COVID-19 (novel coronavirus): Updates, Resources and Information

Dear Lakehead University Employees and Members of the Board of Governors,

In recent weeks, our Lakehead community has come together in incredible ways to face the realities of the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. While we have focused on ensuring the delivery of vital services and ongoing education to our students through online and remote methods, and are ensuring that our residences and food services remain accessible, we know that many students are facing extraordinary challenges. Those students who are far from home and in isolation on our campuses or in our communities have had their worlds turned upside down. 

Today I am pleased to share that I, along with the Lakehead University Student Union, the Alumni Association and members of our leadership teams have launched the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund.  I am respectfully reaching out to all of our Lakehead faculty and staff, and to members of our Board of Governors, to join us in helping those Lakehead students who may be facing significant hardships due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

If you are interested in supporting the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund, please visit Lakehead University’s COVID-19 information website and click the button to donate to this Fund.

Thank you for helping to support our students in need.

We are stronger together, 

Moira McPherson, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor

STUDENTS EXPERIENCING URGENT FINANCIAL NEEDS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

You may be eligible for relief through the new Lakehead COVID-19 Student Relief Fund. Bursaries will be awarded to assist with their travel, living and other expenses depending on available funds and students' demonstrated financial needs. Please visit Lakehead University’s COVID-19 information website and click the button to apply.

* In an effort to mitigate potential phishing attempts related to our Student Relief Fund, the above message will be the only direct email invitation from President McPherson to participate in this initiative. The donation page and students’ application for assistance should be accessed through Lakehead’s COVID-19 information website.

Lakehead University recognizes the extraordinary challenges you, our students, are  facing during these unprecedented times and the impact it has had on your learning and overall well-being.

In recognition of this, the Senate of Lakehead University has approved a Temporary Grading Scheme under Exceptional Academic Measures for Year-Long 2019/20 and Winter 2020 Courses. This Grading Scheme will provide you with flexibility to account for your unique academic and personal challenges faced as well as aid in mitigating additional stressors as you work towards completing this academic year. 

For more information on the Grading Scheme and how it will work, please visit https://www.lakeheadu.ca/studentcentral/exams-grades/temporary-grading-scheme. 

It is highly recommend that you reach out to Student Central (studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca) and your Faculty Advisor/Program Chair to learn more and discuss your individual circumstances and future goals.

In our ongoing efforts to respond to the advice, recommendations, and announcements by health and government authorities about the current pandemic, Lakehead University is taking further steps to ensure the health and safety of our campuses.

Effective today, March 31, at 6:00pm, and until further notice, all buildings on our Thunder Bay campus, except for the University Centre and ATAC, will have access restricted to persons with cards, keys, or with assistance from Lakehead Security Services.

On our Orillia campus, Heritage Place is secured; the Orillia Cafeteria is open for food service; Orillia Residence is only accessible with an access card; and Simcoe Hall is open, however limited to the first floor.

Those without cards or keys who need access to these buildings may contact Security Services to be granted entrance.

Please continue to follow updates posted on our COVID-19 information web page, and follow advisories and recommendations being shared by our regions’ health units, as well as various levels of government.

Dear Lakehead University students,

Lakehead University’s priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We are doing everything we can to assess and address options to further assist those of you experiencing challenges or difficulties during this unprecedented and particularly stressful time.

Lakehead students are able to complete their courses and examinations remotely, and our University’s residences remain open for those who are not able to travel home. In addition to emails detailing the variety of services available to you, including academic supports, Financial Aid, Food Services, and Health & Wellness Services, we continue to provide information, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions on our COVID-19 information web page.

In closing, I would like to echo President McPherson’s recent message to the University community and acknowledge your resilience in recent weeks. Everyone at Lakehead University is doing what they can to support you so that you have the opportunity to complete your program’s requirements and make it to the end of the semester successfully.


Be well and all the best,

Dr. David Barnett
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
Lakehead University

Convocation is a special time where our University community, family and friends come together to celebrate and share the accomplishments of our exceptional Lakehead University graduates.

Unfortunately, with the ongoing uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not be possible to hold our Spring Convocation ceremonies originally planned to take place in May/June 2020. It is our hope that we will be able to reschedule Convocation ceremonies for sometime this Fall. Further details will be shared once available.

Lakehead University students eligible to graduate will still have their degrees conferred in spring 2020 following approval at the Lakehead University May 2020 Senate meeting.

Enrolment Services will contact graduating students with further details and information.

For any questions related to Convocation and Graduation, please contact convocation@lakeheadu.ca.

Please review the Current Students FAQ section of this web page for more information.

In light of the Province’s recent communication, Lakehead University is taking measures to further limit access to our campuses, effective March 25.

First, we wish to assure our students that Lakehead University continues to ensure the delivery of, and opportunity to complete, courses using online and alternate remote delivery formats, and to provide them with remote supports and services as previously outlined. Students who stay in Residence will still have access to the services they rely on, including food services, and health and wellness supports. 

Thank you everyone, for all the work that we have already done over the past week to move to a remote operations model.

As of March 25, and until further notice, only those employees who need to be on site to sustain current operations will be able to continue to work on our campuses. All other employees, including faculty, should work remotely.

Staff who provide required services will be so designated by supervisors responsible for those services. Supervisors are responsible for assigning duties to be carried out and making reasonable arrangements for the protection of essential staff. If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor.

Questions about research continuity in on-site research laboratories should be directed to the Office of the Vice-President (Research and Innovation).

Lakehead University continues to assess the situation. Please continue to monitor your Lakehead University email and our COVID-19 web page for updates.

Students, faculty, and staff are reminded that Lakehead’s Student Health and Wellness Services, and the Employee & Family Assistance Program teams are still operating and available to you. For these and more resources and information links, see the Resources and Information section our COVID-19 web page.

Dear members of our Lakehead University community,

This past week has seen our University community come together in incredible ways as we have faced the realities of the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Allow me to take this opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional work that our University has undertaken to ensure the delivery of vital services and ongoing education to our students.

Thank you to our faculty, instructors, and staff for transforming our in-person and classroom learning environments to online and remote formats; to our Technology Services Centre team that succeeded in providing many of our employees with the platforms necessary to work from their homes and still maintain the services our students rely on; and to our housekeeping staff and contractors who have stepped up the frequency of cleaning and servicing of our campuses to help keep us safe. Finally, my thanks for the dedication and spirit of our staff who have been required to continue to work on our campuses to ensure the continuity of core University operations.

To our students at home and in our residences, I applaud your resilience. I know the past week has resulted in many necessary changes and has been unlike anything you may have imagined when you started the winter semester. Your health and well-being as we continue to respond to the province’s state of emergency remains our priority. Our campuses' services continue to be accessible. Everyone at Lakehead University is doing what they can to support you so that you have the opportunity to complete your program’s requirements and make it to the end of the semester successfully.

Please take care of yourselves. Be kind and patient with others.

You and your families are in my thoughts,

Dr. Moira McPherson
President and Vice-Chancellor
Lakehead University

REFRESHED COVID-19 INFORMATION WEB PAGE AND FAQS

This COVID-19 information web page has undergone a refresh in order to clean up and better organize the growing number of updates, resources, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) being received by various units across Lakehead University’s campuses from students, faculty, staff, and researchers.

Atop this page is a reorganized list of links to help you find the information you need and answers to the most common questions.

Please continue to adhere to advisories and recommendations being shared by our local Health Units, as well as the Province and Federal government.

Last updated: March 18, 2020, 1:55 p.m.

At this time, Lakehead University will not be approving any work-related travel by employees until further notice.

If you have any questions, please speak to your supervisor.

With the rapidly-changing COVID-19 pandemic and in support of both federal, provincial, and municipal advisories to help mitigate the spread of the virus, Lakehead University continues to do its part in this regard, with the health and safety of our community at the forefront.

By Thursday, March 19, Lakehead University will transition to a required on-site services model. All other employees that are not required to be on-site, and are able to work remotely at home, should do so.

The units below have been identified as required on-site services at both our campuses:

• Student Health & Wellness
• Residence Services
• Food Services
• Student supports
• Security Services
• Animal Care Facility
• Financial Services
• Physical Plant
• TSC
• Executive Team

*This list is subject to change based on ongoing review and needs. 

Supervisors of required on-site service areas will be identifying roles within these units that will need to continue working on campus.

All employees that are not required to be on-site, and are able to work remotely at home, should do so.

Supervisors will work with their respective teams on scheduling and other matters that arise.

Guidelines for employees working at home will be provided by supervisors.

Unless otherwise communicated, this decision will be in effect until April 30, 2020.

Students are reminded that Residence Services, along with many other University services and facilities, remain open. 

Lakehead’s libraries are committed to ensuring the safety of our University community. We support students, faculty and staff as they work to complete the term.

All Lakehead libraries, including the Archives, Chancellor Paterson Library, Thunder Bay Education Library, Orillia Education Library, Law Library, and Harvie Legacy Library (Orillia) are transitioning to remote service delivery effective March 19, 2020 until further notice.

The Library will support users online and will deliver services through alternative ways. 

During this period of remote service delivery, all online resources and services will be accessible, including:

• All electronic journals/databases, and e-books
• Omni search tool
• Ask Us service
• Subject guides

Remote supports are available through the Library support page and TSC Help Desk.

Liaison Librarians have been providing research and reference assistance for many years and will continue to provide this assistance online and through Zoom meetings. They will expedite course reserves processing and copyright clearance as possible.

In addition, all loaned materials will have their due dates extended automatically.

As Health Canada and our communities’ respective Health Units continue to advise the public to exercise social distancing in order to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 between people, effective Tuesday, March 17, and until further notice, Lakehead Thunder Bay’s Athletics facilities, programs and services will be closed to all varsity, public, recreational, and club activities.

Closed facilities include the CJ Sanders Fieldhouse, The Hangar (including workout space and studio), the pool and workout gym, the Bora Laskin (Faculty of Education) gym, and the PACI gym.

Spaces remaining open include administrative and faculty offices, and the Sports Medicine Clinic.

Should members need access to their lockers, please contact erstaff@lakeheadu.ca to make arrangements.

This decision is in addition to previous notices to postpone or cancel large public gatherings, and restrict other activities and events on our campuses.

Students wishing to travel home

At this time, we encourage any students who are considering making arrangements to travel home, to proceed with making those arrangements. Instructors, and/or Program Chairs or Directors will be reaching out to communicate specific instructions regarding online or alternate distance delivery methods associated with courses.

If you have specific questions related to your academic program’s requirements, we encourage you to email your Program Chair/Director.

Residence Services along with many other University services and facilities remain open.

Travellers arriving in / returning to Canada

As we continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 in the regions around our campuses and across Canada, we are asking all University community members to adhere to Health Canada’s recommendation to those arriving in Canada from other countries as you could have come into contact with COVID-19 while abroad.

First, inform your supervisor of the date of your return to Canada.

Upon return to Canada, you will need to:

• Self-isolate for 14 days after your return.
• Monitor your health for fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
• Wash your hands often for 20 seconds and cover your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing or sneezing.
• If you develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days, continue to isolate yourself from others, and immediately call your region’s District Health Unit and follow their instructions carefully.

In addition, if you return from Italy, Iran, or Hubei province (China) you will be asked to contact the public health authority in the province or territory where you live or are staying within 24 hours of arriving in Canada and to provide your contact information.

Travellers planning to leave Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada is recommending that travellers avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada. Many countries are reporting community or widespread transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. In some countries, travellers may have limited access to timely and appropriate health care should they become ill. Local authorities may impose control measures suddenly, including movement restrictions such as quarantine.

Dear members of our Lakehead University community,

Since December 2019, Lakehead University has been working through its emergency planning processes to assess and be prepared to respond to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.

Following recent developments and our ongoing contingency planning at Lakehead, we have updated the next phase of our Institution’s action plan in response to COVID-19.

I am writing to provide an important update, and will focus on the most important elements as of March 13.

Lakehead University is cancelling classes on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 to provide instructors, faculty, and academic support staff the time to prepare to deliver course content in alternative ways. Any exams scheduled during this time period will be rescheduled. The University is preparing to provide workshops and specific support to assist instructors with preparations for other modes of course delivery.

Starting Wednesday, March 18 and for the remainder of the term, Lakehead University will be delivering all of its courses using online or alternative modes of delivery.

We recognize that specific academic programs may have unique requirements that need alternate solutions. These will be developed and communicated early next week.

Our University campuses (Thunder Bay and Orillia) remain open. Residences and all of our facilities, including but not limited to libraries, research facilities and laboratories, athletics facilities, food services, and Health and Wellness Services all remain open. Please direct any specific questions to your supervisor. All other Lakehead University events are to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Faculty and staff should continue to report to work as usual.

You are strongly encouraged to adhere to public advisories and recommendations, including washing hands frequently and avoiding touching one's face. I remind everyone that you should stay home if you feel ill.

If you begin to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms — fever, cough and respiratory distress — contact your local health unit (see contact information at bottom of Lakehead’s COVID-19 information and updates page) and reduce contact with others by isolating yourself.

The health and safety of our University community is paramount as we continue to help ensure the continuity of our University’s operations. Please continue to monitor your Lakehead University email and this web page for updates.

While the measures outlined above are a reflection of extraordinary circumstances, I believe Lakehead University’s faculty, staff and students have the collective strength to come through this with resolve. Being part of Lakehead University means that we work together to create an inclusive, accessible and safe environment for all.

I am grateful to all members of our University community who are working together to help us during this rapidly-changing situation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Moira McPherson
President and Vice-Chancellor
Lakehead University

Thunder Bay: March 16 - 18, 2020

Orillia: March 17 - 19, 2020

Following the University’s decision to take steps to help ensure the health and safety of its students, faculty and staff by postponing or canceling all large public gatherings until further notice, Lakehead’s Undergraduate Recruitment team is postponing all planned March Break recruitment events at both campuses.

These events are intended to be rescheduled later in 2020, and Undergraduate Recruitment will be in touch with prospective students and their families who were slated to come to our campuses next week, as soon as possible.

Our Undergraduate Recruitment team looks forward to showcasing the Lakehead University experience as soon as it is appropriate.

Following the recent decision to postpone large public gatherings on both Lakehead University campuses until further notice per the Government of Canada’s risk-determining guide for proceeding with large gatherings, please check the Events Calendar for changes to upcoming activities and events.

Health units in Thunder Bay and Orillia at the time of this notice maintain that there have been no cases of COVID-19 in these two communities, and the Public Health Agency of Canada maintains that the risk to Canadians is low.

In light of the World Health Organization’s announcement that COVID-19 is now considered a global pandemic, there are a number of preparations that all faculty and staff are being asked to consider.

While there have been no significant changes to the University’s standard operations, we wish to be prepared for potential changes.

Preparations may include readying to temporarily suspend classes and move to other modes of course delivery, and considering how faculty and staff may work remotely.

The University remains committed to providing students with the opportunity to continue their studies and complete current course requirements.

Should a case of COVID-19 be identified in Thunder Bay or Orillia, Health Unit staff will ask the affected person about their recent activities and reach out to people and places they were in contact with.

You are strongly encouraged to adhere to public advisories and recommendations, including washing hands frequently and avoiding touching one's face.

If you begin to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms — fever, cough and respiratory distress — contact your local health unit (see contact information at bottom of Lakehead’s COVID-19 information and updates page) and reduce contact with others by isolating yourself.

The health and safety of our University community is paramount.

Please continue to monitor your Lakehead University email and this web page for updates.

OPERATIONAL CHANGES EFFECTIVE MARCH 12, 2020

With an abundance of caution during a rapidly-changing situation, Lakehead University is taking pre-emptive steps to help ensure the safety of its students, faculty and staff, as well as the ongoing operations of our University.

Large Public Gatherings

Effective immediately, Lakehead University is postponing large public gatherings on both campuses until further notice per the Government of Canada’s risk-determining guide for proceeding with large gatherings.

If you have any questions about a planned large public gathering, please contact your supervisor.

Travel

Lakehead University will not support travel to regions with a Level 3 advisory or greater.

Approval of all work-related international travel by Lakehead employees will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Approval of all University-related international travel by Lakehead students is being limited and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Lakehead International will continue to engage with students who are currently studying abroad on an individual basis.

Students, faculty and staff are advised to remain up to date on world travel advisories.

Lakehead University is closely monitoring developments regarding the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and believes it is important to understand the facts about this new strain of coronavirus. While this new strain of coronavirus is believed to have originated in the Province of Hubei, China, the situation is a global concern that can affect any group of people.

We want our University community to be properly informed so we can act appropriately and come together and support each other.

At this time, our thoughts are with students, faculty and staff who may have family or friends directly affected by the situation.

Please be reminded that October to March of any year is cold and flu season. As is always good practice during this time of the year, wash your hands frequently, stay home when sick, and exercise proper cough and sneeze etiquette to prevent the spread of any illness.

Information shared by Public Health Ontario about the coronavirus states that the risk to Ontarians is considered low, and there are no confirmed cases in Thunder Bay or Orillia at this time.

Health Canada has created an Information Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions web page to inform Canadians about the coronavirus, including:

• symptoms to watch for,
• how it may be contracted,
• how you can protect yourself, and
• precautions one can take while travelling.

If you believe you have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms, please contact:

• Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: 705-721-7520
• Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000, or
• your Primary Care Provider

Tell them your symptoms and your travel history and they will provide advice on what you should do.

Yes, all students in their final year who are interested in being considered for spring graduation must submit their 'Intent to Graduate' via myInfo.

Yes, we are working with the regalia provider to have refunds issued.

Yes, refunds for the Convocation fee will be made shortly.

Yes.

[Response updated, March 16, 2020]

At this time, we encourage any students who are considering making arrangements to travel home, to proceed with making those arrangements. Instructors, and/or Program Chairs or Directors will be reaching out to communicate specific instructions regarding online or alternate distance delivery methods associated with courses.

If you have specific questions related to your academic program’s requirements, we encourage you to email your Program Chair/Director.

Residence Services along with many other University services and facilities remain open.

Yes, Lakehead University is only canceling classes on March 16 to 17 in order to give instructors, faculty, and academic support staff the time to prepare to deliver course content and examinations in alternative ways.

Starting Wednesday, March 18, and for the remainder of the term, courses and exams will be delivered using online or alternative modes of delivery.

Providing a student completes all of their program’s requirements, they will be able graduate at the end of the semester.

Lakehead University is temporarily suspending the need for a student who is ill to provide a Certificate of Illness or Incapacitation completed by a Medical Professional as per University Regulation IV “Examinations – Missed Examinations Due to Illness or Other Extenuating Circumstances”.

If you are ill and need to defer an exam, please follow these steps:

1. Inform your instructor(s) directly by email from your lakeheadu.ca email prior to the exam;
2. Within the email, you will be required to provide a self-declaration affirming your illness to be true. In order for your exam to be deferred and rescheduled, you will be required to include the following Self-Declaration:
   
   

   Student Self-Declaration Email:

   I am submitting this self-declaration as a request made in good faith for academic consideration due to illness that has temporarily impaired my physical health and ability to write my exam/test as scheduled.By making this declaration I am affirming these statements to be true. Once I have returned to good health, I will contact my professor directly via email to arrange a new exam date.I understand that providing any false or misleading information, or using this self-declaration to delay or avoid fulfilling academic requirements, constitutes a breach of academic integrity as outlined in the Lakehead University’s Academic Integrity and Policies.

3. Once you have returned to good health, immediately contact your instructor(s) to arrange a new exam date. Note:  No additional documentation (e.g. Certificate of Illness, Medical Note) will be required from students.

If you have any questions or require any assistance related to this, please contact your instructor, directly, or Nikki Maronese, Scheduling & Exam Coordinator, at 807-343-8498 or schedule@lakeheadu.ca.

Your instructors are currently reviewing plans for exams. Any changes will be communicated to you directly from your instructor. However, there will be no in-person mid-term or final exams. You will be able to write any exams remotely from where you are.

Yes.

As courses move to an online learning environment, students with academic accommodations will continue to have their accommodations honoured by their professors. In collaboration with Student Accessibility Services (SAS), students can continue to make accommodation requests for extensions of time for assignments and notetakers if there is an online lecture component.

For tests and final exams, your instructors will adjust accommodated test/exam time to include extra time and approved break times if applicable. Students who utilize assistive software are encouraged to contact SAS to access software trial licensing if they require. If you have questions or concerns please contact Student Accessibility Services at any time. Please email SAS Thunder Bay (sas@lakeheadu.ca) or SAS Orillia (oraccess@lakeheadu.ca).

Undergraduate students who have received a scholarship, bursary or award and were eligible to receive the award as of March 6, 2020 will not have their funding impacted if their program is cut short.

Some funding is available for Canadian domestic students who can demonstrate a financial need. Contact Student Central: studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca.

If you are currently enrolled in classes some funding is available for Canadian domestic students who can demonstrate a financial need. Contact a Student Central Professional at studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca.

Federal and provincial organizations continue to work closely with governments to determine the impacts on government student assistance. As governments release information on how they will handle processes, we will ensure that the information is made available to students.

To support student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has announced its plan to pause the repayment of Canada Student Loans until September 30, 2020, with no accrual of interest. Pending parliamentary approval, these measures will become effective March 30, 2020. This will include pre-authorized debits.

Official transcripts can still be ordered online through myInfo. Pick-up will no longer be available; however, we will mail transcripts.

Yes. Visit lakeheadu.ca/shw for more information on how to access services on each of our campuses.

Yes. Student Health and Wellness has developed a Social Distancing Tool Kit with wellness resources and advice at lakeheadu.ca/wellu. Follow @lakeheadlife on Instagram for more wellness tips.

All services for Aboriginal Initiatives are available via Zoom, email or phone.  Please email acss1@lakeheadu.ca or acss@lakeheadu.ca or aboriginalcounsellor@lakeheadu.ca to make a request or schedule an appointment.

If you are an Indigenous student at our Orillia Campus, email ai.orillia@lakeheadu.ca to make a request.

Students are invited to register for events and book appointments for academic and career support on mySuccess as normal. Workshops and events are being offered as webinars on Zoom. Appointments will be conducted on the phone or on Zoom. Instructions to access remote delivery will be provided on registration.

• Writing Services: Writing coaches provide personal advice to improve writing skills using the Zoom platform. Students share their assignment with their coach before appointments using Google Documents.
• Tutoring: All tutor email addresses are posted on mySuccess under Academic Support Zone in order for students to email tutors with questions. Tutors are available to meet using Google Hangouts as needed.
• Career Services: Resume reviews and career advising are being offered online in small group and individual settings. Workshops are being held as webinars.
• Co-operative Education: Co-operative education advising is available using Zoom. Students entering their co-op term or currently in a co-op placement are asked to regularly update their advisors as to any changes in their work arrangements.

Student Success also offers online resources to support students in their career and academic journey. In response to the current move to online learning, please share the following website to support students with that transition: lakeheadu.ca/onlinelearning.

Graduate Assistants will continue to be paid in the event the University is closed.

At this time, all meetings with your committee as well as any candidacy exams will be conducted with all participants through Zoom.

In order to maintain social distancing and to accommodate those students who may have gone home, the Faculty of Graduate Studies is allowing all defenses to be done through Zoom.

[Response updated on March 26, 2020]

Yes, however in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic Lakehead will temporarily restrict all on-campus research activity that requires access to Lakehead research laboratories and facilities as of March 30th. This action has been taken following consultation with the university sector and is consistent with public health policy. The aim of this restriction is to reinforce social distancing and to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Your supervisor will work with you to develop a plan to continue your research off site.

Under the recently announced travel restrictions for entry into Canada, the Government of Canada has announced that any international student who holds or has been approved for a study permit prior to March 18, 2020 will be exempt from the travel restrictions to Canada. If you have not received approval yet for your study permit, you should continue to follow the processes and steps as identified by the Government of Canada. At this time, the Government of Canada has not provided any updates on the continued issuance of study permits. Lakehead University continues to monitor this situation closely for any updates.

In the meantime, we encourage you to accept your Letter of Acceptance to Lakehead University and to pay any required deposit fees to secure your spot in your program and residence (if applicable). Given the changing and evolving nature of these times, if you are unable to secure a study permit in time to begin your program, Lakehead University will work with you to look at a future start term or refund any deposits if you cannot ultimately attend. 

Please note that you should not make any travel plans to come to Canada until you receive approval for your study permit from the Government of Canada. Upon entering Canada, you will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. You should take this self-isolation time into account when making your travel plans to ensure you will be able to attend your classes on time.

At this time, in-person campus tours are no longer available at either campus. We encourage you to visit our website and sign up for a Virtual Tour. Our virtual tour guides will walk you through key locations, such as our Residences, giving you a feel of what it’s like to live and learn at Lakehead. Visit lakeheadu.ca/tours.

Lakehead University is here to support you with all your information needs. Future students and applicants can reach out to us as follows:

• Canadian Domestic applicants and prospective students

Contact: recruit@lakeheadu.ca or call 1-800-465-3959

• International applicants and prospective students

Visit https://www.lakeheadu.ca/international/future/programs/recruiters

Contact: welcome@lakeheadu.ca

• Indigenous applicants/guidance counsellors

Contact: aboriginaloutreach@lakeheadu.ca or call 807-251-4491

For any Indigenous Applicants to the Native Access Program

Contact: nap@lakeheadu.ca or call 807-632-6803

For any Indigenous Applicants to the Native Nurses Entry Program

Contact: nativenursing.nnep@lakeheadu.ca or call 807-632-7045

Recruiters are always available to answer your questions by email. Zoom meetings offer another opportunity to address your questions by video, face-to-face.

Yes! We continue to accept applications to most of our Undergraduate Programs for Fall 2020 entry. Apply today.

Many of our Graduate Programs continue to accept applications for Fall 2020 entry, however please know that graduate programs are starting to close their applications as programs fill. Apply today.

Yes. You will first receive an Acknowledgement Email from us once we receive your application. Read this email carefully as it contains your login details needed for our student portal, myInfo. Once you gain access to myInfo, you can upload scanned copies of your transcripts and other required information. 

We continue to assess applications for admission. If you are admitted, you will receive an electronic offer of admission letter. You can access it in myInfo. We will send you an email to prompt you to check myInfo.

Do not worry. If you cannot provide us with a recognized proficiency test at this time, we will still assess your application for admission. You may be required to complete our Academic English Program, or you may be asked to provide minimum required test scores prior to the first day of classes. Lastly, we continue to explore suitable alternatives to the IELTS and TOEFL. If we begin to accept new English language proficiency tests, we will update our English Language Proficiency Requirements webpage.

We are aware that some applicants are experiencing difficulty in submitting their documents due to restrictions related to COVID-19. All applicants should continue to work with their schools about securing required documents needed for their admission assessment. Lakehead will be flexible with deadlines and document requirements – we will continue to work with applicants individually and make accommodations based on their circumstances. If applicants have questions, they should contact us at intl.admission@lakeheadu.ca

Contact Student Central by email at studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca.

If you are an international applicant who has applied to an undergraduate program, contact an International Admissions Officer at intl.admission@lakeheadu.ca. 

There are many ways for you to pay your confirmation deposit. Try one of the payment methods found here. If you are still having difficulty please contact Student Central by email at studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca.

As stated in the Offer of Admission, the $750.00 confirmation deposit is non-refundable in most circumstances. However, if you pay the confirmation deposit and are unable to travel to Canada because your visa application is rejected, we will issue a refund with proof of your visa rejection. You will have to provide a copy of your VISA rejection letter. If the travel ban is not lifted by the Government of Canada, we will issue a refund or give you the option to defer your application to a future start term.

If you accept an offer to another institution, you will not be eligible for a refund.

Any international student who is admitted to the Spring 2020 term to a graduate program but who is unable to enter Canada due to border restrictions in place as part of Canada’s Temporary Response to the Covid-19 pandemic, or who is unable to obtain a Canadian Study Permit in time to commence their program by the May 2020 start date, will be eligible to defer to start their same admitted-to program in the Fall 2020 start term.

In order to take advantage of this deferral, applicants must email gstudent@lakeheadu.ca and outline their situation and request the deferral.

Applicants will be required to pay all necessary deposits to secure their spot for the Fall 2020 start term to confirm the deferral.