Even though Dal’s fall term is predominately being delivered online, many of us have chosen to live in Halifax and Truro for the year. If you’re one of those students, you’ll want to read on to learn what you can still access on Dal’s campuses.
Keep in mind the university requires everyone to wear non-medical masks or face coverings (such as cloth or disposable masks) in indoor common spaces, in keeping with policies from the provincial government. If you’re on campus, you must practice physical distancing wherever possible and follow any additional safety measures that are in place. If we all work together, we can help keep the number COVID-19 cases low!
Athletics and Recreation
The Dalplex and the Langille Athletic Centre are open with modified service. Wickwire Field is fully open, with a limit of 30 people on the field at one time. But Sexton Gym remains closed. Only members and Dal students can access the gym facilities, so no day passes, multi-use passes, or walk-ins will be accepted. On the plus side, fees have been waived this term, so all Dalhousie students (full-time, part-time, on co-op) can use the spaces for free!
You need to book an appointment if you want to use one of the available facilities and services. Make sure you have your mask and DalCard/membership card on you when you arrive for your scheduled time slot. Also, keep in mind that the locker rooms and water fountains will not be available (so show up in your workout gear, with a full water bottle). A full list of rules and policies can be found here.
Bookstores
The Dal Bookstore remains closed for in-person shopping, but online order pickup is available. You can pick up your order from 10am–3pm outside the SUB—just bring your name and order number. For Aggies, you can pick up your order from Jenkins Hall between 10am–12pm on weekdays.
The King’s Co-op Bookstore is also closed for in-person shopping, but they offer free delivery in the HRM and delivery by bicycle on the peninsula.
DalCard
The main DalCard office is open via walk-up window service from 9am–4:30pm on weekdays. This will continue until the end of September. Services available at the window include issuing new DalCards, replacement of lost cards, troubleshooting, and UPass pick up. They will not be offering photo services, PIN resets, or fund deposits. The DalCard offices in Sexton and the Agricultural Campus remain remote. If you’re staying in Truro, you can make an appointment to pick up your DalCard from the MacRae Library.
Food Services
Some dining halls are open for students living on and off campus. The Shirreff Dining Hall is open for students living in Shirreff Hall and those with an off-campus meal plan. Howe Hall is open for students living in Risley Hall, LeMarchant Place, Glengarry Apartments, and Grad House. Jenkins Hall is open for students in Truro. Your DalCard will only work in the meal hall that you have been assigned, so no sneaking into Shirreff to get one of their great sandwiches!
Sadly, other on-campus food outlets like Subway and Second Cup are closed until further notice.
Libraries
The Killam Memorial Library (first floor), MacRae Library, Kellogg Library (CHEB), and Wallace McCain Learning Commons are all open in a limited capacity for booked appointments. Study tables can be booked at the Killam and the MacRae, and all places listed here will allow you to book a study room and/or computer.
Appointments are 3-hour time slots at 9am and 1pm, Monday to Friday. You must bring your DalCard and be wearing a mask to enter the building. Additionally, every Dalhousie library except the Sir James Dunn Law Library is offering curbside pickup.
Residence
The residence buildings that are open for the fall term are Shirreff Hall, Risley Hall, LeMarchant Place, Glengarry Apartments, Grad House, and Chapman House (Truro). Lounges will be closed except for supervised events, and no alcohol or cannabis will be permitted in residence for the month of September.
Masks are required for travelling anywhere outside of your room. No guests from outside your residence building will be allowed to visit you, and you may only have one additional person in your residence room at one time. You can find the latest COVID-19 updates for residence here.
Student Health and Wellness
The Student Health and Wellness Centre (Halifax) and Health Services (Truro) are open. Walk-in services are suspended, but you can book an appointment with a physician, nurse, counsellor, or social worker. Only physicians and nurses are currently offering in-person appointments, and you must first be assessed via phone call to see if an in-person visit is needed. The Dal Physiotherapy Clinic in Dalplex is open for in-person appointments booked by email or phone.
Student Union Building (SUB)
The SUB is open in a limited capacity to the general public, with the exception of the second, third, and fourth floors. Room bookings are still available in a limited capacity. The Tim Horton’s is open, but there’s no seating, and they’re not accepting cash. You can remove your mask to eat in the designated dining areas in the upper atrium and outside of the Grawood, but must put it on again immediately when you leave your table.
The DSU Food Bank is open on Mondays from 12–5pm and Thursdays from 1–5pm. You still need to fill out the online order form before every visit. The DSU Farmers' Market is also continuing its services. The Loaded Ladle is offering premade food in disposable containers. Other services in the SUB will continue in a remote capacity.
Services available online
Pretty much all of Dal’s student services are still available remotely, even if the physical offices are closed. You can find them in the “Campus Services” section of Dal Mobile.