FAQs for building entry at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Please see FAQs below intended for students, faculty and staff at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. The University also maintains an FAQ section on the UTogether website and we encourage you to regularly consult that information in addition to what is provided below.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the following contacts depending on your information needs:

Research Operations: Mike Folinas, Manager, Research Administration

Facilities/ Building Space: Tina Harvey-Kane, Director, Facilities Management

Human Resources and Safety Concerns: Tara Snyder, Manager of Administrative Operations and Alycia Bromley, HR Advisor

Vaccination Requirements

Are vaccines required at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy?

The University has paused the requirement for all members of our community to be fully vaccinated in order to come to campus. Please note that this requirement may be reinstated on short notice if public health conditions or guidance change.

We strongly encourage everyone to remain up-to-date on vaccinations and to upload your vaccination documents to U of T’s UCheck platform. Maintaining updated information on the vaccination status of our community will help inform future health and safety planning. It will also minimize disruption should conditions require vaccine requirements to be reimposed. Vaccination documents can be uploaded to UCheck here. Please click on the button reading “Report your Vaccination Booster Status” to upload additional documents.

Recently, U of T reinstated the vaccination requirement for students and employees living in University residences. Students living in residences this fall will be required to have a primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine and at least one booster dose before moving in. More information on this measure is available in the Vaccines FAQs on our UTogether website.

Building access and capacity limits

Are masks still required in the building?

Masks are no longer required. The University is a mask-friendly environment, and we ask everyone to respect each other’s decisions, comfort levels, and health needs. The University will continue to monitor public health conditions and adjust as needed.

Is physical distancing still required in the building?

No, as of March 4, 2022, physical distancing and capacity limits are no longer required.

Can I use the elevator in the building?

Yes. Passenger and service elevators are operating.

Can I access my student locker?

Yes, students can access lockers.

Can I access shared study space in the building?

Yes, study spaces are open for students.

What are the capacity limits in the building?

As of March 4, 2022 capacity limits are no longer required. 

Work environments and office spaces

Are shared office spaces permitted?

Physical distancing is no longer required. Working in shared office spaces can resume. The following rooms are available to be booked and used by staff as overflow space:

Private hoteling spaces:

  • 652
  • 654
  • 656
  • 695

Shared hoteling spaces:

  • 618 (Desks A - E)
  • 632 (Desks A - E) 
How do I book an alternative workspace?

Faculty and staff can book alternative workspace using Microsoft Outlook. Detailed instructions on how to book a room can be found below:

What if I feel unsafe in the workplace or have concerns about someone who is ill in my work area?

If you feel unsafe in the workplace, please speak to your manager. Similarly, if you are concerned about someone in the workplace who is ill and exhibiting flu-like symptoms, speak to your manager. Managers are advised to contact environmental health and safety.

Please do not come to campus if you feel unwell.

Please refer to the UTogether FAQ page for more information.

Classroom and building ventilation

How does U of T assess classroom and building ventilation?

The Facilities and Services group at U of T is responsible for managing building and classroom ventilation. To learn more about the University's approach to ongoing ventilation assessments, review our COVID-19 HVAC strategy and read this U of T news story about how the University is preparing for a safe return to campus. To learn more about ventilation in classrooms, review our classroom ventilation page.

What is the air change rate in the Leslie L. Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Building?

As part of the University’s COVID-19 HVAC strategy, all centralized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system filters have been replaced with enhanced MERV 13 filters or the highest compatible with the existing HVAC infrastructure. This is the filtration level that the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) currently recommends for reopening buildings.

The central ventilation system at the Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building has a filtration level of MERV 13 or higher with 12 air handling units. The University’s Facilities & Services group manages the central ventilation system in our building and you can find the filtration level of central ventilation systems in buildings on the St. George campus on the Facilities & Services website.

What is the air change rate in the larger classrooms?

As outlined by Facilities and Services, classroom environments at the University are being equipped for at least six equivalent air changes per hour - the same standard used in healthcare settings. Please see information on the assessed classrooms in our building below:

Building Name (Code) Room Available in Fall 2021 Air Change Rate Local Air Purifier Installed
Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building B150 Yes 10 No
Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building B250 Yes 10 No
Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building 255 Yes 6 Yes
Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building 450 Yes 6 Yes
Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building 850 Yes 6 Yes

* Air change rate means how many times the total air volume of the space has been exchanged for fresh air in an hour. If a room has an air change rate of six or above, no additional air purifier needs to be installed.

To learn more about ventilation in classrooms, review our classroom ventilation page.

What is the air change rate in the teaching labs?

The teaching labs including Room 750 and 860 run between five and 12 air changes per hour (ACH), with the number of air changes increasing as the room is populated. When the lab spaces are empty, the number of ACH are reduced. As people begin to enter the room for teaching and learning activities the ACH are increased to above the minimum threshold of six ACH for classrooms.

What is the air change rate in the research labs?

Our research labs are held to rigorous ventilation standards given the nature of work conducted in these spaces and each lab has a minimum of six air changes per hour.

What is the air change rate in the smaller classrooms and meeting spaces?

Smaller meeting rooms typically run between two and three ACH. While this falls below the stated six ACH per hour articulated for classrooms, meeting rooms are much smaller in capacity and therefore require fewer ACH. Capacity limits, appropriate physical distancing, and masking must be maintained when these rooms are in use.