Faculty, staff, and students have until Oct. 15 to become fully vaccinated, so certain fall courses at U of G will begin remotely
Due to the timing of the university’s vaccine mandate, the U of G will allow some courses to run remotely from Sept. 7 to 28. Students are encouraged to check CourseLink on the week of Sept. 6 to confirm whether their courses are in-person or remote.
Back in June, the university announced its plans “for a significant number of courses (about 60 per cent) at all year levels to be offered face-to-face or to include in-person components such as labs or tutorials.”
On Aug. 12, U of G mandated COVID-19 vaccination for anyone accessing U of G-managed buildings and facilities. Faculty, staff, and students must have their first shot by Sept. 7 and their second by Oct. 15.
Now, citing the fact that it takes two weeks for the body to develop immunity after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, the university stated on Tuesday that some instructors will be allowed to deliver their courses remotely up until Sept. 28.
Afterwards, all courses will be delivered in person, with the exception of those held in classrooms with a planned student capacity of 75 per cent or more. Instructors of these may opt for hybrid or remote course delivery for the entire fall semester.
Additionally, the U of G has updated its vaccine exemption procedure. Based on medical or other grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code, faculty, staff, and students must complete and submit an exemption form and documented proof in order to skip the vaccine.
Those who receive an approved exemption must still complete COVID-19 testing at least twice per week to gain access to U of G-managed buildings or facilities. Those who received a vaccine exemption before Aug. 30 must complete the updated form.
Students who will not be vaccinated by Sept. 7 and have not been granted an exemption are asked by the university to take remote-delivery or distance education courses. Faculty and staff will need to speak with their supervisor.
Ontario universities are still awaiting the provincial government’s decision on physical distancing in classrooms. As such, the U of G states that it is still developing contingency plans in case the fourth wave further disrupts in-person learning.
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