Last updated: March 26, 2020
College of the North Atlantic is committed to the safety and well-being of all students. We understand that this is a stressful time and we wish to reassure all students that we are here to help with this transition. We understand that the delivery method of courses and access to resources may look different for different students. It is important that you stay connected to your peers, your instructors, and to CNA.
For students who have registered with Accessibility Services, this includes your Accessibility Services Coordinator. Your current instructors are aware of your approved accommodations. In light of the new delivery model, the nature of your accommodations may change. We will do all we can to ensure that supports are fitted to the new delivery method. Your Accessibility Services Coordinator (refer to the list below) is available via email or skype/phone appointment to discuss your needs.
Accessibility Services Tips For Students Using D2L
Accessibility Counsellor Contacts
Last updated: March 26, 2020
Your safety and well-being is at the core of all decisions being made as we continue to monitor the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
We are committed to following the direction, best practices and protocols of provincial and federal health care authorities as we consider the safety of all stakeholders (students, staff and partners) and ensure that we all do our part to reduce the risks.
College of the North Atlantic is following recommendations set by the Board of Directors of Co-op Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada), the provincial government and the Public Health Agency of Canada to implement the following actions immediately.
Current Work Terms:
- All on-campus site visits will be suspended to adhere to the principal of social distancing. Your Co-op Coordinators will use technology to connect and complete all required site visit tasks.
- Co-op Coordinators will make every effort to contact all students as soon as possible to discuss workplace issues relating to concerns you may have including work term evaluations, report requirements and minimum work term lengths. Please provide updated contact information to your Co-op Coordinator.
- You may wish to speak with your employer about work from home options. It may not be feasible for everyone, but where your employer can accommodate this arrangement we ask you for you to also discuss the arrangement with your Co-op Coordinator.
- If you wish to terminate your work term at this time as a result of the COVID-19 situation, you will not be academically penalized but you must discuss your circumstances with your Co-op Coordinator and employer.
- If your employer chooses to terminate your work term at this time due to COVID-19, you will not be academically penalized. Please advise your Co-op Coordinator if this occurs.
Spring/Summer Placements:
- Upcoming work terms may be impacted and/or delayed by the current COVID-19 situation. Decisions will be made as the situation with COVID-19 evolves.
All on-campus employer presentations and interviews are suspended. We have asked employers to use technology to connect with students at this time.
Last updated: March 26, 2020
We understand that this is a confusing and stressful time for you all and we want to let you know that CNA’s Counselling Services will continue. They will not be face-to-face meetings, but we will do our best to connect via email, instant messaging, and telephone or video conferencing through Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business.
Where can I find a counsellor?
If you would like to speak with someone, please feel free to contact a Counsellor to set up an appointment. To find a CNA Counsellor, please click the link below and select "Where can I find a counsellor?" for their contact information. Please be advised some Counsellors may not have access to their work telephone numbers and email might be the best way to connect initially.
Counselling Services at CNA
Community Resources
Below are some community resources you can access for free:
- www.bridgethegapp.ca
- Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-737-4668
- CHANNAL Warm Line: 1-855-753-2560 or locally 709-753-2560
Although you are away from the structure of classroom teaching, it is important that you practice good organizational and time management skills. With such freedom you should create a daily schedule to complete school work.
Let’s stay connected and stay healthy!
Information Specific to International Students
Last updated: March 20, 2020
Download a PDF version here
We understand that you may have a number of questions regarding your studies at CNA in response to all that is happening regarding COVID-19 (for more information on COVID-19 refer to question #7) and the closure of the college for in-person classes. We do not have all the answers right now. However, we are working to support you with the information that we currently have. You may also contact a CNA counsellor from your respective campus at counselling@cna.nl.ca.
- Are there any special measures taken by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in response to COVID-19?
Yes. Please visit the Coronavirus Special Measures webpage for up-to-date information
- As an international student, am I expected to vacate residence like domestic students are being asked?
No. At this time, we are not asking any of our international students to leave residence. We realize that right now, having a place to stay is something that you can take comfort in. In addition, as stated previously, residences with cafeteria service will remain limited operations to ensure that there is access to meals.
- My in-person classes have been suspended and I am not sure about my student visa?
As College of the North Atlantic is working on plans for continuation of programming, many programs will transition to alternate delivery forms. An update is available on our website www.cna.nl.ca.
If for some reason that you are unable to continue with your program due to the measures put in place regarding the COVID -19 (coronavirus), and you are worried about your current student visa and/or work visa, you may want to check with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on extending your student visa and work visa.
If your status has not yet expired, you can apply online to extend your stay in Canada.
As per the IRCC website:
If you are a worker or student, you have a few options.
If you’re no longer working or studying, you can:
If you want to continue working or studying, you may be able to extend your work permit or study permit if you’re eligible.
When you’re applying, make sure you include a note explaining the reason you need to extend your stay in Canada.
- As a student, am I still covered by College of the North Atlantic’s Health and Dental program?
Yes. You are covered under the student health and dental plan through Greenshield as long as you are a registered student and all of your fees have been paid in full for the current semester.
If you have Foreign Health coverage by Guard Me then the following applies to you:
- All students enrolled under Guard Me are still covered while in Canada until their coverage expiry, which is August 31, 2020.
- If you require medical assistance during this time, or if you are feeling ill please contact the provinces public health line by calling 811 to receive further information on how to proceed as many medical facilities are reducing and/or eliminating walk-in clinics.
- I am an international student that is worried about coverage through MCP. What can I do?
If you have MCP, your MCP is valid for coverage in N.L. You can apply for up to six months of out of province coverage. In order to get this out of province coverage, you must apply for it through MCP prior to travel outside the province.
- I am an international student that will be graduating in the spring, what should I do about post-grad work permits?
If you are one of the many students that is supposed to graduate this spring and have questions about your post-grad work permits you can contact the Association for New Canadians at jlander@ancnl.ca for more information.
- I am worried and feeling stressed due to COVID-19 and am looking for support, where can I turn?
If you are feeling stressed and anxious during this time, there are a number of supports available to you:
CNA Counselling Services – please check with your campus counsellor by email (counselling@cna.nl.ca) to make an appointment to discuss your concerns. Note that these meetings may happen over the phone to limit person-to-person contact.
Also, if you are worried about your peers please check in on them by phone or text to minimize person to person contact. You may also want to keep in contact with your families from home as this may help to provide some comfort in these trying times.
CNA also encourages students to keep up to date with COVID-19, by visiting:
Department of Health and Community Services
Public Health Agency of Canada
World Health Organization
- Is there a way to stay connected with my peers outside of CNA?
Yes. The Association for New Canadians has created a Facebook Group to connect newcomers from across the province. They will be providing relevant updates for newcomers, hosting activities, and providing information on how to access their services. Go join now!
In addition to this resource, the Association for New Canadians will be hosting weekly Digital Coffee Breaks for students. CNA staff and representatives from the ANC will be present to ask questions in a group setting. Students must register here via prior to the event in order to access. Video/audio capability is not required as students can ask questions via chat. For further updates, please join this Facebook group!
As more information becomes available, we will be sure to update this list to ensure that it reflects the most current information.
Last updated: April 6, 2020
Intersession Online Registration:
Intersession courses for this Intersession/Spring will continue to be conducted via online / distance delivery.
Online Registration for Intersession will be conducted on the following dates:
(April 8 – April 14)
(April 15 – 19)
- All Trade programs
- The following credit programs with a start date of April 27:
- Agriculture Technician Co-op
- Civil Engineering Technology (Co-op)
- Electrical Engineering Power & Controls Technology Co-op
- Fish and Wildlife Technician
- Forest Resources Technician
- Geographic Information Systems (PD)
- Geological Technician
- Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Medical Laboratory Sciences
(April 15 – April 26)
(April 20 – April 26)
Final Grades for Winter 2020:
Final grades will be available online for students as of 9 a.m. on April 23.
Academic Status:
Students are advised there has been a limited waiver to the college’s Registration Procedure (AC-103-PR) for the winter 2020 term. The Academic Warning (11.3) and Academic Dismissal (11.4) procedures have been relaxed. Students who were previously placed on “academic warning” and who do not meet the re-admission requirements for a second occasion will not be academically dismissed from the college. These students will be given academic forgiveness (i.e. remain on academic warning) and will be eligible to register in a subsequent semester. Prerequisite rules will continue to apply. Students who do not meet these will not be permitted to register for those specific courses to which they apply.
FAQ - Am I able to request a transcript or parchment at this time?
Due to the COVID -19 pandemic, College of the North Atlantic is currently unable to process your request for a transcript or parchment (Diploma, Certificate, Wallet Card). Please submit your request once the college resumes normal business.
For more information please email Registrar@cna.nl.ca
Last updated: April 2, 2020
This section is comprised of information to services provided by CNA or other organizations:
Last updated: March 30, 2020
FINAL EXAMS
What will happen with Finals?
There will be no in-person finals for the Winter 2020 semester. Some courses will have online final exams while others will be looking at alternative forms of assessment. Your instructor will communicate a revised evaluation scheme this week.
Can I write finals in remote communities with an invigilator?
No. Your instructor will communicate a new evaluation scheme to you this week.
PROGRAMS
For clinical/work terms placements, will we get passed on the work completed or will we finish our hours once we can?
Work experience is an important part of our programs. It includes clinical placements, work placements, internships, co-op, and service learning.
Heath Science students will need to complete clinical hours. The college is working with the Regional Health Authority’s and will advise when it is safe to return to clinical sessions.
For work experience in other schools, the college is assessing all work experience courses to determine what options are available to create flexibility for our students and meet learning requirements without impacting graduation. More communication will follow on this topic in the coming weeks.
Do I have all the same instructors as I did on campus?
Yes, the instructor you had all semester will finish the course with you.
If a program is suspended, or I’m unable to complete it online, will I be the first on the list to re-apply?
Students unable to complete their program online are encouraged to contact their instructor immediately. The instructor can raise the issue to Campus Administrators to see what arrangements can be made for the student to complete their current courses.
I was supposed to do my third block for the Cook program in May, will this still be going ahead?
Advanced blocks are suspended unless previously available online.
Information concerning intersession and spring semesters will follow in the coming weeks. Please continue to watch the CNA website and social media accounts for further announcements.
If we end up having to drop a program, can we pick up where we left off?
CNA is working hard to provide its students with flexible options to complete the Winter 2020 semester. If a student feels they need to withdraw from their program, we encourage the student to speak with their instructor(s) or a campus Counselor prior to withdrawing. A solution that may work for the student may be an option. There will be no academic prejudice if a student drops courses this semester.
FINANCES
Will there be refunds for programs that are suspended?
Discussions surrounding impacts to student accounts are being held as we review the Academic Programs - Continuity Plan.
Will there be refunds for students who are unable to complete online?
Discussions surrounding impacts to student accounts are being held as we review the Academic Programs - Continuity Plan. In addition, information is being gathered using a survey on student access to help inform CNA of the ability of students to complete their courses online.
If my program (or part of) is suspended, how will this affect my Student Loan/Funding?
There is no immediate impact on students regarding student aid. Students should only contact Student Aid if they are making individual decisions to withdraw from their program or drop courses as a result of COVID-19.
Will Scholarships and Awards still be awarded?
Scholarships will be awarded but the details around that are not yet worked out. We hope to address items like this in the next week or so.
How can I pay for an application/courses/fees if I do not have a credit card or access to the website?
Unfortunately, we can only accept credit cards for payment on self-service. If a credit card is not available to you, then a payment can be sent to: HQ Cashier, P.O. Box 5400, Stephenville, NL, A2N 2Z6.
As for web access, Student Self Service is available by visiting www.cna.nl.ca/mycna (MyCNA from the CNA homepage) on a mobile device either through data plans or other notable hotspots such as the parking lot of campuses or libraries.
Student Self Service Link
I don’t have the equipment to continue with online learning. How can I finish my program?
Students need to connect with their instructors if they are unable to access course materials online to work out a solution or call the DL helpdesk line at 1-877-465-2250 or via email at dlshelp@cna.nl.ca
I’m a student interested in applying to CNA, can I still apply while the Campus/College is closed?
Yes, please refer the student to the college’s online application system. We will be seeing a pause in the processing of applications at this time however, we are still accepting applications.
What happens if I’m unable to get transcripts to you?
If you are a high school student from Newfoundland and Labrador, your transcript is provided through the Department of Education. If you are from outside the province, then request process may vary.
Please do your best to get transcripts to us. We understand this is a unique time and will be working with students upon the resumption of normal business regarding any outstanding application materials.
Am I able to request a transcript or parchment at this time?
Due to the COVID -19 pandemic, College of the North Atlantic is currently unable to process your request for a transcript or parchment (Diploma, Certificate, Wallet Card). Please submit your request once the college resumes normal business.