Update 21: February 24, 2021
Update on the university’s return-to-campus plans for the 2021-2022 academic year
A safe, healthy and engaging campus has always been Ontario Tech University’s No. 1 priority. That’s why over the last several months of navigating COVID-19, we’ve taken a conservative approach to a gradual return to campus.
The university’s plans for the 2021-2022 academic year will continue to align with this approach. We’re in the process of establishing a number of forums, which will bring together representatives from across the university to discuss opportunities and challenges, and to share information related to university operations this September. We know in-person instruction is important to our students. We will continuously assess opportunities for in-person instruction as time goes by.
Plans are underway to offer courses on campus that have experiential components (e.g. labs), as well as other smaller offerings (tutorials and graduate seminars), where public health guidelines permit. However, we expect to continue holding most medium to large classes in a virtual format.
Recognizing that some students may continue to face health or travel restrictions that prevent them from attending in-person classes, we expect to provide options for remote and online learning where possible for the Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 terms. This approach will ensure:
- We meet the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our university community.
- Seamless continuation of instruction if we experience a subsequent wave of COVID-19.
To ensure that faculty, staff and students can properly plan and prepare for the 2021-2022 academic year, we will set a fall and winter campus schedule and only reduce the schedule if we are instructed to do so by public health.
We’ll communicate further information in the near future on how this hybrid approach will be implemented. In the meantime, if you have any questions, contact lookingahead@ontariotechu.ca.
Thank you again for your continued patience and support as we work hard to deliver the best possible academic experience.