Dear Students,

We’re excited to welcome you in person to campus in September. Here are a few things you should know as we work to maintain a safe and healthy campus environment for everyone this academic year:

• Vaccination requirement and testing upon arrival for residence students – all students living in Trent residences are required to be fully vaccinated (two doses), as defined by the Province of Ontario, with some exceptions. COVID-19 testing will also be required upon arrival for all residence students.
• Vaccinations strongly encouraged for all members of the Trent community – While vaccinations are not a requirement for students not living in residence, all members of our campus communities are strongly encouraged to stay up-to-date with your vaccinations and get your COVID-19 booster doses as soon as you are eligible.
• On-campus vaccination clinics – If you need your next shot, the GO VAXX mobile vaccination clinic will be on Trent’s Symons Campus on September 10. On September 10, a clinic will also be held at the Oshawa Centre, close to our Durham GTA Campus. You can also book an appointment anytime through Ontario’s online booking portal or through your local public health unit. Walk-ins are also welcome at the vaccination clinic at Peterborough Square. Trent University is also in communication with local public health units to host future vaccine clinics as well as Monkeypox PrEP vaccine clinics on campus. Eligible students will be able to receive a dose of Imvamune to prevent infection or prevent the development of severe symptoms. Watch the Trent Forward site for more details about all on-campus clinics.
• We are mask-friendly. Masks continue to be optional on Trent’s campuses and we respect the decision of students, staff, and faculty regarding their choice on masking on and off campus. The University strongly encourages wearing a mask in spaces that have high-capacity limits and limited ability for physical distancing. Masks are available at your college office, the Student Centre and libraries at both campuses. As we return to campus, be courteous and respectful of the choices of others.
• A number of additional health and safety measures continue to be in place on our campuses including wastewater testing and improved ventilation systems throughout our buildings on both campuses.

Stay home if you are unwell

If you are feeling unwell or are required to self-isolate, please do not come to campus. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, be sure to review this helpful guide from the Province at ontario.ca/exposed.

As we protect the in-person learning experience at Trent, faculty members are aware that students may need to miss class due to health or personal reasons related to COVID-19 and have been encouraged to be flexible.

• Use the online self-reporting tool if you test positive and have attended in-person classes.
• If you are required to miss a class, please start by checking if your professor has set up options for students who need to be absent, for example posting material on Blackboard, livestreaming or recording the class, or asking other students to take notes.
• As well, there may be other options if you need to miss a test, midterm or other in-person assessment. Your instructor can work with you to discuss alternatives.
• If your professor is unable to assist you, please contact academic advising or Student Affairs to see if there are other options that we can help you with.
• If you have a diagnosed medical condition of a severe nature which renders you immunocompromised, or are taking medications resulting in immunosuppression, which puts you at greater risk for a more serious COVID reaction, you can register at Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to review accommodation needs with appropriate documentation. Please note that not all courses can be adapted to provide a remote option for the remainder of the semester.
• Be sure to read more about the University’s policy on student absenteeism, missed tests and examinations.

As always, the University continues to monitor conditions and will advise our campus communities of any changes to plans. Check the Trent Forward website for updates.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our campuses safe and healthy this fall. If you have questions, or require support, you can always connect with Student Affairs or your College principal. 

See you on campus!

Lawrence Lam
Senior Director, Student Affairs