COVID‑19 information and updates

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Campus services


While many of the university's services and supports continue to be offered primarily online for now, you can expect a return to on-campus events and programming, library service access, food services, study spaces, fitness facilities, and more this summer and fall in accordance with public health guidelines.

Note that many campus buildings and offices are still currently restricting access, except for faculty/staff with electronic access control cards.

Events
 

April 22 update: The province’s changes to meetings and gathering limits impact in-person university events and on-campus meetings (ie. meetings, events and gatherings separate from approved Return to Campus unit plans) that are reviewed on a regular basis through the RTC committee. Changes and cancellations to previously approved events will be communicated by RTC directly to the event organizers and future event approvals will be adjusted to consider the updated gathering restrictions or to postpone the event to a future date.

The event procedures below have been reviewed and approved by Dalhousie's Return to Campus (RTC) Committee. They are subject to change based on public health guidance and Dalhousie protocols.

Event approval process: RTC Process for Event Approvals (PDF)
 
Note that events organized by DSU student societies need to be submitted to the DSU. For information for faculty/staff looking to book on-campus meetings, visit the In-person meetings page.
 
Prior to submitting an event, please review the guidance below.

Guidelines to consider when submitting an event request

  • All aspects of events (travel to, attendance at, and travel from) must, at a minimum, abide by legislated gathering limits in Nova Scotia or, in the case of events at Dalhousie Medicine NB, in New Brunswick. The latest information on gathering limits in Nova Scotia can be found here and for New Brunswick can be found here.
  • Consider social distancing and other public health directives in all aspects of events, including travel to, attendance at, and travel from the event.
  • The safest events are built around an established contacts bubble — people who are already in close contact with one another on a regular basis. This could be students in the same residence, employees who share a lab or physical workspace, or classmates in the same in-person course.
  • Hold events outside whenever possible. Colder weather is coming, but the risk of COVID-19 transmission is significantly higher indoors. We should all be expecting to bundle up and conduct more of our social activities outdoors this winter.
  • If you must hold your event indoors, significant precautions are required. These include, but are not limited to:
    • Ensuring guests have enough space to practice physical distancing.
    • Ensuring all guests wear masks or face coverings and provide masks for those who do not have them.
    • Making sure guests have access to soap and water or hand sanitizer and encourage regular handwashing
    • Cleaning common surfaces such as doorknobs, handles and table tops frequently during the event or gathering.
    • Ensuring guests who are sick know that they are expected to stay home and not attend.
  • Avoid providing shared food (platters, dips, trays). Single-serve or direct-service food avoids risk of cross-contamination.

On-campus events

Indoor events

At this time, we are discouraging on-campus, indoor events and gatherings. Requests to hold necessary on-campus indoor events must be made through the event approval process, with clear rationale provided as to how the activity connects with Dal’s core mission and why the event needs to occur on-campus and in-person. Written confirmation from the administrative head (Dean for faculties, unit head for non-academic units) is also required.

Outdoor events

These will continue to be considered through the event approval process, subject to appropriate restrictions in keeping with Dalhousie protocols and Public Health guidance.

Off-campus events

Off-campus indoor events are discouraged at this time. Virtual events are preferred wherever possible.

Any off-campus activity must, at a minimum, abide by Public Health requirements and legislated gathering limits as prescribed by the respective provincial government (Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, depending on where the activity takes place). This applies to travel to, attendance at and travel from the activity. Please refer to Nova Scotia’s protocols for gathering limits.

RTC does not anticipate providing approval for off-campus gatherings. RTC will not be making specific decisions about whether a proposed off-campus event meets provincial gathering criteria, including providing further guidance on what is a "close social group," "consistent group," or "random or spontaneous groups." Judgments about whether off-campus events are compliant with these specific protocols will remain the responsibility of the organizers. Where organizers are considering an off-campus event or gathering where there is expected to be more than 10 people in attendance, these must be brought to RTC for approval.

Team building activities

Our Human Resources team has assembled a list of suggestions for teams who may wish to mark occasions and host team building activities in a safe and modified way.

Alcohol service

There is currently no alcohol service permitted on campus.

DSU & student events

Events being organized by Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) student societies need to be submitted to the DSU.

 

General services

Athletics & Recreation

Dalplex and Studley Gym are currently closed in line with Public Health directives and continuing until the current restrictions are lifted. The Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic within Dalplex remains open. The Langille Athletic Centre will be closed beginning Wednesday, April 28. The Sexton Gym remains closed, as does Wickwire Field (due to renovations). For more details on our athletic facilities, please visit Athletics and Recreation.

What is the status of membership fees?

All community member payments will be suspended for the month of January. Automatic monthly payment withdraws will recommence on February 1, 2021. Those who paid for their memberships with a lump sum will have their memberships extended by 21 days.

Please contact the Dalplex customer service desk if you have more specific questions about your membership.

Bookstore

Please visit the Bookstore website for the most up to date information on the status of the Bookstore.

Food Services

All on-campus dining halls are closed for the spring/summer term. Please see this resources page for links to food delivery options and if you live in residence use the kitchen on your floor to prepare meals. Remember, there is a limit of TWO people at a time in all kitchens.

Some dining halls will be open for the Fall. We also anticipate some retail food service locations on campus will be open for the fall. More information will be able as we get closer to the start of term.

Please see the Food & Dining page for more details.

DalCard & UPass

 

We are now booking appointments for in-person service. 

Book your appointment online

The services provided via appointments are:

  • New DalCards
  • DalCard replacements (To expedite the replacement process, please ensure you have $15 deposited on your account for the replacement fee prior to visiting the office.)
  • DalCard troubleshooting
  • UPass pickup and replacement ($15 replacement fee, please deposit this on your account prior to the appointment.)

NOTE: We will not be offering photo services, PIN resets, or fund deposits.

The Enrolment Services Centres on Sexton Campus and the Agricultural Campus remain remote at this time. If you require DalCard assistance and you are on the Sexton campus, please see the DalCard office on the Studley Campus.

Human Resources

For employee information and questions related to employment, please log in to your MyDal page, or visit the employee Remote Working site.

International Centre

In-person services have been temporarily suspended, but the Centre is still available remotely. To get in touch with the International Centre, please call 902-494-1566 or visit the International Centre website.

Libraries

Dalhousie Libraries locations in Halifax (Killam, Dunn, Kellogg and Sexton Libraries), the Wallace McCain and Kellogg Library Learning Commons in Halifax, and the MacRae Library in Truro are currently closed for in-person bookings until further notice. Curbside Pickup service is available to Dalhousie students, faculty, staff and community borrowers. Laptop loans are available for Dalhousie students. More information on library services can be found here.

Physiotherapy Clinic

The Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic within Dalplex is currently open for appointments. Please contact ptclinic@dal.ca or call 902-494-1502 for booking inquiries.

Registrar's Office

In-person services are temporarily suspended, but the office remains open to serve students remotely by phone (1-866-729-4400 or 902-494-2450) and email registrar@dal.ca.

For graduate student information, please contact graduate.studies@dal.ca.

Research

For more information on research at Dalhousie, the status of labs, or resources for researchers, please consult the Research website.

Student Health & Wellness

The Student Health & Wellness Centre in Halifax is open. In-person and telephone appointments with counsellors, physicians, nurses and the social worker are available for students and community patients. Book your appointment online or call 902-494-2171 to speak with a healthcare professional. 

Health Services in Truro is open, and appointments are available for students. Please consult the website for more information. To make an appointment, please contact kristine.carr@dal.ca or carolyn.bartlett@dal.ca. 

Many online and mobile resources are also available to support students from home. For more information please visit the Student Health & Wellness website.

 

Student services

Career Services

In-person career services and advising have been temporarily suspended at the Bissett Student Success Centre (Halifax) and Student Success Centre (Truro). If you would like your resume/cover letter reviewed, please send them to career.services@dal.ca. For career advising, please call 902-494-3077 or email career.services@dal.ca.

Student Accessibility Centre

In-person services at the Student Accessibility Centre have been temporarily suspended. If you would like to contact an advisor remotely, please call 902-494-2836 or email access@dal.ca (Halifax) or ssdalac@dal.ca (Truro).

Student Accounts

In-person services are temporarily suspended, but representatives are available by phone Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Atlantic), 1-902-494-3998 or email student.accounts@dal.ca

Writing Centre

In-person services currently remain suspended. If you would like to contact an advisor and submit a paper for review remotely, please email writingc@dal.ca (Halifax) or acwrite@dal.ca(Truro).