Last updated: March 17, 2020.
This is a follow up to the message you received from the KPE Registrar’s Office on March 15th and contains reminders as well as additional important information.
General updates:
Academic Courses
Classes are no longer meeting in person as of Monday, March 16. Recognizing that most classes have shifted to modes of online delivery, here are some tips for success in an online learning environment:
• Do not use a mobile device for the session. They are prone to control issues, bumping you out of the session, etc. Use a laptop / desktop whenever possible / appropriate. They tend to be more powerful devices with more robust, easier to use controls.
• Restart your computer before your session. Doing so will 'refresh' your system in preparation for the relatively high demands of web-conferencing.
• Use a hard-wired connection whenever possible. They tend to be as much as 10x faster than wireless connections.
• Find a quiet place in which to conduct the session. This is essential for reducing background noise when you are speaking and minimizing distractions.
• Use a headset whenever possible. Even an inexpensive (c. $30-$40) headset will make a HUGE improvement to the quality of your voice for students - and the discernibility of others when they are speaking.
• Log-on 15 to 20 minutes in advance of the session. This will give you time to deal with any connection / set-up issues before the class starts.
Final Examinations
We understand that many of our students are faced with difficult decisions regarding whether to return home, given the increasing challenges with international travel. We have decided that KPE students will not be required to return to the U of T campuses for the Winter 2020 session. More information will follow regarding completion of term work and exams. Students registered with AccessAbility should continue to contact AccessAbility to receive accommodations and supports. As of now the U of T St. George campus remains open. We are still working on final exam delivery but there will be no “in-person” exams.
Building Access
All KPE buildings will be closed as of 11:59 p.m., March 17, 2020 to the general public, including KPE students.
Health Sciences Writing Centre
The Health Sciences Writing Centre is open to support all students working on written assignments. To address the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, all appointments at the Health Sciences Writing Centre will be online ONLY. You can arrange for your appointment to be synchronous (online or telephone) or asynchronous (email). Details can be found on our website at www.hswriting.ca. We will not offer in-person appointments between March 13 and April 3. Information about appointment availability during exams will be available in April.
Health & Wellness
The Health & Wellness Centre remains open. On location one-on-one appointments are continuing as per usual, in person. Most workshops and events cancelled until further notice. For updates, please go to: https://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/hwc/health-updates.
Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre
The Centre remains open and available to provide support to members of the community. As of Monday, March 16, 2020, services will be provided remotely through phone and video conferencing. Requests for in-person appointments will be assessed on an individual basis. Please note that they will not be taking drop-in appointments at this time. The Centre hours remain the same, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To access support, e-mail (svpscentre@utoronto.ca) or call (416-978-2266) to book an appointment.
Community Safety Office
As of Monday, March 16, 2020, services will be provided remotely through phone and video conferencing. Requests for in-person appointments will be assessed on an individual basis. Please note that they will not be taking drop-in appointments at this time. Office hours remain the same, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To access support, e-mail Azher Siddiqui (azher.siddiqui@utoronto.ca) or call (416-978-1485) to book an appointment.
Libraries
Effective Wednesday, March 18, all libraries at the University of Toronto will be closed until April 6 except for Robarts Library on the St. George campus and the libraries at UTM and UTSC.
At Robarts Library, only floors 1-5 will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, for the purpose of providing technology support and computers to students who need to complete their online courses and are unable to leave campus.
-----
Updates and reminders specific to BKin students:
Event Cancellations
• National Undergraduate Research Conference scheduled for March 27th has been cancelled.
• Experiential Education Information Sessions scheduled for March 18th and 19th have been cancelled. Information from these sessions will be communicated via email at a later date.
• 4th year group advising session scheduled for March 19th has been cancelled.
Emergency Undergraduate Grant Application (March – April 2020)
The Emergency Undergraduate Grant is intended to assist any undergraduate domestic and international students impacted by COVID-19 and who needs immediate, short-term financial relief because of unexpected expenses.
Submit Application by Email
• Complete all sections of the Emergency Undergraduate Grant Application (https://future.utoronto.ca/finances/financial-aid/emergency-assistance-grants/).
• Submit the completed form to your Faculty's Registrar’s Office with the Subject Line “2020 Winter Emergency Undergraduate Grant Application”. Use your U of T email address to submit the form. Do not use non U of T email accounts (such as Hotmail/Gmail etc.).
• KPE will review the request and forward the completed form to Enrolment Services.
Timeline and Payment of Funding
You will be notified of the decision on your grant applications within 2 business days of Enrolment Services receiving the application from your Faculty. In the event that you are awarded funding, you must have direct deposit recorded on ACORN. Refer to the instructions to set up direct deposit if you have not done so already. If you do not have direct deposit recorded, your payment will not be processed.
-----
Updates and reminders specific to MSc & PhD students:
Event Cancellations
• Grad seminar for April has been cancelled.
Final Oral Examinations for Doctoral Students
For doctoral students with scheduled final oral examinations, SGS will make accommodations to allow these examinations to proceed as scheduled without physical presence. Alternatively, we will offer the option of postponement. If it is not possible to postpone the FOE or the student wishes to proceed, we will be flexible in allowing members of the examination committee to participate remotely. Finally, and as a last resort, the student may participate in the FOE remotely.
Defences & Committee Meetings
In the event that a scheduled graduate defence or committee meeting cannot be held in person, an online option will be made available. Please contact exs.kpe@utoronto.ca for assistance with facilitating this option.
Departmental Examinations
Most departmental examinations (e.g., qualifying, comprehensive, and/or general examinations) can take place without physical presence. Please contact us at exs.kpe@utoronto.ca to facilitate this.
Accessing Your Graduate Student Office Space
If you need one-time access to your workspace or lab (for example to retrieve files or belongings), please notify Sharon Grandison sharon.grandison@utoronto.ca by 7 a.m. on that day of so a list can be generated of those who will be accessing our facilities. You will need a key or fob access to enter them or present appropriate identification to the staff member at the Huron street entrance of the Athletics Centre between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Students who are considering removing research data and files from a building must adhere to the approved ethics protocol. Please connect with your supervisor if there is a need for ongoing access during approved times.
Graduate Funding and TAships
Funded graduate students will continue to receive their funding packages as stated in their funding letters. Overall number of hours allocated in TA contracts will not be reduced. For courses in which you are a TA, please speak with the course instructor to confirm TA duties and allocation of hours for the remainder of the term.
Emergency Funds
If you are experiencing immediate financial hardship, you can apply for an SGS emergency loan or emergency grants. SGS is usually able to pay out emergency loans within 24-hours and emergency grants within one week.
-----
Updates and reminders specific to MPK students:
Placements
All MPK Student Placements are cancelled for the period of Monday, March 16th, 2020 through April 3rd, 2020. Leniency will be provided regarding placement hour requirements. Communications have gone out to all placement organizations and mentors/coordinators. With the start of the external MPK student placement terms quickly approaching (MPK 8002 and MPK 8003), we are preparing specific contingency plans. We have also been communicating regularly with your placement mentors in regards to the developments with COVID-19 and will update you as the situation evolves.
Emergency Funds
If you are experiencing immediate financial hardship, you can apply for an SGS emergency loan or emergency grants. SGS is usually able to pay out emergency loans within 24-hours and emergency grants within one week.
-----
We are doing our share to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 and are appreciative of your understanding as we work together to maintain our academic continuity and student service supports.
If you have any questions, please contact:
KPE Registrar’s Office
320 Huron Street, Clara Benson Building, Room 110
Office hours: Mon - Thurs 8:30am-12:00pm & 1:00pm - 4:30pm and Fri 8:30am-12:00pm
Undergraduate Program
Email: undergrad.kpe@utoronto.ca
Phone: 416-978-8255
Graduate Program
Email: exs.kpe@utoronto.ca
Phone: 416-978-6087