Returning to Red Zone

A message from Dr. David Malloy, King's Principal:

I hope you are taking a well-needed break during Reading Week including taking time away from screens, as best you can. I wanted to provide an update on our campus plans as London moves to the red zone of Ontario’s COVID-19 framework.

First and foremost, I want to encourage all of our community to please make the decision to remain at home to study, research and work if you can and if you are not required to be on campus. This is the best way to control the spread of the virus, especially as we see new variants emerging.

Our course delivery remains virtual until the end of summer. This decision has not changed by the move to the red zone. We do hope we can return to in-person instruction this fall. However, we are unable to commit to that plan at this time given the delivery of the vaccine in Ontario and the emergence of new variants. We will communicate with you as soon as we possibly can of any fall course delivery plans.

Following Reading Week, on Monday, February 22, we will re-open some campus buildings to allow for limited study spaces. Up to ten students will be allowed to study in designated areas in desks that are properly distanced. As well, up to 10 people will be allowed to sit in the Thames Market cafeteria for dining.

Our faculty and staff will be allowed, if necessary, to access their offices. Our custodians will be double disinfecting and cleaning all open spaces daily. Please, only access campus if you urgently require access to study space, internet or your office.

I want to personally commend and thank our King’s essential workers who have kept our community safe during the shutdown. We have worked together as a strong team. It has been tough on everyone and you continue to show your dedication and resilience.

The King’s community has done an extraordinary job staying safe during the pandemic. We must continue to follow all health and safety protocols to halt or interrupt transmission of COVID-19 and in doing so help prevent our hospital system from being overwhelmed. This includes hand-washing, maintaining two metres social distancing, staying home if you are sick and getting tested if you show symptoms of COVID-19. Western’s COVID-19 Testing Centre has an online booking tool to schedule appointments up to three days in advance. You can also visit one of London’s COVID-19 Assessment Centres.

If you or anyone you know in the King’s community needs help, please reach out to me or to our services. We will continue to evolve in the ways we adapt to the demands of the pandemic and we will return to an in-person community as soon as possible.

In the red level, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others and I encourage our employees to continue to work remotely, where possible.

Residences

Residence remains open under the red level protocols. All safety protocols remain in place; please refer to the Residence website for more information. Food Services is open to serve our residents with the current food service delivery models. As well, up to 10 people will be allowed to sit in the Thames Market cafeteria for dining.

Follow food services on Instagram for updates: https://www.instagram.com/kingsfoodservices/.

Cardinal Carter Library

Beginning February 22, 2021:

• Hours of opening: Mon - Fri 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Express pickup and self-check out inside the foyer
• Print/copy/scan availability and express computers
• Front desk library help
• Access to seating, study space and book shelves continues to be restricted
• Online research help, resources, and digital delivery continue to be available
• For more information, please visit the library's website:  https://www.kings.uwo.ca/library/

Darryl J. King Student Life Centre

Study space for ten people per area will be available as of February 22, 2021. The King’s Connection has an online store, The Write Place has online services and the King’s University College Students’ Council has online services via their website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Central Services (mailroom and printing)

Central Services remains open Monday – Friday, 9am – 4:30pm.

Finance

All financial services are available online or by phone, email. The Student Financial Services desk in Wemple will be open for limited in-person services on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

Enrolment Services

All enrolment services are available virtually including information sessions on admissions and scholarships. You can chat with current students and staff, take a 360 virtual tour of campus, and access a customizable virtual viewbook with details and videos of all our programs and student services.

Academic Dean’s Office (ADO)

The Academic Dean’s Office will continue to offer services via phone, email, and Zoom.

Classes

Courses will continue to be online; some will be virtual face-to-face which means they include online scheduled “virtual face-to-face” sessions using Zoom. Other courses are fully online with no scheduled virtual class times but use asynchronous course delivery for students to access recorded lectures. Registration for Summer Courses is now open.

Accessibility Services, Personal Counselling, Career Services and Learning Skills 

All services are available virtually to support students. Please review the website for updated information.

King’s International

All King’s International services are available virtually. Updated information for new arrivals and quarantine guidelines are posted on the King’s International website.

Campus Ministry

Bishop Fabbro has permitted parishes to re-open for in-person Mass on the First Sunday of Lent. Our parish will proceed with re-opening our chapel for in-person worship beginning on Sunday, February 21 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Our 5 p.m. Eucharist will be discontinued for the remainder of the academic year. As was the case before lockdown, we require that you register for each Mass that you plan on attending through Eventbrite at http://kings-mass.eventbrite.com. We plan to stream the 11 a.m. Sunday Eucharist for the duration of the pandemic. Updated information regarding mass and other events can be found on the Campus Ministry website. 

Alumni and Development

To contact the Alumni and Development department, please email alumni@kings.uwo.ca. 

Human Resources

All Human Resources services are provided virtually.

ITS

All ITS services, including the Help Desk, are provided virtually.

Communications

All Communications are virtual. Please follow updates on our homepage, and MyKing’s portals and via our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok and LinkedIn. The Things@Kings newsletter is distributed every Monday and you can subscribe to it by emailing Communications.

Please note these are the directives at this time and this information could change quickly. We continue to work closely with federal, provincial and local health officials, and should things change, we will communicate with you via email, social media and King’s dedicated COVID-19 website. As well, Western University will reach out to all members of the wider Western community, including students, faculty and staff at the affiliates.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit is asking individuals to continue to reduce close contacts with others. This will lower your risk of COVID-19 exposure, as well as the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to others.

The Health Unit also strongly advises that gatherings be conducted virtually. We recognize the importance of connecting with family and friends, but we encourage you to avoid indoor gatherings and find alternative ways to connect.

I have optimism that if we continue to follow guidelines, we will be able to return to campus this fall. I know it is hard to believe we have been in this situation for nearly a year. We simply can’t give up now.

As always, take care of yourself, each other and know that we are doing our best to have you return to this place as soon as possible,