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Updates on the Winter 2022 Term

Date
March 18, 2022
Time
All Day

This information is based on the current situation and is subject to change.  

photo of students working in studio

Anyone coming to the Architecture Building at 325 Church Street, or any Toronto Met building must meet the requirements of Toronto Met's vaccine policy and must complete the mandatory daily health screening whenever they enter the campus using the RyersonSafe App or web site.

Update: March 18th, 2022

Now that we have been on campus for a few weeks and we are all re-learning how to behave appropriately amongst others I wanted to remind all in the DAS community of a few things:

  1. In DAS we are committed to fostering an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect, free of discrimination and harassment and one in which all individuals are treated with understanding and dignity. Please remember these principles in all our interactions with others whether in class, large or small groups, or in individual interactions. Students should be aware of the student code of conduct.
  2. Creating and maintaining a civil culture and environment is a shared responsibility of all members of the DAS community. The current world situation creates stress particularly for those from Easten Europe. We all have a responsibility to behave in an appropriate manner that allows all our community to feel welcome despite any political or other differences. 
  3. The COVID situation is evolving and recent changes in provincial policy have reduced certain restrictions in society. Nevertheless, we have had several instances of Covid infection in the DAS community and so we all need to remain vigilant. Toronto Met COVID policies remain in place and we are all expected to continue to adhere to the mask and vaccine mandate - wear a mask, maintain physical distancing as far as possible, etc. at least for the remainder of the winter term. 
  4. If you have any doubts about being exposed to Covid or have any symptoms, please take a self-test to check before coming to campus.
  5. All of us are still required to complete Toronto Met’s Self-Declaration form (external link)  or RyersonSafe app every time we come to campus.
  6. Anyone who believes they have Covid-19 is obliged to advise the University following this link and complete the COVID 19 Declaration Form.
  7. Please abide by the guidelines about using studios and other spaces in the Architecture building as set out on return to campus. In particular ARC200A is a dedicated eating space and not a general study space. Please limit your stay to 30 mins to allow others to use the space safely. ARC206 is now available as a study space at times when it is not booked for reviews, etc.

Most BArchSc classes will be held on campus after reading week (any classes remaining online will be indicated on MyServiceHub). Below are some policies and guidelines for safe behaviour during the remainder of the winter term so that we minimise the risk to all.

Studio

Studio spaces have been organised to maximise the opportunities for maintaining physical distancing. Studio instructors will provide details of how the spaces will be organised. Additional large computer screens will be available for individual and small group consultations. 

Graduate students will have 24/7 access to the building and to their dedicated studio spaces. Graduate studios and classes will be on campus (any classes remaining online will be indicated on MyServiceHub).

Undergraduate students will have access to the building from 8am to 8pm, after which students are expected to leave. Studio spaces will be available for use as follows:

Monday 1st and 2nd year students only
Tuesday 3rd and 4th year students only
Wednesday Students can use their studio spaces but must ensure physical distancing and capacity limits are maintained.
Thursday 1st and 2nd year students only
Friday 3rd and 4th year students only
Saturday/Sunday All

Each area of the undergraduate studio spaces will be shared by two different year groups. Each student will be allocated a dedicated desk, and the adjacent desk will be allocated to a student from another year who should not use it during your studio time. (Each desk will have a sign indicating the year and a space for your section number)

Food

Students are asked not to eat in the studio. If you need to eat while on campus please consider going outside when the weather permits, or using the designated eating areas on campus. Otherwise ARC200A in the Architecture building has been designated as an eating area and will have additional air filtration equipment. Capacity limits must be maintained and students are asked to leave as soon as they finish eating.

If you need to drink while in studio spaces please minimise mask removal.

The Coop program is continuing but students may not be able to  participate in co-op opportunities overseas unless they are already in another country and able to practice physically distancing.

All those coming to campus must abide by Toronto Met’s Covid protocols including masking, physical distancing, etc. as set out in Toronto Met’s Covid guidelines and strategies (opens in new window) 

When coming to campus, all students, instructors, staff and visitors must complete the Toronto Met health screening (opens in new window)  each day you are on campus. You should not be on campus if you have not completed this form daily.

Toronto Met is maintaining its mask requirements and all those on campus are expected to wear a mask (subject to Toronto Met face mask policy (opens in new window) ). We encourage all in the DAS community to wear a N95 mask which is far more efficient for filtering out the virus. N95 masks will be available through the workshop for students, faculty, staff and instructors to pick up. These masks last longer and can be used for at least 40 hrs, so please use them responsibly and conserve them.

This link (opens in new window)  provides other contacts in case of Covid related issues.

Workshop and Building Science Lab COVID 19 Policy

The Workshop, Materials Store & Building Science Lab will be available from 9am to 5pm weekdays. To limit overcrowding priority access will be coordinated based on when each year may need the workshop for studio or coursework.

The workshop will be open on a first come first served basis, Please observe the following workshop rules:

  • Closed toe shoes are mandatory before entering workshop/lab spaces. No slippers or sandals are allowed in the lab spaces.
  • Students with shop access who feel unsafe or feel that their health is threatened for any reason should let the Lab Manager, Jordan So, know immediately at: jordan.so@torontomu.ca.
  • Students are encouraged to minimise their time in the shop. We encourage  assembly of work to be done in the studio or at home.

Computer lab

The Computer Lab in the Architecture Building will be available during building open hours. There will be a reduced number of physical workspaces, but the Virtual CAD Lab will remain available.

  • The department is working to ensure that students will have access to necessary software for their courses as well as identifying additional IT technical support that will be available during the next term for students.
  • We recommend students secure the necessary digital technology, including internet connection, to be able to participate in courses and studios remotely.
  • All Student services and Academic advising will be available virtually.
  • RU4U: here, students can find and connect with the various supports and programs available to help you succeed in a virtual post-secondary environment.
  • This enhanced summer transition programming has been especially designed for those of you beginning their university journey this fall. The curated formal and informal learning experiences focus on the development of academic skills, and will foster community engagement and promote student well-being.
  • The Toronto Metropolitan University Library team continues to bring together information experts, to build on its existing digital infrastructure, and to provide you with access to innovative technology and scholarly resources. Students will have access to subject-specific librarians for support, and to key academic library services and experiential learning opportunities. Reference and research help will continue virtually, as will digital and information literacy instruction sessions and workshops.
  • Students with accessibility and accommodation needs can rely on Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) and the Test Centre, which will continue to operate online.
  • Student health and wellbeing services are available virtually, mental health and crisis management services are accessible, and the counselling centre will continue to be available to students in virtual formats. The Medical Centre is operating on a virtual model and appointments are provided by telephone or video-conferencing.
  • Toronto Met has also partnered with Keep.meSAFE, a mental health counselling service that specializes in student mental health support and provides 24/7 access to licensed counsellors through telephone and mobile chat.
  • We recognize that things can come up throughout the term that may interfere with a student’s ability to succeed in their coursework. These circumstances are outside of one’s control and can have a serious impact on physical and mental well-being. Seeking help can be a challenge, especially in those times of crisis. Below are resources we encourage all Toronto Met community members to access to ensure support is reachable.
    • https://www.torontomu.ca/mental-health-wellbeing/
    • If support is needed immediately, you can access these outside resources at anytime:
      • Distress Line — 24/7 line for if you are in crisis, feeling suicidal or in need of emotional support (phone: 416–408–4357)
      • Good2Talk- 24/7 hour line for postsecondary students (phone: 1-866-925-5454)
  • DAS community events such as the lecture series and gallery events will continue in an online format with the exception of the 2022 Year End Show.

I would like to reiterate that we are following both federal and provincial governments’ and Public Health Office recommendations and guidelines. These decisions have been made to minimise the risk to health and safety of our students and the broader community, while maintaining rigorous teaching and learning standards, as well as exploring new approaches that will enhance both.

Students should continue monitoring their Toronto Met email for ongoing updates.

See this link for Significant Dates: https://www.torontomu.ca/calendar/2021-2022/dates/

Dr. Mark Gorgolewski

Chair, Department of Architectural Science