COVID-19 Update

Dear Alexander College Community;

We look forward to welcoming all new and returning students back to campus every term, and are following the guidelines set out by the BC Provincial Health Authority. Please note that Alexander College has some specific health and safety protocol to follow, as noted below:

• Masks are optional and highly recommended. Masks are not mandatory in most areas on campus, with the exception of Biology labs, where masks are mandatory. Please keep in mind that if we see a significant increase in hospitalizations in BC, Alexander College may reinstate a mask requirement.
• Please refer to the Alexander College COVID-19 website for the latest updates.
• Hand sanitization stations will continue to be provided around campus.
• The college has free rapid tests available for all students, staff and faculty. Please ask at the Front Desk.
• If you are feeling ill, please refrain from coming to campus and follow the updated AC Health and Safety Student Guide.
• If you have COVID 19, please connect with Student Advocacy to apply for a limited term accommodation to assist with your studies.
• To assess your symptoms, you can use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool or call Health Link BC.

Thank you everyone, for your continued efforts and co-operation in following Alexander College COVID-19 policies.

Sincerely,
Alexander College Administration

Alexander College’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Plans and Protocols

• • • • • • Alexander College’s Student Health and Safety Student Guide
          • Alexander College’s Communicable Disease Safety Plan [PDF] (July 2021)
          • Alexander College’s Mask Policy [PDF]
          • Alexander College Hotel Recommendations

Important Government Guidelines

• • • • • • BC COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool
          • BC COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
          • Post Secondary studies during COVID-19
          • COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders
          • ArriveCAN

Travel and Quarantine FAQs

• • • • • What steps has Alexander College taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19?

          Read the documents listed under Alexander College’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Plans and Protocols (above) for more information on steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on campus.

        • I’m an international student. How can I safely travel to Canada?

          Follow the government’s guidelines on COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders and the ArriveCAN instructions.

        • I tested positive for COVID-19. What do I do?
          • If you get a positive test result, you should follow the BC Centre for Disease Control Guidelines for COVID-19
            • Most people can safely manage their symptoms with home treatment, such as drinking plenty of fluids, rest, and using a humidifier or hot shower to ease a cough or sore throat. If you have a fever, you can use non-prescription medicine like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) to help with some of the symptoms of COVID-19.
            • You can call 8-1-1 anytime to talk to a nurse at HealthLinkBC. This service is free of charge. This service is available in 130 languages. If your symptoms worsen, or if you do not improve after five or six days, call 8-1-1, your family doctor or an Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC), so they can determine if you need to be assessed again.
            • Go to an emergency department or call 911 if you:
              • find it hard to breathe
              • have chest pain
              • can’t drink anything
              • feel very sick
              • feel confused
          • Alexander College requires that anyone positive for COVID-19 must stay off campus for 7 calendar days, from the date of your test result.
          • Please notify the Office of Student Affairs immediately at studentaffairs@alexandercollege.ca. Accommodation and support plans may be available for you: https://alexandercollege.ca/student-success/office-of-student-affairs/accommodation/#1

Campus Services FAQs

• • Is Alexander College open?
    • Yes, the college is open. Please see the Contact Us page for hours of operation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• • • • • • • • What student support services are available virtually and how can I contact them?

                Some administrative student support services (e.g. Office of Student Affairs, Library, Writing and Learning Centre, Health and Wellness Counseling, etc.) continue to operate remotely.

                By Email
                Each department is monitoring their emails as usual. You can find department emails on department web pages or you can find staff contacts through the Staff Directory also on our web page.

                For general inquiries by email, our reception team is available to assist you. Please email frontdesk@alexandercollege.ca with your inquiry.

                By Phone
                We have established a Student Information Line, which can be reached at (604) 435-5815. The Student Information Line is open during business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. By calling the Student Information Line, you will be able to select from available services and be transferred to a staff representative.

                By Video Conferencing
                Some services, such as Academic Advising and Writing & Learning Centre, will also be available by appointment through video conferencing.

              • Where can I get help with Zoom and Canvas?

                Zoom
                https://alexandercollege.ca/student-success/writing-and-learning-centre/zoom/If you have any questions about using Zoom, please email zoomsupport@alexandercollege.ca or book an appointment with the Writing & Learning Centre on the WCOnline.

                Canvas
                Please visit: https://alexandercollege.ca/canvas/Contact the Canvas Help Desk at: canvashelp@alexandercollege.ca or call: 604-558-6195. Please make sure your message contains the following information.

                For students: Your full name; Your student number; Your birth date; a brief description of your problem.
                For Faculty: Your name, course name and number and a brief description of your problem.

                Phone calls will be responded to during regular business hours, usually within 24 hours of receiving your message.

                IT Helpdesk for General Computer Issues
                Please visit: https://alexandercollege.ca/student-success/writing-and-learning-centre/it-helpdesk-support/

                The IT Helpdesk supports Alexander College students with basic troubleshooting questions about their computers and software issues.

                To get in touch with the IT HelpDesk, you may phone or email during regular business hours.

                Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am- 5:00 pm PST.

                By Phone: 604-558-6198

                By Email: ithelpdesk@alexandercollege.ca

              • How can I pay my tuition fees?

                Option 1: Online Banking bill payment
                Allow at least 3 business days for Online Banking payment to be received by Alexander College. For detailed instructions on how to pay tuition fees by online banking, visit: https://alexandercollege.ca/bookstore/

                Option 2: Western Union
                Allow at least 5 business days for Western Union payment to be received by Alexander College. For detailed instructions on how to pay tuition fees by online banking, visit: https://alexandercollege.ca/bookstore/

                Option 3: Bank Draft. The Student Financial Services office at the new Burnaby campus is open.
              • How can I pick up or drop off my original documents

                The Registrar and Enrolment Services counter at the Burnaby campus, 4805 Kingsway, Burnaby, is open to see students in-person. Students are welcome to drop off or request to pick-up documentation from the Student Records Officer at the Registrar and Enrolment Services counter. The counter is open Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:30pm.

              • Can I still order my official Alexander College transcript?

                Please refer to the Admission and Registration Student Records page for more information: https://alexandercollege.ca/admissions-and-registration/student-records

              • I feel anxious, stressed or angry about the COVID-19 situation, is there anyone I can talk to?

                Alexander College supports students with free confidential counselling services through our registered clinical counsellors. Appointments may be in office, or virtual. To book an appointment, please see our Health and Wellness page: https://alexandercollege.ca/student-success/health-and-wellness/

                In addition to our counsellors, Alexander College students can also access free, confidential 24/7 single session mental health support through phone or chat with Here2Talk. Here2Talk provides support in several languages.
                Students who use Here2Talk still have access to existing campus counselling services.
                https://alexandercollege.ca/student-life/here2talk/

              • As a current student attending classes, if I get a positive test result for COVID-19, what support services are available to me?

                Please refer to the Limited Time Accommodation due to COVID-19

Contact Us

• • • • Contact Information

        Email us at covid19safety@alexandercollege.ca if you have any additional questions or concerns and we will get back to you as soon as possible.