Updated March 7, 2022
Crandall University’s COVID-19 Advisory Group is committed to position the University in full-compliance with directives and suggestions from the Government of New Brunswick and NB Public Health. In response, the following parameters have been approved to reflect the most current advice received from provincial officials.
COVID-19 Operational Parameters as of March 14, 2022
As the residents of the Province of New Brunswick anticipate and prepare for the March 14, 2022 conclusion of the Provincial Mandatory Order related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we also wish to announce the University’s response for operations that will commence with the change in the Province on that date.
Throughout the pandemic we have relied on the expert opinion of the Health Leaders of the Province of New Brunswick to provide us informed and safe guidelines to use in managing our operations. We believe these guidelines were always developed with the best understanding of existing scientific knowledge available at the time of their announcements. We have no reason to doubt that this same understanding has led the same provincial officials to have confidence in rescinding the mandatory order as we shift from a perspective of a COVID-19 pandemic to a COVID-19 endemic.
On March 14, 2022, existing mandatory restrictions will come to a conclusion across the Province. They will also come to a conclusion at Crandall University. However, while the use of masks and physical distancing will no longer be mandatory, we know that many people will choose to continue to use both. As a community, we are in full respect of those who make such a choice and we will not want to make any person who makes such a choice to feel pressured to do otherwise.
For our residences and in our common spaces in the academic buildings, mask use and physical distancing will not be required but students and employees are free to continue to use masks if they so choose.
While mask use and physical distancing will not be required in F2F classes, we also understand that some instructors may have a medically sound need to ask students to continue mask use while attending specific classes. We ask that all students be mindful of the potential medical necessity of continuing to use masks in specific classes/labs if their instructor issues that request. No instructor will issue a request for using masks in their class unless there is a valid medical reason for their request.
We know that everyone has been through a very challenging season of life over the past 2 years and that the challenge for many will not suddenly end on March 14, 2022. We ask everyone to be in a position and have a mindset of extending grace to everyone as we gently move into the reality of COVID-19 as an endemic.
Guidelines while under all levels of New Brunswick’s Winter Plan
The following parameters will guide Crandall’s operation at all levels of the winter plan, unless modified by the guidelines at a specific level:
- Vaccination is expected for employees, students, and guests accessing Academic buildings;
- Masks are to be worn in classes, hallways, and other common spaces unless actively eating; presenters may remove their masks at the front of classrooms while presenting; masks are not required in meeting rooms or individual offices.
- When guests are permitted in residences, they must sign in and are expected to be vaccinated.
- Academic programs will operate in person, though specific approved courses may still be held partially or fully online.
- When Conference Services are available, evidence of vaccination will be required for all events.
- To access the Dining Hall, non-resident members of the Crandall community must show evidence of vaccination.
- Evidence of vaccination is required for all users and spectators in Crandall Athletics facilities; masks are required for all spectators.
- Evidence of vaccination is required for all participants in co-curricular activities.
- Masks are required for those attending Chapel experiences; singing is permitted with masks on.
Guidelines while under Level 1 of New Brunswick’s Winter Plan
At 11:59pm Friday, February 18, 2022, New Brunswick will return to Level 1 of the Province’s Winter Plan. While at this level, the following parameters will guide Crandall’s operation:
- Academic buildings will be accessible to members of the Crandall University community, as well as compliant conference groups and guests, provided they adhere to Provincial Health directives.
- Residences will allow limited access to guests, with group gatherings limited to 20.
- Academic programs will operate in person, though specific approved courses may still be held partially or fully online.
- Conference Services will be available for internal and external events following Public Health guidelines.
- The Dining Hall will be available for on-campus students; non-resident members of the Crandall community may also access the dining hall with evidence of vaccination.
- Crandall Athletics will be fully open for practices and competition; spectators are welcome with masks required.
- Indoor co-curricular activities will be allowed to operate with a maximum of 20 participants. Outdoor activities are permitted with a maximum of 50 participants.
- Chapel experiences may take place with speakers and singing leaders on the platform permitted to remove their masks.
Guidelines while under Level 2 of New Brunswick’s Winter Plan
Should Greater Moncton enter Level 2 of the Province’s Winter Plan, the following parameters will guide Crandall’s operation:
- Academic buildings will be accessible to groups of students and guests, provided they adhere to Provincial Health directives.
- Residences will be restricted to tenants only, and residents will adhere to ‘Steady 10’ guidelines.
- Academic programs will be allowed to operate in person, though specific programs may still be held partially or fully online.
- Conference Services will be available while following Provincial Health directives.
- The Dining Hall will be available only for on-campus students with a meal plan.
- Indoor co-curricular activities will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity of a given space. Outdoor activities are permitted with physical distancing; masks will be required where physical distancing is not possible.
- Chapel experiences may take place in person at 50% capacity.