CBU’s Response to COVID-19

2020 is a year that no one will soon forget. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world. However, in these times of uncertainty and unprecedented challenges, our University has come together to respond in a way that truly embodies our values of courage, cooperation and quality.

Our University’s motto – Perseverance Will Triumph is and has been tested. And, we are getting through this together. We are doing what we have always done, which is to adapt and move forward.

We continue to trust in our governments and in Dr. Robert Strang, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia, and follow their lead to ensure we maintain the health and safety of our campus community and of those who live in Cape Breton.

Be assured that we are doing this with courage and based on fact. We are thinking innovatively and working collaboratively.

No one could have imagined when we left campus in March of 2020 and transitioned to remote work and learning that we would be delivering our fall and winter semesters completely online. But in true Cape Breton University spirit, our faculty and staff stepped up to the plate.

From the beginning of the pandemic, CBU has been a leader in our community and in the post-secondary education sector. The efforts of our faculty and staff have been tremendous, and I want to say thank you. Although, that does not seem quite enough.

Below are just some of the incredible ways in which our CBU community responded to the challenges we faced because of COVID-19:

  • Creation of the University Teaching Program. The Centre for Teaching and Learning offered a four-week, 30-hour University Teaching Program for teaching faculty to help them in developing their courses for online delivery.
  • Developed and delivered a student readiness course called Start Smart to ensure students were both academically and socially ready to begin online study.
  • Establishment of the Return to Campus Committee that works to ensure the campus is safe for faculty, staff and students to return.
  • Providing student support services virtually (Library, Health and Counselling, Writing Centre, Math and Science Centre, Jennifer Keeping Centre, Career Services and Advising)
  • Establishment of the Perseverance Student Relief Fund to help students who were financially affected by the pandemic – funded 393 students.
  • CBU continues to push the federal and provincial government and Universities Canada, for support for international students and the sector as a whole.
  • CBU has invested more dollars in student scholarships and in-course bursaries for the 2020-21 academic year than in any previous years.
  • Significant investment in resources for teaching and technology.
  • Provided students with online experiences that are normally held in person: Virtual convocation activities, week of welcome, CBU open houses, CBU 101, Lunar New Year and Diwali, to name a few.
  • Quarantine and transportation support for CBU international students arriving in Canada.
  • Convened a Medical Advisory Committee consisting of local physicians representing infectious diseases, primary care, pediatrics, emergency care, mental health and public health. The purpose of this committee is to link students to appropriate resources, add programs and services to the current health and counselling centre, advocate for increased access to provincial medical insurance for international students, offer insight into expanding the infrastructure and staffing model of the CBU health and wellness centre and provide guidance on best practices. The committee includes Dr. Andrew Lynk, Dr. Chris Lata, Dr. RJ MacKenzie, Dr. Yvonne Libbus and Dr. Reggie Sebastian.

All of this great work was above and beyond our daily roles and responsibilities. While many of us worked remotely for many months, there were members of our team who never left campus, such as Facilities Management, CBU Campus Security, cleaning staff, food service, residence management and IT Services. These teams made all we have accomplished possible.

Even in these unprecedented times, as always, CBU is working in partnership with community businesses, leaders and industry to discover new ways to work together to help combat COVID-19. From sourcing needed supplies and material to creating inventories of equipment and working with researchers, collaboration remains at the forefront.

As well, our CBU Alumni family can be found in all sectors leading the way on the frontlines. From health care and public health professionals, to product delivery and consulting services, to leadership at the decision-making level, we are proud of the graduates of CBU and the impact they are having on our world, now more than ever.

The COVID-19 pandemic will someday come to an end. Throughout this pandemic, we have developed new ways of thinking, learning and collaborating. These new skills will make us better people and a better Institution, now, and for generations to come.

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