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With the holiday season approaching, plans for on-campus faculty and departmental holiday gatherings would normally now be in full swing. But this year we find ourselves in a unique situation that requires us to take a different approach to holiday gatherings. COVID-19 cases continue to rise, and traditional large in-person gatherings, and even smaller ones outside of our own households, increase the risk of spreading the virus.

A safe, healthy and engaging campus remains our top priority. In accordance with current provincial and public-health recommendations, and Â鶹´«Ã½’s conservative approach to a gradual return to campus, we’ve decided to not allow in-person holiday office gatherings on campus this year.

However, we acknowledge it’s more important than ever for co-workers to stay connected and take time to recognize their collective accomplishments during this exceptionally challenging year. We encourage each faculty or department to consider organizing creative, virtual alternatives to celebrate the season together. You’ll find a list of activity and contest ideas on the ; if you have other ideas you’d like to share, please send them to Jennifer Topping, Organizational Development Consultant, for inclusion on the web page.

With increased stress and decreased light hours, the winter months can be especially difficult for our mental health and well-being. Please remember to take care of yourselves, your colleagues and students. If the holidays find you in difficult times, reach out to our caring community; we have many available for you, including our .

Thank you for doing your part to keep one another healthy and safe.

For more information, contact COVIDOTF@ontariotechu.ca.