Update - March 20, 2020
Dear Columbia Bible College Community
First of all, thank you for all your patience, encouragement and grace in this extremely confusing time. We are so thankful for each one of you. Keep praying, and keep encouraging one another as you are able.
On Sunday, March 15, we announced College-wide measures to help our community and our country slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus – we want to protect the vulnerable by preventing our health-care system from being overwhelmed. We have continued to monitor COVID-19 developments from government health and political officials in order to make the best possible decisions for the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader community and society. The purpose of this page is to provide an update regarding our institutional measures. You can expect to see this page updated on a weekly basis until the COVID-19 challenge has passed.
Campus events and meetings
Effective immediately, all gatherings of 10 or more people on campus are to be avoided.
Academic Life Update
Classes will resume Monday, March 23, utilizing alternate forms of delivery and will continue for the duration of the winter semester. Students are currently receiving direction from instructors on how to complete their course work. Students have been assured that their academic progress will not be impeded and they can graduate on schedule.
There are a few programs with practicums and unique course requirements that will require delays but program directors are working on plans to enable students to complete as soon as the current emergency subsides. Students enrolled in internships and practicum placements are receiving specific instructions from the Service Learning Department and program directors.
Graduation
All Graduation events have been postponed. We anticipate that these significant celebrations will take place in the fall in a revised format. More details will be provided as we gain further clarity. Graduating students will receive their certificates by mail.
Library Access
The library closed on Friday, March 20 at 4:30 pm. Access to online resources will remain fully operational.
Academic Support
Academic Support staff are still engaging with students regularly and are fully capable of working remotely.
Course Registration for Fall 2020
Our Academic staff are continuing with pre-registration appointments with students and are well-equipped to carry these on with students at distance.
Student Life Update
Students have been requested to leave campus by Monday, March 23 (earlier, if possible). Most have already left for home – it really hurts to see the campus so empty in Spring. Only students who can demonstrate a need to stay on campus have been allowed to stay.
Students who are currently off campus, including commuters, are required to remain off campus.
Food service options and hours have been reduced, and will likely be closed early next week as remaining students transition into Redekop Hall where cooking options exist for students.
Athletics & Recreation Update
Columbia Place is now closed.
Admissions
Admissions personnel are ready to serve in any way they can. We are encouraging new and returning applicants to contact us here: https://www.columbiabc.edu/future-students/request-info.
Staff Life Update
Columbia Bible College is reducing the presence of employees on campus by empowering supervisors to make work arrangements that maximize physical separation of employees, use phone or technology for meetings, and enable work to be completed from home. The essential functions of the college will continue during this temporary period.
On Campus Access to Buildings
We are working to ensure campus safety and well-being. One action includes restricting access to buildings. All buildings, except for the Resource Centre, are now only accessible by means of your Columbia ID cards. All visitors are required to check in at Reception.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact the following individuals:
Students: Stan Bahnman (stan.bahnman@columbiabc.edu)
Staff: Scott Henderson (scott.henderson@columbiabc.edu)
Faculty: Gil Dueck (gil.dueck@columbiabc.edu)
Communications inquiries should be directed to Stephanie Janzen, Marketing & Communications Manager (stephanie.janzen@columbiabc.edu).
We are so appreciative of the way our Columbia community has come together during this time of incredible societal adaptation. The updated measures will inconvenience many of you; we understand you have been thrust into uncertainty. Your lives have been altered and you have lost opportunities for both regular engagement and special celebrations. Our faculty are being asked to teach in an unpracticed format and to do so at a pace that is almost unmanageable. Everyone is being asked to shift work schedules and environments. It is OK to grieve and feel a sense of loss at this time.
These are the challenges that help us grow and get stronger. I believe each of you will discover reserves of strength and unknown skills. You will carry out amazing acts of courage and generosity. Keep track of your accomplishments so that we can share, smile, and celebrate when we next find ourselves together in a face-to-face context. That day will come. Although we are not physically together at this moment, we are still a community of people caring for one another.
With blessings for the days ahead,
Bryan Born
President
Columbia Bible College
bryan.born@columbiabc.edu