Carleton’s buildings and services are gradually opening in time for the return of in-person classes on Feb. 7.
Carleton president and vice-chancellor Benoit-Antoine Bacon announced the university’s plan for a safe and gradual return to campus on Jan. 18, but the announcement did not clarify which services would be available to students upon their return.
Here’s a breakdown of when on-campus services are set to reopen their doors this term.
Carleton Athletics is scheduled to reopen its Fitness Centre and bring back in-person fitness classes at 50 per cent capacity starting on Jan. 31, said Carleton’s communications manager, Tara Jackson in an email to the Charlatan.
Continuing from fall semester, indoor mask requirements will still be in effect, except for when people are working out or in a fitness class.
In January, the MacOdrum Library only opened its main floor. In the University Centre, the Campus Card Office is currently open with reduced hours and the campus bookstore is only offering curbside pickup. According to Jackson, the University Centre and MacOdrum Library will reopen all floors at a reduced capacity on Feb. 7.
The cafeteria in Residence Commons is currently open for take-out only but plans to resume in-person dining on Jan. 31, Jackson added.
Services run by the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) will be returning as well. The association will be applying “all necessary precautions to ensure a safe return for students returning to campus,” CUSA’s director of services Adil Tahseen said in an email.
CUSA-run businesses Rooster’s Coffeehouse and Haven Books have been operating throughout January through a limited capacity. According to bookstore manager Katie Berger, Haven Books has plans to reopen their in-store dining within the next few weeks but an official date has not been announced. Although Haven has welcomed in-store browsing, they have not been serving food or drinks during January.
Ronald Barrette, Rooster’s manager, said the campus cafe is scheduled to open in-person dining on Jan. 31, following Ontario’s reopening plan.
Ollie’s Pub & Patio, which has not been open since it closed for the winter holidays, is undecided. If the pub opens, Ollie’s manager Miguel Filiatrault said it would look similar to how it operated in the fall term.
CUSA will be reopening its essential services in time for the return of students through the Unified Support Centre—including Emergency Essentials Assistance Program, Safe Walk, and Walk and Talk—but other details have not been confirmed.
Tahseen said CUSA is still developing its reopening plan, but the association intends to open CUSA’s main office from Mondays to Thursdays starting on Feb. 7.
While CUSA’s service centres develop their in-person office hours, all services and resources will be offered virtually to students.
All health and safety protocols established in the fall term will remain in place when students return to campus on Feb. 7, Jackson said. These protocols include showing proof of full vaccination status, mandatory masks and reduced capacity limits.
Featured image by Arno Ryser.
