Home / COVID Student Resources

We’re here for you, students! To help support you through these difficult times, we’ve gathered the following resources below.

May 10 Update

Further to SAIT’s notice on Wednesday, May 5, we have good news.

With updated guidance from the Government of Alberta, SAIT is now permitted to hold classes on-campus that require in-person delivery. To that end, barring any further restrictions, all classes, labs and courses scheduled on-campus will start as planned on Monday, May 10.

You can refer to the program list on sait.ca to reconfirm your course delivery method. Online classes will continue as scheduled and blended (combination of online and on-campus) programming will proceed with no disruption.

This is good news and minimizes disruption to students.

May 5 Update

Yesterday, the Government of Alberta announced new public health restrictions, with the majority coming into effect on Wednesday, May 5 and remaining in place for at least three weeks. As part of the new restrictions post-secondary institutions have been instructed to shift all learning online. 

In compliance with the restrictions, all on-campus classes, at all SAIT campuses, are suspended as of May 5. SAIT is looking at which classes can be moved online and those that may need to be rescheduled. There will be an update on sait.ca by Monday, May 10. Please do not come to campus, please stay home and stay safe. Resources are available.

Spring/Summer 2021 Update

Working with the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, SAIT made the decision to deliver the majority of Spring/Summer 2021 programming online. The health and safety of our SAIT community remains our top priority, and the decision was made in consideration of provincial health restrictions and guidelines. Most SAIT classes will be delivered remotely, supported by virtual meeting technology and simulations, with a limited number of in-person labs on campus.

More info here

Use your head, stop the spread

Do your part to keep classes on and COVID away from campus.

Your actions have impact. Following these guidelines protects you, your class and your family. Not following them puts people at risk and could force classes to be canceled.

The safety of our community is important and it takes all of us to protect it. More info is available on SAIT’s webpage here. 

Keep it up, keep us safe
  1. Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms every day — don’t come to campus if you have even minor symptoms.
  2. If you’re scheduled to be on campus, read and complete the Daily Campus Access Form — and be honest.
  3. If you’re waiting for your COVID-test results, you’ll need to have a negative test result before you can return to campus.
  4. Isolate or quarantine as necessary — it’s the law! Don’t stress about missing lab time or exams due to illness, we’ll work with you to make it up.
  5. Stay two metres apart — avoid crowds, limit close contact.
  6. Practice good hygiene — wash your hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, cover your cough/sneeze.
  7. Wear a mask — masks are required inside on campus, everywhere, every time.
  8. There’s no shame in being sick — take pride in protecting your classmates, colleagues and our community.

More info here. .

Know the symptoms

If you have even one symptom — stay home. If you’re unsure — stay home.

More info here.

Sick or symptoms? Isolate. Close contact or travelling? Quarantine.
  1. If you tested positive for COVID-19 or have any core symptom, isolate for 10 days or until your symptoms are gone, whichever is longer.
  2. If you’re in close contact with someone with COVID-19 or have traveled outside Canada, quarantine for 14 days and get tested.
  3. We can assist with advice and direction specific to your situation, please ask!

Don’t come to campus…

  • if you have any COVID-19 core symptoms
  • if a close contact has COVID-19 or is being tested for COVID-19
  • if you have COVID-19 or you’re being tested for COVID-19
  • you are in quarantine after traveling.

More info here.

Report your runny nose, really
  • Stay home and notify your supervisor/instructor immediately if you have tested positive for COVID-19, are being tested for COVID-19 or are otherwise isolating or quarantining at home due to COVID-19.
  • Don’t stress about missing lab time or exams due to illness, we’ll work with you to make it up.

Feeling ill? Know what to do

  1. Feeling ill — runny nose, cough, fever, sore through, shortness of breath?
  2. Stop — do not come to campus, complete the AHS COVID-19 assessment or call 811 for advice.
  3. Inform — tell your supervisor/instructor.
  4. Isolate — isolate for 10 days or until your symptoms are gone, whichever is longer.
  5. Test — positive? Isolate for 10 days or until your symptoms are gone, whichever is longer. Negative? Quarantine for 14 days if you have known exposure to COVID-19.

More info here. 

Are you an international student?
  • Many services and health procedures are covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). International students should enroll in the AHCIP as soon as they arrive in Alberta. Once activated, the AHCIP covers the cost of COVID testing. Find out more and apply.
  • Reporting any symptoms or having COVID-19 will have no impact on immigration or your status in Canada.
  • Connect with SAIT’s International Centre at international@sait.ca if you have questions.
Follow safety protocols and keep classes on and COVID away
  • If you’re designated to be on campus, read and complete your Daily Campus Access Form before you come to campus each day — and be honest.
  • Use the designated building entrance. Don’t prop or hold open doors. Check in with the Student Safety Ambassador at the door.
  • Wear a mask — inside, everywhere, all the time.
  • Follow the traffic flow signs — move in single file.
  • Maintain a physical distance of two meters from other people as much as possible.
  • Follow elevator etiquette, take the stairs if possible.
  • Don’t wander around buildings or linger on campus after class.
  • Follow through on classroom controls — PPE, disinfecting of shared materials, tools, equipment and surfaces.

More info here.

COVID-19 symptoms on campus? Know what to do
  • If you are or have been on campus with symptoms, suspect you might have COVID-19 or have COVID-19, notify Safety and Community Services (SCS) immediately at 403.284.8606.
  • SCS will review the situation, determine close contacts and identify a safety response.
  • Anyone on campus with COVID-19 symptoms will be escorted to a designated isolation space — we will assist you.
What you do off campus also affects life on campus

As of Tuesday, Nov. 24 the Government of Alberta introduced new restrictions on social gatherings.

  • No indoor social gatherings are permitted in any setting.
  • Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people.
  • Indoor close contacts must be limited to people in the same household.
  • People who live alone can have up to the same two non-household contacts.
  • Attendees should remain distanced at all times and follow public health measures.
  • Take note of the full restrictions

More info here.

We’ve got you covered

Support services are still available online. 

Remember, even if you’re not physically on campus, you’re part of the SAIT community. Connect with these, and lots more resources, online.

Winter 2021 Program Delivery Update

Working with the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, we have made the decision to deliver the majority of Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 programming online. The health and safety of our SAIT community remains our top priority, and the decision was made in consideration of provincial health restrictions and guidelines.

Most SAIT classes will be delivered remotely, supported by virtual meeting technology and simulations.

Student supports are still available remotely — this includes tutoring, academic coaching, writing support, career advising, counseling and lots more — we’ve got you covered.

Message from the VP Academic on Winter 2021 

More info on SAIT’s webpage here

Return to Campus During COVID-19

In response to COVID-19, SAIT is restricting on-campus activities. SAIT buildings are operating under restricted access and capacity is reduced. You must receive prior approval to access campus. 

More information is available on SAIT’s webpage here. 

If you or a close contact are awaiting COVID test results, you are required to remain off-campus until test results are received. A close contact can be defined as:

  • family members with whom you reside, a roommate, a sports cohort member
  • a person who provides care, lives with or has close physical contact without appropriate use of personal protective equipment, or comes into direct contact with infectious body fluids
  • anyone who has been within two metres of a case for a cumulative total of more than 15 minutes in a day without adequate protection.
Daily Access Form

All SAIT staff, students and visitors must complete the daily campus access form  every day before accessing campus. The daily campus access form is intended to protect the SAIT community from the transmission of COVID-19 and create a record of individuals who are accessing campus in the event contact tracing is required.

Anyone intending to access the SAIT campus must first complete the online COVID-19 Alberta Health Services daily checklist. This helps prevent both the symptomatic and asymptomatic spread of COVID-19. If you answer ‘Yes’ to any of the questions on the checklist, you cannot enter campus and are expected to visit Alberta Health Services’ website to complete the formal online assessment tool and follow their recommendations to get tested and/or self-isolate. Please also notify your supervisor or instructor that you will not be accessing campus.

Anyone who must self-isolate based on assessment results must remain at home or in his or her room in residence.

The daily campus access form asks the following:

  • complete and confirm you have completed the online COVID-19 Alberta Health Services daily checklist  
  • confirm all responses on the online assessment are ‘No’
  • identify if you are a student, employee or contractor
  • enter your name, identification number
  • identify buildings you intend to access that day

Information gathered in this form is kept confidential and only shared for purposes of building access and contact tracing if requested from Alberta Health Services.

Individuals who have not completed this form before entering campus will be denied entry to campus buildings.

New Mask Protocol

For the safety and protection of our community, SAIT requires the wearing of masks (clean cloth, procedural or surgical mask) in indoor areas on campus (building common areas, labs and classrooms). Students must provide their own masks and put them on when entering buildings.

SAIT will provide appropriate PPE to faculty and on-campus employees as per collective agreements and Alberta Health Services guidelines, along with training for proper use and disposal. Given the expected continuation of the pandemic, however, we encourage all employees  to augment this supply with their own washable, reusable cloth masks to ensure a clean mask is always available for use. 

More info on the mask protocol and info on how to wear a mask available here. 

Becoming ill: Students or colleagues showing symptoms of COVID-19 while on campus

If someone becomes ill on campus, SAIT will take several steps to ensure care for the ill individual.

COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, have recently travelled outside Canada or were exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home and use the Alberta Health Services online assessment tool to see if you should be tested.  

What to do while on campus

For more information on physical distancing, washroom access, break spaces, lockers, food services, and more, visit SAIT’s webpage here. 

Budget 2021 consultation

Provide input and direction by December 4 to help plan Alberta’s upcoming provincial budget!

Take the survey here to share your thoughts. 

Smoke-Free Campus Update

In support of health and safety regulations due to COVID-19, and for the ongoing overall well-being of our community, SAIT will permanently become a smoke-free campus, effective Monday, Aug. 31.
The updated Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products policy and procedure, HS.1.4 and HS.1.4.1, are posted on sait.ca. This procedure does not apply to the use of cannabis for medical purposes, which is governed by specific SAIT rules and processes. Designated smoking areas and associated signage will be removed from all campuses and replaced with new applicable signage by Monday, Aug. 31.
If you’re coming to campus, please note you can no longer smoke anywhere, on any campus. If you do leave to smoke, you may not be allowed back into campus buildings due to health guidelines. More info on visiting campus here. 

Students’ Association Fee Update (Summer 2020 & Fall 2020)

In order to support our members through this challenging time, the Saitsa Board of Directors have made the decision to reduce Saitsa’s fee by 41% for the Summer and Fall 2020 semesters.

 The temporary suspension of fee collection for the Restricted Building Fund, which amounts to $60/semester/student, was made by the Saitsa Board of Directors on June 1st, 2020. Your student leaders deliberated and agreed that the temporary suspension of the fee would help to alleviate some of the financial hardships that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on SAIT Students. 

 The Students’ Association Fee, which amounts to $167.77/academic year/student, will remain intact as the General Operation Fund for Saitsa, and will be used to continue to support SAIT students through our advocacy efforts, online student programing & events, and student awards & grants. Your Health & Dental Benefits fee and services will not be impacted by the temporary suspension of the Restricted Building Fund fee.

 If you have any questions or concerns – we encourage you to reach out to your Executive Council:

Saitsa Office Closures

The following Saitsa operations will be closed starting March 17 until further notice:

  • Saitsa Main Office (V204)
  • Saitsa Resource Centre (MC107)
  • Saitsa Peer Support Centre (NJ105)
  • Saitsa Clubs Room (MB216)
  • Saitsa Governance & Advocacy Office (NN118)
  • Station Market (NN120) and Express (MB108)
  • The Gateway (V203)
  • Odyssey Cafe (V211)

We’re crossing our fingers we’ll be back in business soon!

For an updated events listing, visit saitsa.com/events

Saitsa Programming During Covid

Visit  saitsa.com/events for a full events listing and more info on our virtual events!

COVID Resource Blog Posts

Check out our blog posts for our tips and tricks for coping during these difficult times.

General COVID Updates + Info

We encourage you to stay informed on COVID-19 news from reliable sources, including:

COVID Updates + Info for SAIT students

Visit SAIT’s pandemic preparedness website here for the institution’s latest updates.

Grading

Since early on in the campus closures due to COVID-19, we have been asking students to let us know how they have been impacted.

The reoccurring theme amongst the SAIT student population was being strongly impacted by the current grading model and online-delivery of courses, and they worried that their grades would suffer due to this sudden transition.

We encouraged students to write us letters outlining how they have been impacted by this situation and we received over 25 personal letters from students, and a petition with over 1600 signatures.

From this feedback we determined mirroring the University of Calgary’s optional CR/F grading model would be ideal for our student members.

Your elected student executive council wrote a letter to SAIT administration and brought this issue up with all members of the SAIT executive team. These advocacy efforts culminated in a meeting with SAIT’s Vice President Academic, Brad Donaldson, on April 7th.

We presented on behalf of your concerns and we are hearing the results of our advocacy efforts today.

Please click here for an update from SAIT in regards to final grades for the Winter 2020 semester.

 

Info for International Students at SAIT

For more information on tuition price for international students, travel, study permits and post-graduation work permits, health care, and other support, please visit SAIT’s website here. 

Info for New Students at SAIT

For more information on classes, delivery, program changes, refunds, and other support for new students, please visit SAIT’s website here.

Academic + Online Learning Support

Academic Coaching and Tutoring

Get support for online learning strategies, time management and more from an academic coach at SAIT. Phone and video appointments are available Monday to Friday, 8 am – 4 pm. Call 403.284.8082 or email  academic.coaching@sait.ca  to set up an appointment.

Check out the online tutoring schedule, then register and attend through SAIT’s  TuberEdu website. Phone appointments are also available  Monday to Friday, 8 am – 4 pm. Call 403.284.8082 or tutoring@sait.ca to set up an appointment.

Looking for feedback on a writing assignment? Email  writing.help@sait.ca.   

Reg Erhardt Library

Chat with the library online Monday to Friday, 9 am – 7 pm, and Saturday/Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm. Librarians are taking appointments via video, voice or chat. The library is also offering half-hour, twice-weekly sessions on hot topics related to research — stop by the library online!

Transfer Options

The Transfer Options Coordinator will be available to assist students via email advising and audio/video conferencing Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4 pm. Please contact us at  transfer.options@sait.ca or make an appointment online. 

More info here.

Technical Support

SAIT Helpline is working hard to ensure the transition to online delivery is as smooth as possible. If you’re experiencing technical issues, please refer to the common questions/issues listed here.  

If you’re unable to resolve your issue, please email helpline@sait.ca

In your email, please include the following:  

  • full name 
  • SAIT ID number 
  • the best phone number to reach you at
  • the issue you’re experiencing 
  • any error messages (screenshots are helpful) 
  • anything else you think we should know.  

Physical Health

Concerned you might have COVID-19 symptoms?

 Alberta Health Services has developed a simple online assessment tool to help you decide whether you need to call Health Link 811 to be tested for COVID-19. Please use the tool and help reduce unnecessary call volumes to Health Link.  ahs.ca/covid

The Government of Alberta has released a mobile app to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. To learn more, visit the  ABtraceTogether page.

 Alberta Health Services has recommended the following to help prevent the spread of illness:

  • Embrace your space — avoid close contact with others.
  • Wash your hands often and well.
  • Avoid touching your face, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
  • Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.

Additional Resources:

In response to concerns over COVID-19, SAIT has made the decision to close the Wellness Centre until further notice. More info.

Mental Health Support

During this difficult time, your mental health & wellbeing is important to us! If you’re feeling down or stressed, try out the online tools below.

 Need to talk? Try 7 Cups

Connect to anonymous and confidential online chat with trained listeners. 7 Cups is available for free in 40 languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remember to use the school code “sait” when you sign up.

 Try 7 Cups today

 

Untangle life’s stresses and challenges with TAO

TAO Self-Help will help you to manage your own emotional well-being without the help of a counselor. TAO Self-Help includes modules for developing your ability to bounce back from disappointments and setbacks, often referred to as resilience training.

 Sign up for Tao Self-Help here

 

SAIT Student Development and Counselling: available by phone at: 403.284.7023

Suicide Hotline: call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Distress Centre: call 403-266-HELP (4357)

Mobile Response Team: call 403-266-HELP (4357)

 

Keep receiving treatment during the COVID outbreak. Check out a list of Telehealth and online mental health resources available here. 

 

Financial Help

The Government of Canada has announced $9B in financial support for students affected by COVID-19 through a number of initiatives, including the  Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB).

Post-secondary students eligible for COVID-19 emergency aid can apply for the CESB starting Friday, May 15. Look for SAIT as the “Southern Alberta Institute of Technology” under educational institutions.

See what funding may be available to you through  Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.

Additional emergency funding options

If you’re a current SAIT student experiencing financial hardship, SAIT may be able to help. Please contact early.alert@sait.ca.

More info here. 

Employment Resources

For more information on job-protected leave, temporary layoffs, employment insurance, and more visit the Government of Alberta webpage here. 

You can check out recent job postings here!

Calgary Transit

For updates on Calgary Transit’s services, visit the webpage here. 

Child Care

Visit the Government of Alberta webpage here for info on child care during COVID-19, the process and guidance for reopening, and home-based child care options.

Domestic Violence

Visit the Government of Alberta webpage here for info on where to find help and supports and tips related to family violence, elder abuse, child abuse, and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addictions

Addiction stops for nothing, not even Coronavirus. Rehabs are still open, get the help you need today. More info + resources can be found at the Addiction Centre. 

 

#SaitsaLife

Student Inquiries

403-284-8036
saitsa.info@edu.sait.ca

Location Hours

Gateway restaurant & bar – temporarily closed

Station Market – temporarily closed

Station Express – temporarily closed

Odyssey – temporarily closed

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