Saint Mary’s University Publishes Vaccination Rate Statistics

Saint Mary’s University is publishing the vaccination statistics of the campus community.  

The university remains committed to ensuring the safety of the campus community and the publication of this data is an essential component of that commitment. The statistics are anonymous and divided between students, faculty, staff, and visitors that come to campus. The stats are divided between daily vaccination disclosure rates and a cumulative vaccination rate report that is updated weekly all based upon data collected through the Anonymous COVID Vaccine Disclosure form. Saint Mary’s vaccination statistics can be found here.  

“The health and safety of our community are of the utmost importance, which is why we are sharing these statistics as we work towards our October 15 fully vaccinated date,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “Based upon the data reported to us, we are seeing a rise in vaccination rates among our community with a significantly higher percentage of people who are fully vaccinated than that of the general population of Nova Scotia. Thank you to everyone who is doing their part to protect the Saint Mary’s community by being fully vaccinated.” 

Since the university announced the requirement for proof of full vaccination on August 27, every single day, the fully vaccinated rate of the Saint Mary’s campus community has exceeded the fully vaccinated rate of Nova Scotia and Canada. In fact, since that announcement, the self-reported daily fully vaccinated rate of people on campus has ranged from 87.93 percent to as high as 95.59 percent. 

As announced last month, all faculty, students, and staff must submit proof of vaccination immediately if available and by no later than October 15. Proof of vaccination can be uploaded here. For those who still need to schedule appointments, there are free walk-in vaccination clinics on September 27 and October 5, 6, 12, 13, 25 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Homburg Centre Community Room. Those who cannot meet the vaccination requirement because of medical or other grounds must apply for an exemption. 

And lastly, a special reminder that everyone on campus must complete the daily check-in form when coming to campus.  The daily check-in form is an integral part of the university’s proactive efforts to fight COVID-19. The form is a critical part of any potential contact tracing and works together with the Anonymous COVID Vaccine Disclosure form, to gather data for the university’s daily vaccination rate. 

Saint Mary’s University Enacts New COVID-19 Measures

With the full endorsement of the Board of Governors, and after broad consultation with students, faculty, and staff, Saint Mary’s University is taking action to ensure the safety of the university community ahead of the Fall 2021 semester.  The university is adopting COVID-19 mandatory vaccination requirements for residence students, varsity and club sport student-athletes and Department of Athletics and Recreation staff and coaches, together with heightened health and safety protocols.

“As we prepare to return to campus this fall, and as COVID-19 variants continue to emerge around the world and in Canada, we have an opportunity as a university community to make a difference for ourselves and the wider community,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “After a year and a half of managing our collective response to COVID-19 with much effort and sacrifice on everyone’s part, it is time to resume more fully the unique, vibrant and engaging experience that is the hallmark of Saint Mary’s University.”   

The goal is to have everyone in the Saint Mary’s University community: faculty, staff and students, fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021. By achieving this goal, the university will keep the community safe, enjoy a vibrant on-campus experience and contribute to the health and safety of the greater community.  

Saint Mary’s University is taking the following measures to ensure that campus is prepared to return to in-person activities for the fall:  

• Varsity athletes, students in club sports, coaches, staff in the Department of Athletics and Recreation, and students living in residence must be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021.

  • They will be required to provide proof of vaccination status before participating in varsity or club sport or accessing their residence room.

  • The university may extend these requirements to other groups in the future.

• Students, staff, and faculty not subject to the mandatory requirement for vaccinations are required to follow public health recommendations to be fully vaccinated.

  • On-campus, pop-up vaccination clinics will be provided and access to other centres for vaccination will be supported so that this objective can be achieved by October 15, 2021.

• Masks are required in all common areas and in shared indoor spaces on campus unless physical distancing of at least one metre can be maintained. This is a requirement for all when present on campus.

• Asymptomatic rapid testing will be available on campus for all students, faculty and staff. 

• Faculty, staff, students and visitors are required to use the daily check-in process upon arrival at campus. Effective September 1, there will be an added anonymous form for self-declaration of vaccination status.

The university recognizes that some individuals may have legitimate circumstances for seeking an exemption or accommodation and will provide an application process for accommodation.    

“Saint Mary’s University and Nova Scotia have fared well during these challenging times due to concerted and decisive action, and we can be proud of what we have achieved so far,” says President Summerby-Murray. “From the outset of this pandemic, I have said that the health and safety of our community come first. This new policy embodies that commitment.”   

For more information on the COVID-19 protocols in place at Saint Mary’s University, visit https://www.smu.ca/virtualuniversity/welcome.html.

Media statement on residence self-isolation

Out of an abundance of caution, residents of Rice Residence are required to self-isolate until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result. This comes as a result of two confirmed, but unrelated, cases of COVID-19 in Rice Residence. Any residents of Loyola Residence who may have spent any extended time in Rice from April 26-May 3 are also being asked to self-isolate until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result.

This decision was made out of an abundance of caution by Public Health. Public Health has not informed the university of any violation of public health measures. Those required to self-isolate are doing so per provincial COVID-19 protocols. The university will continue to work with Public Health, and COVID-19 testing is available on campus.

Saint Mary's Hosts: Black Business Initiatives - 25 Years & Beyond

A screen capture from the event.

On April 20, the Sobey School of Business Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network launched a conversation series with the Nova Scotia-based Black Business Initiative (BBI), the longest serving Black business development initiative in Canada.

The first conversation, called Black Business Initiatives: 25 Years & Beyond, featured BBI CEO Dr. Rustum Southwell, Cynthia Dorrington, President of Vale & Associates Human Resource Management and Consulting Inc. and Dr. Harvi Millar, Professor of Operations Management at the Sobey School of Business.

The panellists spoke to Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Sobey School, about the history of Black-owned businesses in Nova Scotia and the work that remains to be done to remove barriers to success, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his remarks, Dr. Southwell noted that Black-owned businesses have contributed over a billion dollars to the Nova Scotia economy in the 25 years since BBI was founded. Innovations by Black entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia include the world-class medical company BioMedica Diagnostics of Windsor (founded by Abdullah Kirumira) and SureShot Solutions of Lower Sackville, which provides highly specialized equipment for many of the world’s most successful coffee chains (founded by CEO Michael Duck).

Despite a long history of business success and over 200 years of African Nova Scotians in the province, Ms. Dorrington noted that due to systemic barriers, it can be difficult for Black entrepreneurs and small business owners to access necessary financing, coaching, advisory services and many of the other keys to business success. As a result, these businesses are often prevented from achieving their full potential. “To grow beyond a certain level, you must work on your business, not just in your business,” she said.

Black entrepreneurs are also often shut out of certain sectors, like aerospace and information technology, due to systemic barriers. Dorrington said we need to “think big… and provide mentorship and coaching to help business owners see the next big opportunities.”       

Dr. Harvi Millar presented recent research into how Black-owned businesses have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that surveyed businesses are facing challenges including cash flow, reductions in operating capacity, declining customer bases and temporary or permanent business closures.

The research shows that in addition to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Black business owners face barriers including racial bias, lack of scale, insufficient access to wealth and collateral, lack of peer-to-peer support networks and limited market access.

Dorrington noted that these barriers are often built into unfair and outdated systems that we must now work to redesign. “These systems didn't have all voices at the table when they were designed,” she said. “This is the time. If you're going to address it, you have to look at the system and really assess what is working and what is not. We must take the initiative and get rid of what isn't working.”

Dr. Southwell noted that “no Black person – no matter how wealthy or successful in business – hasn’t felt marginalized at some point in their life.”

To lift up Black businesses, Dorrington said we must acknowledge systemic racism as a first step. “We must come together to navigate. Until you face those barriers you don't see them. People who have navigated them in the past, we can put our heads together but speak with one voice.”

The next conversation, to be scheduled shortly, will explore Barriers to Doing Business for Black Entrepreneurs: Access to Capital Market. Visit the Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network to learn more.

Statement: Informing the SMU Community of a positive test for COVID-19

The following statement was shared with the Saint Mary’s University community.

Informing the SMU Community of a positive test for COVID-19

Dear SMU community,

Public Health has informed the university of one positive case of COVID-19 in our residence community. The case is travel-related, and the person has been following protocols. They have been in self-isolation since their arrival, and they will continue to self-isolate. The procedures we have put in place to protect our community are being followed. 

The university and this individual received this news due to following the travel and testing protocols for post-secondary students entering Nova Scotia. Specifically, through scheduling a test between days 6 to 8 of their self-isolation period. We encourage all students entering the province and self-isolating to schedule a test through the COVID-19 self-assessment website.

Out of respect for their privacy and in-keeping with privacy legislation, no other details will be shared at this time. We pass along our best wishes to them on their recovery and thank them for following the proper procedures to self-isolate, which minimized the risk of exposure to others and helped protect our community.

The university website has more information regarding the protocols in place on campus. For more information on the public health protocols in place for Nova Scotia for COVID-19, click here.

Saint Mary’s will continue to work with Public Health to keep our students and our community safe.
 

Sincerely,

Michelle Benoit
Vice-President, Finance & Administration

Supporting resilience and recovery focus of two new initiatives from the SMU Entrepreneurship Centre

960 Tower Road: Home of the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC) and the SMU Language Centre.

The Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC) is expanding its investment in the economic recovery and resilience of Nova Scotia with two new initiatives to support businesses and entrepreneurs amidst the pandemic.

“Saint Mary’s is known for our positive impact on the Atlantic economy through education, research, successful alumni, and our entrepreneurship centre helping people grow their businesses,” says Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University.  “As businesses closed due to COVID-19 to protect the health of our community, people’s livelihoods were in jeopardy. As a result, our entrepreneurship centre expanded its services. Now they are doing so again to help those directly impacted by the pandemic and to gather the information needed to build new programs and data-driven policy.”

The two new initiatives from SMUEC are an entrepreneurship certificate and research survey, which focus on the impacts of COVID-19 on business and entrepreneurship.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Success Certification - COVID-19 Career Resilience Edition is a certificate made up of eight online workshops. It supports individuals who have found themselves unemployed or unable to find employment due to COVID-19. The certificate takes a customized approach to provide relevant skills training and exposure to entrepreneurship to help individuals feel prepared to re-enter a new and changed job market, return to work, or start their own business. Seven career experts from Job Junction, ISANS and the Career Service Centre of Sobey Business School act as mentors for the participants and deliver the workshops.  Registration is now open, and the workshops will run from Jan. 15 to Feb. 5, 2021.

The centre is also is studying the impacts of COVID-19 on Atlantic Canadian business through the COVID-19 Business Impact Survey. This longitudinal survey will collect quantitative and qualitative data using phone interviews and online surveys until the end of 2021. The main areas of interest are the use of government support, main challenge areas, and the tactics that businesses employ to respond to the specific challenges faced by their industries.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the centre has focused on two questions: how can they support businesses and entrepreneurs to be resilient enough to weather this storm? And how can they help them recover?

The centre’s first step was to expand their free business coaching sessions with the help of their new entrepreneur-in-residence, prominent alumna and successful serial entrepreneur Shannon Byrne Susko BComm’89 BSc’92. A series of presentations and workshops on various topics supplemented those sessions. Then came the launch of the Sobey School of Business’s Sobey Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network, of which SMUEC was an active participant. Now the centre's focus is on collecting the data needed to inform future pandemic business policy and a new initiative working with those who have found themselves unemployed due to COVID-19.

“We know the importance of evidence-based decision making. That is why we are gathering the information needed for policymakers and program developers like ourselves to best support the business sector during the pandemic,” says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre. "On the opposite end of that sector-wide view is the immediate impact the pandemic has had on employment. By adapting our existing Entrepreneurial Mindset Success Certification, we can help directly with the immediate recovery while keeping an eye on data-informed methods to increase resiliency for the long-term." 

For more information about the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre and its initiatives, visit https://smuec.ca/.

SMU community raises $30K on Giving Tuesday

On Giving Tuesday, 138 members of the Saint Mary’s community came together in support of students with gifts totaling $32,580!

These gifts were matched through the generosity of the J & W Murphy Foundation and the Saint Mary’s Alumni Association, with all funds going directly to the Saint Mary’s Student Wellness Fund.

Gifts and the matching funds will help students through initiatives such as the on-campus Community Food Room, the Enactus Saint Mary’s Square Roots vegetable bundle program and provide some holiday cheer in the form of care packages for those students not able to travel home over the holidays due to COVID-19.

A special thanks is extended to faculty and staff members who made this Giving Tuesday one of the most successful ever. Thank you for uniting together to offer immediate support to students.

Statement: Informing the SMU Community of a positive test for COVID-19

The following statement was shared with the Saint Mary’s University community on November 24, 2020.

Informing the SMU community of a positive test for COVID-19

Dear SMU community,

The university has been notified by Nova Scotia Public Health of a SMU community member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Public health is conducting contact tracing. Anyone asked to self-isolate by public health is doing so. Others have been asked to monitor for symptoms due to low-risk interaction.

If you are not contacted by public health, you are not being asked to do anything other than the general protocols and symptom monitoring expected of all Nova Scotians. Public health has not issued any exposure warnings related to the SMU campus at this time.

Out of respect for their privacy and in-keeping with privacy legislation, no other details will be shared at this time. We pass along our best wishes to them on their recovery and thank them for following the proper procedures to self-isolate, minimizing the risk of exposure to others and helping to protect our community.

During this challenging time, all of us need to work together. The health and safety of our community rely on the co-operation of everyone. Saint Mary’s has increased cleaning procedures, instituted campus access protocols, and in-person room limits to keep our community safe. The university website has more information regarding the protocols in place on campus. For more information on the evolving public health protocols in place for Nova Scotia for COVID-19, click here.

Saint Mary’s will continue to work with public health to keep all members of our community safe.

Sincerely,

Michelle Benoit
Vice-President, Finance & Administration

Saint Mary’s University announces mix of online and in-person classes for Winter 2021

See more information for students

See more information for faculty and staff

Saint Mary’s University will deliver a mix of online and in-person classes for the winter term beginning in January 2021.

The university’s plans were communicated to students, faculty, and staff today in messages from Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.

“The combination of what we have learned over the summer, the successful start of the Fall Term and the health and safety protocols and resources we continue to put in place on our campus enables us to evolve and engage in greater access to campus and more in-person activities starting in January,” says President Summerby-Murray.

Undergraduate lectures will be delivered online primarily for first, second, and third-year courses and the goal is for every discipline to have opportunities for on-campus experiences, including small class discussion groups, experiential courses, labs, seminars and tutorials. There will also be opportunities for graduate students to meet on campus and in-person in small groups. Other in-person activities will be designed to allow students to experience more peer-to-peer learning, build community, and increase overall engagement. 

For any students unable or not comfortable moving forward with in-person experiences during the Winter 2021 term, online options will remain available.

“I want to give credit, where credit is due. This step forward is only possible due the efforts of members of our local and campus community and your dedication to public health and safety,” says President Summerby-Murray. “Thank you for your commitment to your fellow Santamarians and Nova Scotians. It is your work that is allowing the university to gradually introduce more access to campus.”  

A recent example of this gradual access to campus is the opening of the Homburg Centre for Health and Wellness for both gym members and students by appointment.  Varsity athletes are also resuming training and practicing at the Homburg Centre and on the field, following strict health and safety protocols.

“Our success depends on everyone continuing to do their part,” says President Summerby-Murray. “Let us continue to tackle this pandemic the way we handle everything at Saint Mary’s —together.”

Saint Mary’s partners with Nova Scotia Health on new testing centre

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of the Saint Mary’s community have been the primary focus of the university. 

The Santamarian community has come together to provide PPE to health care workers, look at new ways to create PPE and related products such as sanitizers locally, and research the pandemic's economic, psychological, and societal impacts.

On Monday, August 17th, another step in ensuring the Saint Mary’s community is supported move forwards when Nova Scotia Health begins operating a testing centre for COVID-19 located at the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness. The university has worked closely with Nova Scotia Health to ensure that the testing centre is secure and appropriately spaced from campus activities.

“Our university prides itself on putting community at the heart of all that we do,” says Dr. Malcolm Butler, Vice-President, Academic and Research. “In challenging times, our values are tested. We know that testing is a vital part of the fight against COVID-19. We are proud to partner with Nova Scotia Health and to do our part in helping to keep our community safe.”

By partnering with Nova Scotia Health, the university ensures that members of both the local community and campus community have a safe and secure centre in their community to be tested for COVID-19 when directed by 811.  With the counselling centre and student health centre available to students and residence students, this represents another investment in ensuring that students can receive the healthcare they need when they need it.

SMU Chemistry students, faculty help create rapid test kit for COVID-19

(L-R): Jacob Hoare, Thomas Steele, Olivia Singer, Kalei Crowell, and Jacob Campbell.

When students and faculty at Saint Mary’s were starting the winter 2020 term in January, the plan was for a normal busy university term of classes and labs. Two months later students, faculty and staff were adjusting to the new normal of working and studying from home during a quickly-evolving global pandemic, and the world looked very different by April.

That same month, a small team of Chemistry researchers, including undergraduate students, was quickly formed at Saint Mary’s to start working on a vital contribution to a rapid, point-of-care, Covid-19 test kit created by a startup company in Dartmouth, NS.

Sona Nanotech was creating a new test kit for the direct detection of the virus responsible for Covid-19 and required ready access to a critical precursor. Thanks to a chance conversation about chemistry at a student conference last summer, Sona Nanotech found their expert at Saint Mary’s, namely researcher and professor Dr. Rob Singer.

Dr. Singer has known Dr. Gerry Marangoni, a Scientific Advisory Board member at Sona Nanotech and Professor of Chemistry at St. Francis Xavier University, from previous collaborations. Dr. Marangoni knew that his colleague had the capability to create the critical precursor that Sona Nanotech needed to produce their inexpensive, point-of-care, rapid-response test kit in a matter of minutes.

A partnership was quickly formed between the company and the university, and within days testing and production of this critical material began in a Saint Mary’s lab. The work was also made possible by Springboard Atlantic, which contributed funding towards the research.

Crediting the collaborations that come from working within a small university for the success of this venture, Dr. Singer explained how beneficial it was to work with a local startup and collaborators. “It was so efficient, and most importantly, we were able to get undergraduate students involved right from the start.” he explained. “These students are involved in relevant, potentially world-changing research here at a small university.”

The team at Saint Mary’s, including undergraduate students Jacob Hoare and Olivia Singer, recent alumni Kalei Crowell and Jacob Campbell, and PhD candidate Thomas Steele, have so far created just over 6 kilograms of the critical precursor, and they have the ability to keep producing at this industrial level as needed. “Of course, we were going to help when they asked. Our mentality was that we were going to assist this company as much as, and in any way, we possibly could.” said Dr. Singer.

Sona Nanotech’s test uses its proprietary nanotechnology in a disposable lateral flow test platform to create a new rapid, point-of-care test kit for the direct detection of the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid-19. It works in a similar way to home pregnancy tests, by identifying the presence of a biological marker, but the technology can also be used to detect a range of viruses and infectious diseases including hepatitis, HIV and Ebola. This method is faster and cheaper than other testing technology, and could be used for in-home testing and by medical staff, and to screen people in large gatherings. Click here to read more.

Enactus Saint Mary’s moves program to help youth develop employment skills online

The OptionsOnline.ca homepage.

The Saint Mary's University program that helps Nova Scotian youth overcome barriers to employment and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make a successful transition to work or return to school is moving online.

"The Options Youth Program has been running since 2002, funded by the Government of Canada," says Brennan Daley, a project manager with the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre, who oversees the program. "Traditionally, it's been a face-to-face training program, but in 2019 we applied for funding to move the program online. With the current situation with COVID-19, the online version is even more timely." 

The Options Youth Program is a Nova Scotia wide employment wage subsidy program, facilitated by the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre and Enactus Saint Mary's and funded by the Government of Canada through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. The objectives of Options Youth are to help employers cover the cost of training while helping priority youth (age 15-30) overcome multiple barriers to employment, and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make a successful transition to the labour market or return to school. For participants who need assistance to access online learning resources are available.

"This program is an invaluable resource for Nova Scotian youth to develop the life skills and the practical skills necessary to find meaningful employment after the program is finished," says Ossama Nasrallah Bcomm'18, co-owner of The Harbour Watercraft. "As a new business owner, it is very rewarding for myself and my team to help these youth and watch them progress with their time here."

“Our government recognizes the importance of investing in Canada’s youth and helping break down barriers to employment. Programs like the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy gives young Canadians the support they need to launch a meaningful career, and are especially important during these trying times. Our government’s investment in the Options Youth Program will go a long way in helping Nova Scotia’s youth.”

— The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

The program consists of a 6 to 10-week skills session followed by a 20-week work experience. During the skills session, participants will take part in employability skills training online. They will have access to a milestone-based curriculum that is tailored to their individual needs and focusing on essentials skills. Participants are paired with a case manager from their area and an Enactus student that will act as a mentor and support throughout the program. Once this is completed, they will move to the 20-week work experience.

"This is a great program for both youth participants and employers," says Michael Sanderson, director of the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre. "It helps connect priority youth with businesses looking for workers. We have seen great success over the years, and we are very appreciative of the continued support of the Government of Canada."

“Our government recognizes the importance of investing in Canada’s youth and helping break down barriers to employment. Programs like the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy gives young Canadians the support they need to launch a meaningful career, and are especially important during these trying times. Our government’s investment in the Options Youth Program will go a long way in helping Nova Scotia’s youth.” – The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

The Government of Canada has invested $786,705 in the Options Youth Program over the next three years through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. The new online version of the program launches later this summer.

For more information, visit optionsonline.ca.