COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
CURRENT SITUATION: As of March 1, 2022
Prairie College continues to operate under the Province of Alberta public health measures. On February 9, 2022 Alberta entered Step 1, the phasing out of COVID-19 restrictions. At that time the Restrictions Exemptions Program was removed. Prairie College no longer requires proof of COVID vaccinations or regular testing for staff or students.
In addition guests and visitors were welcome to be on campus. Mask were still mandatory following all the past mask usage guidelines.
On March 1, 2022 the Province of Alberta moved into Step 2. The requirement to wear masks was lifted and the mandatory work from requirement was also lifted.
Anyone who wishes to continue wearing a mask is welcome to. Sports games are open to the public, the Atrium cafe is open and visitors are welcome to join our students in the cafe and classes and chapels are no longer enforcing distancing protocols. There are no longer any scheduled separate meal times for the college vs high school students.
We look forward to the last term of the 2022/23 school year with excitement – for unrestricted college events and for a live graduation with friends and family.
All members of the Prairie community who develop COVID symptoms are encouraged to isolate and continue to follow isolation protocols as mandated by the Government of Alberta.
Psalm 145:14-17 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you , and you give them food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
CURRENT SITUATION: As of January 5, 2022
Prairie College will continue to operate within the guidelines and restrictions as the Fall semester (see these below). No new restrictions have been added at this time. Prairie will continue to follow all mandated restrictions from the Alberta Government.
As we return to another winter semester, it feels familiar yet new at the same time. We have lived a winter semester in a COVID world, but not with this latest varient on the loose. The people we are sharing our journey with this year are not exactly the same ones we have journeyed with in the past. We look with anticipation to this journey, together in a community focused on growing in knowledge, faith and vocational skills. And we give praise to God who knows what lies ahead.
Psalm 18:49 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations, I will sing the praises of your name.
CURRENT SITUATION: As of October 29, 2021
Prairie College has made some changes to allow our school to follow the exemption program requirements. We are using Alberta Health Record of Decision: CMOH Order 44-2021 and Alberta Health Record of Decision: CMOH Order 45-2021 as our resources.
Masking: Every person is responsible for the health and safety of our College community. Any individual without a mask is welcome to pick up a free disposable masks at Reception and in the Library. This is a reminder that masking is currently mandated in all indoor public spaces and in classrooms with no social distancing. In classrooms where social distancing is a possibility, the students may take off their masks once seated at the desk. The faculty or facilitator may remove their mask to teach being mindful of the “spray zone”. The facilitator will need to mask if moving about the room.
Changes for Term 2 beginning November 1, 2021.
Chapel will be located in Kirk Chapel for Term 2. All attendees are required to mask as this is considered a classroom setting without social distancing. The Library is not considerd a classroom so social distancing is a requirement. The Atrium is a second dining area where students may remove masks while seated. Students are welcome to sit together much like the cafeteria. The Mail Room Lounge will be a study area only so 1 person per table will continue in this area.
Order 44-2021 allows for meals eaten in the Cafeteria without social distancing. There will be assigned times for going through the meal line in Term 2.
Breakfast:
7:30 am – 8:00 am College students,
8:00 am – 8:25 am High School,
8:30 am – 9:00 am College
Lunch: 11:30 am – 11:45 am College,
11:50 am – 12: 20 pm High School,
12:25 pm – 1:30 pm College
Supper: 5:00 pm – 5:25 pm High School,
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm College
In order to be on campus starting November 1,2021 (which includes the dorms) an individual has 3 options.
- Fully Vaccinated
- Rapid Test 2x/week
- Medical exemption by physician or nurse practitioner.
The majority of Prairie programs are offered in our HyFlex environment should none of these options be a students choice. Please notify the Registrar’s Office of the decision to move to HyFlex prior to the start of classes on November 1st, 2021.
For those students who are choosing to rapid test 2 times a week (available to our College under Order 44-2021), testing will occur on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons. Those students who test positive for COVID will be required to follow the Alberta guidelines which include isolation and a second AHS test to confirm the result. Those students who do not show up for testing will be required to remain in isolation and attend class via HyFlex until the next testing opportunity.
Guests are welcome on campus. All guests must follow the same guidelines and provide proof of vaccination, a medical exemption or a negative rapid test from within the previous 72 hours to attend any classes, chapels, or to remain on campus for more than 10 minutes. Please register your attendance with Reception or with the Presidents Office.
Let’s work together in our community of faith to make this a heathly, happy and safe environment for all.
CURRENT SITUATION: As of September 20, 2021
The government of Alberta has again declared a state of emergency in Alberta due to the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and the related increase in hospitalizations. As a private faith based post-secondary institution, Prairie College is required to:
Implement the Restrictions Exemption Program requiring proof of vaccination, medical exemption or negative test result every 72 hours, plus mandatory masking, to continue operating as usual, or
Comply with all public health restrictions as outlined in Order 42-2021.
Note: There is an exemption to Order 42-2021 for all faith-based ABHE and Transport Canada accredited programs that allows that physical distancing requirements in classrooms, laboratories, and dining halls be waived once the Restrictions Exemption Program is implemented.
Decision: Prairie College will operate with all restrictions as per Order 42-2021 through the end of Term 1 and will adopt the Restrictions Exemption Program for the start of Term 2 (November 1, 2021).
Why has Prairie made this decision? :
Prairie feels obligated to provide a variety of education delivery channels for students, options that will benefit as many students as possible. These include in-person attendance, hyflex class attendance, online attendance and prison attendance. Every student, regardless of the channel they choose, is important to us.
Heightened restrictions (increased physical spacing, take-out meals only for all residence students, closed lounges, no social gatherings, etc.) is suboptimal for good in-person community, but manageable on a short-term basis. When considering heightened restrictions for the entire upcoming year, we felt the need to find better options.
- Offering a vaccinated campus beginning with Term 2 of the Fall semester allows a greater freedom of movement for those who are vaccinated, have a medical exemption, or obtain a negative test every 72 hours.
- Offering Hyflex attendance allows those who do not wish to be vaccinated, or need to quarantine, to continue and complete their programs.
We have chosen to go with In-person or Hyflex attendance as the two options for students to choose between, based on their convictions. We are not trying to mandate for- or against- vaccinations, rather we are trying to provide viable options for all students.
Changes for Term 2: Term 2 begins on Monday November 1st, 2021. From our understanding of the Order and exemption provided at this point, implementing the Restrictions Exemption Program will greatly ease the in person restrictions, including a return to fully eating in the dining hall and the elimination of all distancing protocols for classroom and labs. Should Order 42-2021 be rescinded by the Government of Alberta prior to the start of Term 2, Prairie will revisit this decision. Withdrawal policies for Term 2 and details of Prairie College’s Restrictions Exemption Program are still under development at this time.
General information:
- If you require assistance , please call 403-443-3050 during business hours.
If you require emergency medical assistance, please call 911.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact your Program Coordinator/Professors for all the details about completing your classes online.
If you require assistance with Online Classrooms, please email the Help Desk at helpdesk@prairie.edu.
Program Specific:
For some programs – like Practical Nursing, PCP, and Aviation – we are waiting upon instructions from education partners like Bow Valley College, PATC, and Professional Medical Associates. Thank you for your patience as we figure out the details.
If you have symptoms, stay at home and call Health Link 811 for instructions. Also, notify your DSD.
From Alberta Health Services:
Under public health order, you are legally required to isolate for:
- 14 days if you returned from international travel or are a close contact of a person with COVID-19, plus an additional 10 days from the onset of symptoms, should they occur
- 10 days if you have a cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat that is not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition
In some cases, yes. In other cases, events have been moved online.
Refer to the Events tab for status details about previously scheduled events.
All students arriving from international locations will be expected to quarantine for a full 14 days upon arrival in Canada.
In some cases you may quarantine in a dedicated section of student housing. If you are participating in the Government of Canada’s pilot program, you will be required to quarantine off-campus.
Speak to your DSD or Admissions representative for details.
The facilities maintenance team will increase the frequency of its disinfection process in public spaces, which includes door handles, sinks and high traffic areas.
Cleaning kiosks with supplies will be made available in public areas
On campus students, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to continue and increase the practice of cleaning private spaces including dormitories, offices, study spaces and classrooms
Type of Question | Contact |
Google Classroom & IT Questions | helpdesk@prairie.edu |
If you need assistance with self-isolation, mental health, dorms/Davison, move-in/move-out | Your Director of Student Development: Women- gillian.blomsma@prairie.edu Men – michael.bookless@prairie.edu Family – kelly.steffen@prairie.edu |
Virus and other health related symptoms /questions | www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans or call Health Link at 811 |
Program related questions (practicum, clinical, graduation requirements, exams) | Speak to your Program Coordinator, if you do not know who that is, visit the website program page. |
Staying Healthy: From Alberta Health Services
Symptoms
COVID-19 symptoms are similar to influenza or other respiratory illnesses. Common symptoms include:
- fever
- cough
- extreme tiredness
Symptom of serious illness include:
- difficulty breathing
- pneumonia
If you have symptoms, stay home and call Health Link 811 for instructions.
Prevent the Spread
Influenza and other common viruses remain the most likely cause of a respiratory infection.
To protect yourself and others:
- use good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing
- cover coughs and sneezes
- avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
- if you have symptoms, stay home and call Health Link 811 for instructions
Still Have Questions?
We will respond to your query during business hours.
