Dear Students,

We are excited to welcome you back to in-person learning at Columbia College on Monday, January 24.

Please see below for key information regarding your return and please remember to wear a mask to enter the College buildings and upload your vaccination record to the Columbia College Safe App using the instructions here.

If you have any questions, please contact Student Services at: ssa@columbiacollege.ca.

Best,

Robin Hemmingsen
Principal
Columbia College

Key Information

Coming to campus? Check yourself for symptoms of COVID-19, which include: 

  • Sore throat
  • Loss of appetite
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Loss of sense of smell or taste
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Extreme fatigue or tiredness
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

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

If you feel sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19 open this flow chart and follow directions before returning to classes: https://www.columbiacollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022.01.20-Flow-Chart_-Symptoms-Testing-RTS-Contacts_6pm.pdf. You can also find the flowchart posted below.

If others in your home are sick be careful to monitor yourself for symptoms, but you do not have to isolate.

University/Associate Degree Students: If you have any of the symptoms above, you should e-mail your instructor to let them know that you are unable to attend your classes. You should also complete the student self-declaration form here: https://www.columbiacollege.ca/current-students/health-and-wellness/student-self-declaration/.

High School Students: E-mail nca@columbiacollege.ca to report that you are not able to attend classes.

Not sure about symptoms or what to do? Email nurses@columbiacollege.ca or call 811 to speak with a Health Link BC nurse 24 hours a day.

Please note:

  • Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces - remember to bring one with you.
  • If you are not yet vaccinated, book your vaccine appointment here: Get vaccinated Link
  • Read Columbia College’s  COVID Safety Updates
  • Follow health and safety guidelines, such as engaging in careful social contact and washing your hands when entering and exiting a building. You can wash your hands (20-30 sec) in the washrooms nearby or with hand sanitizer (20 sec) at one of the hand sanitization stations.

Health & Safety Updates on Campus 

Columbia College continues to maintain and monitor the many rigorous health and safety measures we’ve put into place the past year. These include:

  • Regular cleaning and disinfection, including nightly sanitization of high traffic areas 
  • Highly advanced HVAC (air filtering) systems with digital dashboard to control our entire system in real-time and ensure everything is working as it should.  
  • Health & safety reminders online and on-campus.

More recently, in alignment with PHO advice, we have also: 

  • Removed all in-person events for the time being
  • Reduced crowding in common spaces 

Help keep our community safe by following health and safety protocols including wearing a mask at all times including in classrooms/labs, and getting your vaccination if able.