Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, George Brown College has followed the guidance of government and public health authorities in establishing measures to keep our community safe. We strongly encourage everyone coming to campus to review and follow Toronto Public Health guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including the following:
- Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask in indoor public spaces. Masks are available at building entrances. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask on campus will be fully supported.
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations/boosters.
- Stay home if you are sick. Employees must inform the college if they test positive for COVID-19 within 48 hours of being on campus (see details below.
It is strongly recommended to wear a mask in all indoor public settings. Masks can be considered:
- especially if you are at higher risk of getting very sick from a respiratory virus
- in high-risk congregate settings, such as shelters and group homes
- if you live, work, or spend time with someone who is at higher risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19 or a respiratory virus, such as children under 5, seniors or those who have a health condition
- if you are in a crowded indoor setting with poor ventilation
- to add an extra layer of protection in any setting
We encourage students and employees to acknowledge our community's range of comfort levels about on-campus activities. For example, you may be eager to come to college in person, or you may feel tentative after two challenging years, and both are ok!
When you come to campus, you may be asked to wear a mask or social distance by someone who is feeling a bit more cautious than you are. If that's the case, please consider doing so and keep the C3 campaign in mind. It highlights community, civility, care, and our role in considering people's choices and communicating respectfully.
What should I do if I'm symptomatic and/or have a positive test result?
After you are done self-isolating, for 10 days after your symptoms started:
- Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including school and child care)
- Avoid non-essential activities where you need to take off your mask (for example, playing a wind instrument in music class or removing your mask for sports or dining out)
- Avoid visiting anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors)
- avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes
If you are a close contact of someone who is symptomatic and/or has a positive test:
For 10 days after your last exposure to the COVID-19 positive/symptomatic person:
- self-monitor for symptoms. Stay home (isolate) if you develop any symptoms and seek testing for COVID-19 if eligible
- wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including school and child care)
- avoid non-essential activities where you need to take off your mask (for example, playing a wind instrument in music class or removing your mask for sports or dining out)
- avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors)
- avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes
Regardless of negative COVID-19 test results, these additional precautions can be an added layer of prevention against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses circulating in the community.
What can I expect on campus?
We deliver programs and student services on campus and in hybrid and online formats, and everyone is welcome to visit campus. As of May 1, 2022, we do not require health screenings or proof of vaccination to enter college buildings.
However, students in some of our academic programs interact with vulnerable individuals in their placements and work-integrated learning experiences. These settings are subject to additional requirements, and proof of vaccination is a requirement to participate in specific academic programs. Find a list of these programs and examples of the placement settings in the section below*.
If you have questions about what to expect on campus, please call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000. Students can also submit questions on the COVID-19 Students Communication page. For program-specific requirements, please get in touch with your academic department or program coordinator.
Common spaces on campus
Common spaces at our campuses, including cafeterias and other gathering/lounge areas, are open.
Masks
George Brown College lifted its mask mandate on June 20, 2022, with some exceptions in specific academic programs (see below*), but we remain a mask-friendly environment, and masks are available at building entrances.
In some cases, students may be requested to wear PPE (personal protective equipment, e.g., masks, eye protection, face shields) in specific learning spaces.
Vaccination
George Brown College amended its COVID-19 Vaccination Policy on May 1, 2022, which required all individuals coming to campus to demonstrate proof of vaccination. The amended policy does not require vaccination to come to campus, with some exceptions in specific academic programs (see below*). Health screenings and vaccination information are not required to visit our campuses.
We encourage everyone coming to campus to stay up to date with Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccinations. Find information on how to get vaccinated at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine.
Ventilation and air quality
George Brown College continues to monitor and upgrade ventilation systems in our buildings to help maintain healthy and safe indoor environments. Our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are checked regularly and are operated in accordance with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards.
Learn more on the Ventilation & Air Quality in College Buildings page.
Public health measures in effect on campus and in other college settings*
- Placement settings: PPE and vaccination requirements
- Academic program requirements: PPE and vaccine requirements
- Exemptions
- Employee illness reporting
Students and employees will abide by PPE (personal protective equipment, e.g., masks, eye protection, face shields) and vaccine policies at their placement and experiential learning settings.
If you have any questions about COVID-19 prevention measures in placement settings, please contact your academic department or program coordinator.
Find information about medical and religious/creed exemptions in the Exemptions tab. Employees can review the Employee Accommodation Policy for more information.
Some sectors continue to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination and PPE, such as in hospitals, long-term care facilities, childcare centres, etc. These sectors, including learning environments at George Brown, continue to follow public health, regulatory standards and best practices.
That’s why the programs listed below require proof of COVID-19 vaccination and the use of PPE. Please see the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for more information.
Chef School
Proof of vaccination is required for students in the following programs:
Placement settings:
- Child care centres
- Health clinics
- Hospices
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Sports organizations
Please get in touch with your academic department or program coordinator if you have any questions about program-specific requirements.
Find information about medical and religious/creed exemptions in the Exemptions tab.
Centre for Health Sciences
Proof of vaccination is required for students in the following programs:
School of Dental Health
Programs:
- Dental Assisting (S113)
- Dental Hygiene (S134)
- Restorative Dental Hygiene (S400)
- Dental Technology (S100)
- Denturism (S101)
Placement settings:
- Clinical settings
- WAVE clinics
- Onsite labs
School of Health Services Management
Programs:
- Office Administration – Health Services (S135)
- Health Information Management (C139)
- Dental Office Administration (S115)
Placement settings:
- External and clinical settings
School of Health & Wellness
Programs:
- Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis (S302)
- Honours Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis (S303)
- Honours Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis - Accelerated (S304)
- Recreation Management in Gerontology (C152)
- Autism and Behavioural Science (C405)
- Hearing Instrument Specialist (S117)
- Orthotic/Prosthetic Technician (S102)
- Clinical Methods in Orthotics/Prosthetics (S407)
- Behavioural Science Technician (C156)
Placement settings:
- External and clinical settings
- Internal labs
School of Nursing
Programs:
- Personal Support Worker (C112)
- Practical Nursing (S121)
- Collaborative Nursing (S118)
- Bridging R.P.N. to BSCN (S442)
- R.N. - Critical Care Nurse (S402)
- R.N. - Operating Room Perioperative Nurse (S414)
- Perinatal Intensive Care Nurse (S404)
- Interprofessional Complex and Long-Term Care (S417)
- R.P.N. - Perioperative (S425)
Placement settings:
- External and clinical settings
If you have any questions about program-specific requirements, please contact your academic department or program coordinator.
Find information about medical and religious/creed exemptions in the Exemptions tab.
School of Early Childhood
Proof of vaccination is required for students in the following programs:
- Early Childhood Education (C100)
- Early Childhood Education, Fast Track (C130)
- Early Childhood Education, Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree (C148)
- Early Childhood Education, Accelerated (C160)
- Early Childhood Education, Consecutive Diploma/Degree (C118)
- Early Childhood Education, Compressed (C140)
- Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (C301)
Placement settings:
- GBC Lab School Child Care Centres
- Other child care settings
If you have any questions about program-specific requirements, please contact your academic department or program coordinator.
Find information about medical and religious/creed exemptions in the Exemptions tab.
Exemptions
Medical
To obtain a medical exemption, individuals must ask a doctor or nurse practitioner to submit an exemption request directly to their regional public health unit. This is a form the doctor or nurse practitioner fills out after determining the vaccine should not be given to the individual because it’s likely to pose a risk to their health and safety.
Once the request is received and accepted by a regional public health unit, the record is documented in COVaxON (Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination data collection system), and the individual can then download the exemption certificate through the provincial COVID-19 vaccination portal.
Students with questions about medical exemptions can contact their academic department or program coordinator.
Religious/Creed
Students in programs that require COVID-19 vaccination can submit a religious/creed exemption request via the 2022 Vaccine Exemption Request Form Based on Religion/Creed.
Students with questions about religious/creed exemptions can contact their academic department or program coordinator.
Employees can review the Employee Accommodation Policy for more information.
Employee illness reporting
Employees must continue to let the college know if they test positive for COVID-19 (PCR or rapid test) if they were on campus in the 48 hours prior. Employees must notify their supervisor and contact Health, Safety and Wellness through the Employee COVID questionnaire.
For more information about what to do if you have symptoms, household contacts, etc., please visit Toronto Public Health's website.
FAQ
International applicants and students: Visit AskGeorge International for international-specific FAQ.
Please note that these plans are subject to change if public health guidelines are modified.
Is there a tuition payment plan for the Winter 2023 semester?
Yes. We recognize that COVID-19 has presented challenges for students, including unanticipated financial pressures, and so we have established a tuition payment plan for the Winter 2023 semester.
The payment plan is available to new and returning domestic students and returning international students.
Students can pay their Winter 2023 semester tuition in full on January 20, 2023, or in three instalments due on the following dates:
- First Instalment – Friday, January 20, 2023
- Second Instalment – Friday, February 17, 2023
- Third Instalment – Friday, March 17, 2023
How to sign up for the tuition payment plan
Students can sign up for the Winter 2023 semester tuition payment plan on STUVIEW. Students must be registered for full-time fall semester programs to qualify (online registration begins November 13, 2022). There is a $45 charge for the installment plan option.
Is there an exceptional withdrawal/refund policy for international students for the Winter 2023 semester?
For most international students enrolled in the Winter 2023 semester, the standard George Brown College withdrawal/refund policy will apply. The final date to withdraw with a partial refund is January 20, 2023.*
However, George Brown College will have an exceptional withdrawal/refund policy in place for registered Winter 2023 International students who are studying online from outside Canada AND have applied for their study permit before the start of their program.
Students eligible under the exceptional withdrawal/refund policy can apply for a full refund of pre-paid tuition** (less $100 withdrawal fee) if:
- Your study permit application is refused; AND
- You have submitted the refusal document from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, & Citizenship Canada) to George Brown College (intlwithdrawal@georgebrown.ca) within 2 weeks of receiving your study permit refusal from IRCC together with your Withdrawal/Refund Form, or before.
The Winter 2023 Exceptional Withdrawal/Refund Policy is in place until February 24, 2023 *** with no extension beyond that date.
*For students pursuing studies from within Canada (online or in person), a study permit or implied status for a study permit is required. Therefore, the Day 10 withdrawal/refund policy applies, which has a deadline of January 20, 2023.
**The tuition refund will not include some material fees or the health insurance premium. Students are not eligible for a refund for any semesters prior to Winter 2023.
***Students must contact the college via email (intlwithdrawal@georgebrown.ca) within 2 weeks of receiving their study permit refusal from IRCC with the IRCC refusal documentation and before February 24, 2023, whichever is earlier, with the completed Withdrawal/Refund form in order to be eligible for the exceptional policy. This policy is in place until February 24, 2023.
Is there a tuition payment plan for the Spring 2023 semester?
Yes. We recognize that COVID-19 has presented challenges for students, including unanticipated financial pressures, and so we have established a tuition payment plan for the Spring 2023 semester.
The payment plan is available to new and returning domestic students and returning international students.
Students can pay their Spring 2023 semester tuition in full on Friday, May 19, 2023, or in three instalments due on the following dates:
- First Instalment – Friday, May 19, 2023
- Second Instalment – Friday, June 19, 2023
- Third Instalment – Friday, July 21, 2023
How to sign up for the tuition payment plan
Students can sign up for the Spring 2023 semester tuition payment plan on STUVIEW. Students must be registered for full-time fall semester programs to qualify (online registration begins March 20, 2023). There is a $45 charge for the installment plan option.
Is there a tuition payment plan for the Fall 2023 semester?
Yes. We recognize that COVID-19 has presented challenges for students, including unanticipated financial pressures, and so we have established a tuition payment plan for the Fall 2023 semester.
The payment plan is available to new and returning domestic students and returning international students.
Students can pay their Fall 2023 semester tuition in full on September 18, 2023, or in three instalments due on the following dates:
- First Instalment – Monday, September 18, 2023
- Second Instalment – Friday, October 20, 2023
- Third Instalment – Monday, November 20, 2023
How to sign up for the tuition payment plan
Students can sign up for the Fall 2023 semester tuition payment plan on STUVIEW. Students must be registered for full-time fall semester programs to qualify (online registration begins July 17, 2023). There is a $45 charge for the installment plan option.
Is there a tuition payment plan for the Winter 2024 semester?
Yes. We recognize that COVID-19 has presented challenges for students, including unanticipated financial pressures, and so we have established a tuition payment plan for the Winter 2024 semester.
The payment plan is available to new and returning domestic students and returning international students.
Students can pay their Winter 2024 semester tuition in full on January 19, 2024, or in three instalments due on the following dates:
- First Instalment – Friday, January 19, 2024
- Second Instalment – Friday, February 16, 2024
- Third Instalment – Friday, March 15, 2024
How to sign up for the tuition payment plan
Students can sign up for the Winter 2024 semester tuition payment plan on STUVIEW. Students must be registered for full-time fall semester programs to qualify (online registration begins November 13, 2023). There is a $45 charge for the installment plan option.
Where do I find information on program delivery for the Spring 2023 semester?
Visit the Program Delivery for Spring 2023 page for details.
On-campus activities
What if I'm not comfortable returning to in-person activities on campus?
We understand there is a range of comfort levels when it comes to in-person activities on campus.
As the Ontario government continues to ease public health measures individuals will need to consider their own health and general comfort levels when it comes to in-person activities.
George Brown College amended its COVID-19 vaccination policy on May 1, 2022, and no longer requires all individuals to provide proof of vaccination/wearing PPE while on campus, with some exceptions in specific academic programs (see the Academic Program Requirements: PPE and vaccine requirements section of this page). We encourage everyone coming to campus to stay up to date with Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccinations. Find information on how to get vaccinated at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine.
We continue to strongly encourage everyone coming to campus to follow Toronto Public Health guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask in indoor public spaces.
Masks are available at main campus entrances. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask on campus will be fully supported to do so.
We also encourage all community members to continue good hand hygiene to reduce the spread of COVID-19 or other illnesses. Anyone who is feeling ill, or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, should stay home until their symptoms have resolved.
I am immunocompromised. Do I have to return to campus?
We understand returning to in-person activities may pose unique challenges for immunocompromised people. If you would like to request medical accommodation, students can register with Accessible Learning Services, and employees can review the Employee Accommodation Policy for more information.
Student Accommodations Employee Workplace Accommodation Policy
COVID-19 vaccination
Why do I need to show proof of full vaccination for a clinical or field placement?
George Brown College amended its COVID-19 vaccination policy on May 1, 2022, with some exceptions in specific academic programs.
There are industries that require employees and work placement students to provide proof of vaccination and use of PPE, including settings where there are vulnerable populations like small children, seniors or those who are immunocompromised. These sectors, including some associated learning environments at George Brown College, continue to follow public health, regulatory standards, and best practices.
That’s why programs listed in the Academic Program Requirements: PPE and vaccine requirements section above require proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
My program requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Is there a medical exemption process?
Individuals must ask a doctor or nurse practitioner to submit an exemption request directly to their regional public health unit to obtain a medical exemption. This is a form the doctor or nurse practitioner fills out after determining the vaccine should not be given to the individual because it’s likely to pose a risk to their health and safety.
Once the request is received and accepted by the regional public health unit, the record is documented in COVaxON (Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination data collection system), and the individual can then download the exemption certificate through the provincial COVID-19 vaccination portal.
Students with questions about medical exemptions can contact their academic department or program coordinator.
My program requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Is there a religion-creed exemption process?
Students in programs that require COVID-19 vaccination can submit a religious/creed exemption request via the 2022 Vaccine Exemption Request Form Based on Religion/Creed.
Students with questions regarding religious/creed exemptions can contact their academic department or program coordinator.
Other public health measures
Are masks still required on campus?
George Brown College lifted its mask mandate on June 20, 2022, with some exceptions in specific academic programs (see above). In addition, some students may be requested to wear PPE (personal protective equipment, e.g., masks, eye protection, face shields) in specific learning spaces.
We strongly encourage everyone coming to campus to follow Toronto Public Health guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask in indoor public spaces.
Masks are available at campus entrances. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask on campus will be fully supported to do so.
Should I be prepared for screening at building entrances on campus?
All campus entrances are open without in-person screening or verifications.
Do I have to complete daily COVID-19 health screening and awareness training?
We’ve removed COVID screening and training requirements to access campus.
Will there be designated eating areas on campus?
Seating is open in our cafeterias and lounge areas.
Is physical distancing required on campus?
We have lifted physical distancing protocols on campus.
What is changing at The George student residence?
The same changes we’ve made to COVID-19 protocols on campus are also in place at The George. Proof of vaccination, and physical distancing requirements have been lifted.
More questions?
Where can employees learn more about the return to campus?
The Return to Campus Guide outlines what employees can expect when they return to college buildings to work.
I have more questions. Who can I ask?
Students with questions about health and safety protocols can submit questions at georgebrown.ca/letstalkcovid19.
Employees with questions can contact Health Safety and Wellness team (contacts are listed at the bottom of the page).
