Augustana halls alive with the sounds of students

By Lori Larsen

On August 19, 20 and 21, the University of Alberta Augustana Campus welcomed students back during Move-In Day and a return to the on-site learning experience. A few international students were welcomed back prior to these dates, and returning students will be back on campus on August 26.

“We are excited to be having students, faculty and staff back, and looking forward to mainly inthe-classroom teaching,” said University of Alberta Augustana Campus general manager James Smith. “We have been preparing the campus as best we can to accommodate a safe return environment.”

In accordance to a directive outlining the new measures for fall return to campus established by Alberta’s three research-intensive universities including the University of Alberta (including Augustana), University of Calgary, and University of Lethbridge, rapid testing or vaccination, and masks will be mandated as part of back-to-school plans.

As per the directive, the University of Alberta (Augustana), the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge will require all those coming to campus to undergo regular rapid testing. Those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are exempt from this requirement.

Smith said that according to the directive, students, faculty, and staff who are not fully vaccinated, and those who would prefer not to disclose their vaccine status, will need to regularly complete a rapid screening test and receive a negative result before they participate in in-person activities.

The campuses will also require non-medical face masks to be worn in all public indoor areas where physical distancing is not possible, and will require those with COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test to self-isolate, under provincial guidelines, for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or until a negative COVID-19 test result.

For full details visit www.ualberta.ca/ covid-19/campus-safety/safety-measuresgeneral-directives/vaccination.html.

“We are happy with our enrollment, around the 1,000 student mark, which is normal for us, and our goal at Augustana is to enhance our curriculum so we can increase our enrolment, but with that we will require some added infrastructure,” said Smith, further explaining that the current classroom situation is sufficient, but there is a need to enhance residency and other student services.

University of Alberta Augustana Campus Student Life executive director Randal Nickel explained the unique situation Augustana is facing with students this year. “We will have two cohorts of students who have never seen the campus,” which he said includes this year’s first-year students and last year’s first-year students, who are now second-year students.

“That has been a significant part of our strategizing and planning as part of that we need to and hope to develop–that on-campus experience, that energy that people love about starting at university.”

Nickel said that it was reflected in the orientation which began with a Welcome Day on August 23. “The goal of that day was to get their sea legs–get their feet planted a little bit on the campus. They could move around the campus, meet various people and interact with each other as students, which is such a critical thing. Hopefully without high pressure, and hopefully without a big firehose of information.”

Housing needs

In an effort to ensure the utmost of safety for students, Augustana has reduced the number of students being housed in on-campus residences, including the Hoyme and Ravine Complexes.

“Our on-campus housing two years ago had approximately 425 students,” noted Nickel. “This year and last, obviously things are changing. It is a dynamic situation. The University of Alberta made the decision, based on consultation with public health experts, to offer single occupancy (one person per bedroom) in dormitories.”

He explained that this will reduce the number of students in on-campus housing to 300, which equates to more students seeking housing off campus in Camrose.

“We know that is a challenge and there is a time crunch, and so we have provided any students who are on the wait list for on-campus housing with various information about our rental opportunities within the City.” As well, Augustana Student Association is providing support if there is someone looking for a roommate off campus, which would assist in financing and increase the chances of finding housing.

Both Nickel and Smith said that Augustana is reaching out to the community to provide information on possible rental opportunities.

Other changes

Aside from the protocols surrounding COVID-19 safety, the campus has also implemented some changes that coincide with keeping students safe, while adding to the already unique and enjoyable student experience.

“We are amping up our facilities, food services, and recreation,” said Nickel.

“We looked at all those things that get students connected with each other and doing things they like and finding new things that they like to do, which is at the core of Student Life Services.”

Changes were made in dining hall to not only keep students safe, but to enhance the overall experience.

“It is now set up more as a restaurant-style experience instead of the old cafeteria style,” explained Nickel.

Different stations have been set up featuring a variety of healthy, locally-sourced food choices. Extended hours afford students more opportunities to dine without overcrowding, the seating arrangements are spaced further apart, and the overall colour scheme is brighter and trendier. “That is what they expect and that is what they deserve.”

Meal cards will also be available for purchase to students living off campus. Other infrastructure changes include upgrading air handling requirements in the west wing of the old classroom building and in the Ravine Residences, and the installation of lecturecapture equipment to offer a hybrid of delivery of courses. “Professors can have students in the classroom and students online at the same time,” explained Smith. “Our goal is to get close to 30 classrooms equipped with that technology. Not all will be ready for this term, Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Augustana staff and faculty are happy to welcome students back to campus. but we will have some of those classrooms ready for the beginning of classes this term.” Smith said that operational changes, due to the University undergoing significant administration cuts in an effort to work towards a more centralized administration model, unfortunately resulted in the closing of the on-campus bookstore. “Bookstore needs will be served by our U of A online bookstore, as well as by our new service desk located at Founders Hall.”

Athletics

According to Nickel, athletics programs will be beginning a little later in the year. “We have been preparing the campus as best we “We participate in the ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) and they have a plan in place. The seasons will be a little bit shorter, can to accommodate a safe return will start a little later in the year, and there environment,” said Smith may be some games without fans.” Women’s soccer will be the first sport to resume with practices taking place the end of August, and games tentatively scheduled to begin in September Smith indicated that one of the main focuses around sport is to reduce the amount of travel in an effort to reduce the risk of COVID.

External users

External users are anxious to get back to events and initiatives hosted by the campus and continue what has come to be known as an extraordinary partnership. “External groups are an important part of the Augustana community, and we are anxious to return to having outside events happening on campus,” said Smith. “At this point, however, we are waiting to deal with the return of students and faculty to see how that works and then looking more closely at external groups. Currently, we have to go through an internal process in order for external events to happen.” On August 31, Augustana will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on campus for first dose, and another clinic in October for second dose for all Augustana students, staff and faculty. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged, if they have not already been vaccinated, to take this opportunity to do so or to arrange with Alberta Health Services (AHS) for vaccinations or attend the Camrose Health Clinic. According to Smith, AHS has ensured that outof-province or country students won’t have any barriLori Larsen, Camrose Booster ers to receiving the vaccine University of Alberta Augustana Campus Student Life executive in an effort to ensure all director Randal Nickel, left, and Food Services supervisor students are vaccinated. Tracy Barusen are excited to welcome students back. While some changes are inevitable in order to insure the safest and best learning experience, the staff and faculty at University of Alberta, including Augustana Campus, are excited to see the return of students. “We are just hoping for as normal an operation as possible and to really give our students that experience that they have come to expect from Augustana,” concluded Smith. As for Camrose and surrounding areas, having Augustana students out and about in the community will be a welcome sight.