Return to Campus: COVID-19 Updates

SAMRU is excited to welcome you back to campus this semester. While this may look a little different this year, your Students’ Association is here to support you and ensure your success. This post is SAMRU’s official communication on all current health measures impacting the MRU campus, so ensure to check back for updates. SAMRU is following the current health measures set by Alberta Health Services (AHS) and is following the same procedures as Mount Royal University. 

*Please note this information is taken directly from MRU’s COVID-19 updates and resources.

Current Health Restrictions 

*As of August 30, 2021, the following restrictions apply to campus:

  • If you come to campus:
    • For community members and rental tenants, enter at West Gate.
    • Follow the current provincial regulations and municipal bylaws, the Mount Royal campus requires mask wearing in the following situations:

Masks are mandatory in all indoor spaces on campus

Effective Monday, Aug. 30, you must wear a mask in all indoor spaces on campus. This includes, but is not limited to, classrooms, labs, hallways, meeting/study rooms. Masks are not required while outdoors. For additional details on masking, including exceptions, please refer here. 

Mandatory rapid testing
A rapid testing program will be required for all students, staff, and faculty who come to campus. People who are fully vaccinated can opt-out. Details are still being confirmed but this is what we can share at this moment:

  • All students and employees will be asked to declare if they have been fully vaccinated with an approved MRNA or viral vector COVID-19 vaccine.
     
  • People who are fully vaccinated will not have to complete rapid tests. If you do not declare as being fully vaccinated you will be required to participate in frequent rapid testing and complete a daily self-check for symptoms before coming to campus.
  • People who do not complete the declaration will be automatically submitted to a rapid testing program.
     
  • More details on the rapid test program will be shared as soon as possible via email.

Vaccines work and simplify your visit to campus

The best way to protect yourself and your community, and not have to do rapid testing, is to get vaccinated. We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Additional details about vaccines can be found here. 

The most immediate option to get vaccinated is to book an appointment through Alberta Health Services or go to a participating pharmacy.

Opportunities to get vaccinated on campus will be available in September. Students can get vaccinated at a walk-in clinic on the Cougars Concourse on Wednesday, Sept. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will also be a vaccination bus parked on campus at the East Gate on Wednesday, Sept. 22 and Thursday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also get vaccinated on campus at the Wyckham Pharmacy located in the basement of Wyckham House.

Wyckham House Student Centre

Wyckham House Student Centre is open! Students can access the pharmacy and dental office located in the basement of Wyckham House and the Students’ Association services currently offered through reception. The SAMRU Reception is open Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Phone: 403-440-6077

Email: info@samru.ca

Location: Room Z222, Wyckham House

Alternatively, you can contact us:

@samrubuzz on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (messages are checked regularly during business hours).

Advocacy

  • Student representation and advocacy: Your elected Representation Executive Council (REC) members continue to work hard on your behalf to represent the best interests of students. They are currently dealing with internal and external officials about how this health crisis is affecting students, continuing to advocate on issues like tuition, MRU’s budget, government funding, academic programming, and many other things.
  • Student Governance: Your student governing board is actively monitoring the changes to SAMRU’s operations and is meeting monthly online to make strategic decisions about SAMRU’s direction.

Check back with us! More information will be provided over the upcoming weeks about SAMRU’s programming and services available in Fall 2021. This is the official page where SAMRU will communicate anything you need to know about returning to campus safely.