

If your exemption has been approved, you will receive further information regarding additional requirements for campus access, including the provincial testing requirement outlined above.

Access to campus

If you have not uploaded proof of vaccination or if your proof of vaccination has not been approved or if you have applied for an exemption but it has been denied or has not yet been approved, please do not come to campus as you will not be permitted access.

FAQs regarding Niagara College’s mandatory vaccination policy can be found here.

Niagara College 2021 Labour Day Holiday hours

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While there is limited activity and restricted access to campuses at this time due to measures related to COVID-19, Niagara College is offering many services virtually, or via alternative delivery, and NC’s learning enterprises are either open or offering curbside pickup.

Please note that changes to our campus access protocols will take effect on September 7 for the start of the Fall term. For details, visit our Return to Campus website.

Below is a list of what will be open or closed for the Labour Day holiday on Monday, September 6.

What’s open?

Wine Visitor + Education Centre: Retail store, patio and indoor service will be open September 6 within provincial guidelines and requirements. Tasting, shopping, drinks by the glass, and snack service is now available daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Products include NC wine, beer, cider and spirits. For curbside pickup, local delivery and shipping across Ontario, please call 905-641-2252 ext. 4070 or visit niagaracollegewine.ca.

What’s closed?

Designated access points: All building access points at the College are closed on September 6. Entry to college campuses will resume via the designated access points on September 7. No ambassadors are required on Labour Day. For up-to-date information about campus access visit: niagaracollege.ca/covid19/ncsafe.

NC Teaching Greenhouse: Closed September 6. The Teaching Greenhouse will reopen for curbside pickup on September 7 and is currently open for on-site sales Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (including September 3 and 4). Visit the Teaching Greenhouse’s online store to place an order and learn more.

Bookstores: Both campus bookstores will be closed on September 6 and will reopen for in-person shopping on September 7 (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for those with approved campus access. Online ordering is also available. Visit the Campus Bookstore website for information.

Community Employment Services: (43 Church St. in St. Catharines): Closed September 6. Virtual services resume on September 7 and are available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit the CES website for more information.

Enrolment Services: Closed September 6. Students may continue to submit requests via email and student portal. Requests will be reviewed in priority sequence when Enrolment Services reopens on September 7.

Food Services: Closed September 6. Food services and cafeterias will reopen at both the Welland Campus and Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning September 7 with limited offerings.

ncLibraries and Learning Commons: Student support, test centre, academic drop-ins and peer tutoring services will be closed on September 6. Virtual services will resume on September 7 and online resources are available 24-7 at niagaracollege.ca/library.

NCSAC offices and Student Centres: Closed September 6. Virtual services and on-campus offices open on September 7.

For a comprehensive list of services and resources available to assist students, visit:
Virtual Campus: Remote Services, Resources for Students

Transit

Please check with individual transit providers for the most up-to-date information and schedules:
Niagara Region Transit
St. Catharines Transit Commission
Welland Transit (including Port Colborne)
Niagara Falls Transit

For information, schedules and the latest updates, visit: Niagara Region Transit webpage

Visit yourncsac.ca/yourtransit for more information and Frequently Asked Questions related to student transit.