Through late April and May when we began to think about the possibilities for StFX in the fall, we realized very quickly that if StFX were to reopen in Antigonish, we would require the combined efforts of our whole community working together to chart the path forward. This experience is a story of hope for me, because it confirms the power of people and community organizations working together, each bringing their lens, expertise, ideas and energy to find solutions to the challenges the pandemic presented to us.
We faced questions such as:
- how to we support our students to make the lifestyle changes needed to create safe and healthy community?
- how do we proactively understand the questions and concerns of students so that we can move quickly to evolve supports and services in this unusual year?
- how do we help students to feel encouraged and hopeful about the coming year and to have a personal connection when support is needed?
We realized that
- Supporting StFX students to be able to come back to campus would require a whole community approach,
- Students would require education and awareness about the protocols under which the University could reopen,
- Ultimately, it would be students feeling cared for and supported by the community through those personal outreach and relationships for which StFX is known that would make the difference in the quality of their experience.
Our “whole community approach” engaged a team of the administration and staff of StFX, the StFX Student Union, the Town of Antigonish, the Municipality of Antigonish County, the RCMP, and representative landlords to consider these questions and through those discussions, we created the Good Neighbors Strategy. The Good Neighbors Strategy has four pillars that include:
Over the summer, we worked together to support Education and Awareness by creating the Student Community Protocols Personal Commitment Statement, the Good Neighbors Guide, and the Safer Socializing Module. Outreach and Engagement through relationships and personal support came to the forefront next. We connected every new student with a student services advisor who is their “go to person” on campus for any questions or concerns.
Outreach and Engagement was a huge part of welcoming over 1,100 students from outside the Atlantic Canada “Bubble” to complete 14 days of self -isolation with strict Public Health requirements. Our Residence/Housing/Facilities Management/Sodexo/Enrolment/Student Union teams worked tirelessly together to provide support, services and a program of activities during isolation for students to engage students with each other virtually and entertain them to combat boredom and loneliness, and support transition to university for the 370 students who stayed with us in residence. We connected the 750 students who were off campus with a generous group of volunteer staff, faculty, community members and alumni who provided supports, encouragement and necessities such as groceries delivery (and treats on occasion).
Together with NS Health and St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, our Health and Counselling Center and Student Life Office supported Covid – 19 testing for all students in self isolation. The next big event was the return of our Atlantic Bubble Students where once again the community of Antigonish, and of StFX banded together to welcome our students back safely. This year, every student, including returning students checked in for their personal welcome back and green bracelet. The Mayor of the Town joined our new President to visit off campus houses to welcome students back, share information and learn their concerns and our Neighbors Helping Neighbors team staffed welcome tables to help all students navigate their way safely to campus. And through it all, the Student Union and StFX teams banded together to support a warm pandemic welcome to new students through an Orientation that began in late August and extended through all of September.
As we look to the rest of Canada and the world as they experience the second wave of the pandemic, we may be inclined to feel fear or despair. However, I feel hope because I have personally experienced the power of a strong community that connects, collaborates, and contributes for the greater good of our community. Our work together is only beginning. We must next work together to co-create a community and lifestyle that we can sustain through the pandemic. The teamwork and strong community I experienced this summer is my story of hope that will sustain me as we move into the next phase of our time together in Antigonish.
[Elizabeth Yeo is the head of student services for the University and provides leadership and oversight to University Departments responsible for Student Life (includes Residence Life); Health, Counselling and Accessible Learning and; Athletics & Recreation]