As long as they received a student permit by March 18 and self-isolated for 14 days after their arrival in Canada, new international students will be accepted to KPU throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Carole St. Laurent, KPU International’s Interim Associate Vice President, says there are international students taking KPU classes online, both in Canada and... Continue Reading

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has announced its plan to continue online learning for the fall semester with “limited on-campus learning opportunities, focused on those courses that require the use of labs, shops, studios, etc., and where the number of students on campus at any given time can be tightly managed.” The nursing program requires in-person learning... Continue Reading

With phase two of B.C.’s COVID-19 restart plan in effect, businesses and services around the province have reopened their doors. Citizens have been given permission to congregate in groups of six or less, most elementary schools are expecting some students back in September, and overnight camping will be permitted again starting in June. This announcement... Continue Reading

In an effort to support students during the COVID-19 pandemic, BC Technology for Learning Society has distributed over 250 refurbished laptops and computers to those in need. The not-for-profit is licensed to operate the ​​Computers for School Plus program in B.C. and has been donating much-needed technology supplies to K-12 students over the past three... Continue Reading

TransLink has announced its decision to resume fare collection on June 1, almost four months after it was initially suspended. Since the pandemic began, TransLink has taken many steps to ensure social distancing between employees and passengers. A March press release announced that there would be limited seating on buses, and that once passenger capacity... Continue Reading

As the pandemic continues, people who are homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness may struggle to find a safe place to self-isolate. The Red Braid Alliance for Decolonial Socialism, an organization focused on advocacy for vulnerable communities around the lower mainland, is trying to help. Its members are mostly people from the homeless community... Continue Reading

KPU’s bookstore recently announced a safe way for students to pick up their textbooks for the upcoming semester: Curbside pickup at the Surrey Campus or delivery by mail. Karsten Purbs, Director of Ancillary Services at KPU, says the bookstore is closed to students and that some may not want their textbooks delivered through mail. “The... Continue Reading

The Kwantlen Student Association’s executive election took place on April 17, when new candidates were voted in to replace the previous executive team. These positions were for the President, Vice President of External Affairs, Vice President of Finance and Operations, Vice President of Student Life, and Vice President of University Affairs. The new President is... Continue Reading

Over 500 hackathon participants came together to help communities struggling during the pandemic on April 17 and 18. Their goal was to work together to come up with useful and creative technology solutions that would help communities adapt and deal with effects of the pandemic. The 48-hour competition produced six winning teams, all with different... Continue Reading

Last week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the Canada Emergency Student Benefit as part of a $9 billion package to help post-secondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible post-secondary students receive $1,250 per month from May to August. If eligible students have a disability or are taking care of someone else, they can instead receive... Continue Reading

The process of developing a regular vaccine can take 10 to 15 years, but scientists around the world are trying to make one for COVID-19 as soon as possible. One of the companies working towards this in the U.S. is Moderna, which is in phase one of vaccine production. China has two companies developing a... Continue Reading

Students who rely on summer jobs are facing employment uncertainty as companies shut down in adherence with social distancing orders. This summer, mostly only essential jobs will be available to students, and the B.C. government released a list of essential service providers including transit workers, grocery store clerks, delivery service workers, and more. Grocery stores... Continue Reading

Mayor Kennedy Stewart identified Vancouver as one of the Canadian cities “in financial trouble due to the impacts of COVID-19” in a statement issued by the City in early April, and estimated that the City is losing between $4 million and $5 million every week due to the effects of the pandemic. Five days later,... Continue Reading

Emergencies are first handled by local authorities and municipal services such as firefighters, the police and medical professionals, but when first responders are overwhelmed, provinces and territories can request support from the federal government. After the request is approved, the federal government’s response is managed by Public Safety Canada, who may ask the Canadian Armed... Continue Reading