UBC food outlets have felt the effects of COVID-19 as the pandemic creates new challenges for the food service industry.
On April 16, the Undergraduates of Canadian Research-Intensive Universities — which represents student unions at research-focused universities across Canada, including the AMS — published a report based on 3,157 survey responses about how the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting student finances.
After two days of teleconference committee meetings last week, the UBC Board of Governors met online again today for the full April meeting. UBC’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic was top-of-mind throughout.
In a press release, #Don’tForgetStudents — a grassroots group made up of “students, recent graduates, families, young parents, public servants and more” — welcomed the changes but urged the government to act quickly to make CERB available to university students and recent graduates.
TransLink announced the program suspension on their website on April 9, adding that discussions between student associations and university representatives regarding “potential refunds for students not using their April passes” are still ongoing.
Students attending any one of BC’s 25 public post-secondary schools as well as Native Education College are able to access the funding.
Students who attend one of BC’s 25 post-secondary institutions, including UBC, will be able to access this funding through their school’s financial aid office.
On its admissions blog, the university has published answers to several frequently asked questions from prospective students including how applications will be assessed given changes to online classes and grading schemes at many schools.
With the Nest closed until at least April 14 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the AMS held its March 25 Council meeting via teleconference.
The university made the announcement in a broadcast email sent to faculty, staff and students on March 25 signed by UBC President Santa Ono.
On March 23, the faculties of science, commerce and arts announced changes to end-of-term grading in emails to students. Under the changes, students will be able to withdraw from their courses with a W standing or change their registration in a course to Credit/D/Fail.
Since cash fares cannot be collected at the rear doors and not all rear doors have Compass Card readers, TransLink has also decided to halt fare collection on buses.
The university made the announcement in emails sent to students and on UBC Student Housing and Community Service’s website.
The Education Ministry said the suspension is in line with advice from health officials, and it is also advising private schools to end in-person instruction.
In an email sent to clubs and constituencies on March 16, VP Administration Cole Evans confirmed that student clubs will have from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on March 17 to retrieve personal belongings from club offices.