(Sault Ste. Marie, ON June 17, 2020)
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been vast, and throughout this time Sault College has looked for opportunities to support its students to help to ensure they succeed during these unprecedented times. We know that many students have faced difficulties and we’ve heard these concerns and followed up with action by establishing various student-centred initiatives in collaboration with the Sault College Students’ Union (SCSU) including: the Student Relief Fund and the re-opening of the student food bank.
We recognize the need for continued efforts in supporting our students and remain focused on these initiatives. Through the student relief fund, we’ve supported more than 780 students registered in the winter semester giving more than $156,000 in aid. This fund has also been extended to those full-time students registered in the summer 2020 semester. With the help of many staff members and our SCSU team, the student food bank has also assisted nearly 500 students since April with the food bank being accessed more than 945 times.
Sault College and SCSU are grateful for all of the support received from our community. For those who have expressed interest in donating to Sault College’s COVID-19 Student Relief Fund or the Student Food Bank, this can be done by sending an e-transfer to SCSUFundsInTrust@saultcollege.ca. Please note in the message section where to direct the donation “Emergency Relief Fund” or “Student Food Bank”. We want to acknowledge the support and generosity of our donors. If you are comfortable, please include your email address in the message section of the e-transfer so we can formally share our appreciation with you. Your email address will not be used or shared for any other purpose.
Cheques payable to the Sault College Administrative Council can also be sent to 443 Northern Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6B4J3. In the memo section, please specify “Emergency Relief Fund” or “Student Food Bank”.
“COVID-19 has affected all of us in different ways and it is difficult for us to see the effects on our students: the reasons we are here. I am proud that we’ve been able to support them in various ways throughout this time. We want them to know how important they are to us and that we are more than a place to get a great education, we are community and we have come together and are collectively helping our students succeed and persevere,” said Dr. Ron Common, President, Sault College. “We offer our sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped our students, both through financial and non-financial means, including many of our staff members who have gone the above and beyond to help our students. This support will have life-long effects,” he added.
“SCSU, together with Sault College, continues to look for any possible way to support our students both financially and non-financially. We want our students to know that we are here for them: to help, support and advocate, and that they can reach out to SCSU at any time for support,” said Ahmad Alkosani, President, Sault College Students’ Union. “We thank all who have played an important role in these initiatives, our SCSU and College staff, food bank volunteers and anyone who helped make this support available to students. We are also honoured to have been recognized by the City of Sault Ste. Marie as one of the COVID-19 Community Heroes. We do this for our students and will continue to do so to ensure they feel supported and a part of our incredible Sault College community,” he added.
Sault College thanks all of its students for their understanding and patience during this time. We continue to be amazed by their resiliency and ability to thrive in the face of adversity.
About Sault College
The vision of Sault College is to provide a transformative life experience through empowering those who study with us to think and learn in progressive, innovative ways, including those we have not yet imagined. Sault College grants Ontario College certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, and degrees to its graduates. The College is the largest deliverer of apprenticeship training in all of Northern Ontario. Sault College has a significant economic impact on the community, with spin-offs in excess of $158 million. Over $2 million dollars in scholarships, bursaries and awards are distributed annually to students at the College. Located on the border to the United States and situated in the middle of three of the largest Great Lakes on the planet, in the traditional territory of the Anishnaabe, Sault College is one of 24 publicly-funded colleges in the province of Ontario.