In response to growing concerns about COVID-19 and the omicron variant, Abcodo partner institutions have issued advisories, recommendations, and changes in the way classes are delivered for the start of the semester this year.
Institutions have decided to postpone the anticipated return to classrooms following the holiday break or have resorted to remote learning as a result of the omicron strain pushing coronavirus infections to record-high levels.
Key Takeaways:
- In response to growing concerns about the omicron strain, Abcodo partner institutions have issued recommendations for the start of the semester this year.
- Institutions have either decided to postpone the anticipated return to classrooms after the holiday break or turned to online learning.
- As a result of recent school disruptions, many students are looking for assurance concerning their education in 2022.
The reports come as the omicron variant appears to be significantly more contagious than prior generations, though perhaps not as severe as the delta variant.
Many students are seeking to find certainty about their education in 2022 as a result of recent school disruptions.
Western University
As a precaution, Western University is delaying the start of the winter semester and relocating classes online.
Western and its affiliated university campuses have announced that the winter term will begin on Jan. 10 and end on Jan. 31. This follows discussions with health professionals and campus officials, as well as Senate approval.
Faculty and staff will be able to relocate classes to virtual platforms, ensuring that students have the best possible online learning experience.
Vancouver Island University
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided another update on Dec. 29, stating that the K-12 system would be postponed until Jan. 10 to provide time to examine the impact of the omicron variant and plan for increased school safety measures.
Vancouver Island University (VIU) followed suit, deferring the start of Spring 2022 classes until Jan. 10, and transferring its New Student Orientation to the web.
VIU safety controls have effectively prevented the spread of COVID-19 and is delaying the start of lessons to allow its Health and Safety team to review current safety practices and, if necessary, adopt new safeguards against the omicron variant.
University Canada West
Because of a recent increase of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia and concerns raised by students and teachers, University Canada West (UCW) has decided to move all classes online for January.
After the number of COVID-19 cases nearly doubled in a week, UCW Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Sheldon Levy said the institution opted to move all classes remotely for the next month.
The Winter term begins on January 10th. All on-campus classes and student services, including New Student Orientation (Jan. 4-7), will be transferred online for the month of January.
NorQuest College
Because of the rapid proliferation of the omicron variant of COVID-19, NorQuest College classes will be delivered online from Jan. 4 to 31.
In January, the majority of classes will be given online, with some on-campus classes and labs. Student services will remain available, but only by appointment.
NorQuest is governed by Alberta Health Services and the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and has implemented a variety of precautions to increase safety and reduce risk.
Coquitlam College
For the first week of the semester from Jan. 5 to 7, Coquitlam College has shifted all in-person post-secondary classes online. During the first week of the semester, the college will give additional adjustments to the timetable and course delivery.
It has been noted that if previously scheduled in-person courses continue online after the first week of the semester, all science labs will remain in-person.
On Jan. 4, any adjustments to the first week of the English Studies and Senior Secondary Programs will be announced. Students who registered for in-person delivery can use MyCC to access the online component of their courses.
The Coquitlam campus will remain open, and instructors and students will have access to all services.
King’s University College
The commencement of the winter semester has been postponed until Jan. 10 by King’s University College. Courses will be taught virtually until Jan. 31, when they will resume.
These results were obtained after speaking with health specialists and the governments of Western, Brescia, and Huron.
They were made as a precaution, while more people aged 18 and older can have the COVID-19 booster shot to prevent the omicron form from spreading.
UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is keeping a close eye on the COVID-19 situation and has been meeting this week to discuss possible improvements to its safety measures.
Its campus public health committee warns that omicron is far more infectious than previous variations, that omicron will be the prevalent variant when classes begin on Jan. 18, and that even persons who have had a booster can contract omicron.
Currently, all classes, even those that begin before Jan. 18, will be held in person. The institution plans to emphasize three primary strategies for responding to omicron during the spring semester, based on the recommendations of its campus public health committee and in accordance with public health mandates and guidance.
Alexander College
All lessons for the Winter 2022 term will be offered virtually during the first two weeks of the term, according to an announcement from Alexander College.
From Jan. 10 to 21, all students will attend class virtually/online through Zoom, regardless of whether their courses are scheduled to be delivered on-campus or virtual/online.
The Alexander College Burnaby campus will be open during this time, and students will be able to access in-person services.
From Jan. 24 onwards, all classes scheduled to be offered on campus will be delivered in person.
Niagara College Canada
The provincial government made a change to a modified Stage 2 of its reopening plan in response to increased COVID case counts and hospitalizations linked to the omicron variant.
Several time-limited measures for K-12 schools, corporations, and other sectors are included in the announcement.
Niagara College is examining the statement and awaiting more information on any postsecondary education initiatives that may have an impact on its present plans for the Winter 2022 Term delivery.
The college is expected to give updates as further information becomes available. Niagara College has already declared that non-essential labs would be moved to online delivery for the start of the semester.
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