Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Update

A Message to the Dalhousie Community:
About COVID-19

For the latest updates on Dalhousie’s response to COVID-19, see dal.ca/coronavirus
This letter to the Dalhousie community was published in the Winter issue of DAL Magazine, printed on March 19.

These are extraordinary times. As I prepare this note on Thursday, March 19 — literally “stopping the presses” to get it into your hands — I reflect on the decisions we’ve had to make as a shared university community in a very short period of time in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The gravity, impact and consequence of this moment hits home.

We have moved the remainder of the winter term, and all spring/summer courses, into a distance setting. Residences are closing. Many faculty and staff are now working remotely. Campus buildings, offices and services are reducing hours or suspending in-person services. And all non-essential university events are cancelled or postponed until June 1 at a minimum — including, even, our Spring Convocation ceremonies. Rest assured that not only will we make sure all graduates are still awarded their degrees/credentials, but we will develop a plan so that students who wish to cross the Convocation stage in the future can do so, potentially in the fall.

I’ve been incredibly impressed by the sense of community and support I’ve seen across our university as we pull together under unprecedented circumstances. There will be challenges to come, without a doubt, but together we will move forward in support of our students, our research
and our academic mission.

To our alumni, friends and supporters: remember that our collective strength is grounded in our empathy and our compassion. Wherever you are, and whatever you are facing, continue to be kind to one another. We will come through these challenging times even stronger, more compassionate and more impactful than ever.

Thank you, and stay well,

Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor
Dalhousie University