Waterloo, Guelph campuses adjust long weekend move in for thousands of students
As thousands of students return to Waterloo and Guelph campuses and move in to residences, local post-secondary schools are adjusting how to welcome them back while keeping public health in mind.
In 2020, schools like Laurier University didn’t have a big move-in day due to the pandemic.
This Saturday, those like first-year student Joshua Cournoyea from Niagara Falls are part of a hands-off approach.
“We don’t allow students to help other students move in like it used to be, the traditional way to move in,” said Chris Dodd, the director of residence at Laurier. “You’re not allowed to have a guest of any kind, and students are not allowed to visit students on other floors to prevent movement between the buildings.”
Students have two hours to check in, unload and unpack what they can, and only have two family members or friends inside the building to help.
Dodd adds that he’s not too worried about congregating on campus and that most students have been generally respectful of the rules during the pandemic.
Students like Geoffrey Eowen are planning for a low key move-in weekend in terms of socializing, much to the approval of parents like Lydia Cournoyea.
“Hopefully a lot of the kids are vaccinated,” she said.
Laurier students living on campus must be vaccinated at least once, with their second one scheduled for at least a week within moving in.
At the University of Waterloo, students in residences must be fully vaccinated by no later than Oct. 17.
“I’m fully vaccinated, so I’m not really stressed about that,” said first-year law student Anna Sokolovoski. “I just really like the campus. They’re really welcoming here.”
Over 4,500 UW students have been moving in throughout the week to allow more space for everyone to do so safely.
At the University of Guelph, students are only allowed one visitor in their unit at a time and who also must live in the residence. Parties and social gatherings are not permitted.
Officials for all three schools are reminding students who live in residences to wear a mask where required, physically distance, and follow the rules in the common areas.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in "all public spaces," marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.