Updates on Regent College's response to COVID-19.
Updated September 29, 2022
Starting October 1, 2022, all COVID-19 border requirements, including vaccination, mandatory use of ArriveCAN, and any testing and quarantine/isolation requirements will end for all travellers entering Canada whether by land, air or sea.
For more information, visit travel.gc.ca/travel-covid.
Updated March 16, 2022
As of Friday, March 11, masks are optional on campus in keeping with the most recent order of the provincial health officer.
There are no longer any restrictions on worship services. Going forward, chapel is operating at full capacity.
Updated February 23, 2022
As provincial restrictions ease, Regent continues its gradual return to normal operations. All staff and faculty will return to normal work arrangements on campus by February 28. On-campus courses continue, with full online access available to those who need it. Summer Programs courses will also be available in this hybrid format.
Updated health and safety protocols consistent with the most recent revisions to provincial guidelines are available on our Life on Campus page.
Masks continue to be mandatory on campus, subject to the exceptions outlined in provincial guidelines.
The atrium has returned to normal capacity. There are no longer any capacity restrictions on the use of tables, couches, or chairs.
Chapel continues to operate at 50% capacity. Attendees are not required to provide proof of vaccination.
Regent will host a select number of online and on-campus events this term. For details, visit the College's Events Calendar. Proof of vaccination requirements for in-person events will be in keeping with provincial guidelines. Please check the event posting shortly before the event to confirm entry requirements.
Updated November 24, 2021
Regent College’s Board and faculty have voted to extend online access to Regent courses until April 2023––an 8-month extension of our current policy. Throughout this time, residency requirements for degree completion and financial aid will be suspended, giving all students equal access to pursue their hope of attaining a degree at Regent.
You can learn more about this update here
Updated September 7, 2021
Regent College continues to move forward with the return to on-campus learning in the Fall 2021 Term.
Building Hours and Access
Regular building hours and access will resume on Wednesday, September 8. Appointments will no longer be necessary to visit the building or use the Allison Library. The new building and library hours are:
- Monday to Thursday: 7 am to 9 pm (library: 8 am to 9 pm)
- Friday: 7 am to 7 pm (library: 8 am to 7 pm)
- Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm (both library and building)
All visitors, including students, staff, and faculty, should continue to do a daily self-assessment using BC's Thrive tool before entering the building. Stay home if you feel sick.
No Vaccine Passport
Regent will not be imposing a vaccine passport at this time for access to the building, use of the library, or participation in classes or chapel.
Masks
Under an Order of the Provincial Health Officer issued September 2, 2021, masks are mandatory in the building, including in the classroom.
Masks may be removed when:
- Eating or drinking while seated in designated areas. The tables and couches throughout the Atrium and in the area by the Rita Houston Kitchen are provided for this purpose.
- Teaching or presenting in class, as long as the speaker is at least two metres away from the others in the room.
- Working at a library carrel. Masks continue to be required at the open tables in the library.
- Alone in a room
- Communicating with someone for whom visual cues, facial expressions, lip-reading, or lip movements are essential
Staff and faculty may also remove masks when working in their offices or at their desks, provided no students or members of public are in the room.
Masks are not required for those who are unable to put on or remove a mask without help, or who are unable to wear a mask because of a psychological, behavioural, or health condition or because of physical, cognitive, or mental impairment.
Updated June 22, 2021
Regent College plans a full return to on-campus learning in the Fall 2021 Term. As the Province of British Columbia relaxes its COVID-19 guidelines, the College expects to return to its regular pre-pandemic class sizes.
Most courses in the Fall 2021 Term will be held on campus. To ease the transition back to on-campus community, online access via Zoom and livestream will remain available until August 2022. A small number of courses will be available online only. Students will have an opportunity to request online access to on-campus courses in the course registration process.
Local students who live within commuting distance of the College and who would ordinarily attend class on campus should plan to do so. Students can expect announcements regarding community-building initiatives from the Dean of Students Office in the next few weeks.
At present, the College’s COVID-19 limited building access policies remain in effect. In brief:
- Visits are available by appointment only
- Pre-screen before arrival using BC’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool
- Masks are required except when eating in designated areas
- Social distancing of 2 metres
The Regent College Bookstore is open to the public.
Watch this space for further updates to Regent’s health and safety protocols and building access policies.
Updated March 1, 2021
In order to maintain service to students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, Regent will extend live online access to courses until the end of August 2022.
In addition, distance education policies requiring students to complete a proportion of their studies on campus in order to qualify for a degree will remain suspended until the end of August 2022. All courses completed in that time frame will be treated as though they have been completed on campus.
Updated December 23, 2020
We are very pleased to advise that Regent has been added to the Government of Canada's list of Designated Learning Institutions with an approved COVID-19 Readiness Plan, available here. International students can now enter and re-enter Canada using a study permit.
Students should note that all individuals crossing the border into Canada must undergo a 14-day quarantine immediately upon arriving in Canada. This includes Canadian citizens and those with PR status as well as international students. Significant penalties may apply to individuals who do not abide by quarantine regulations.
Students travelling to Canada must submit a quarantine plan to the border agent and to Regent College. Plans may be submitted as follows:
Information to assist in planning your quarantine is available here.
In order to maintain our status as a Designated Learning Institution with an approved COVID-19 Readiness Plan, Regent is obligated to monitor the quarantine of every student who enters or re-enters Canada on a study permit. Our Dean of Students Office will coordinate a daily check-in with each student undergoing quarantine.
Updated December 23, 2020
All Winter 2021 Term courses will begin exclusively online in January. Circumstances permitting, we hope to begin offering an on-campus learning option to local students on February 22, 2021.
Updated November 20, 2020
BC's Provincial Health Officer imposed a new province-wide order on November 19. This order placed additional restrictions on businesses and social gatherings throughout BC until December 7, 2020.
A full explanation of the order is available here.
The order includes the following requirements:
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor public settings, including libraries.
- All individuals, places of work, and businesses must significantly reduce social interactions and travel.
In response to this order, we have made the following adjustments to Regent's safety protocols:
- Library users must wear masks at all times.
- All in-person meetings are suspended through December 7. This includes pod gatherings, walks with faculty, and one-on-one meetings with faculty or staff. Meetings should be held online or on the phone instead.
While in-person meetings are suspended, we strongly encourage connecting online or on the phone as much as possible. As face-to-face connections decrease, it's more important than ever to be intentional about reaching out to receive and offer encouragement and support.
Students in need of support are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students Office at [email protected]. Human Resources is available to provide support to staff and faculty.
Updated November 2, 2020
Circumstances permitting, Regent College intends to offer a limited range of on-campus options for select courses in the Winter 2021 term. All courses will continue to be available online.
Classroom capacity has been reduced to accommodate social distancing, so a limited number of on-campus seats are available. Students wishing to attend class in person should register for winter courses no later than November 29, 2020, and indicate their preference for on-campus courses during the registration process. After November 29, requests for on-campus learning will not be prioritized.
Note for International Students
The Canadian government is requiring all Canadian post-secondary institutions to submit a COVID Readiness Plan (CRP). Until the government has approved and processed Regent's CRP, new students relying on a study permit will not be able to enter Canada.
This also affects international students currently living in Canada. Students who leave Canada may not be able to re-enter the country until Regent is on the list of Designated Learning Institutions with an approved CRP.
We realize that this situation raises challenges for both current and prospective students. We are working hard to complete and submit the CRP as soon as possible. Students will be notified when Regent's CRP has been approved.
Updated September 8, 2020
The gradual reopening of the Regent College building has begun.
Note: The Regent College Bookstore is a retail space with its own entrance at the southwest corner of the building. Information regarding the Bookstore’s opening hours and health & safety protocol is available at bookstore.regent-college.edu. The information below applies to all other uses of the Regent College building.
This first stage of the reopening process prioritizes student access to a number of important services. Effective immediately, Regent College students can book an appointment to do any of the following on campus:
- Study in the Allison Library (book via the Allison Library site)
- Meet with members of faculty (book directly with the faculty member)
- Meet with members of the Dean of Students Office (email [email protected])
- Meet with their community pods in the Atrium (email [email protected])
- Pay tuition or address registration issues (email [email protected])
Students and visitors must book all visits to the building at least 24 hours in advance. Scanning and book retrieval services continue to be available to students, staff, and faculty.
All visitors should review Regent's COVID-19 health and safety protocol, available here.
Non-essential staff continue to work from home. All classes will remain online for the duration of the Fall 2020 Term. A decision regarding the Winter 2021 Term will be communicated by late September.
Everyone entering the building must complete a COVID-19 screening process before coming to campus and again before entering the building. Once in the building, all persons must comply with the College’s health and safety guidelines. Failure to comply could result in loss of access to the building or disciplinary action.
Questions may be directed to [email protected].
Updated August 11, 2020
The Regent College building remains closed to visitors until September 2, 2020. As of September 2, visits to the building will be permitted by appointment only.
The Regent College Bookstore is open for curbside pickup and mail orders from 10am–4pm, Monday to Friday. In addition, the Allison Library is offering a scanning and book retrieval service for students, staff, and faculty.
Updated June 30, 2020
In order to ensure the health and safety of students, staff, and faculty, and to secure an uninterrupted learning experience for students, all of Regent College's Fall 2020 courses will be offered exclusively online. See the full announcement here.
A complete list of Fall 2020 courses can be viewed on the Timetables page. The Dean of Students Office is actively exploring opportunities for community-building in the Fall 2020 term, examining the range of options available in light of provincial health regulations.
The John Richard Allison Library is working to make print resources accessible to the Regent community. As of July 2, 2020, current students, faculty, and staff can request library items for retrieval. Requested items will be available for pickup at the southeast entrance of the College on Thursdays between 1:30 and 3:30 pm (details available here). A limited scanning service is also available to students, staff, and faculty.
Beginning July 6, library patrons will be able to return items currently in their possession via the library return bin near Regent’s southeast entrance (details available here). All currently checked-out library items are now due July 31, 2020.
Updated May 5, 2020
As Summer Programs go forward, all courses from May 11 to Aug 7 (Spring Session and Summer Session) are available online only. Courses that are live only require real time participation, whereas courses that include a recording can be taken from any time zone. See Summer Programs timetable for details on course offerings.
While details of Fall 2020/Winter 2021 courses remain to be defined, Regent College is committed to making courses in the 2020/2021 academic year available online so students can study from anywhere in the world.
To accommodate these changes, distance education restrictions have been lifted until August 2021. See here for more details.
Updated March 24, 2020
Regent College's Summer Programs will go forward this summer. In light of local and international efforts to control the spread of COVID-19, all courses will include a live online participation option.
Courses taking place from May 11 to June 5 (Spring Session) will be available online only.
Courses following June 22 (Summer Session) will be available online. If circumstances permit, these courses may also include an opportunity to learn on campus at Regent. Registered students will be updated as more information becomes available.
For more information about Regent College's Summer Programs, visit rgnt.net/summer.
Updated March 17, 2020
At 5 pm on Wednesday, March 18, the Regent College building will close until further notice. College operations will not cease, but will be managed remotely. Students will access courses via alternative delivery modes. Staff will work from home until the building reopens and will continue to be available via email.
The full announcement is available here. Questions may be directed to the President's Office at [email protected] or 604.221.3322.
Updated March 16, 2020
Regent is implementing a remote work-from-home policy effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020. All staff whose presence is not required on campus will work from home. Reception will remain open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and staff will remain available via email.
Building hours will be reduced beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020:
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Regent College will be open only on weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm.
- The John Richard Allison Library will be open on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
The building will not be open on Saturday or Sunday.
All on-campus events between now and the end of term are cancelled. We have yet to reach a decision regarding Convocation or the Reunion. We are working on alternative delivery modes for our Summer Programs courses.
Questions may be directed to the President's Office at [email protected] or 604.221.3322.
Updated March 13, 2020
Regent is transitioning to online classes effective March 16, 2020 for the remainder of the term. Students should not come to campus for class. Course instructors will contact students directly to provide information on how to participate in their classes. Delivery methods will vary from course to course to accommodate different course structures and content.
For the time being, the College will remain open for basic services. Staff and faculty will continue to work on campus. The library will remain open only for the purpose of retrieving and returning books. Full details regarding library hours, resources, and services will be provided early next week.
All on-campus events between now and the end of term are cancelled. The COVID-19 Response Team has yet to reach a decision regarding Convocation.
Read the full announcement here.
Questions may be directed to the President's Office at [email protected] or 604.221.3322.
Updated March 12, 2020
The College has established a COVID-19 Response Team, led by the President’s Office. Questions should be directed to [email protected].
The College continues to abide by the Recommendations for Post-Secondary Students, Faculty, and Staff provided by the Province of BC, available here.
In light of the travel advisory issued by the Province of BC on March 12, 2020, all those who return from travel outside Canada are required to report to the President's Office via phone or email and self-isolate for 14 days before returning to Regent.
Individuals who have not left Canada but believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should follow the same procedure. The President's Office will work with any students who are required to self-isolate in order to ensure that they are able to complete the necessary coursework.
Classes are currently scheduled to continue as planned. Non-academic activities prior to Reading Week are cancelled. This includes chapel, soup, and community groups scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.
Questions may be directed to the President's Office at [email protected] or 604.221.3322.
Updated March 11, 2020
The College has established a COVID-19 Response Team, led by the President’s Office. Questions should be directed to [email protected].
The College continues to abide by the Recommendations for Post-Secondary Students, Faculty, and Staff provided by the Province of BC, available here.
In order to protect the Regent community, the College is putting into place a reporting requirement. This requirement applies to students, staff, and faculty. In brief, all students, staff, and faculty must report to the President's Office if they:
- return from a high-risk jurisdiction
- live with someone who has returned from a high-risk jurisdiction, or
- believe that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
In addition, students, staff, and faculty should self-isolate if there is a risk that they may spread the virus. More information on self-isolation is available from BC's Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
The BCCDC has provided the following guidelines:
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Students, faculty, or staff returning from high-risk areas should stay home or self-isolate in their dorm/room alone for 14 days after they leave the high-risk area. They should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing).
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Students, faculty, or staff who have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 by laboratory testing should stay home or self-isolate in their dorm/room alone for 14 days after their last encounter. Individuals should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing).
- Students, faculty, or staff who have been in other areas affected by COVID-19 (see Information for Travellers on the BCCDC's website) should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing) for 14 days after they left. They do not need to self-isolate.
Those who develop symptoms during the 14-day monitoring period should immediately self-isolate (stay in a room that is not shared with anyone else) and call their health-care provider or the provincial health line 8-1-1 to discuss any need for testing and follow up.
The College is putting measures in place to ensure that students unable to attend class have the supports they need to finish the term well. Students requiring accommodation should contact the President's Office at [email protected].
For more information on COVID-19, see the following sites:
- Public Health Agency of Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
- BC Centre for Disease Control — http://www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2020/information-on-novel-coronavirus
- World Health Organization — https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- Healthlink BC — https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-covid-19
Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this website, this is a constantly changing situation. For up-to-date news and guidance, please visit the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, review the latest news from BC's provincial government, and review the latest directives from BC's Provincial Health Officer. Those contemplating travel to or from Canada should also carefully review the Government of Canada's travel restrictions.