Fall 2020 at a Glance

Fall 2020 At A Glance

Welcome new and returning Lakers!

You are at the heart of everything we do and we are thrilled that you will be pursuing your studies at Nipissing University this fall.

Although fall term may look somewhat different than what you were expecting, our commitment to ensuring your success is unchanged. We remain focused on finding innovative ways to create an enriching university experience for our students while adhering to public health guidelines.

The health and safety of every person in our community continues to remain at the forefront of our decisions and we will be guided by the advice of public health officials when planning ahead.

Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions about the fall term as well as a listing of resources and services available to support you along your journey as a Laker. Please continue to monitor this page regularly for updates.

This page was last updated on Friday, September 25, 2020.


Fall Term FAQs

Can I access the main Education Centre building?

Students and community members will be able to access the main education building through the front entrance for pre-arranged services. Nipissing University staff will be onsite at the front entrance to screen individuals and direct them to the services they need.

Do I have to wear a mask on campus?

The Nipissing Parry Sound District Health Unit mandated the use of face coverings while in certain enclosed spaces, effective Friday, July 24, 2020. Face coverings are required in all common spaces on campus.

Do I need a parking pass to park on campus?

The online parking permit registration is now open to Nipissing University students. Students living in residence who have a vehicle are required to register for a parking pass and will be charged the regular fee. Instructions to access the registration have been sent to you via WebAdvisor.

Students periodically accessing services on the main campus this fall are asked to park in the visitor's lot and must immediately report to Security Services to provide their license plate number in order to receive complimentary parking. This process must be followed each time a student visits campus.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the Campus Security office directly at ext. 5555.

How do I get a bus pass? (Updated: September 15, 2020)

The bus pass will be offered as an opt-in option for students who will be residing in North Bay this fall. You will be able to opt-in for the bus pass when requesting your student ID card. Click here to request a bus pass-enabled student card.

Please note that if you have a photo on file, that image will be used for your card. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate requests to update existing photos at this time unless there is demonstrated need. If you do not have a photo on file, you will receive an invitation in your student email to submit one.

If you live outside of North Bay, your bus pass-enabled student card will be mailed to you. Please verify your mailing address on WebAdvisor prior to completing the request form. If you live in North Bay, you will be provided with instructions on how to pick your card up from campus.

Details regarding bus pass pickup were emailed to all students by University Technology Services.

How do I get my student card? (Updated: September 15, 2020)

Click here to request a bus pass-enabled student card.

Please note that if you have a photo on file, that image will be used for your card. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate requests to update existing photos at this time unless there is demonstrated need. If you do not have a photo on file, you will receive an invitation in your student email to submit one.

If you live outside of North Bay, your student card will be mailed to you. Please verify your mailing address on WebAdvisor prior to completing the request form. If you live in North Bay, you will be provided with instructions on how to pick your card up from campus.

Note: Student ID cards will not automatically be issued this year. You must request one if needed.

Details regarding student card pickup were emailed to all students by University Technology Services.

What are my UserID and password for Blackboard, myNipissing and WebAdvisor?

Credentials (user ID and password)

Your user ID and password are the same whether you log into Blackboard, myNipissing or WebAdvisor. If you change your password in one area (i.e. WebAdvisor) the change will be reflected on all sites.

Credentials for New Students (Blackboard, myNipissing, WebAdvisor)

Your user name is provided in the information you have received from the Registrar's Office. If you have misplaced this information and cannot remember your user name, you can go to the myNipissing home page and select "What's my User ID?" in the sign in area.

** If you have not received this information at all, please contact the Registrar’s Office by email at registrar@nipissingu.ca or by phone at 705-474-3450 ext. 4521. **

Your myNipissing password is initially set up to be your birthday in the format Mmmddyyyy. Therefore, if your birthday is January 9th 1984, your password would be Jan091984. Please note that passwords are case sensitive. This means that "Secret" and "secret" are different passwords, and typing in one when you mean the other will not work.

** If you are unable to access either Blackboard, myNipissing or WebAdvisor, please contact the University Technology Services (UTS) team by email at techsrv@nipissingu.ca or by phone at 705-474-3450 ext. 4342. **

Credentials for Returning Students (Blackboard, myNipissing, WebAdvisor If you are a returning student and you have used the Nipissing University portal in the past, the user ID and password that you used previously are your current credentials. Therefore, if you registered for your course online via WebAdvisor (which is part of myNipissing), the credentials that you used to sign up for your course will also get you into Blackboard.

If you realize that you cannot remember your user ID and/or password, there are links on the myNipissing home page that can help you troubleshoot (see image above).

** If neither of these utilities help, please contact the University Technology Services (UTS) team by email at techsrv@nipissingu.ca or by phone at 705-474-3450 ext. 4342. **​

Are there any places open to eat on campus?

At this time there are no food services available on campus.

Am I able to go to the bookstore to buy my books?

At this time, the Campus Shop is staffed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers must set up an appointment (email 0914asm@follett.com), pass the COVID screening, and wear a mask to access the store. Online shopping is encouraged. There is a pick-up process available as well as a shipping option.

Are student lounges open?

At this time, student lounges are not open. More information in regards to a staged reopening of student lounges will be communicated as more information becomes available.

Is the library open?

The Harris Learning Library (HLL) is open for curbside pick up of library books for Nipissing students, staff and faculty living in North Bay. The service will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 10:30am and 1pm. The service is only for books held at the Harris Learning Library; the service does not include other types of library materials and does not include books from other libraries. For more information regarding access to HLL, please refer to our COVID-19 FAQs or the Library website.

Is the R.J. Surtees Athletics Centre open? (Updated: September 25, 2020)

The R.J. Surtees Student Athletics Centre will be entering stage two (of three) of its staged reopening as of September 28, 2020. Details regarding what is open in stage two can be found on the Nipissing University Athletics website here. Updates on the next stage of opening will be provided when possible.

Virtual Fitness Classes

Nipissing is pleased to offer virtual Yoga (provided by Grounded Studios) and Zumba (delivered by The Studio North Bay) for students during the fall semester. More information on how to access these virtual classes can be found here.

Is the Campus Health Centre open?

Currently the Campus Health Centre is operational for essential appointments only. The Centre is reachable by phone for questions and booking purposes. If you wish to book an appointment or speak with a staff member please call the office at 705-474-7600 ext. 5261.

What about Winter Term?

Discussions about plans for the Winter Term are ongoing. All decisions will be made in consultation with public health officials and will prioritize the health and well-being of the Nipissing community. Nipissing University will communicate the plans as soon as they become available.

We are committed to supporting your success as a Laker and helping you make the most of your Nipissing University experience. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the services and resources available to support you.

NU Gateway

We know the transition to online learning brought about by COVID-19 has led to feelings of uncertainty amongst students and their families. To ensure all incoming students feel connected to the Lakers community and have a successful transition to university life, Nipissing University has launched a brand new online support program for first-year students called the NU Gateway.

» Click here to learn more about the NU Gateway program.

Academics & Finances

Explore the resources below available to help you navigate your academic journey and finance your education:

Campus Life

We understand life on campus looks different this year. For more information about what’s open, refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Technology Support

Our team is here to assist you with technology issues you may encounter as you transition to online learning. If you are having difficulty logging into myNipissing, Blackboard or your Nipissing University student email account, please contact University Technology Services by creating your own ticket at helpdesk.nipissingu.ca.

Your Health & Safety

The health and safety of our Nipissing community is paramount. For COVID-19 updates and details regarding our phased return to campus, visit the links below:

Useful Contacts

University Technology Services

Telephone: 705-474-3450 x 4342
Email: techsrv@nipissingu.ca
Location: A139
Website: helpdesk.nipissingu.ca

Library

Telephone: 705-474-3450 x 4221
Email: info@eclibrary.ca
Location: Harris Learning Library
Website: eclibrary.ca

Academic Advising

Telephone: 705-474-3450 x 4358
Email: advising@nipissingu.ca
Location: A207
Website: nipissingu.ca/advising