Starting today, Mount Allison University is expecting 182 students from outside the Atlantic region to arrive and begin self-isolation in their assigned rooms in residence.
The number of off-campus students is not so clear.
In a survey conducted by Mount Allison this summer approximately 76 students identified that they will be self-isolating off-campus, according to university spokesperson Laura Dillman.
MASU president Jon Ferguson told CHMA that since classes don’t begin for just over three weeks, he expects off-campus students to arrive later in order to complete their 14-day isolation.
Mount Allison doesn’t provide services directly to off-campus students in need of isolation, but Laura Dillman says they have partnered with the students’ union, the Tantramar COVID-19 Task Force, and local landlords, to provide information on community resources.
Mount Allison’s website focusses mostly on the details for on campus students, but does have a small section for off campus students.
The site lists local delivery options, including those provided by the students’ union. And it advises students on what they need to do if their roommates are in self-isolation.
For the details of self-isolation protocols, the site refers to the government of New Brunswick guidelines.
Off campus students from outside the Atlantic Bubble are being asked to visit the Welcome Centre to complete a contact information form only after they have completed their 14 days of self-isolation.
Earlier this month, Mount Allison released a student guide outlining expected behaviour for students and anyone else on campus.
The rules cover everything from mask-wearing to following directional signage, to restrictions placed on visitors to residences.
Students, faculty, and staff will be required to wear a mask whenever physical distancing is not possible and when in transit on campus.
Students living on campus will also have additional restrictions on alcohol and substance use, access to common areas, and guests to their rooms.
To provide for enforcement of the rules, the university will be adding a new offense to its student code of conduct: Failure to comply with stated health and safety measures.
The university says it may lift and re-impose these restrictions over time in response to the state of the pandemic.
