November 25, 2021 – Changes to York’s Health and Safety Plan for Winter
Dear York Community,
As the university prepares to welcome more in-person learning and research activities onto our campuses this winter, we’re building on the success of the programs that have kept our community safe throughout the fall term.
In addition to our current practices of vaccination, enhanced ventilation, use of masks or face coverings in all indoor settings and at-home rapid testing, this winter the community can expect to see some further enhancements.
The Care Ambassadors Program
As part of our community of care commitment, trained Care Ambassadors will be stationed in high-traffic areas on York’s campuses to help all community members transition to being back on campus. They will support wayfinding, answer health and safety questions (including when and where to wear masks or face coverings), and remind everyone of the ongoing need to screen daily with YU Screen. Care Ambassadors will be easy to spot in shirts identifying their roles and will maintain a friendly and educative approach to supporting the community.
New YU Screen features
Improvements are coming to YU Screen for the winter term. The green checkmark will be made more visually prominent in the screening result and will signify when someone has passed daily screening, and is in compliance with the University’s Vaccination Mandate policy.
Showing YU Screen results on York’s campuses
By December 1, all students who intend on accessing York’s campuses in the winter term will be required to upload their proof of vaccination through YU Screen. In winter, all York community members may be asked and must be prepared to present their YU Screen clearance checkmark anywhere services are accessed on the university’s campuses. York will not however be conducting random YU Screen clearance checks in any open or common spaces on campuses.
Showing YU Screen clearance upon request will be particularly important in student service areas or where one-on-one appointments have been scheduled, including:
- The Bennett Centre for Student Services
- Athletics & Recreation
- York University Libraries
- Service desks and office reception areas
- Faculty, school, department and program offices
- When accessing student advising, instructor or TA office hours
Instructors may also choose, if they wish, to ask all students to display their YU Screen green checkmark upon entering instructional spaces, and they should also be prepared to show their own upon request. More guidance will be forthcoming to support instructors in the return to campus.
Food and drink not permitted in instructional spaces
Wearing masks or face coverings in indoor spaces on York’s campuses will be an ongoing requirement in the winter term. York’s mandatory mask and face covering policy is now being updated to reflect that the consumption of food and drink will no longer be permitted in instructional spaces. The number of designated eating spaces is being increased on both campuses to help with this transition and details on the locations will be shared with the community soon.
Thank you again for your ongoing commitment to upholding a community of care while on York’s campuses, and for continuing to confirm when you have cleared YU Screen. Please continue to visit the Better Together site for the latest updates and we are looking forward to a happy and healthy new year on campus this winter.
Sincerely,
Lisa Philipps
Provost & Vice-President Academic
Amir Asif
Vice-President, Research & Innovation