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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Update 8: January 18, 2022

Update on gradual return to campus beginning the week of Monday, January 31

Dear students,

It’s hard to believe how quickly 2021 flew by. Over your holiday break, we hope you had a chance to rest, recharge and spend quality time with your loved ones.

As we transition into 2022, we are writing to inform you that Ontario Tech, in consultation with local and provincial medical officers of health, will return to our ‘pre-Omicron variant’ plan for on campus lecture, tutorial, and labs beginning the week of Monday, January 31. We assure you that the well-being of the campus community remains the No. 1 factor in how we plan for and implement our return to campus.

It is anticipated that all classes, labs, tutorials and other academic activities that were scheduled to have on-campus components for the Winter term will be offered on-campus before the Family Day holiday and study break week. We are planning a gradual return with this phase-in occurring throughout the month of February. More details will follow.  

All public-health precautions will remain in effect. Students, like all other university community members, are strongly encouraged to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible. If any university community member tests positive for COVID-19, they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days (five initial days of isolation, plus an additional five days as required by Durham Region Health Department in order to mitigate additional risk in a post-secondary environment, where physical distancing can't be maintained). 

Returning to campus may cause some of you to feel trepidation or anxiety. These are understandable responses to a pandemic that has lasted for almost two years with many twists and turns. We must begin to learn to live with Omicron and future variants as we enter this endemic stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no risk-free activities if we wish to re-engage in a face-to-face society, but a fully vaccinated university community and a commitment to following strict public health and safety protocols will minimize the risk of serious illness, while also allowing us to address the mental health toll of the pandemic on our community. 

A reminder that counselling services and other supports are available to assist students, including:

Continuing on with our gradual approach to on-campus activities is safe and prudent. Our campus will slowly and appropriately come to life in February. We look forward to welcoming students, faculty and staff back to campus as required. Please continue to monitor program requirements in your Faculty to understand when you may be required to be back on campus.

Together we will build upon the very best of what we have learned so far, and emerge even stronger in 2022.

Wishing you all the best for the year ahead!

Sincerely,

Dr. Steven Murphy                                              Dr. Lori A. Livingston
President and Vice-Chancellor                           Provost and Vice-President, Academic

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