George Brown College: Thông tin quan trọng về học kỳ mùa Thu 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how all of us live, learn, and work, as we follow the guidance of our public health authorities to keep our communities safe. Given that physical distancing measures are expected to continue for some time, please be advised that the Fall 2020 semester of George Brown programs will take place through remote, online delivery.

A communication has been sent to all students with offers and students who have accepted their offers to programs that will be available online in Fall 2020.  

We will also be updating our Online Application System (OAS) with this information and on future Letters of Acceptance for Fall/September 2020. Our website has also been updated and the FAQs. 

While the transition to alternative delivery is possible for most programs, there are some that require extensive access to campus facilities or other settings in order to deliver learning outcomes. Unfortunately, as these programs cannot be delivered remotely, some of these  will be suspended for the Fall semester.

Separately, we have sent communications to students regarding suspended (cancelled) programs for Fall 2020.  Our program availability webpage is updated daily and reflects changes to ‘suspended’ programs.

Please visit our COVID-19 webpage to review the frequently asked questions and the latest updates on our pandemic response. There is a section for current students and applicants/prospective students where you will find much more specific information about Fall 2020 there including technical requirements for online learning; immigration updates regarding study permits and post-graduation work permits; health insurance; program tuition fees; Work Integrated Learning; and program deferrals. 

Important FAQ’s Regarding Program Delivery for Fall 2020

Fall 2020 semester  

1.    I am new to Remote Learning. Where can I find Support? 

The college has developed an Online Learning microsite to provide you with the tools and resources you’ll need to be a successful online learner. Please be sure to check the webpage. In addition, some college services are offering virtual support: 

• Tutoring and Learning Centre (TLC) is offering online academic support, including real-time chats with TLC advisors.  
• Library Learning Commons staff are available online to help students with research questions.  
• Career Centre is offering online support and resources for all career related questions. 
• Student Association of George Brown College provides student support around Health insurance; academic issues or concern and legal issues.  

2.   What about programs with Work Integrated Learning components (e.g., co-op, externship, internship, field placement)?  

We are waiting for further direction from the government about timing, but we anticipate that all components of programs will be fulfilled before graduation. Please note that the timing of when certain components are completed may shift depending on guidelines from public health officials. 

Students can contact their academic program coordinator to confirm the status of work-integrated learning opportunities. Students may make arrangements to work remotely, if possible and agreed to by the student, employer, and coordinator/officer. 

3. My program in Fall 2020 is being delivered remotely and I will begin my studies from my home country. Can I get a refund or opt-out of my health insurance coverage? 

All international students at George Brown College are required to pay for their health insurance coverage along with their tuition fees. However, the Student Association of George Brown College is actively discussing opt-out options with the health insurance provider for the online study period when the student is NOT residing in Canada. The Student Association of George Brown College will contact you with more information about the opt-out option in the near future.  

Immigration  

1.   I just received my offer letter for Fall 2020 term. Should I apply for my study permit and visa now? 

Yes, you should apply online for an initial study permit with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as soon as possible to ensure that your application is queued for processing. IRCC has announced that there may be delays with processing immigration documents and therefore, the sooner you apply, the better your chances of getting a quicker response. 

2.     What about biometrics? 

Once you submit your application for study permit, you may be asked to submit biometrics. However, we understand that most of the biometrics collection centres are closed. If the site closest to you is closed, IRCC will automatically extend your deadline to give your biometrics. You are not required to provide your biometrics until the site collection offices reopen. This applies to you, even if your biometrics instruction letter (BIL) says you have 30 or 90 days.   

IRCC will NOT issue a new BIL, however, you are required to take your original BIL to your new appointment to show proof of payment.  

NOTE: Your application will not be refused or closed if you cannot give your biometrics due to COVID-19 closures. 

3.     Am I allowed to begin my online program from my home country without a valid study permit or study permit approval? How will this affect my eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme (PGWPP)? 

Yes, you can begin your online program outside of Canada without a valid study permit or study permit approval. However, International students are required to have a valid study permit or approval for study permit or be under implied status for study permit, in relation to their studies contributing to PGWPP eligibility. If students begin their program online without a valid study permit/approval for a study permit/ implied status for study permit, the study time will NOT be counted towards PGWPP eligibility.  

In addition, international students are responsible to ensure that they have a valid study permit once future semesters for the program transition to in-person, in- class delivery. 

4.     I have been approved for a study permit from my home country, however I am unable to travel to Canada due to travel restrictions. Can I begin my program online in Fall 2020? If so, how will this affect my eligibility for PGWPP? 

For students with valid study permit/study permit approval, IRCC has announced the following: 

• Eligibility for the PGWPP will not be affected for students who begin their studies in Fall 2020, and whose in-class courses are moved to an online-only format as a result of COVID-19.  
• International students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada, and may complete up to 50 per cent of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner.  
• These students will not have time deducted from the length of their work permit for any period of study completed outside of Canada up to December 31, 2020.  
• For more information, please see the IRCC website.  

5.     Can I travel to Canada at this time?

If you’re an international student who has a valid study permit, or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, you’re exempt from the travel restrictions to Canada. 

If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check conducted by an airline before you’ll be allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air. 

In addition: When you arrive in Canada, your health will be assessed before you leave the port of entry. You must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada. This is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms. 

6. Should I make arrangements to travel to Canada if I am exempt from travel restrictions even though my program has been suspended/cancelled for the Fall 2020 term? 

While we are unable to dictate your personal life choices, we highly encourage students whose programs have been suspended for the Fall 2020 term to not travel to Canada now, but to travel closer to the new, deferred program start date. Please note that your entry into Canada is still at the discretion of the Canada Border Security Agency (CBSA) officer at the Port of Entry (airport or land border), even if you are considered to be exempt from travel restrictions. In addition, you will not have health insurance coverage from the college for the period that you are not registered in your program AND you are NOT legally allowed to work on or off-campus in Canada before your program begins. 

7. My program for Fall 2020 has been suspended/cancelled, however, since I am in Canada already with a valid study permit, can I work off-campus between Sept 2020 to Dec. 2020?

No, you cannot work off-campus if you are not currently studying and registered in an academic program. One of the requirements for the off-campus work eligibility criteria states you must have started studying. Therefore, you are only eligible once your program begins/starts. 

Note: The exception to the above rule is, students are able to work off-campus if they have completed a program of study AND have applied to study another program which will begin within 150 calendar days in Canada. For more information, please check the off-campus regulation webpage. 

We also encourage all students to visit our COVID-19 webpage to review the frequently asked questions and the latest updates on our pandemic response.