At the time of the incident, there was no evidence or reason to believe any personal information was involved. The university engaged a team of third-party cybersecurity specialists to assist with containment and recovery and to investigate the cause and extent of unauthorized network access. Due to the impact of the incident, that investigation took some time to complete.   

This was not a widespread breach. Fewer than five individuals met the legal threshold for notifications. Others were notified as a part of our commitment to inform any individuals whose information was impacted, regardless of the potential for future misuse. 

Through the comprehensive forensic investigation, we were able to confirm that only two folders were impacted.  

Memorial is not aware of any reports of identity theft, fraud or improper use of any personal information as a result of this incident, and the university has no reason to believe that such harms or misuse are likely to occur.  In the case of individuals (fewer than five) whose banking information may have been impacted, credit monitoring has been offered to them for a two-year period. 

In some cases, the information was limited to names and job titles. In others, individual names and basic contact information were impacted. In rare cases (fewer than five), banking information was impacted. Those individuals have received free credit monitoring for two years.  

We reached out to individuals to provide specific details of how they were impacted. Individuals were given information on the incident; an avenue to contact Memorial’s Privacy Office if they have questions or concerns; information about protecting personal information and an apology for the inconvenience caused by the breach. Additionally, complimentary 24-month credit monitoring services were offered to the few individuals (fewer than five) whose banking information may have been impacted.

Credit protection was offered to everyone whose banking information was impacted by this incident. The risk to other individuals is very low.  

Upon hearing that Memorial University's Grenfell Campus was experiencing an ongoing cybersecurity incident, the provincial government’s Chief Information Officer temporarily suspended electronic communications with the university. This was done out of an abundance of caution. This action did not mean the St. John's campus network was affected by the cyber security incident at Grenfell Campus. Grenfell and St. John’s are two distinct, separate networks.

At this stage of the investigation, we can confirm this was a ransomware attack. Despite having security measures and defenses in place, an unauthorized third party gained access to our Grenfell Campus network and encrypted data on a number of our servers and workstations. As a result, Grenfell IT services were rendered unavailable. We are in the process of recovering the data involved in this incident.  We are also working with our cybersecurity experts to further strengthen our defenses.   

These investigations take time, and Memorial is committed to restoring the impacted data as safely and efficiently as possible. The investigation and recovery efforts are expected to continue over the coming weeks. We will continue to keep the community updated.    

Memorial is taking every precaution to ensure we are recovering data in a secure manner and that our information and infrastructure are safe to use. This takes time, which we know can be frustrating. We appreciate the patience of our faculty, staff, and students as we safely and securely restore our data.

Work is underway to restore access to data and we anticipate this will happen in the next few weeks. We are confident that we will be able to recover most data from the P-drive. We are also working to identify time-sensitive, critical information that is needed from this drive and get it to users. 

As an institution, Memorial takes privacy and security seriously. Maintaining the trust of our students, faculty and staff is of the utmost importance. We use robust tools and systems to monitor, detect and investigate potential threats and continually review and enhance our security measures. Unfortunately, due to the rapidly evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, it is nearly impossible to prevent all forms of attack.  We will continue to investigate and learn from the incident affecting the Grenfell Campus to ensure we are doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again across all of Memorial’s systems. 

Please see March 6 update.

We are continuing to closely monitor the impact of this situation on students. Their needs will be taken into account and remedies put in place. Students with particular concerns are encouraged to contact the Grenfell Registrar at gcregistrarsoffice@mun.ca. 

Research Initiatives and Services (RIS) has been working with the research office staff at Grenfell Campus to identify any upcoming funding competitions with impending deadlines and will contact the funding agencies to request an extension. Internal deadlines will be adjusted accordingly.

Email addresses for Grenfell Campus staff can be found here: Grenfell Staff Directory  (Updated, Jan. 16, 2024)

Information about how to request and manage shared mailboxes in M365 Outlook can be found here. If you need assistance, contact Memorial’s IT Service Desk at help@mun.ca, 709-864-4595.

If you need help setting up your mun.ca email, contact Memorial’s IT Service Desk at help@mun.ca, 709-864-4595 or visit https://www.mun.ca/cio/. 

The overnight parking ban is in effect every night from midnight to 5:30 a.m. so we can properly salt, sand and plow. Permits are delayed but we still need to keep lots safely accessible for vehicles and to prevent slip and falls. Overnight parking maps have been supplied to residents indicating where to park and posted at each residence and around campus. If you have inquiries, please contact CEP at 709-637-6210. The residence floor meetings will provide information this week as well. 

Yes, you can print from a USB in Learning Centre, school offices and the library.

Yes, high volume photocopying (for staff) is available through Print Services in ITS. Urgent photocopying can be done at the library. AS3006 and AS2009 printers also have photocopying capabilities.

Yes, debit and credit card payments are available in Bursar’s Office, Brewed on Campus, the bookstore and the Grove. The ATM near the Registrar’s Office is also working.

A current list is available here.

A cybersecurity incident is an attempt to gain access to any computer network or system resource by an unauthorized party. Unfortunately, these incidents are becoming more frequent and sophisticated across different organizations and industries.  

On Dec. 29, 2023, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) became aware of an issue with the information technology (IT) services at Grenfell Campus.  

As soon as the issue was discovered, security protocols were put in place to isolate the impacted systems and an investigation was launched. We have since confirmed this issue is the result of a cybersecurity incident and law enforcement has been notified.  

We have also engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to assist with containment and to conduct an investigation into the incident. 

The incident has been contained to Grenfell Campus. IT services at the Marine Institute were shut down as a precaution and restored on Jan. 2. There is no indication at this stage that IT services on the other campuses are impacted. 

Important information about Counselling and Psychological Services (CPS), including how to book an appointment, can be found here.

Beginning Jan. 17, you can book appointments on Wednesday evenings from 4:20 - 6:20 p.m. To book an appointment, please call 709-637-7919 or email gchealthservices@mun.ca.

Yes, the ATMs near the Registrar's Office and in the Grove are working.

Kirk Wiseman can be reached at s22kw@mun.ca. Kirk can answer questions about student health and dental plans, the campus dining hall and the Backlot pub.

Be sure to reach out to ensure your mun.ca email is on their files. 

The Foodbank will be open every second Tuesday from 1-3 p.m., beginning Jan. 9, 2024. Students are eligible to visit once a month. Please bring your student ID and a reusable bag.

Yes, math and writing help is available in-person. Virtual and paper drop meetings are not available. Appointments can be made in person or by phone:

Math: AS234, Thersea Janes, 709-639-2531

Writing: AS2033, Bev Young, 709-639-2527

Math Corner (AS384) and Writing Lounge (AS2033) will commence Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. A schedule will follow.

A weekly pop-up writing lounge will take place Wednesdays 1- 3:30 p.m. and Thursdays 3-4:30 p.m., lower airport lounge. Math Corner drop-in sessions (for Math 1052, 1090, 109B, 1000 and 1001) will take place Mondays and Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.- noon, and Thursdays 1:30- 3 p.m.: in AS384.

Forms such as pre-req waivers, course change forms, request for degree advice etc. can be accessed in person at the Grenfell Campus Registrar’s Office, or some of the forms may also be available on the St. John’s Registrar’s Office website. To submit these forms, you can do so in person at the Grenfell Registrar’s Office, AS277.

Applications are still be processed through the admissions office. If you have questions, call 709-637-6769.

Students can still add and drop courses on Memorial Self Service. This system is not impacted. Please note that all university calendar dates, including add/drop deadlines remain in place.

Students can still book advising appointments by calling 709-637-6298 or by visiting the Grenfell Registrar’s Office, AS277.  Students can also email their advising questions to one of our two advisors at their contact info below:

Nicole Miller: x39nvw@mun.ca 

Allison Dawe: a22amo@mun.ca 

Students requiring career advising, aptitude testing (Career Cruising), support with resumes/CVs/cover letters, or other career development services can book an appointment in person in AS271 or by email at twy675@mun.ca. Drop-in appointments may be accepted pending availability. Virtual appointments are temporarily suspended. 

Please call 709-639-2589 or 709-637-7170 to schedule an appointment with either Brad or Victoria. You can also schedule an appointment in-person at the Learning Centre (AS234). All appointments will be in person in the Learning Centre (AS234).

For your appointment, please bring:

• A copy of your schedule
• Any course syllabus you have
• If you are a new student to ACES, please bring a copy of your documentation confirming your accommodations.

Accommodations for the winter 2024 semester will only be set up through meeting with an ACES staff member in person.

Yes. The schedule is as follows: Mondays 8:30-10:30 a.m. (badminton, pickle ball); Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 p.m. (soccer); Thursdays 9-10:30 p.m. (badminton, pickle ball, open gym); Fridays 7:30-9:30 p.m. (soccer) and Saturdays 3-4 p.m. (badminton, pickle ball, open gym)

-           Students who are outside Canada

-           Students who have an MCP and want to transfer to a student union health insurance

-           Full-time students

-           Deadline to opt out is Jan. 18, 2024

-           Your MCP card must be valid from at least Jan. 1 and beyond Jan. 18, 2024

Starting Jan.7, the shuttle will run on Sundays from 2-5 p.m. Please wait for the shuttle at the flagpoles.

Tuition can be paid by all methods (including online, wire-transfers or credit card) except through debit at the Bursar’s Office. Cash payments will be accepted through Bursar’s Office.  

Yes, the service for online payments is hosted through the St. John’s campus, which was not impacted by the incident. 

Yes, and you should also check your mun.ca email and MUN self-serve often for information. This can also be used to access course schedules and to add/drop courses.  

On mun.ca, you will also find a directory of Grenfell office phone numbers through the search function.  

No, dates in the academic calendar will not change.  

Yes, and all forms of payment are being accepted.

Yes. Please visit Student Services (A269) where hours will be posted.  

Counselling and Psychological Services are available by phone at 709-637-7919 or by visiting BW243.  

You may also visit Doorways for quick access to mental health and addictions counselling services.  

Bridgethegapp.ca will provide other local supports and link to online resources.  

The Mental Health 24 Hour Crisis Line is also available by calling 1-888-737-4668.  

Please reach out for support if you need it.