2020 FAQ

Yes. The SAGBC has temporarily closed the SafeWalk program due to rising COVID-19 numbers and because a lack of students on campus meant the service has been underutilized to this point. The SAGBC is refunding/crediting the fee for its Safewalk program for Fall 2020. The college has flagged this fee and will issue a refund/credit. The SAGBC will reassess this decision for the Winter 2021 semester.

SAGBC is exploring options online. Once we have all the details we will post on our website and social media platforms.

George Brown College staff are not permitted to advise regarding the sponsorship process.  The regulated international student immigration advisors (RISIAs) that we have employed at the College are only permitted to advise up to the point of the post graduate work permit, but not on the Permanent Residency pathway or sponsorship.  Students must seek external advice on such matters.

Counselling & Student Well-Being: For students who experience temporary mental health challenges (for eg. in response to a traumatic incident) that impair their functioning and, thus, their ability to meet academic requirements (eg. assignment deadline), counsellors can assist by providing a “Verification of Temporary Impairment” form. This is not appropriate for students with mental health disabilities, who can be best supported with accommodations through Accessible Learning Services.

A student contact the Human Rights Advisor in the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Services office at diversity@georgebrown.ca to hear about the options available, and receive support to make a complaint, if that is what they wish to do.

All Colleges and Universities in Canada – and almost all academic institutions in the world – have differentiated fees for domestic and international students.  This is primarily based on the fact that domestic student tuition fees are highly subsidized by government funding via tax revenues, whereas international fees are not.  Tuition fees are also determined by program delivery costs.

A student contact the Human Rights Advisor in the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Services office at diversity@georgebrown.ca to hear about the options available.

Please register with Accessible Learning Services as we can provide academic assistance options for students with mental health concerns.  We can also recommend additional support from our Counselling and Student Well Being Services.  To register with Accessible Learning Services, please send an email to Don Kezima as soon as possible:  dkezima@georgebrown.ca.

Please do a check-in with your Adaptive Technologist in Accessible Learning Services for guidance and service delivery options.

If you are already registered with Accessible Learning Services, please contact our Welcome desk to be connected with your accessibility consultant.  For St. James and Ryerson:  letstalk@georgebrown.ca, for Casa Loma:  letstalkcl@georgebrown.ca, for Waterfront: letstalkwf@georgebrown.ca.  As an accommodation, your consultant can connect you with our Adaptive Technologist, who can provide guidance for your technical support inquiries.

If you are not registered with Accessible Learning Services, please contact our Intake Coordinator, Don Kezima at dkezima@georgebrown.ca.  Don will provide guidance for accessing our service.

Please do a check in with your Accessibility Consultant for guidance and accommodation options.

You and your Accessibility Consultant will discuss your learning needs and determine your accommodations based on your specific disability, the documentation you provide when you register with Accessible Learning Services, and the expectations of your program.

As courses have shifted to an online nature, accommodations must be flexible to address evolving student needs and requests, with the goal of reducing educational barriers for students. Accessibility consultants will provide academic guidance, advocacy and work with you and your professors to ensure you have equal access to your education in the current environment.

Accessible Learning Services provides accommodation support for a variety of disabilities including mental health challenges. Responses to accessibility questions need to be individualized as there are many variables that need to be considered. Accessible Learning Services has Consultants, Learning Strategists and Adaptive Technologists to assist students in responding to a variety of challenges and environments.

Please contact Don Kezima don.kezima@georgebrown.ca to find out how to get registered with Accessible Learning Services or to ask questions about the process to get disability documentation.

Contact letstalk@georgebrown.ca if you are already registered with Accessible Learning Services and want to make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant, a Learning Strategist or an Adaptive Technologist.

Please contact Erica at efearnell@georgebrownresidence.ca to make a complaint and/or find other available options.

A student contact the Sexual Violence Advisor in the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Services office at svra@georgebrown.ca to hear about the options available, and receive support to make a complaint, if that is what they wish to do. The SVRA will refer them to the Public Safety and Security Services (PSS) for safety planning. PSS can be reached at their Emergency Line:

416-415-4000, or for non-emergencies 416-415-5000 ext. 4010

A student contact the Sexual Violence Advisor in the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Services office at svra@georgebrown.ca to hear about the options available, and receive support to make a complaint, if that is what they wish to do.

Student Conduct & Support: The Office of Student Conduct & Support can assist students who have concerns or complaints regarding behaviors of fellow students which contravene the Code of Student Behavior and Community Standards: https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/policies/code-of-student-behaviour-and-community-standards.pdf

For Students

Accordance with our privacy policy, the College uses “cookies” which are small text files stored on the browser or hard drive of your computer or mobile device when you visit a College webpage or application. A “session cookie” stores temporary information that is deleted when you close your web browser or turn off your computer or device.  This use of cookies occurs across all our devices when we use computers, to make the web session visits run more smoothly. Students should not be concerned about being tracked if they are following College’s policies such as the College’s Acceptable Use of Technology , Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, Human Rights Discrimination or Harassment or the Student Code of Behaviour and Community Standards.

Also The student can reach out to the Public Safety and Security Services (PSS) for safety planning. PSS can be reached at their Emergency Line:  416-415-4000, or for non-emergencies 416-415-5000 ext. 4010

For Faculty

Accordance with our privacy policy, the College uses “cookies” which are small text files stored on the browser or hard drive of your computer or mobile device when you visit a College webpage or application. A “session cookie” stores temporary information that is deleted when you close your web browser or turn off your computer or device.  This use of cookies occurs across all our devices when we use computers, to make the web session visits run more smoothly. Students should not be concerned about being tracked if they are following College’s policies such as the College’s Acceptable Use of Technology , Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, Human Rights Discrimination or Harassment or the Student Code of Behaviour and Community Standards

For Students

 Classroom management is the responsibility first and foremost of the teaching faculty. This extends to on-line engagements between students that are facilitated by the teacher or required for the purposes of academic work. Your professor should assist with setting guidelines for appropriate on-line group work, including recommended platforms, timing of engagements and expectations for behaviors. If students have any concerns with respect to the behavior of classmates in on-line group work settings they should address this first with their professor.

Counselling and Student Wellbeing (“Counselling”) is currently running a series of programs to assist students with managing expectations and setting boundaries within this new online learning environment. Some of those series include: Navigating healthy relationships in remote environments.

Students are encouraged to reach out to Counselling for support to seek additional information and support in managing the online learning environment.

For Faculty

 Professors can facilitate a healthy and productive environment for group work by establishing ground-rules and expectations for collaborative on-line engagement among students. Providing guidance around a consistent platform for group interactions, rather than having multiple social media or other channels for communication among students, is one way of providing this assistance. Also setting expectations for the times students should be reaching out to other students in regards to classroom matters, reasonable timelines for anticipating responses, and coaching on communication standards within these types of interactions, as distinct from social interactions, can all assist students in setting appropriate boundaries in these types of group work settings.

For Students

Setting expectations for class participation, including as requirements for academic credit is within the authority of teaching faculty. In setting these expectations and requirements faculty are required to follow guidelines as set out in academic policies at the College. Students must be advised at the outset of any course as to the method of evaluation that will be used and whether class participation is required as a graded component of the course.

If there are disability related reasons that presents barriers to appearing on video, students should register with Accessible Learning Services to ensure that appropriate forms of course participation and evaluation are available to them. Students may also benefit from support through Counselling & Student Well-Being to assist with any issues related to feelings of anxiety or discomfort in these circumstances.

If factors related to the physical environment such, as lack of privacy in one’s home, create challenges for students in appearing on video, students are encouraged to speak with the professor or program coordinator regarding this issue.

For Faculty

 In supporting a healthy learning environment in new environment of on-line learning, faculty are encouraged to take into the account the widely disparate personal circumstances that may impede a student’s ability to engage fully in an on-line classroom environment. Factors such as poor internet connectivity that compromise the quality of video and or audio, living environments that lack privacy, experiences of anxiety or other mental health challenges, and many others may affect students’ ability to appear on video during on-line classes.

In reference to expectations for employees at the College, in a recent email Anne Sado encouraged the following:

“Respecting boundaries and demonstrating flexibility”

As a diverse and inclusive culture, we show mutual respect in all of our behaviour to create a sense of belonging. During these difficult times, let’s demonstrate heightened empathy and flexibility, and understand that a colleague may need to step away from an online meeting or may not feel “camera-ready” for a video call.”

Extending this same consideration for students and working with those for whom this type of participation may be a barrier to full engagement with the learning environment is strongly encouraged.

GBC Counselling & Student Well-Being is currently offering a webinar on the topic of Supporting Student Mental Health in a Changing Learning Environment, which contains practical information on how to identify and address some of the challenges experienced by students in the current environment of on-line learning.

For Students

Students are reminded their behavior and interactions within an online environment are must adhere to the Student Code of Behaviour and Community Standards. This means, that students are required to seek permission to record class, including video chats and conferences beforehand recording any class material. Students with academic accommodations who have received an accommodation to record a class should meet with their instructor to identify having such an accommodation and receive the instructor’s acknowledgement to proceed with the recording of the class.

Note: Any recordings made of class content are not to be copied, and to only be used for a student’s personal use, for study and learning purposes. Unauthorized access or use of any course related materials and inappropriate use of digital technology are violations of the George Brown College Academic Integrity Policy. Any violation of this Policy can be reported to the department Chair or Public Safety and Security.

Sharing images, or content without consent or outside of the learning activity may be a violation of the Student Code of Behaviour and Community Standards as well as other relevant policies, regardless of the purposes for which the recording or images were originally obtained

For Faculty

Faculty roles are instrumental in broadly identifying that a class is being recorded to make available to learning, without, naming a specific student. Instructors are encouraged to provide students with recordings of the class lecture in a timely way through the Learning Management System (LMS).

The SA offices and spaces will be closed effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 until further notice.  Students’ will not have access to SA spaces and offices during this period.

The Student Association and George Brown College COVID-19 Relief Fund aims to assist Domestic and International students facing financial emergencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are certain requirements that students must have to apply for this fund. Students must:

• Be enrolled in a full-time program for the Winter 2020 semester
• Have completed and submitted the application form, which includes a budget declaration and a brief narrative of how COVID-19 has impacted their financial situation (e.g., food insecurity, housing/rent payments, unemployment due to lay-off, unexpected educational expenses, unexpected personal/health expenses, student accessibility costs, visa extensions for international students, other extenuating circumstances).

Apply at georgebrown.ca/gbc-sa-covid19-relief-fund/.

Student Association supports

You can learn more about other financial services and supports provided by the Student Association at studentassociation.ca/covid-19/.

Yes, SAGBC and George Brown College are continuing to provide emergency financial support to students who have been impacted by the economic effects of COVID-19.

Students can learn more about their eligibility by clicking here. Applications are open from Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 24 (5:00pm).

Domestic or International students enrolled in a full-time program for the Winter 2020 semester who are facing any of the following financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Job loss for student
2. Increased living costs (temporary location change, community supports no longer available, etc.)
3. Job loss of family member who offered direct support to the student
4. Travel restrictions or increased travel costs
5. Increased educational costs such as access to Wi-Fi, data plan etc.

Please visit GBC or SA -COVID- 19 page link below and submit your application. The application deadline is: April 15, 2020 (5:00 PM)

Students who meet the eligibility criteria are expected to receive up to $500. Each application will be evaluated according to financial need.

All students who have submitted an application will receive an email containing an application status after the processing is complete.

Students will receive a response after the application has closed. Our goal is to respond no later than one week after the application deadline.

Processing may take up to 5 business days after the April 15th deadline.

Cheques will be mailed no later than the week of April 27th.

This is deadline based to ensure everyone has equal consideration.

Students can expect to receive a response within 24 – 48 hours (weekends excluded).

No, this will not impact OSAP or Second Career funding.

Yes, The College will issue a T4A form to all recipients who receive a bursary. Students should submit this when filing 2020 taxes with CRA.

No, this funding is non-repayable.

This is a special initiative with limited funds and there is no appeal option. As noted on the application website, this fund is subject to availability and there is no guarantee that everyone who submits an application will be approved.

If you are an international student and you do not have a SIN/ITN, please contact COVID19Fund@georgebrown.ca for further assistance.

Please email COVID19Fund@georgebrown.ca and provide any updated information you would like to include in your application before the April 15th deadline. Please DO NOT submit another application.

This depends on future development of COVID-19 and GBC. Continue to monitor the https://www.georgebrown.ca/covid-19/ for continuing updates on your classes.

At this time the Spring Election will continue. Candidates profiles and other information will be posted online. There will be no in person polling stations. Candidates will be encouraged to campaign online and full information and updates can be found at https://www.studentassociation.ca/elections.

Students will receive an email to their George Brown College account on the first day of voting, or may access the voting website by clicking on the link at https://www.studentassociation.ca/elections from the first day of voting onward.

All Student Association events, workshops, trainings and community actions are cancelled until further notice. Please check the following links to be updated

Website: https://www.studentassociation.ca/

Main SA Social Media:

Instagram: @sagbc 

Facebook: @SAofGBC

Twitter: @sagbc

Community Care Centre

Facebook: @communitycarecentre

Instagram: @communitycarecentre

Recreation and Events:

Instagram: @sagbcevents

Facebook: @EventsSquad 

Contact the academic support program at academic@sagbc.ca or at our hotline 416-415-5000 ext. 6320, and we will follow up on your concern

Contact us at:

E-mail: healthbenefits@sagbc.ca

Or at

Wespeakstudent

Phone: 1-800-315-1108

E-mail: help@aclstudentbenefits.com

In regards to COVID-19:

1. As always, Morcare call centre is available to assist with any inquiry, appointment set up and coverage confirmation.
   1. Students can reach us at 1-888-985-1552
2. In addition, students are able to reach out to the insurance company directly. Their team is equipped to take COVID-19 calls anytime.
   1. Students can reach IAassist at 1-866-472-8356

SafeWalk program is put off during the college closure. We will keep our students updated with any changes that might occur into our program plans. Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook to be updated.

Instagram: @gbcsafewalk

Facebook: @gbcsafewalk

SNAP program is closed in the three locations (St. James, Waterfront, and Casa Loma Campuses) until further notice.

SNAP will have pre-packaged food hampers consisting of nutritious non-perishable food items available for students to pick up from security at Waterfront, St. James and Casa Loma campus. Alternatively, students can also contact Daily Bread Food Bank to find out where the closest food bank is in their area: 416-203-0050 or visit 211toronto.ca.

All in-campus graduation photographs are cancelled. Students are advised to contact New Paramount Studios to take their graduation photos at their studios.

Website: https://www.newparamount.com/

Phone #: 4166535103

Email: NPS@look.ca

Yes, any new updates or announcements  goes to all SA social media platforms as we try to maintain a consistent  messaging  cross all of our platforms.  We notice that students engagement is much higher on Instagram so we ensure also Instagram is our channel to be updated.

Our Coordinator has access to the voice mail box from home

The health plan is for both domestic and international  students with the same company but with different plans. But it’s the same team and the same information provided in the QA is accessible to both to reach out to for any enquiries.

Please visit the Student Association and George Brown College website often, as information will change frequently