COVID-19 daily bulletin, March 26, 2020: Research sector update • Listening services • More resources for Concordians

NEW INFO & RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

Student Emergency and Food Fund

• The Student Emergency and Food Fund is available to any currently registered student. Email MFSC@concordia.ca with your Concordia ID and a phone number and someone will get back to you within two business days with details about emergency financial support.

Need to talk? Call the Concordia Students' Nightline

• The Concordia Students’ Nightline is an anonymous, confidential, non-judgmental listening service run by Concordia students for those in need of aid or support or just to talk. The service is reachable via a new temporary number: 438-812-6484. People are available to listen and talk to anyone about anything Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, 6 p.m. until 3 a.m.
  
  
• The EMPOWER ME program is also available to students, offering telephone, video and e-counselling services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-833-628-5589. Find additional mental health resources and support.

Concordia University Student Parents Centre (CUSP) update

• Are you a Concordia student with children struggling to balance studies and family life during self-isolation? The Concordia University Student Parents Centre (CUSP) is here to listen, provide tips and guide you to resources that can help. Email CUSP: cusp@concordia.ca or message via Facebook.

Concordia Bookstore update

• The Concordia Bookstore will continue to offer e-texts (in stock from fall and winter term) online. Any physical item orders are on hold until May.

Birks Student Service Centre update

• The Birks team is working remotely and is happy to help however they can. You can send any questions to study@concordia.ca. Please include “Birks” in the subject line.
• Attestation letters are still being issued. Learn how to request a letter.
• Completion of degree requirement letters can be requested by emailing study@concordia.ca (with “Birks” in the subject line).
• Official forms (e.g., Heritage, SAAQ, UN, etc.) cannot be completed, but please send an email to study@concordia.ca to discuss your case individually. Please include “Birks” in the subject line.
  
• Transcripts are unavailable but the Student Record can be accessed via the MyConcordia portal. From the Student Centre, click on the My Academics tab --> View my unofficial transcript --> undergraduate/graduate record.

Update on general services for students

• The Student Accounts office staff will be responding to questions directed to studentaccounts@concordia.ca during the closure period.
• The Financial Aid and Awards Office can be reached by email during the closure at fundingyoureducation@concordia.ca. Office staff are available to assist with questions or concerns related to bursaries, loans and scholarships.

Casual and contractual employees

• Casual and contractual employees, including students and work-study students, will be paid as per their regularly scheduled hours for the period between March 16 and May 1, 2020. Unless your manager requires you to come to campus to complete essential tasks, you are asked to work remotely, where possible.

INFO & RESOURCES FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

Managing teams and work from home?

• HR has resources and tips to help. These include guides for holding individual and team meetings remotely.

Research sector update

• Concordia researchers are responding rapidly to the COVID-19 emergency. To coordinate efforts, leverage expertise and facilitate collaboration efficiently during this time, the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies is collecting information on all COVID-19-related research activities across the university.
• If you are currently leading or participating in a research initiative, awaiting resources to launch a project (funding, collaborators, etc.), or sharing your expertise with the community (media, policy-making, teaching tools, etc.), please submit your information.
• If you have any questions, please send an email to: heather.adams-robinette@concordia.ca.

Casual and contractual employees

• Casual and contractual employees, including students and work-study students, will be paid as per their regularly scheduled hours for the period between March 16 and May 1, 2020. Unless your manager requires you to come to campus to complete essential tasks, you are asked to work remotely, where possible.

‘Everybody worked hard to achieve this’

Zoom presentations and an online exam: Find out how a Concordia engineering prof made the move to remote learning.

MORE CONCORDIA RESOURCES

Information for students

• Want to drop a course before April 15? Here’s how.
• Check out the Graduate Studies COVID-19 FAQ page.
• Got a Q for the Welcome Crew? Mentors are still available to answer your queries.
• Get help on accessing your courses online, submitting assignments and more!
• Reach out to the Student Accounts Office for information on refunds and tuition fees.
• Register for GradProSkills online workshop series.

Information for faculty and staff

• Feeling overwhelmed? Speak with someone from the Employee Assistance Program.
• Transition to online classes with the support of the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
• Attend a live open Q&A session to obtain answers to your online teaching questions.
• Find out about Financial Services’ temporary protocols during COVID-19.
• Request electronic course materials using the Library’s Suggest A Purchase form.

General information

• Visit Concordia’s COVID-19 website.
• Explore resources to help you learn, teach and work from home.
• See if you qualify for an equipment loan during campus closures.
• Consult the Concordia Library COVID-19 info page.
• Connect with mental health resources and support during the COVID-19 situation.
• Learn how Health Services is adjusting its services during the university closure.
• Stay vigilant and protect yourself from COVID-19-related cybersecurity threats.
• Book a remote appointment with a health promotion specialist.

To keep informed of new developments, visit Concordia’s COVID-19 website.

If you have questions that are not addressed by the FAQs, please contact covid19info@concordia.ca.