April 9, 2020
In response to the Province of New Brunswick’s announcement to provide the Emergency Bridging Fund for Vulnerable Post-Secondary Students, Crandall University, in coordination with the Province of New Brunswick, is pleased to provide critical support to eligible Crandall University students during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Province defines eligible students as:
- Full-time students of any nationality who were studying at Crandall University in the 2020 Winter semester as of March 12, 2020.
- Students who are not eligible to receive funding from any of the following:
- Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Student Loans or Grants for the 2020 Winter Semester
- The “$900 one-time New Brunswick provincial emergency fund payment”
- Other financial aid provided by any level of government that may come into being prior to the awarding of funding through this program
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate lost income or insufficient savings.
If you believe you qualify as an eligible student, please complete this application form (.pdf) and return it to dawn.welner@crandallu.ca prior to June 30, 2020.
April 4, 2020
Three weeks ago, Crandall University has made an unprecedented and emergent leap to learning at a distance in response to the emergent issues surrounding COVID-19. We understand that this sudden change in delivery of classes has been challenging. As a result, the Academic Council recommended, and the Senate approved, a PASS/FAIL grading option for students. Learn more.
April 3, 2020
As the limitations on public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic are now expected to continue later into the spring, the decision has been made to cancel this year’s Crandall University Golf Classic. As this is primarily a fundraising event for athletic scholarships and programming, you can still make a donation to benefit our student athletes and receive a full tax receipt. Visit crandallu.ca/donate for more information on ways that you can give.
March 25, 2020 – Covid-19 Advisory Update
Campus Closed
The Crandall University campus remains closed to students and the public. The majority of faculty and staff are currently working from home, with minimal support staff on campus, who are adhering to the social distancing guidelines. The campus will remain closed until further notice. However, students are encouraged to continue to email faculty members or staff if they have questions about their ongoing courses.
Online Courses
The Winter semester courses continue to be provided online, with little to no disruption of classes. Students having any technical difficulties are asked to contact our IT Services department at helpdesk@crandallu.ca.
Spring Courses
Registration for Spring courses is open! While the province remains in a state of emergency, Crandall University will continue to provide any courses offered in Spring 2020 in an online format. Students are encouraged to contact registrar@crandallu.ca to enroll in Spring courses. Those who may not be currently enrolled at Crandall University and would still like to take advantage of our Spring course offerings may contact admissions@crandallu.ca for more information.
Students Looking For EI Benefits
Students who have been working full-time or part-time this past year and have been recently laid-off due to the Coronavirus outbreak, may be eligible to receive benefits from the federal government. Please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html for more information.
Crandall University wants to continue to encourage everyone to be safe, be prepared, be informed, and be kind. We ask that you follow the guidelines set forth by our government, and if you are feeling any symptoms, please visit the GNB website or call “811.” Our faculty and staff continue to pray that this pandemic will be over soon, but we all must do our part. Stay safe.
The Covid 19 Advisory Committee
Crandall University
March 20, 2020
In light of the recent announcement from the Province of New Brunswick regarding our provincial state of emergency, the decision has been made to disallow student access to both Murray Hall and Stultz Hall. This decision will take effect at noon on Saturday, March 21, 2020 and will be in effect until further notification. A statement on employee access will be forthcoming tomorrow.
March 19, 2020
Today, Premier Blaine Higgs announced that the Province of New Brunswick is now in an official State of Emergency. As a result, it is the decision of President’s Council, in consultation with the Board Chair of Crandall University, to close our Colburne House residence to all students. Every student must vacate the residence by noon on Saturday, March 21st. The Campus Housing and Life department will work to the best of their ability to facilitate the move out procedure for each student.
Mitton Court remains available to those who are renting apartments, who are strongly encouraged to observe all hygiene and social distancing protocols required to promote safety. Student residents who choose to travel home for safety or peace of mind would be supported in the decision to do so.
March 18, 2020
Effective at 12:00pm on March 18, 2020, the Crandall University campus is closed to the public and will be accessible only to members of the Crandall community with activated access cards (e.g. students, staff, and faculty). Any member of the broader community who may need to access the campus during this time should call 506-858-8970 Ext. 222.
March 17, 2020
COVID-19 Advisory Committee Update
Crandall Students, Faculty, & Staff,
The COVID-19 Advisory is committed to keeping our community informed with the ongoing developments of the coronavirus pandemic. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priority. We hope to provide regular communication through our official Crandall University email system, through our website, and our social media platforms. Please ensure you have activated your Crandall email account and are checking it frequently for updates. This platform will become your hub for continuing your online education over the next few weeks.
Online Learning
Crandall’s faculty have worked with IT Services on adapting their curriculum to meet the desired course outcomes through online delivery. We understand this method may present some challenges for some users. However, we ask for your patience and understanding as we do our best to minimize technical difficulties. Students will be receiving communication (through their Crandall email accounts) and invitations to join their online learning Teams. Classes will begin on March 18, following your regular schedule.
Students needing troubleshooting for their online courses may contact Crandall’s IT Services department. (helpdesk@crandallu.ca)
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand you may have many questions regarding Covid-19 and its impact at Crandall University. We have created a FAQ section on our website that we hope will answer most of your questions.
Open Campus
Crandall University facilities remain open at this time. All residences, food service, meeting rooms, library, and weight room continue to operate as usual. Crandall’s facility team continues to maintain a healthy and safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff. Additional hand sanitizers have been placed throughout the campus, along with posters encouraging proper hygiene. We ask all those who choose to come to campus to be mindful and practice proper handwashing, coughing into your arm or tissue, and distancing yourself from people. These are small practices that can help prevent the spread of this virus.
Convocation
The decision has been made to postpone the 2020 Convocation Ceremonies planned for May 2, 2020.
While these ceremonies are being changed in light of the current global pandemic, we will be initiating
an “Administrative Conferral” of degrees for students who have completed programs. An administrative
conferral simply means that we will be sending diplomas to students who have completed programs at
Crandall University at the conclusion of the current 2019-20 Academic Year (in May 2020).
We are inviting all 2020 Graduates to attend an “upgraded” Fall Convocation that is scheduled for
November 7, 2020. Of course, as the details of this event are formalized, we will be sending everyone
more information.
Exams
Over the next few days you will be receiving more detailed information about specific courses and the
specific plans for the final examinations for those courses. No final exams will be administered on
campus in a physical classroom space. Courses that do require a final examination will be delivered in
an alternate format (online, take-home, or other). Please continue to check your emails regularly as
Crandall University will be updating students on format, time and date of final exams. Students needing
testing accommodations will continue to be considered in any final plans for examinations.
What’s next?
Much like the rest of the world, we continue to monitor and look for ways to reduce the risk of
spreading this virus. Currently, our province has two confirmed and five presumptive cases, all in the
central part of the province. We know our students, faculty, and staff will continue to do our part in
minimizing the impact that this coronavirus could have on our campus and region. We understand many
are concerned, and those concerns are valid. However, we also must continue to have hope for a better
day, to encourage each other, and to ensure the information we have is valid.
This committee will continue to send out communication over the next days and weeks to keep our
community informed. Those experiencing anxiety over our current situation should seek out someone to
speak with. Crandall’s keep.meSAFE (iOS | Android) program is designed to help in these types of circumstances.
All the best as you continue your studies! We will update you on changes as they come.
The COVID-19 Advisory
Crandall University
March 16, 2020
The decision has been made to cancel the 2020 Convocation Ceremonies planned for May 2, 2020. While these ceremonies are being cancelled in light of the current global pandemic, we will be initiating an “Administrative Conferral” of degrees for students who have completed programs. An administrative conferral simply means that we will be sending diplomas to students who have completed programs at Crandall University at the conclusion of the current 2019-20 Academic Year (in May 2020).
We are inviting all 2020 Graduates to attend an “upgraded” Fall Convocation that is scheduled for November 7, 2020. Of course, as the details of this event are formalized, we will be sending everyone more information.
See updated information for students
March 14, 2020 – a statement from Crandall University President, Dr. Bruce Fawcett:
Dear Crandall University Community,
As President of the University, I am writing to provide you with the following update regarding the University’s latest steps in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 Advisory Committee, chaired by our Provost Dr. Jon Ohlhauser, the President’s Council, and the Chair of the Board of Governors have become convinced that, while unprecedented, the following actions are justified given the public health concerns in our province and our nation. We believe these steps are the best way to balance our academic mission with our concerns for the health and safety of our community.
First, for students studying toward a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts and Science, Bachelor of Education, or Bachelor of Arts degree (with the exception of Organizational Management majors – see below):
The University has decided that we will complete the courses for this semester through an online delivery platform. We have set Wednesday, March 18, 2020 as the target date to switch all of our classroom-based courses to this delivery platform. Using this platform, we will complete this semester’s courses synchronously, meaning that while the courses will be delivered through an online platform, their delivery will occur during the time when they have been originally scheduled to meet. Students enrolled in classes will log into an online system and join the instructor and other students who are also enrolled in the course.
We will be cancelling classes on Monday and Tuesday (March 16 and 17) in order to allow our faculty and IT staff to prepare for the launch of this on-line delivery system on Wednesday. We are considering these two cancelled days to be “reading days” and hope that students will take advantage of the extra time to complete or get ahead on assignments. The campus buildings will remain open next week and the following weeks as per normal. Students will continue to have access to services including the Library, Registrar’s Office, Finance Office, Fitness Room, and cafeteria. Most classrooms will be inaccessible, but study rooms will remain open.
Students will be contacted through the official Crandall University email system with instructions and links to their specific courses and they will be expected to login to their courses at the regular time of meeting. Students should be checking their email messages throughout the day on Monday and Tuesday (March 16 and 17) to ensure that they receive proper login instructions.
The University has set Friday, March 20, 2020 as the date for finalizing information about final exams and the 2019-20 Academic Convocation (graduation).
For students who live in campus housing, a separate email with details about on-campus living and expectations will soon be sent from the Manager of Campus Housing and Life.
Second, for all graduate students and students studying toward a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management:
Your classes on Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17 will also be cancelled. Beginning Wednesday, March 18 your classes will also move to a synchronous on-line delivery system for a period of two weeks. As with the New Brunswick K-12 public school system, toward the end of the two-week period, the situation will be re-evaluated to determine if this model of delivery would need to be extended.
The experience our world is currently undergoing is truly unique. We hope that our actions will make a positive contribution to the battle against this pandemic, and that they will bring a measurable degree of peace to our community members as we seek to find a line between prudence and panic.
Thank you for your patience and support,
Bruce Fawcett, Ph.D.
President and Vice Chancellor
For more information or questions, please contact the Chair of the COVID-19 Advisory Group at: academic@crandallu.ca
March 13, 2020 Update (9:00pm)
In light of the ever-changing situation and announcements from the Province of New Brunswick, Crandall University is preparing an official response and details of an action plan that will be released Saturday Morning, March 14, 2020. Please watch for this update.
March 13, 2020
We have heard a lot of suggestions from our governmental health agencies about how to best prepare for the encroaching coronavirus. Two of the good, primary suggestions everyone has received are:
- Wash hands regularly
- Limit exposure to other people (ie., groups of no more than 150 people)
These are noble suggestions but what we would like to remind everyone . . . this is a time when you need to ensure that your immune system is at peak performance. There are many factors that contribute to a weakened immune system and some of the factors will be greater for some people and less important for others. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN DO MORE TO BE PREPARED THAN SIMPLY WASHING YOUR HANDS AND AVOIDING PEOPLE.
You can find good information through a google search but to assist you in this effort, here are two decent links. Please pay attention to the recommendations and if you feel that your immune system is being compromised on any of these factors, please take some time to think of ways to reduce the effect they may be having on your ability to fight off this virus.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/9-surprising-ways-youre-weakening-your-immune-system/
Personally – as chair of the Advisory Group – I would start by finding ways to be mindful of the amount of processed sugar and alcohol I may be consuming. I think these two things are perhaps the easiest factors to tackle first.
There are two other pieces of information to share in this note.
- Next week’s production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” will be proceeding as scheduled. HOWEVER, EACH PERFORMANCE NEXT WEEK WILL BE LIMITED TO 150 PARTICIPANTS AS PER THE GOVERNMENT’S SUGGESTION FOR THE MAXIMUM SIZE FOR A PUBLIC GATHERING. So if you want to go, get your tickets early. A decision on whether the second weekend of shows will proceed will be made next week.
- The Advisory Group is committed to providing regular updates to the Crandall University community. The nature of this virus is changing so rapidly that it is difficult to commit to a regular schedule of communiques. As such, we want to assure you that the Advisory Group will communicate with you as soon as any new information or institutional decisions are made. Please be sure to regularly check your Crandall University email for the latest information.
March 11, 2020
The Crandall University COVID-19 Advisory Group met this morning as part of its regular schedule of meeting. We discussed what is currently known about COVID-19 in the Canadian context, post-secondary context as well as the unique Crandall context. Here are a few observations from the group’s discussion.
- Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!! We have also taken note of the potential to increase the number of hand sanitation stations on campus but we are running into supply issues. With the pressure of this virus on all systems, it is difficult to secure new dispensers for product as well as sanitation product itself. But we are continuing to work on this. In the mean time, please take frequent advantage of the regular soap and wash basins located in all of our public washroom areas.
- Online delivery of courses . . . we are investigating our ability to strategically choose some courses that may be transposed to an online delivery format for the Spring/Summer semester. There is a lot of work to do to make this happen so at the moment we are assessing whether or not we are capable of accomplishing this.
- 8-1-1 – any member of the Crandall University community that suspects they may be displaying symptoms of the COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to call 8-1-1 and discuss their situation with a qualified healthcare worker.
- Monitoring – members of the Advisory Group have been assigned monitoring tasks and will report back to the Group at its weekly meeting on Monday mornings.
- NB Public Health – The chair of the Advisory Group has been identified and communicated as the point of contact for the Government if there are any directives specific to post-secondary institutions in the province of NB.
As the Advisory Group discovers important information about the COVID-19 virus as it intersects with the Crandall University experience, we will be sure to pass this information on to the entire CU community.
March 9, 2020
At Crandall University, we have a commitment to a priority for the safety and well-being of the students, employees and guests of our university. At this second half of March 2020, we have determined that it is advisable for us to form a COVID-19 Advisory Group. This advisory group includes the following individuals:
- Provost and VP for Academic Affairs, member of the Crandall University Health and Safety Committee – Dr. Jon Ohlhauser (Chair)
- Associate VP for Enrollment Management – Mr. Chris Robb
- Manager of Campus Housing and Life – Mrs. Crystal Knowles
- Director of Conference Services – Mrs. Amy Pattison
This COVID-19 Advisory Group at Crandall University would like to outline a few important pieces of information on how members of the Crandall University community can prevent and limit the potential spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) around our campus.
All participants in the Crandall University community can play a role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment by taking simple actions including frequent hand washing, staying home when sick and covering your cough and sneezes.
Directives received from federal, provincial and local health authorities will inform all action steps recommended by the COVID-19 Advisory Group at Crandall University. The first order of direction is that if any Crandall University community member has travelled to Hubei province, China, Iran or Italy, they must self-isolate, limit their contact with others for 14 days and call 8-1-1 within 24-hours of arriving in Canada.
Generally speaking, in respect to travel, the COVID-19 Advisory Group at Crandall University is asking ALL members of the Crandall University community who are returning to New Brunswick from travel outside Canada to monitor their health for 14 days. If anyone has travelled outside of the country, it is important to monitor personal health for symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing. If a person who has travelled outside the country experiences any symptoms, it is important to follow these steps:
- isolate yourself as quickly as possible and limit your contact with others
- immediately call 8-1-1 or your health-care provider
- describe your symptoms and recent travel history
- carefully follow instructions from healthcare professionals
The COVID-19 Advisory Group at Crandall University is working with various people on our Campus in preparation for a variety of scenarios. We will work closely with NB Public Health and their staff dedicated to identifying and responding to potential risks of COVID-19. NB Public Health actively monitors new developments to assess and improve the provincial comprehensive pandemic response system as the situation evolves.
Please obtain COVID-19 information from trusted sources and from the information provided here.
For more information or questions, please contact the Chair of the COVID-19 Advisory Group at: academic@crandallu.ca
Download a copy of Crandall University’s COVID-19 Public Statement (.pdf)
