Looking Ahead to Fall 2020

Looking Ahead to Fall 2020

Click here to download the PDF of Heritage’s plan for the fall semester – Looking Ahead to Fall 2020

Heritage College & Seminary is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all its students, faculty, and staff. For this reason, we are establishing guidelines and reconfiguring the campus in anticipation of the fall semester.

Our goal is to create the best possible learning experience for all students, whether they are on campus or off campus. We want all members of the Heritage community to feel safe and secure as they begin, or continue, their studies this September. As always, our mission is to equip men and women for life and ministry, from coast to coast to coast, and around the world.

Heritage continues to monitor the changing restrictions and guidelines related to COVID-19, while awaiting further direction from public health and government officials on the reopening of private post-secondary schools. The following plans for the upcoming fall semester will be re-evaluated, as we receive additional information.

Health and Safety on Campus

Heritage will continue to follow the guidelines that have been provided by public health including:

• Physical distancing requirements will be established throughout the campus.
• Personal Protective Equipment will be required in all publicly accessible areas.
• Proper hand hygiene will be encouraged through signage, and hand sanitization stations will be available throughout the campus.
• Cleaning and sanitization activities will be increased throughout the campus.

Personal Protective Equipment on Campus

All students, staff, and faculty, who will be on campus, are encouraged to wear their own masks. Heritage will also have disposable masks available for use. Those who use their own masks are encouraged to ensure they’re properly and frequently cleaned and maintained. All those attending the campus will be required to wear masks in public places, including classrooms, hallways, stairways, library, and The H Community Centre.

Masks will not be required for those who are meeting outside, following proper physical distancing guidelines for social gatherings. Masks will not be required in residence apartments or in the offices of staff and faculty.

Changes to the Campus

Directional arrows will be installed throughout the campus to aid in physical distancing. Signs will also be posted to remind people of mask requirements and revised room capacities.

High traffic areas will be equipped for physical distancing through the installation of plexiglass barriers at the front of classrooms, in the library, and at the food service counter in the cafeteria.

In order to encourage proper hand hygiene, there will be multiple hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the campus buildings. Cleaning and sanitation efforts will be increased in order to provide a safe learning environment.

Learning at Heritage College & Seminary This Fall

As we look forward to the fall semester, we are committed to offering students an exceptional academic experience while ensuring the health and welfare of the entire Heritage community.

We appreciate your patience, as we continue to navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19. We have been closely monitoring the situation, and we are anticipating further guidelines from the office of public health and the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Course Delivery for College Students this Fall

As it stands at the moment, we plan to deliver as many of our college courses by means of face-to-face instruction on-campus as is permitted. This will mean utilizing our larger classrooms, so as to maintain social distancing. We will implement the necessary protocols, as proposed by the office of public health, to ensure a healthy on-campus learning environment.

Remaining courses will be offered through an online delivery format. Lectures will be delivered through livestream or pre-recorded videos. Students will participate in weekly online discussion groups in order to create an interactive learning experience.

All enrolled college students, living on campus or off campus, will be welcome to attend all offered face-to-face classes at Heritage during the fall semester while following PPE and physical distancing requirements.

A new fall academic calendar will be released to students on Friday, August 7. All scheduled courses will be offered this fall through the college; however, delivery formats, time slots and rooms will need to be adjusted accordingly.

Note: Classes that fall under Section 2 in myHeritage are not approved for OSAP funding.

Heritage Theological Seminary Moves Online for the Fall Semester

As for the seminary, we plan to deliver all of our courses online. Students will access weekly pre-recorded or livestream lectures and attend regular online discussion groups. Professors are preparing to deliver these courses in a manner that maintains high academic standards, facilitates an outstanding learning experience, and contributes to students’ life and ministry goals.

Note: Classes that fall under Section 2 in myHeritage are not approved for OSAP funding.

The Library, Student Learning Centre, and Bookstore Will Be Open

The library will be open this fall for several hours each afternoon (Monday to Friday). As with the entire campus, the necessary protocols will be in place to ensure everyone’s well-being. We are currently developing our online library resources, so as to ensure that students have access to all they need to excel.

The Student Learning Centre will also continue to operate in some capacity this fall, in order to provide students with the support they need to develop their research and writing skills.

The Heritage Bookstore will also publish the fall semester’s textbook list in early August. Textbooks for the fall will be made available through Heritage’s online bookstore.

Please stay updated on future announcements surrounding on-campus learning on Heritage College & Seminary’s Fall 2020 website.

Living on Campus – A New Residence Model for Fall 2020

For the fall semester, Heritage residence rooms will be coordinated on a new model that will see each bedroom in an apartment become a single occupancy. As we continue to evaluate the guidelines from public health and government officials, double-occupancy rooms may be considered when it is considered safe for Heritage students.

This plan will allow Heritage to continue offering college students with a positive and safe student experience while continuing or beginning their studies on campus.

Students who will live on campus will be required to follow new guidelines surrounding living on residence which will include:

• Open Dorm times will not be made available for the fall semester. All students will be required to stay in their designated residence apartments and buildings throughout the semester.
• New cleaning guidelines are currently being established to help students maintain a clean and safe living environment for all on campus at Heritage.
• Students will be encouraged to stay on campus as much as possible during the fall semester in order to ensure the safety of the entire Heritage community. Limited essential trips will be allowed for students living on campus with the agreement that students follow public health guidelines during these outings.
• One full residence apartment will be left empty for the fall in the event that there is a need to quarantine students during the semester.

Plans for Residence Student Should Someone Test Positive for COVID-19

If a student living on campus tests positive with COVID-19 this fall, they will be quarantined in a separate apartment in one of the residence buildings. Students will also be required to have a plan to relocate off campus if they become sick with COVID-19.

Other students living in residence will continue to have their health monitored regularly throughout the semester.

Confirmation Process for Residence in Fall 2020

With the new residence model for the fall semester, students who have already been accepted into residence will have to reconfirm their interest in living on campus within this revised plan.

Students that have applied to residence will receive an email and survey from Student Services that will require a response by Wednesday, July 15.

If you have any questions about the new plan for residence, please be in contact with DJ Mudde, Dean of Student Services, at dmudde@heritagecs.edu.

The Student Experience at Heritage – Student Life This Fall  

Heritage College & Seminary has become known for offering students a foundational, life-changing student experience – providing a positive environment focused on the personal and spiritual growth of each and every student.

This fall, Heritage is working hard to continue to serve students and provide the best student experience possible. 

Impact Groups

During the fall semester, Impact Groups at Heritage will play a larger role in the student life experience for those studying both on and off campus.

All college students will be encouraged to join an Impact Group in order to build a healthy community surrounding God and His Word. First year students will be added into Impact Groups starting in September, while returning students will be welcome to join groups at the beginning of the semester in order to participate in discipleship and community life at Heritage.

Details surrounding the format and structure of Impact Groups this fall are currently being planned and coordinated. For questions on Impact Groups at Heritage this fall, please contact DJ Mudde, Dean of Student Services, dmudde@heritagecs.edu.

Chapel  

For the fall semester, there will be only one Heritage Chapel service each week that can be attended in person by students, staff, and faculty. Each Chapel will also be available by livestream.

In keeping with the current guidelines, the Chapel will be rearranged in order to establish proper physical distancing and gathering requirements.

Counselling at Heritage

Plans are being made to continue offering counselling services to our student body through either virtual meetings or face-to-face meetings with students following physical distancing and PPE requirements. 

Student Council Activities

Student Council has already been looking ahead to the fall semester, planning and talking about a number of different events and activities starting this September. This group of students are committed to helping provide Heritage students with a safe and excellent student experience this fall and are looking forward to seeing everyone in September.

The H Community Centre and The Bean

To create a positive space for students throughout the fall semester, plans are being made to keep The H Community Centre and The Bean Café open as much as possible. The space will require physical distancing is followed, along with proper hand hygiene and capacity. 

Athletics and Intramurals

Different sports and activities are currently being reviewed for the upcoming fall semester in order to see what can be coordinated while following the appropriate guidelines from public health officials.

Cafeteria

Plans are currently being made to once again reopen the cafeteria at Heritage for the fall semester in a way that adheres to the guidelines from public health within the existing operating hours.

Providing a Safe Workplace  

Once Heritage College & Seminary is given the appropriate approval to reopen operations on campus, the school will be implementing a phased in approach in an effort to return to work safely.

Staff Returning to Work  

Leading up to September, more Heritage staff may voluntarily return to their offices to begin preparing to serve and support students. Employees who choose to continue to work remotely throughout the summer and into the fall will be given the option to do so with proper coordination with the appropriate supervisors.

All students, staff and faculty of Heritage College & Seminary will also be required to monitor their health regularly and to stay home if they are feeling ill or experiencing minor symptoms at any time.