Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs have been compiled to help UBC students during the current COVID-19 outbreak.
About COVID-19
- What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- What precautions can I take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections?
- What is self-isolation? Do I need to self-isolate?
- Should I get tested for COVID-19?
- If I live in a student residence, how can I self-isolate?
- What should I do if someone I know shows symptoms of COVID-19?
- Is UBC distributing masks for people to wear to prevent the spread of infection on our campuses?
Teaching and Learning
- What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
- Are final exams going to be online?
- Is UBC proceeding with spring and summer sessions?
- I’m worried that my academic accommodations aren’t being met with remote teaching and evaluation methods. What should I do?
- I am a medical or health professions student in the Faculty of Medicine. Where do I find specific information about how COVID-19 affects me?
- I am a medical resident, postgraduate medical trainee or clinical fellow. Where do I find specific information about how COVID-19 affects me?
- What is the status of overseas programs?
- Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
Health and Wellbeing
- Where can I find support for my mental health during this time?
- Where can I find support for my physical wellbeing during this time?
UBC Facilities and Services
- Where can I find the latest UBC Okanagan-specific updates?
- What is the status of UBC Food Services?
- What is the status of student residences?
- What is the status of Student Services on campus?
- Is the UBC Bookstore still open?
- What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
- Is UBC distributing masks for people to wear to prevent the spread of infection on our campuses?
Events and Graduation Ceremonies
- What is the status of UBC’s spring graduation ceremonies?
- What is the status of events and large gatherings?
- What about events with less than 50 attendees?
- What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
Travel
- If I have travelled abroad, should I remain at home for a period of time, after returning to Canada?
- What is the status of overseas programs?
- Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
- What is the best way to ensure I get support while on UBC-related travel, if it’s required?
About COVID-19
- What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Information on the prevention, transmission, symptoms, and treatment of COVID-19 can be found at the BC Centre for Disease Control website under Symptoms.
- What precautions can I take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections?
What precautions can I take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections?
Visit the Prevention page on this site, for the latest advice from health agencies.
- What is self-isolation? Do I need to self-isolate?
What is self-isolation? Do I need to self-isolate?
When it comes to self-monitoring and self-isolating, we recommend following advice of local health authorities. Visit the Self-Isolation section on BC Centre for Disease Control website for the most up to date information on this subject.
- Should I get tested for COVID-19?
Should I get tested for COVID-19?
The BC Ministry of Health has developed a self-assessment tool, to help determine whether further assessment or testing for COVID-19 is recommended.
- If I live in a student residence, how can I self-isolate?
If I live in a student residence, how can I self-isolate?
If you reside in a Student Housing & Community Services residence with roommates where self-isolation may not be feasible, you should contact SHCS to inquire if an alternate option may be available at information@housing.ubc.ca
- What should I do if someone I know shows symptoms of COVID-19?
What should I do if someone I know shows symptoms of COVID-19?
We recommend that you visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website for the most up to date information about what to do if you’re sick. The site includes a link to the BC COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool that you can use to help determine if you need further assessment or testing.
- Is UBC distributing masks for people to wear to prevent the spread of infection on our campuses?
Is UBC distributing masks for people to wear to prevent the spread of infection on our campuses?
UBC is not distributing masks. Some members of our community may opt to wear masks, and we fully support their right to do so. We ask the community to be respectful of students, faculty and staff who choose to wear masks.
Teaching and Learning
- What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
We recognize that the recent transition to online learning has been challenging. Our intention is to provide an opportunity, wherever possible, for students to complete this term.
There is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution to academic assessment and associated regulations, but various options to make changes do exist. Decisions around academic regulations and variances to them (concessions) are primarily the domain of Faculties and the Dean. Students are advised to contact their Home Faculty Academic Advising Office to explore what options may be available to them.
Students will be emailed with more information.
- Are final exams going to be online?
Are final exams going to be online?
Online instruction will continue and final exams will not take place in person. You will be provided details on arrangements for exams through your Faculties and course instructors, as soon as possible.
- Is UBC proceeding with spring and summer sessions?
Is UBC proceeding with spring and summer sessions?
Term 1 of Summer Session (running May 11 – June 18) at UBC Vancouver, UBC Okanagan and UBC Robson Square will be online. The Summer Session for Vantage One (Arts, Science and Engineering) programs will also be online.
Planning is also underway for the possibility that Term 2 of Summer Session (July 6 – Aug. 13) may need to go online. We will update our community as soon as we determine the final status of the Term 2 of Summer Session.
- I’m worried that my academic accommodations aren’t being met with remote teaching and evaluation methods. What should I do?
I’m worried that my academic accommodations aren’t being met with remote teaching and evaluation methods. What should I do?
Inform your instructor of your concerns and request the changes you require. Include your accessibility advisor in the request and work with the Centre for Accessibility at UBC Vancouver, or the Disabilities Resource Centre at UBC Okanagan, who can support the process of improving accessibility.
- I am a medical or health professions student in the Faculty of Medicine. Where do I find specific information about how COVID-19 affects me?
I am a medical or health professions student in the Faculty of Medicine. Where do I find specific information about how COVID-19 affects me?
The Faculty of Medicine has compiled FAQs with specific information about how COVID-19 affects medical and health professions students. You can view these FAQ here.
- I am a medical resident, postgraduate medical trainee or clinical fellow. Where do I find specific information about how COVID-19 affects me?
I am a medical resident, postgraduate medical trainee or clinical fellow. Where do I find specific information about how COVID-19 affects me?
UBC Postgraduate Medical Education has compiled FAQs about how COVID-19 affects residents and postgraduate medical trainees, including clinical fellows. You can view these FAQ here.
- What is the status of overseas programs?
What is the status of overseas programs?
UBC has cancelled all upcoming international programs for students. Further, the Vancouver Summer Program for both June and July has been cancelled. Students affected will be contacted directly and the university will work with them to determine how the university can help best meet their needs.
- Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
UBC will work with students on a case-by-case basis to determine how best to support them.
Health and Wellbeing
- Where can I find support for my mental health during this time?
Where can I find support for my mental health during this time?
Student Services has compiled some university and community resources, which are available to support you. The following blog post on How to get and give support during the COVID-19 outbreak also provides some helpful guidance.
- Where can I find support for my physical wellbeing during this time?
Where can I find support for my physical wellbeing during this time?
UBC Recreation has created these resources to help you stay active while studying at home, which include live movement sessions, at-home workouts and ‘deskercises’.
UBC Facilities and Services
- Where can I find the latest UBC Okanagan-specific updates?
Where can I find the latest UBC Okanagan-specific updates?
For the latest updates on UBC Okanagan operations, visit ok.ubc.ca/covid19.
- What is the status of UBC Food Services?
What is the status of UBC Food Services?
Please visit the relevant website below for the latest information regarding UBC Food Services:
- What is the status of student residences?
What is the status of student residences?
Please visit the relevant website below for the latest information regarding student residences:
UBC Vancouver Student Housing
UBC Okanagan Student Housing - What is the status of Student Services on campus?
What is the status of Student Services on campus?
Please refer to the following pages for the status of Student Services on your campus:
- Is the UBC Bookstore still open?
Is the UBC Bookstore still open?
The Vancouver and Okanagan UBC Bookstores are closed until further notice. Customers are still able to order products online. Further, due to these changes, the UBC Bookstore is offering free standard shipping to anywhere in Canada while the stores remain closed. For the latest updates, visit the UBC Bookstore website.
- What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
Athletics & Recreation has closed a number of facilities and programming. For the latest information, visit the relevant website below:
UBC Vancouver Athletics and Recreation
UBC Okanagan Athletics and Recreation - Is UBC distributing masks for people to wear to prevent the spread of infection on our campuses?
Is UBC distributing masks for people to wear to prevent the spread of infection on our campuses?
UBC is not distributing masks. Some members of our community may opt to wear masks, and we fully support their right to do so. We ask the community to be respectful of students, faculty and staff who choose to wear masks.
Events and Graduation Ceremonies
- What is the status of UBC’s spring graduation ceremonies?
What is the status of UBC’s spring graduation ceremonies?
UBC has made the very difficult decision to not hold in-person spring graduation ceremonies at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan. There are plans to invite graduating students to celebrate online in some way instead. Impacted students have been emailed to notify them of this change.
UBC is committed to holding a postponed graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, when safe to do so, that has all elements of a traditional graduation ceremony. Further details will be available at graduation.ubc.ca and graduation.ok.ubc.ca.
- What is the status of events and large gatherings?
What is the status of events and large gatherings?
The Office of the Provincial Medical Health Officer, BC Centre for Disease Control and Ministry of Health has ordered the immediate cancellation or postponement until further notice of all events with more than 50 people in attendance. This order expires on May 30, 2020. The full text of the order is available from the Government of BC website.
In accordance with that order, UBC has cancelled all on-campus and off-campus events until May 30, 2020, whether indoors or outdoors, that are organized by students, faculty and staff. Events at the Chan Centre are also cancelled for the time being.
As of March 16, 2020, UBC transitioned to online classes for the remainder of the term. This applies to UBC Vancouver, UBC Okanagan and UBC Robson Square. The Keep Teaching website supports faculty in developing their own strategies to continue to meet the needs of their courses online. The website has guidance on how to prepare to offer lectures, group work and discussion, assignments and assessments online. Please visit the Keep Teaching Get Support page to learn about all the support available. UBC Okanagan faculty are also encouraged to contact the Center for Teaching and Learning.
- What about events with less than 50 attendees?
What about events with less than 50 attendees?
UBC has taken the decision to cancel all on-campus and off-campus events until May 30, 2020, regardless of size. That includes indoor and outdoor events.
- What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
Athletics & Recreation has closed a number of facilities and programming. For the latest information, visit the relevant website below:
UBC Vancouver Athletics and Recreation
UBC Okanagan Athletics and Recreation
Travel
- If I have travelled abroad, should I remain at home for a period of time, after returning to Canada?
If I have travelled abroad, should I remain at home for a period of time, after returning to Canada?
The Government of Canada have advised that Canadians should avoid all non-essential travel at this time.
As of March 25, 2020, it’s also mandatory that anyone arriving in British Columbia from outside of Canada self-isolates and monitors their symptoms for 14 days.
For more information, please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website, which includes information about travel and the Quarantine Act.
- What is the status of overseas programs?
What is the status of overseas programs?
UBC has cancelled all upcoming international programs for students. Further, the Vancouver Summer Program for both June and July has been cancelled. Students affected will be contacted directly and the university will work with them to determine how the university can help best meet their needs.
- Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
UBC will work with students on a case-by-case basis to determine how best to support them.
- What is the best way to ensure I get support while on UBC-related travel, if it’s required?
What is the best way to ensure I get support while on UBC-related travel, if it’s required?
The Canadian Government has announced an official global travel advisory to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
For future travel plans, you are advised to consult travel.gc.ca, the Government of Canada’s official source of destination‑specific travel information. It provides important advice to help travellers make informed decisions and travel safely while abroad.
Travellers with Canadian citizenship are advised to register their travel with the Canadian government.
Travellers from the UBC community, regardless of citizenship, are further advised to book their travel through the UBC Travel program, so the university can contact and advise you during your travels.
UBC works with a service provider, International SOS (iSOS), to advise and support travelling students, faculty, and staff. The iSOS section of the Finance website has further details and access to the app with country-specific information.