September 1, 2020 – Douglas Students’ Union Fall Update

To all our valued members, new and returning to Douglas College,

The fall semester is just around the corner and we are working hard on preparations to welcome you to a new academic year. While things look and feel different, the Douglas Students’ Union is still here to support and represent you through our services, campus life and advocacy work.

We hope that everyone is continuing to stay safe and taking care of themselves. There have been so many changes over the past 6 months and we want to make sure that everyone is prepared for the coming semester and know that we are here for you. 

We have been busy over the summer making significant changes to our services to go online so that you can access our services safely and remotely and to ensure that all members have the opportunity to benefit from our services. While we will continue to offer all of our services online, we want to let you know of the changes that are coming this fall to the DSU.

In-Person Services

  • Following the provincial health authority guidelines and WorkSafe BC guidelines, we have made changes to our spaces to ensure the safety of all our staff, directors, and our members entering the building. While in the building, we encourage everyone to wear a mask, practice proper hygiene by washing your hands or using the available sanitizer, and maintain social distancing measures by following the appropriate signs found within the building. 

Office Hours

  • New Westminster Office – Our front desk is located on Level 2 of the DSU building on the New Westminster campus. Our front desk is now open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 3pm
  • Coquitlam Kiosk – Our Kiosk in the AB building on the Coquitlam campus (located next to security) is now open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 3pm.
  • Coquitlam Office A1190 – The offices and lounge located in A1190 will be accessed by appointment only until further notice. If you require the assistance of a DSU staff member, please email info@thedsu.ca to set up an appointment. If you require assistance with lockers, your health and dental plan, or general DSU inquiries, please visit our Kiosk in the AB Atrium.

Virtual Front Desk hours

Lockers

  • Lockers will be available for members at a cost of $10 per semester. Members can access the locker rentals through the New Westminster DSU L2 office and the Coquitlam Kiosk. All payments must be made by card, as the DSU will not be accepting cash at this time. Updates on our website at http://www.thedsu.ca/our-services/lockers/

Clubs

  • Clubs will continue to operate this year, with some adjustments.Clubs will be able to operate on campus, online and off campus, but are being asked to follow safety measures while operating. Club registration packages will all be done online (please email clubs@thedsu.ca to request a package). We will also be hosting a virtual club fair this year on our social media platforms. 

Services to Support you while you are off campus
All our services can all be found at  http://www.thedsu.ca/services/ 

DSU Handbook Dayplanner

  • The DSU offers free handbook dayplanners for members. They are available for pick up from the DSU building or kiosk. This year, we are also offering a mail out service for our handbooks. If you would like your handbook mailed to you we will mail it anywhere within Canada. To have your handbook mailed to you please fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/qdbCbQUiZB7gsibZ9

Food Bank

  • The DSU Food Bank is an emergency service for those needing short term assistance. To ensure the safety of our staff and all our members by minimizing the amount of traffic in our building and face to face interactions, we have transitioned the service online. The Food Bank will be available to all members starting September 21 with confirmation of enrolment. Members will be able to access the Food Bank twice per semester at http://www.thedsu.ca/our-services/food-bank/

Emergent and Emergency Needs Fund

  • This past spring, the Douglas Students’ Union re-allocated $100,000 towards the Emergent and Emergency Needs Fund with Douglas College. Students facing financial hardships can apply directly for the funding at financialaid@douglascollege.ca.

Lounges and Study Spaces

  • Currently the lounge and study spaces in the DSU building remain closed until we can ensure proper physical distancing measures can be maintained to keep our members safe during their time on campus. We are committed to working towards opening the space this term with proper measures in place so that members can make use of the quiet study spaces while they are on campus.

Ombudperson Service

  • The DSU Ombudsperson provides a safe, confidential and informal environment for students to discuss conflicts, complaints or disputes. The DSU Ombudsperson can also provide support and assistance with interpretation of Douglas policies and procedures.
  • Students seeking support can access the DSU Ombudsperson by email, phone, video calls, and drop in sessions through ZOOM. Students can contact the Ombudsperson directly through http://www.thedsu.ca/our-services/ombudsperson/ to set up an appointment. Keep an eye out on our social media and website for updates!

U-Pass 

  • We are pleased to announce that Douglas College and the Douglas Students’ Union are resuming the U-Pass BC program starting September 1, after working with TransLink, the other participating post-secondary institutions and student associations, and with continued support from the Province of BC.  Students who are registered in on-campus classes, co-op or practicum placements that are a minimum of three credits will continue to be eligible for a U-Pass BC and will be charged the U-Pass BC fee. This means that the majority of students, who are taking online classes only, will not be eligible for a U-Pass BC and will not be charged. 
  • Students that are facing financial hardships and require assistance can apply to the Emergency and Emergent Needs Fund at financialaid@douglascollege.ca.

We are listening and will continue to listen to you and your concerns. As we move forward, we will overcome challenges together. We are committed to continue to work hard to adjust and improve our services, in-person and online, to better help all of our members and advocate for more affordable and accessible post-secondary education.

Thank you for your understanding and patience while we continue to work to support you as best as we can during this fall semester.

If you have questions or would like to access our services, please don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch with us:
info@thedsu.ca
@thedsu6
www.thedsu.ca

Sincerely,

Your Douglas Students’ Union Board of Directors