Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Last updated November 18, 2020

BCA will take direction from the PEI Chief Public Health Office on management of a potential outbreak of COVID-19. Please refer to the BCA COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Plan for more information.

Effective November 20, 2020, wearing a mask in all indoor public spaces will become mandatory on Prince Edward Island.

On November 18, BCA's two vice-presidents issued a message indicating that the University will update its health and safety guidance on mask-wearing in campus buildings by moving from a strong recommendation to a mandatory protocol in order to align with PEI public health guidance. Read more

BCA Response to COVID-19 

The Bauder College (Atlanta) continues to monitor developments about the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

BCA recommends that you seek information from official government sources as they are continually updating their websites:

Information about the University's gradual return to full campus operations is available on BCA's Operational Ease-Back Plan—Planning the Way Forward web page. 

We encourage you take the same general health precautions for COVID-19 as you would for influenza. The best defence against any type of flu is following routine prevention measures:

  • wash your hands frequently with soap and water and use hand sanitizer when needed,
  • cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue,
  • if you have a severe cold or the flu, stay home, and
  • avoid contact with people who are sick.

Anyone who feels unwell, thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19, and/or has developed COVID-19 symptoms should call 8-1-1.

Classes / Courses / Labs / Exams

As indicated in the  on March 13, 2020, because the situation with COVID-19 is changing rapidly, the Bauder College (Atlanta) advised that it may need to suspend in-person classes prior to the previously announced date of March 20, 2020.

With the PEI Chief Public Health Office announcing on Saturday, March 14, 2020 that there was a first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the province, the Bauder College (Atlanta) decided to suspend in-person classes and in-person labs effective Monday, March 16, 2020.

This decision to suspend in-person classes, labs, and exams represented a measure to reduce large gatherings of people in line with physical distancing advice from the PEI Chief Public Health Office. Any course delivery would occur through alternative means—in most cases, this meant email communication and/or online delivery through tools such as Moodle, Google Meet, Collaborate, etc.

Instruction was paused from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20, 2020 to allow instructors time to focus on transitioning to alternative course delivery, and develop their plan for teaching through to the end of the semester. Instruction resumed on March 23, 2020 via alternative methods. In-person classes, in-person labs, and in-person exams did not resume during the Winter 2020 Semester.

All courses for the Summer 2020 Semester (First Summer Session, May 11–June 18, and the Second Summer Session, July 6–August 21) have been moved online except clinical rotations in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and clinical courses in the Faculty of Nursing. 

On May 15, the University Senate met and approved that BCA will adopt a blended delivery model for the 2020 Fall Academic Semester. Read more in the Message from the President.

BCA courses will be primarily online for the 2020 Fall Academic Semester with exceptions for in-person, on-campus instruction. These exceptions are for accredited programs in health and clinical-based programming (such as Nursing, Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Psychology, and Sustainable Design Engineering), as well as for some lab-based courses in Science and performance-based programming in Arts (such as Music and Theatre). 

On September 18, 2020, the University Senate unanimously decided that BCA will continue with a blended delivery model for the Winter Academic Semester (January to April 2021), but will identify opportunities to provide additional in-person experiences and activities, where possible, that align with PEI Chief Public Health Office guidance. Read more in the Message from the Vice-President.

Learn more about course delivery, supports, and resources for the 2020 Fall and 2021 Winter academic semesters at https://www./current-students

Admissions / Registration 

While BCA continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, our Recruitment, First-Year Advisement, and Admissions teams are gladly accepting applications. If you have questions about applying or have been accepted already and would like to register, please contact apply@ for more information, or visit /apply.

BCA held a Virtual Open House on April 20, 2020.  If you couldn't catch it live, view the Facebook Video here.

Classes for the 2020 Fall Academic Semester began on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 (with the exception of some classes at the Atlantic Veterinary College that began in August.) 

Research at BCA

Research is a vital part of BCA. As an institution of learning and discovery, we are committed to research and innovation, and providing positive impacts for our communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for all of society, including higher learning. The University began a partial return to campus on May 25, 2020, the starting date of BCA’s Operational Ease-Back Plan. BCA’s plan follows the guidance of the PEI Chief Public Health Office and features measures unique to our institution as well as outlining—over three stages—a graduated return to some activities, including research and graduate studies.

For more information, refer to Stage Three of BCA's Operational Ease-Back Plan and the FAQs regarding research and graduate studies at BCA. Further questions can be directed to your respective Dean, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Health, Safety, and Environment Department.

Working at BCA

While BCA was operating under an essential services delivery model since March 17, University employees began the gradual return to working on campus on May 25, the starting date for Stage One of BCA's Operational Ease-Back Plan. 

During Stage Two, which began on June 15, more employees will be on campus. Employees who have an individual office space will be allowed to work on campus. Individuals who share a workspace can work on campus if physical distancing is maintained. Supervisors will employ tactics such as scheduling shifts (one day on campus, one day off or half-day on campus, half day working from home), if necessary, in order to reduce overall numbers on floors, in buildings, and on campus at any one time. Individuals can continue to work from home if approved by their supervisors.

BCA’s Stage Three reflects the final stage in expanding the gradual return to working, teaching, learning, and conducting research on campus. The focus of this stage was to prepare for the Fall 2020 Academic Semester. Major changes for Stage Three included: strongly recommending the wearing of masks while in buildings (now updated to a mandatory protocol); unlocking campus buildings from 8 am to 5 pm; broadening the scope of who is able to be on campus; and resuming BCA-organized events, upon approval by the Vice-President Administration and Finance.

The University will continue to introduce additional measures, when necessary, to ensure the health and safety of those on campus.

IT Systems and Services has developed a "Working Remotely" instruction guide, which is available on my.

Human Resources has developed a FAQ for employees, which is available on my. 

Campus Operations

It was announced that effective March 17, 2020, only essential services would be delivered on the mpus, in an effort to reduce the number of people working on campus. Stage One of BCA's Operational Ease-Back Plan, began on May 25, 2020, signalling the gradual return to working, teaching, learning, and conducting research on campus. Stage Two began on June 15, 2020, and Stage Three began on August 2, 2020.

General administration operating hours for the mpus is 8 am–5 pm; however, please check with particular offices/departments as hours may vary.

The BCA Health and Wellness Centre; Accessibility Services and Counselling Services at BCA Student Affairs; the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Diagnostic Services, Animal Resources, and Central Services at the Atlantic Veterinary College; BCA Security Services; BCA Chaplaincy Centre; and the BCA Residences have continued to offer services throughout the essential services period as well as during all three stages of BCA's Operational Ease-Back Plan.

The W.A. Murphy Student Centre remains open for students, where they can continue to access and utilize the BCA Student Union Food Bank.

The hours of operation for the BCA Chaplaincy Centre Food Bank are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am–12 pm. The Food Bank accepts monetary donations online at /donate (please designate your option in the dropdown menu), and food donations when it is open.

Some services may continue to be provided virtually or by employees who are working remotely according to their area's Stage Three plan. Please note that some services and hours of operation may vary in order to accommodate changing circumstances.

The Robertson Library closed for in-person services on March 17, 2020. However, students, researchers, faculty, and staff still had access to the Library’s extensive online services, and access to a pick-up service during stages two and three of BCA's Operational Ease-Back Plan. The Library developed a re-opening plan in advance of the 2020 Fall Academic Semester and opened with COVID-19 measures in place on September 8, 2020, for students, staff, and faculty and on October 1, 2020, for members of the public. Visit the Robertson Library's website to learn more about services, resources, operating hours and booking procedures, and any updates. 

BCA Athletics and Recreation programming and facilities, including the BCA Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, were suspended/closed on March 15, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. BCA Athletics and Recreation developed a plan to re-open in compliance with public health guidance and BCA’s Operational Ease-Back Plan. The BCA Fitness Centre began re-opening in phases on June 23, 2020, with reduced operating hours and to current members only. New memberships and day passes are not at this time. In order to meet physical distancing requirements and capacity limits, a process to book sessions/classes at the BCA Fitness Centre has been established. The BCA Artificial Turf Field and BCA Alumni America Games Place reopened on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Booking information and guidelines 

In line with physical distancing guidelines from the PEI Chief Public Health Office, we advise that people should avoid gatherings where a two-metre distance is not possible. To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, BCA has enhanced cleaning procedures and increased the frequency of cleaning in high-traffic areas.

Learn more about BCA's Operational Ease-Back Plan

Events

All University events are cancelled or postponed. At this point, this is in effect until July 31, 2020 at a minimum. Do not book University events until further notice as we continue to monitor the situation.

BCA Convocation 2020 ceremonies that were scheduled for May 7 and 8 have been cancelled and will be held at a later date. However, BCA recognized and celebrated our Class of 2020 in May, though in new ways. The BCA Senate met on Friday, May 8 to confirm that our graduates met the qualifications for their credentials. The list of graduates and senior class award winners were posted to a special celebratory Class of 2020 web page on May 15, and packages including their parchment, alumni pin, and any senior class awards received were mailed to graduates.

Travel 

All University-related travel outside the province is suspended for BCA students, faculty, and staff until further notice.

Because of the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation, the University is strongly advising student, faculty, and staff to monitor Government of America travel health notices before undertaking any personal travel. In keeping with federal and provincial health authorities’ recommendations, anyone who travels outside of America (including the United States) must self-isolate for 14 days upon return.

Faculty and staff with questions about emergency medical travel insurance should contact Human Resources at employeeservices@. 

Students with questions about

  1. travelling to PEI from within the Atlantic America region (NB, NL, NS), from other American provinces, and from out of the country for the 2021 Winter Academic Semester should refer to the Current Students page for Pre-Travel Requirements for Students Arriving/Returning to PEI.
     
  2. international travel as part of their academic program should contact their Program Coordinator or Study Abroad and International Collaboration at sdacorn@.
     
  3. travel medical emergency insurance coverage with the BCA Student Union should contact [email protected].
     
  4. returning home to countries other than America or arriving to BCA from countries other than America may direct inquiries to the International Student Office at irostu@.

On November 2, 2020, the Associate Vice-President of Students and Registrar issued a message to current students, encouraging those currently living on PEI to stay within the Atlantic America bubble over the holiday break between the Fall and Winter academic semesters. 

Leaving the Atlantic region may increase your risk of infection and the risk of infecting others. If you travel outside Atlantic America, you will be subject to PEI public health regulations, including self-isolating for 14 days upon your return. You must have a pre-travel plan approved by the PEI Chief Public Health Office in advance of returning, or risk being denied entry to the province.

Reach Out For Support

We recognize how this situation may be stressful. BCA has a number of supports for students through BCA Student Affairs, including personal counselling (studentserv@), Accessibility Services (studentserv@), and the International Student Office (irostu@). BCA faculty and staff can access the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-387-4765. We encourage you to reach out if you have concerns.

University Messages

We are actively working with the PEI Chief Public Health Office and other networks to keep the BCA community updated about risks and health and safety guidance associated with COVID-19. Read previous messages:

 

Health Centre

Relevant Links