COVID-19 Information

Being away from home during a time of illness can be a source of fear and uncertainty. We are committed to providing excellent care for our students in their “home away from home” to ensure they have the best possible scenario for a speedy recovery.

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 may take 5-14 days to appear after exposure. Some people remain asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms.

• Most common symptoms include: fever, dry cough, and tiredness.
• Less common symptoms include: aches and pains, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, and loss of taste or smell.
• Immediate medical attention is necessary if you are experiencing fever and/or cough with difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure, or loss of speech or movement.

Accessing Assistance

Campus Life offers full support for students to help them evaluate illness symptoms and seek out information and medical assistance, as needed.

• Any student experiencing symptoms are encouraged to stay in their room and isolate themselves from others.
• Campus Life staff must be notified immediately. They will assist with assessment through the provincial 811 Telecare service and with transportation to access local medical services for consultation and testing, if needed.
• NB Medicare health insurance is available for all non-Canadian students to cover the majority of emergency care
• Guard.me supplemental medical insurance plan helps to cover additional emergency medical needs, including mental health and some pharmaceutical prescriptions for non-Canadians.

Isolation Measures

Isolation is an important measure in reducing the spread of illness on campus.

• Any student experiencing two or more symptoms are asked to contact Campus Life staff by email, phone or text, to be tested. They are asked not to attend class in person or access the dining room or other shared spaces on campus until a negative test is confirmed.
• Any student in residence confirmed to have COVID-19 will be required to follow Public Health directives, including isolation from others.
• Students will be assisted with securing temporary isolation accommodations. University staff will arrange for essential needs and care during this period of recovery.

Personal Prevention Measures

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cough and sneeze into your bent elbow or a tissue that you immediately discard.
• Avoid touching mouth, nose, and eyes with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, especially doorknobs, light switches, and desktops.
• Stay in your room if you feel ill or have a fever.
• You are encouraged to wear a face mask, if you have symptoms, to protect your roommate or others who may be assisting you.
• Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
• Practice physical distancing when out in public.
• At-risk students with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems should avoid common areas as much as possible.

Campus Prevention Measures

• Common areas, such as lounges, classrooms, library, dining hall, chapel, and washrooms, will fall under a heightened sanitization protocol.
• KU uses an Aramark-approved product called VIREX II 256 that both cleans and sanitizes. All workers will be equipped with proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while performing sanitization duties.
• Additional attention will be given to high touch surfaces, including countertops/desktops, tables, faucets, flush handles, doorknobs, light switches, cabinet handles, computer keyboards, telephone receivers, handrails, etc.
• Furnishings in common areas will be arranged for safe distancing practices and occupancy limits will be adjusted to comply with the Public Health requirements.
• All facilities will be equipped with signage to encourage best practices to avoid the spread of illness.
• Students and staff will be asked to adhere to vigilant practices of handwashing and regular disinfectant cleaning of personal spaces.

All students coming to campus are encouraged to support the health of the KU community through responsible behaviour, including adherence to the following measures:

Before You Leave Home

Prior to travel to Kingswood University, it is important for students and parents to take the following steps:

1. Check state and provincial guidelines for travel along your route to ensure you adhere to current travel health safety requirements.
2. Travel with the minimum immediate family member(s) necessary to assist with safe arrival at Kingswood.
3. Wait 14 days to verify you are healthy before coming to campus if you:
   • Are experiencing two or more of the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, runny nose, headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, new onset of fatigue, new onset of muscle pain.
   • Have been told by Public Health that you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
   • Have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
   • Have you been in close contact with someone being tested for COVID-19.
   • Have travelled outside of the country or to an area of high risk.
4. Pack personal safety essentials to protect yourself and others from viral spread.  This should include mask(s), hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, disposable gloves and any other items needed to augment personal well-being and safety.
5. Notify the Campus Life department of your anticipated arrival time. You will receive up-to-date information and instruction concerning arrival procedures.

Arriving at Campus

Students must notify the Campus Life department (Judy Kearley: 506.432.4428; kearleyj@kingswood.edu) of the anticipated arrival time at campus. Instructions on registration, and orientation will be provided in advance of arriving.

• Students who must isolate will be able to start the semester online to avoid missing any class days. Specific details will be provided prior to the first day of class.
• Students who cannot gain immediate access to their residence due to increased risk will be able to start the semester online at home to avoid missing any class days. In such cases, specific details will be provided prior to the first day of class.
• Overnight guests will need to reserve accommodations off-campus at local hotels.

Leaving and Returning to Campus During the Semester

• While students are expected to self-monitor and the intent of the university is to not be overly restrictive, it is important that students care for one another in community by being cautious about travel off campus and contact with others.
• Permissions and associated requirements may change as provincial requirements change. 

We will be offering onsite courses in September while remaining in compliance with Public Health restrictions, acting responsibly with regards to the health of our students and staff.

We recognize that some students may choose not to return to campus. Our commitment is to provide a way for every student to continue their education as planned, wherever they are.

• We will be offering courses this fall onsite and online to provide the greatest flexibility for students.
• Seating in onsite classrooms will be configured to meet relevant Public Health requirements for physical distancing.
• Praxis ministries, Practicum ministries, and other fieldtrips, etc. will continue but will be adjusted as necessary to promote safety and compliance with Public Health requirements
• Required textbook titles for all courses are available on Populi.

We will continue to monitor the requirements and adapt our plans accordingly.

Here are some changes we have implemented to ensure a safe and healthy school year.

Cleaning: Our facility will be cleaned and surfaces disinfected according to our operational plan.

Hand sanitizer and wipe stations are available around the facility to use as needed.

Seating/Room capacity:  Furniture and chairs have been arranged to provide physical distancing when needed.

Computers and printing: Computers and printers are available to Kingswood staff and students only. We encourage you to work on your own devices and go paperless as much as possible. We also encourage electronic payment for printing.

Mask wearing is welcomed.

Reserves: We will have a 2-3-hour reserve section. 

Other checked out material:  Other circulation policies will remain the same.

Hours: We will post our hours via email and on the door.

Community/public users:  Community/public patrons will be allowed to use our facilities with appropriate precautions in place. Community/public patrons can also use our online services, arrange for a curbside pick-up, or contact Virnna Sabine by calling 432-4417 or email sabinev@kingswood.edu to make an appointment to browse and check-out material.

Our library director, Virnna Sabine, is available to answer any questions or to help with sourcing course texts or library resources: sabinev@kingswood.edu.

Chapel and Pulse are integral parts of the Kingswood experience and will function on a regular schedule in the fall.  Livestreaming will be available for online students.

We are working with Public Health on the requirements for residence life this fall. We can accommodate a variety of scenarios to ensure residence life is as safe as possible to prevent the spread of illness.

Living in Community

It is not possible to eliminate risk on a resident university campus with shared accommodations, but steps will be taken to significantly reduce the risk.

• Students are encouraged to make their housing request prior to arriving on campus. Requests include a single (additional cost) or double room, specific roommate, or for Campus Life to choose a compatible roommate.
• To prevent illness spread, students with a positive COVID test or concerning symptoms will  be provided with the best available housing options for isolation measures.

Full dining hall services are available. Steps have been taken to ensure safety is a priority with our dining hall service.

• Arrangements will be made to provide meal service to a student’s room when they have a confirmed positive COVID 19 test.
• Handwashing and sanitizing stations will be available.
• Style of meal service may vary as conditions require; for example, individually wrapped meals.
• In the event public gathering spaces must be closed, meal service will continue through a take-out and delivery mode.
• Dining room attendants will ensure all tables and chairs are disinfected after use and common surfaces are disinfected frequently throughout the meal service times
• Patrons will be encouraged to offer feedback on any concerns they have with the dining hall service to ensure everyone’s optimum safety while dining needs are served.

Physical activities, recreation, and social activities are critical components to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While our campus life activities will look a little different this fall, we are committed to providing safe and creative ways to enjoy community life at Kingswood.

Team Sports

To reduce the risk of spreading illness, we will focus on providing fitness-style classes, workouts, and sports with minimal contact and sharing of equipment. 

Recreation Areas

Recreation areas will continue to be open in compliance with Public Health regulation. Students will be expected to comply with physical distancing expectations during their use of the recreation areas. 

Student Centre & Solid Grounds Café

Access to our Student Centre will be available in compliance with Public Health regulations. Students will be expected to adhere to occupancy restrictions and physical distancing expectations for this space, including the placement of furniture and recreational games.  Access to our Student Centre may be closed and reopened with changing pandemic conditions.

• Signage is posted to indicate requirements for each lounge or common space, including occupancy limits in compliance with current Public Health directives.
• Furniture is arranged to assist with distancing and occupancy limits.
• Cleaning supplies are available at the Student Centre for all users.
• Additional sanitization will be expected by groups before and after use.

Student Life Events

While we all know Campus Life will be different, students will be encouraged to participate in and lead a full slate of safe and creative campus life activities.  The leadership energies and planning that go into these functions will continue to be a valuable part of the learning experience with one another on our campus.  We are confident the upcoming year will be one of the most unique and memorable years ever at Kingswood as we all create and discover new activities that work with the new realities.  It’s going to be fresh and fun!

Counselling

The Kingswood University Counselling Centre is open to serve students, staff, and their families.

• Provincial regulations allow for face-to-face sessions, as well as sessions on a telemedical platform. Clients are offered a choice of service presentation based upon their situation and comfort level.
• Upon arrival to the Counselling Centre, each staff and visitor completes a checklist of physical wellbeing, including body temperature, to ensure the health of all.
• The KUCC is equipped with larger therapy offices that will accommodate physical distancing requirements.
• Spaces are sanitized regularly, in compliance with Public Health regulations.

IT Support

IT support will continue for all students, whether on campus or studying remotely from home.

If you require technical support with any campus technology (local or remote) or with your own technology, please contact Dean Landry, Director of Information Systems, using one of the following methods:

• With the IT service request form: https://ku.freshdesk.com/support/tickets/new
• In Person – Lower Bridgeo House, 89 Summit Ave (below Enrolment)
• By Phone – 506-432-4492
• By Email – landryd@kingswood.edu

If you are remote:

• You may be required to identify yourself using information contained in Populi (e.g. your birthdate, roommate for a specific semester, etc.).
• Assistance may involve sharing your screen using Google Meet.
• In some cases, you may be redirected to your Internet service provider or manufacturer of your device for further assistance.

When students are required to leave campus because of a campus closure, the overriding principle will be that Kingswood will continue to provide instruction in an alternate format so that students will be able to earn academic credit for their courses. The following guidelines will normally apply.

Tuition

It is not anticipated that there will be any refund for tuition as alternate delivery modes will be provided for course instruction so that students will be able to complete all their courses.  However, if a student chooses to withdraw from one or more courses, the regular refund policies will apply.

Spiritual Life and Campus Life fees

Refunds for Spiritual Life and Campus Life fees will be determined by the campus closure date and the balance of funds remaining after accounting for expenditures for events and activities up to that point.

Praxis fee

The refund of the Praxis fee will be determined by the amount of time remaining in the semester, funds expended to date, and opportunity for ministry activities.

Practicum Credits

Based upon time expended in the semester, students will either receive academic credit or a full refund for the practicum.

Supervised Ministry Experience

Every effort will be made to assist students to complete their Supervised Ministry Experience. This may include working remotely, a pause in the Supervised Ministry Experience, reassignment to a different Supervised Ministry Experience, etc. The exact change will be based on each student’s circumstances.

Music Lessons

It is not anticipated that there will be a refund for music lessons, as alternate delivery modes will be provided for the remaining lessons.

Room Deposit

Students may use their room deposit to secure a room for when they return to campus or request a refund on the deposit if they do not anticipate returning to a Kingswood residence. A completed Withdrawal Form is to be submitted to the Campus Life Department. Any damages for which a student is liable will be deducted from the room deposit refund.

Room Charges and Meal Plans

Refunds for unused meal plan and room privileges will be calculated on a pro-rated basis with the amount of the unused portion refunded.

Resource Fee

The one-time Resource Fee is non-refundable.

Financial Aid

If students are required to leave campus because of a closure, students will maintain all of their awarded financial aid unless they withdraw.  If they withdraw, regular refund policies will apply

These guidelines may be amended subject to conditions at the time closure.

Another serious outbreak of the pandemic in our area could result in the need to close the campus to staff and students. Should this measure be necessary by prudent decision-making or by government mandate:

• Classes and assignment deadlines will be temporarily suspended to allow students adequate time to travel home.
• Students will be assisted with clear directions from university staff on a safe and orderly departure from campus.
• Ample time will be given for students to secure and store personal belongings and arrange travel.
• Classes will resume through a distance learning modality until it is permissible and possible for students to resume classes on campus.
• Refunds will be provided in adherence to the Refund Policies for Campus Closure outlined in a separate section.