OCNews

Hello everyone, 

As 2021 draws to a close, I want to express my admiration and deepest thanks to the Okanagan College community for the kindness, grace and support for one another you demonstrated time and time again this year. 

With classes set to resume at OC on Jan. 4, I wanted to update you on our planning and to assure you that the College is closely monitoring the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation and the impact of the Omicron variant in the province. The new Provincial measures announced on Dec. 17 and enhanced measures on Dec. 21 are intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 in community and keep people safe during the holiday season.  

Throughout the pandemic, Okanagan College has heeded the guidance of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Interior Health and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, and we will continue to do so. Our public-health informed approach has kept students and team members safe not only since our return to campus this fall, but since the resumption of face-to-face learning at OC very early on in the pandemic. 

On Dec. 21, 2021, Dr. Henry, sent a letter to presidents of colleges and universities in British Columbia. The letter reinforces that, at this time, public health experts strongly recommend the continuation of on-campus instruction in January 2022. Based on this guidance from public health, Okanagan College continues to plan for face-to-face delivery of programs and services in January.  

Please continue to be vigilant in completing daily health checks (stay home if you are feeling unwell), and follow the expectations that will help keep our campuses healthy this winter. 

Should direction change, updates will be shared as soon as possible with students and team members.  

Normally, we don’t ask you to keep an eye on your inboxes over the holiday break. Given the evolving situation this year, I’d like to ask you to please check your email or visit the College’s COVID-19/Return to Campus page for the latest information, in case plans change between now and January 4. 

Thank you once again for the calm, patience and understanding you continue to show one another as a learning community. I wish each of you a peaceful and restorative break. 

Respectfully, 
Neil Fassina
President, Okanagan College 

Important links: 

Okanagan College’s COVID-19/Return to Campus page: Communicable Disease Plan, Mask Directive, FAQs for students, FAQS for employees, Return to Campus Guidelines. 

Supports for students: Students requiring emotional support are invited to contact Counselling Services, Here2Talk.ca or the KUU-US Crisis Line Society which provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia. The KUU-US Crisis Line can be reached toll-free at 1-800-588-8717. Alternatively, you can call directly into the Youth Line at 250-723-2040 or the Adult Line at 250-723-4050, or online:  https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/.  

Supports for employees: Employees needing emotional support are invited to contact the EFAP provider, LifeWorks or the KUU-US Crisis Line for culturally relevant support for Indigenous employees. 

BC Government information on mental health supports this holiday season: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021MMHA0070-002426  

BC Covid-19 Provincial and Regional restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions  

Provincial health orders: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus  

Federal travel advisories: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid  

Proof of vaccination and the BC Vaccine Card: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/proof  

International students and obtaining QR code https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/proof#students-youth. There are two steps to get a BC vaccine card: 

Step 1 - Get a B.C. Personal Health Number (PHN); Call 1-833-838-2323 and one will be created for you. 

Step 2 - Upload your out-of-province proof of vaccination to the online form