AMS services transition back to in-person

The Alma Mater Society (AMS) is getting ready to resume all in-person services by October. Where possible, AMS services operated virtually during the 2020-21 year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Journal sat down with Tiana Wong, vice-president (Operations), to discuss the team’s plans for a safe transition.  

“The AMS is very excited to return to in-person operations for many of the services, with health and safety being the priority.” Wong said.

In addition to the AMS health and safety plan, Wong said each individual service has also come up with their own plans, such as “sanitizations of high touch services” and “reduced capacity.”

“As long as we are following all the public health regulations we have to follow, we are happy to return to in-person operations.”

In the planning process, Wong said all services received equal care and attention.  

“No one service has been the most prioritized because the AMS can provide such a wide variety of resources for students,” she said. “Each service adds its own flair to campus.”

Services include the Peer Support Centre (PSC), an AMS service that offers confidential and peer-to-peer support including resource referrals and practical guidance, and Common Ground Coffeehouse, a student-run café located in the Athletics and Recreation Centre.

According to Wong, the PSC is currently operating virtually.

“[The PSC is] planning to be back in-person by the beginning of October while continuing the online service as well to be accessible to as many students as possible,” Wong said

The AMS Food Bank is open with a curbside model, Wong added.

Students can sign up to use the service through an online form available at the AMS Food Bank Instagram.

“It is confidential and completely non-judgmental,” Wong said.

The Tricolor Outlet, the Printing & Copy Center (P&CC), Common Ground, and Walkhome have all returned to regular operations.

“We are very fortunate that many of the services that we operate are able to do so virtually in the event of another lockdown,” Wong said.

It’s still unclear when TAPS—which operates the QP and The Underground—will re-open.