Green & Gold Day, 2016. This year, the event will look a little different.
Events are part of university life. Many of the annual events we host are not just opportunities to bring our community together - they are how we mark the academic cycle. Orientation and Move-in Day, Alumni Weekend, and Green & Gold Day, for example, are hallmarks of the fall semester.
As we head into Fall 2020, most employees are working remotely and most courses remain online - naturally, these staple gatherings will look a little different. If you're wondering how our major events will unfold this year, skip straight to the bottom of this article. For those of you planning or considering events this fall, here are a few key things to know:
1) Public Health Directives
First and foremost: we will follow all Government of Alberta health directives on events and gatherings.
At this moment, that includes physical distancing and other public health measures, such as capacity limits for in-person events:
- 50 people for indoor social gatherings
- 200 people for audience-type community outdoor events (e.g. outdoor performances, festivals)
- 100 people for other outdoor events and indoor seated/audience events
(source: Alberta's Relaunch Strategy)Alberta's Relaunch Strategy)
2) Internal Events
We're limiting in-person events to those intended for U of A faculty, staff, and students. No public events will be held for now.
There are a few important exceptions: the Timm's Centre, Convocation Hall, Myer Horowitz Theatre, and the Camrose Performing Arts Centre may host public events, and will follow the provincial directives for theatre spaces.
3) Bookings
For the moment, all room and space bookings will be approved by Deans and/or VPs as appropriate (or the Dean of Students, in the case of student group events). You can expect that you will need to demonstrate how your event can be undertaken safely, including what health and safety measures will be in place. The Return to Campus template offers a good starting point for event planners, as events will require similar considerations. A dedicated events template and a list of available spaces should be available shortly.
A subgroup of the Public Health Response Team (PHRT) will support Deans and VPs with reviewing applications and meeting safety standards.
We connected with the organizers of some of the U of A's major fall events for a Fall 2020 preview. Here's how these annual events are adapting for the upcoming semester:
Move In Day
August 14 - September 4
This year, Move In Day will be taking place over several weeks instead of a single day! Many changes have taken place to keep incoming residents healthy and safe as they arrive and live with us on campus. Incoming students as well as those who have delayed their arrival will also be participating in Expedition: Connect, our new virtual residence community platform. Residents will have the chance to connect to new friends through faculty and shared-interest cohorts as well as participate in BaseCamp and Eastern Ascent, our orientation programs for first and upper-year residents.
- Janice Johnson, Assistant Dean of Students (Residences)
Orientation
August 29-31
We will be offering both asynchronous and synchronous programming for incoming students, leaning on our amazing volunteer group of 500 current students. Our synchronous programming will take place from August 29-31, with drop-in virtual sessions and student panels about campus life. We also have an eClass module, a limited-series podcast, a self-guided virtual campus tour (available in English, French, and Mandarin), and a Welcome Workshop Series for incoming students running throughout September. Learn more at uasu.ca/orientation.
- Josh Connauton, Strategy Manager (Student Events & Orientation), Students' Union
Green & Gold Day
September 8-11
Green and Gold Days will run from September 9-11 this year, since it will all be online. We're looking for new ways to connect people that we might not have thought about otherwise, and re-imagining some old events for a virtual setting to keep a few of the familiar elements that people love. We will still host contests for decorating your work space and wearing your best green and gold gear, and the High Level Bridge will be lit in green and gold on September 11. We'll also have a space to share your U of A inspiration and a self-guided walking tour of North Campus.
- Darlene Bryant, Associate Director (Strategic Initiatives & Events), University Relations
Presidential Installation
September 16
Much like the Installation of the Chancellor, the Presidential Installation is normally a large-scale event involving both university and worldwide communities. This year, as per COVID guidelines, we're working through how the president's installation can be done mostly virtually, with only a small in-person component, while still retaining that important introduction to the community. Watch for more info soon.
- Corinne Callihoo, Assistant Registrar (Convocation & Ceremonies), Office of the Registrar
Alumni Weekend
September 21-27
We are going completely online and offering programs and events over an entire week - Alumni Week(end): Campus to Couch Edition will allow alumni from all over the world to join in. We are seeing this as an opportunity to think creatively about how to connect our alumni to our campus and each other. We'll have interactive 3D tours of interesting collections on campus, an online trivia night, panels featuring our outstanding researchers and students, an online powwow, a new virtual book club - there's a whole lineup of fresh and new content for our alumni and community to explore.
- Tracy Salmon, Director (Alumni Programs), Office of Advancement