A Have an idea for a story? Minews@theotherpress.ca ¢ BC government bans non-essential travel ¢ The Third Trudeau Scandal ¢ Canada Student Service Grant ..and more Students wait for their turn at a road test >» Update details when prospect drivers can book their appointment aS AUG: 2021 Beets Uilll_ 37608169 Oil Changes for Life Photo by Billy Bui Tania Arora Staff Writer en BC shut down in March due to COVID-19, ICBC was no exception. People who had their driving tests booked from March onwards were cancelled. In the month of June when the economy started to reopen, ICBC announced that it would resume the commercial (Class 1 through 4) road tests. According to the new guidelines, tests are only by appointment. Upon arrival, the candidates will be asked screening questions as precautions for COVID-19. The examiners will also be provided with protective gear including masks, shields, goggles, gloves, disposable seat covers and more. British Columbians who had booked their class 5 or 7 tests had to wait. ICBC announced at the beginning of July that all non-commercial road tests shall resume. What's 1n the black box? » College congratulates graduates with special swag Atiba Nelson Staff Reporter wr: better than receiving your college degree? Having the issuing institution send your degree and an assortment of party favors for you to celebrate. In June, Douglas mailed graduating students their respective degree parchments and several souvenirs to allow graduates to celebrate their achievement in lieu of the usual convocation ceremonies that were cancelled due to the pandemic. Douglas announced that degrees would be mailed to graduating students on the COVID-19 update webpage. Weeks later the college unveiled that degrees would be mailed in a special box via the @ douglascollege Twitter account. “Hey June 2020 grads! Sorry you're missing out on convocation this year. But we've got something special to help you celebrate your accomplishments from home. Keep an eye out for one of these boxes in the mail!” “The idea was a collaboration between the Registrar’s Office and the Marketing and Communications Office, with both areas working to figure out how to help students celebrate graduation in the absence of a physical convocation,” said Regan Lal, Associate Director of Communications in the Marketing & Communications Office at Douglas College, via an emailed statement. Douglas confirmed that each box contained the graduate’s individual Douglas College credential, a card from the college president and the dean of each graduates’ faculty, a card from the Alumni Association and an alumni pin, black and gold balloons, silver, gold, and black confetti, a ‘grad 2020’ celebration banner, and a package of Douglas College 5oth anniversary chocolates. Finally, asa keepsake, the college included a graduation cap with a 2020 tassel. “Every student that was qualified to graduate and applied by the college’s deadline was mailed a box. This includes our new alumni in the United States and The candidates who were supposed to take their tests between March 17 to June 26 were prioritized. They were or will be contacted by ICBC. Students wanting to take their tests as soon as they are legally allowed to should book their tests in advance. Some services such as proving driving experience, paying for tickets, or changing addresses can still be done online or by phone. According to the recent update provided by ICBC towards the end of July, it is now proceeding to the next phase of its “road test resumption plan.” To lower the backlog of people wanting to take their tests, drivers can now book their road tests after August 24. There will be some walk-in appointments available, but ICBC warns that they are very limited. Delays will continue, as thousands of candidates are waiting for their turn. Customers are expected to arrive on time with the required identification. Photo via DouglasCollege.com | abroad,” said Lal. According to the college, the graduation box initiative cost less than the traditional series of graduation ceremonies honouring new graduates, and all boxes have been shipped to the 1510 students who graduated from Douglas this summer.