Students “not required at all” to move out of on-campus housing

Mar 17, 2020 | 11:08 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – The students are welcome to stay.

That’s the message from both the University of Northern British Columbia and the College of New Caledonia.

Given that UNBC is actively transitioning away from face-to-face classes and exams, and with the goal of social distancing and reducing the spread of disease, the University is encouraging all students living on campus to move out of UNBC residence, however, it is merely just a recommendation at this point.

“The reason for that decision is, as I’ve said to the University community, there is no positive Covid-19 case on our campus, and in terms of moving towards social distancing, in our residences, it’s very close quarters,” explained Payne. “100 per cent of our residences are quads so four students in an area. If we can start doing that distancing it will bode well for us, but it’s encouragement but it’s not required at all.”

While UNBC residence is for the most part quads as Payne explains, Dr Dennis Johnson, president at CNC, says living arrangements at the residence on their campus is different so they’re not making a recommendation to move out at all.

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“As of right now, we don’t see any reason why students would need to move out,” said Johnson. “Everyone has individual units, there are some washrooms that are shared between two units but we’ve been educating students on hygiene and cleaning. If they don’t have an alternate place to go, it’s their choice if they want to move out, but we’re not asking them to at this point. I think, for some, they’re best to stay put.”

As the situation develops, both UNBC and CNC are ensuring they provide adequate updates of information to both their staff, faculty, and students during this time.

Information regarding classes, operations, as well as student living can be found on either unbc.ca/coronavirus or cnc.bc.ca/covid.

by Ethan Ready

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Students “not required at all” to move out of on-campus housing

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