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Appliance Technical Institute of Canada Inc. Continuity of Education Plan

Date: September 6, 2021

Updated September 7, 2021

BACKGROUND

In the Ministry of Colleges and University’s August 31^st, 2021 memo, “Postsecondary Education Health Measures Framework for Fall 2021,” Deputy Minister Shelley Tapp asked all colleges and universities to publish Continuity of Education Plans (CEPs) by September 7, 2021. These CEPs are to include:

Information about protocols (i.e., health and safety) in the event of an
Information on continuity of education in the event of a disruption to in-person teaching and
Links to useful resources in the event of an emergency (e.g., emergency contact information).

Below you will find the plans and policies ATIC has developed in response to the pandemic along with useful links and information, organized by the three CEP themes that the memo sets out.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Information about health, safety, and related protocols in the event of an emergency

Appliance Technical Institute of Canada is closely monitoring the latest public health guidance as it prepares to welcome students, faculty, staff and volunteers back to its three campuses this fall. Planning is already well underway for a safe resumption of in-person classes, with Faculties and divisions tailoring their individual plans to meet their unique needs.

MANDATORY VACCINATIONS

Vaccination is the most important way that individuals can protect themselves against COVID-19 and is a key element of Appliance Technical Institute of Canada’s strategy to support a safe return to campus.

All members of our community who come onto our campuses in the fall must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and are required to upload proof of vaccination by emailing support@atinstitute.ca. We expect all members of the community to have their first dose by September 13, and to be fully vaccinated by October 15. This requirement aligns with the August 24 recommendation of the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health for post-secondary institutions in the province that all individuals involved in any in-person campus activities be fully vaccinated with proof of vaccination except for those who cannot be vaccinated due to a permitted exemption.

Those seeking a permitted exemption for medical reasons or other protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code can make a request through your Primary Healthcare Provider. Students who have already applied for an exemption from the vaccination (i.e., those living in residence) will continue via the process communicated to them.

Those who have not received at least one vaccine dose or who have not been granted an exemption by their Primary Healthcare Provider can come to ATIC Mississauga campus, but must complete an Antigen Rapid Test prior to arrival. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated (i.e., partially vaccinated but not yet 14 days past their second or final shot) or who are unvaccinated but have received a Primary Healthcare Provider exemption must participate in ATIC’s rapid screening program and may be subject to additional safety measures. At- home screening kits are being provided to these individuals at no cost, along with an instructional video. Results must be submitted to support@atinstitute.ca at least twice weekly, and a negative test result is required before coming to ATIC’s Mississauga campus.

Visitors to ATIC’s Mississauga campuses are required to be fully vaccinated. More details about the process for visitors—including vendors, events attendees, volunteers, and others—is coming soon.

We have put these measures in place in consultation with local public health units and experts in the field.

ATIC is also actively supporting initiatives such as ThisIsOurShot to encourage Canadians to get vaccinated.

For more information about vaccinations, visit the ATIC’s vaccine page and frequently asked questions.

12 WAYS ATIC IS PREPARING FOR A SAFE RETURN TO CAMPUS

Vaccine requirements and rapid testing are just two of the measures ATIC is taking across the campus to curb the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Details on some of these measures are provided below.

CONTACT TRACING AND CASE MANAGEMENT

ATIC’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) has discussed case management procedures for reporting COVID-19 cases. EHS works with local public health officials on case management, conducts contact tracing and speaks directly with individuals who have been exposed to either a suspected or a confirmed case.

If any member of our community receives a positive test result for COVID-19, they are advised to immediately contact the Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) at support@atinstitute.ca.

ATIC provides community notifications and cleaning notifications to those affected by COVID-19 cases on our campus. These notifications are provided out of an abundance of caution and do not signal elevated risk or require any further action by individuals, other than those who are contacted directly by the Health & Safety Office.

COVID-19 HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) STRATEGY

To ensure a thorough approach to maintaining a safe indoor environment, the role of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems and current maintenance practices are routinely assessed against emerging public health evidence and industry guidelines with regard to COVID-19. A group including ATIC Building Operations, Environmental Health and Safety, and external professional engineers with expertise in ventilation also conducted an assessment of practices in the context of the pandemic, and the recommendations of this assessment have been adopted.

MASKS

In October 2020, the Government of Ontario enacted a requirement for the use of non-medical masks and face covering to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the province. This regulation requires non-medical masks to be worn in indoor College spaces, including classrooms and labs or workshops. Wearing a mask or face covering is also strongly recommended outside when a two-metre distance is not possible to maintain.

The guideline is based on the latest regulatory requirements and may be further updated periodically as our response to COVID-19 evolves.

SUPPORT FOR FACULTY, STAFF AND LIBRARIANS RETURNING TO CAMPUS

ATIC has shifted its focus from crisis response to planning for a safe return to campus, and encourages faculty, staff, volunteers, and their families who may need additional support to reach out for help during the transition. The wellbeing of the ATIC community remains a top priority as ATIC gradually moves towards restarting and recovery.

This Is Our Shot

After your vaccination

Women’s College Hospital

Government of Ontario

Government of Canada

2. ACADEMIC CONTINUITY

Information on continuity of education in the event of a disruption to in- person teaching and learning

ATIC has academic and business continuity plans that are enacted as needed. Our plans focus on the need to ensure the health of our community, and the continuity of our courses and programs.

OVERARCHING GOALS:

Ensure continuity of courses and programs
Ensure graduating students can graduate in a timely fashion
Ensure continuing students can progress appropriately in their degrees

OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES:

Academic Freedom

Course instructors have primary responsibility and authority to make changes to their courses
As we continue to work to maintain our academic programs, faculty members’ academic freedom is fully respected and neither the Provost nor other administrators will require faculty members to take any action that is inconsistent with the academic freedom.

Integrity of Academic Programs

ATIC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of all academic programs is a fundamental consideration when making any change to academic courses and programs
The integrity of programs involves both maintaining the key learning outcomes of courses within program and maintaining academic integrity.

Academic Disruption

ATIC provides the framework that allows divisions to provide instructors and departments with a broader menu of remedies to achieve their goals in courses and

Marking Scheme

Students have the right to expect transparency in how a grade is calculated
ATIC Vocational and Non-Vocational Contract establishes a process for how changes to the marking scheme can be affected when instructors judge this to be necessary

3. RESOURCES IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

Links to emergency contact information and other useful resources in the event of an emergency.

CRISIS AND ROUTINE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

Crisis and routine emergency situations on the Appliance Technical Institute of Canada Mississauga campus are provided to all staff members. In addition to the Policy, internal and external policies and statutes define ATIC’s roles and responsibilities in a crisis or routine emergency situation. ATIC’s officers recognize that every crisis and routine emergency requires a response as set out in the Policy and an evolving administrative Framework.

If an ATIC officer is uncertain about the seriousness of an incident, they are directed to contact Police immediately to assist in an assessment.

Under the Policy and Framework, the Incident Manager has full decision-making authority in the implementation of this Policy.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The foremost priority of ATIC in responding to crisis or emergency situations is the safety of students, faculty, staff, and affected community members. ATIC is committed to limiting and containing the extent of damage incurred during a crisis or emergency.

ATIC is also responsible for restoring order and mitigating the effects of the incident as soon as practicable by ensuring that the appropriate resources are assigned to manage the situation.

Emergency preparedness entails plans and procedures that ATIC undertakes in anticipation of a likely emergency. The Crisis and Emergency Preparedness document provides information and guidance for faculty, staff, and visitors to ATIC in the case of an emergency.

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