Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs have been compiled to help UBC students during the current COVID-19 outbreak.
This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all questions and answers for students.
You can also visit:
- The Resources page for links to additional FAQs and information on other UBC sites.
- The Health guidance page for general Q&As about COVID-19 — including how to protect yourself.
- Student Services UBC Vancouver or Student Services UBC Okanagan sites.
- UBC Okanagan COVID-19 site for campus-specific information.
- UBC Vancouver Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies site for graduates and postdoctoral fellows.
- UBC Okanagan College of Graduate Studies website for students and postdoctoral fellows at UBC Okanagan.
- The Office of the VP, Research + Innovation site for information and FAQs about research activities.
- Where applicable, your respective Faculty website.
Teaching and Learning
- What is UBC’s approach for Winter Session Term 1 (Sep to Dec 2020)?
- Where can I get support with learning remotely?
- What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
- I’m worried that my academic accommodations aren’t being met with remote teaching and evaluation methods. What should I do?
- What is the status of overseas programs?
Financial Support and Resources
- What financial support and resources are available to students?
- How does academic concessions offered due to COVID-19 impact my award, bursary, or student loan?
- Will Winter Session Term 1 (Sep to Dec 2020) tuition be discounted as classes will primarily be conducted online?
Health and Wellbeing
- Where can I find support for my mental health and wellbeing during this time?
- Where can I find support for my physical wellbeing during this time?
UBC Facilities and Services
- Are there any changes to UBC parking fees during the Remote Work Arrangements?
- What libraries are currently open on campus?
- What study spaces are currently available on campus?
- 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?
- Where can I find a list of child care providers who are offering temporary emergency care to essential service workers?
- Are there any other resources for finding child care at UBC Vancouver?
Events and Graduation Ceremonies
Travel
- As an international student, what impact does COVID-19 have on my immigration status?
- 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 status of student international travel for university purposes?
- If I am arriving from outside of Canada, does UBC have accommodation where I can self-isolate/quarantine for 14 days?
Teaching and Learning
- What is UBC’s approach for Winter Session Term 1 (Sep to Dec 2020)?
What is UBC’s approach for Winter Session Term 1 (Sep to Dec 2020)?
UBC will primarily offer larger classes online with selected smaller classes conducted in-person, adhering to physical distancing and other public health requirements. We will maintain a clear focus on ensuring high-quality face-to-face instruction, where possible, and high-quality remote instruction. This approach is based on the current guidelines and direction of the Provincial Health Officer, public health agencies, and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. Individual Faculties are sharing updates about specific programs.
- Where can I get support with learning remotely?
Where can I get support with learning remotely?
The Keep Learning website offers resources and tips to help you learn effectively, get to know online teaching technologies used at UBC and also take care of yourself while learning online.
- What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
Decisions around academic regulations and variances to them (concessions) are generally made within the Faculties. Students are advised to contact their Home Faculty Academic Advising Office at UBC Vancouver or the Academic Advising office at UBC Okanagan to explore what options may be available to them.
Graduate students at UBC Vancouver should review the Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies Assessment FAQs. Graduate students at UBC Okanagan should review the COVID-19 section on the College of Graduate Studies website.
- 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.
- What is the status of overseas programs?
What is the status of overseas programs?
UBC has cancelled all upcoming international programs for students to the end of 2020.
Financial Support and Resources
- What financial support and resources are available to students?
What financial support and resources are available to students?
Please refer to the following pages for further details on student specific supports and resources available.
UBC Vancouver student-specific supports and graduates and postdoctoral fellows
UBC Okanagan student resources and services - How does academic concessions offered due to COVID-19 impact my award, bursary, or student loan?
How does academic concessions offered due to COVID-19 impact my award, bursary, or student loan?
Visit this page for information regarding award, bursary, or student loans impacts during COVID-19.
- Will Winter Session Term 1 (Sep to Dec 2020) tuition be discounted as classes will primarily be conducted online?
Will Winter Session Term 1 (Sep to Dec 2020) tuition be discounted as classes will primarily be conducted online?
For information on student tuition during COVID-19, please visit the Awards, Loans, and Tuition FAQ on COVID-19.
Health and Wellbeing
- Where can I find support for my mental health and wellbeing during this time?
Where can I find support for my mental health and wellbeing 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
- Are there any changes to UBC parking fees during the Remote Work Arrangements?
Are there any changes to UBC parking fees during the Remote Work Arrangements?
On the Vancouver campus, effective September 1, 2020, all permit holder parking fees, including those for students, faculty and staff have been reinstated. Hourly parking was previously reinstated from May 4, 2020. For further details, including different options for permit holders and those learning and working remotely, please visit https://parking.ubc.ca/.
For information about the status of parking permit fees at UBC Okanagan, visit https://parking.ok.ubc.ca.
- What libraries are currently open on campus?
What libraries are currently open on campus?
For the most up to date information about which libraries are open, please visit:
- What study spaces are currently available on campus?
What study spaces are currently available on campus?
There are a variety of study spaces available on campus to meet the needs of students taking in-person classes, those living on campus, or who need to be on campus for other reasons. For more information, visit:
- 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?
UBC Bookstores have reopened with new store hours and measures to keep customers safe. For more information, please 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?
For the latest information, visit the relevant website below:
UBC Vancouver Athletics and Recreation
UBC Okanagan Athletics and Recreation - Where can I find a list of child care providers who are offering temporary emergency care to essential service workers?
Where can I find a list of child care providers who are offering temporary emergency care to essential service workers?
West Coast Child Care Resource and Referral maintains a list of child care providers who are offering temporary emergency care to essential service workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
A full list of all child care providers in BC who are offering temporary emergency care to essential service workers during the COVID-19 outbreak can be found here. - Are there any other resources for finding child care at UBC Vancouver?
Are there any other resources for finding child care at UBC Vancouver?
Faculty, staff and students in Vancouver who are looking for childcare support in their homes can post a request on the CareersOnline job board, which is available to match diploma and certificate students in the Faculty of Education’s Early Childhood Education program (who are experienced caregivers and have current criminal record checks). To use this service, faculty, staff and students can create an employer profile on CareersOnline, using an UBC email address. Once your employer account is approved, you can create a job posting with a description of the position, salary/wage, and qualifications. Select “Education/Teaching” as your preferred degree/discipline to indicate you are looking for Early Childhood Education students. Please see the tip sheet for items of consideration when posting a childcare job.
Events and Graduation Ceremonies
- Will there be an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020?
Will there be an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020?
Spring Graduation: A virtual spring graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 was held on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 for UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan.
UBC Vancouver Fall Graduation: Due to the restrictions that remain in place for COVID-19, UBC is not permitted to hold mass in-person gatherings. We therefore look forward to celebrating our graduating students at a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. The entire UBC community is invited to attend. Visit www.graduation.ubc.ca for more information.
UBC is committed to holding an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 when it’s safe to bring people together again. Further details will be available at www.graduation.ubc.ca and www.graduation.ok.ubc.ca.
- What is the status of events?
What is the status of events?
In-person events, both indoor and outdoor, may be permitted, with the approval of the relevant Dean, VP or designate, if the following criteria are met. These criteria apply to all on-campus and off-campus in-person events, for all UBC campuses and sites, and includes those organized by students, faculty, staff and alumni. This is in effect until January 3, 2021.
This directive is subject to change if Public Health Orders or Guidelines require it to be changed.
All are encouraged to review relevant Public Health Orders, such as those specific to gatherings and events and food service establishments, liquor services and events, prior to planning and hosting events.
Criteria – In-person events may be permitted if:
A) An event lead can answer ‘yes’ to the following questions:
1. Is it endorsed by the overseeing Dean, VP or designate?
2. Is it a one-time, episodic occurrence?
3. Will there be no more than 50 patrons in attendance, with additional staff and/or service providers commensurate with physical distancing requirements?
4. Does the event fall into a category either permitted under the current phase under the Province’s Restart plan (e.g. recreation) or not otherwise specifically addressed by the province in any phase?
5. Is the preferred booking location available (i.e. open for bookings of this type with operational capacity)?And follows one of the following two vetting processes:
B) for Vancouver events, a COVID-19 Safety Plan (Vancouver) has been prepared for the event venue and/or for the event category which, if considered high-risk, has been reviewed by the UBC COVID-19 Safety Planning Steering Committee and Executive.
Or;
C) for Okanagan events a Safe Event Plan has been developed and approved as outlined in detail here.
Travel
- As an international student, what impact does COVID-19 have on my immigration status?
As an international student, what impact does COVID-19 have on my immigration status?
Visit International Student Advising’s page on the impact of COVID-19 on immigration and health insurance for international students.
- 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 status of student international travel for university purposes?
What is the status of student international travel for university purposes?
In line with guidance from Global Affairs Canada and the BC Centre for Disease Control, UBC has cancelled all student international travel for university purposes until 31 December 2020. This includes international programs like exchange and co-operative education, student research placements (both undergraduate and graduate), practicums and conference attendance. More information on what constitutes student travel for university activity can be found in the Student Safety Abroad Policy.
If you planned on travelling abroad during Winter Session Term 1, please visit the Student Safety Abroad website to learn about your options.
UBC will continue to monitor the situation and government directives as they evolve, sharing any updates on student international travel as they become available.
- If I am arriving from outside of Canada, does UBC have accommodation where I can self-isolate/quarantine for 14 days?
If I am arriving from outside of Canada, does UBC have accommodation where I can self-isolate/quarantine for 14 days?
If you are a student arriving from outside Canada and you are not able to self-isolate in your own accommodation, UBC Student Housing is now offering complementary on-campus self-isolation packages (14 days accommodation and meals), subject to availability. If you are a UBC Vancouver student with a current UBC self-isolation accommodation reservation, you will either not be charged, or automatically refunded within the next 30 days.
UBC Conferences and Accommodation (C&A) is also offering a variety of fee-based self-isolation accommodation packages to those who need to self-isolate upon arrival in Canada. These packages include a number of on-campus accommodation options operated by C&A, plus off-campus accommodation in partnership with local hotels.
For more information about self-isolation accommodation packages, including how to apply, please visit:
UBC Vancouver self-isolation accommodation packages
UBC Okanagan self-isolation accommodation packages