Hamilton’s McMaster University hopeful for ‘more significant’ reopening this Fall
Published July 13, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Hamilton’s McMaster University is hoping that this week’s move to stage 3 of Ontario’s reopening plan is a sign of things to come at the start of the 2021-22 academic year.
The university, which plans to open as much as public health protocols allow this Fall, said that with last week’s news that stage 3 would start this Friday (July 16) could mean that Mac campuses will see more action in the coming months.
“With Ontario announcing Friday afternoon that the province will move into Step 3 earlier than anticipated on July 16th, there is increased optimism that fall 2021 could mean McMaster’s campus will be able to re-open in more significant ways than we had hoped,” the University said in an update posted to its website last week.
“As the province increasingly opens, we will continue to explore ways to further open our doors and welcome our community back to McMaster in keeping with public health requirements.”
This past academic year, Mac kept classes online entirely and the school’s campuses remained close to most staff, faculty, and students.
This Fall, the school expects to welcome staff and students back in a limited capacity, with some on-campus instruction and significant online and hybrid elements, and modified on-campus activities.
Videos
Residences, which were closed during the pandemic except for those in exceptional circumstances and to house international students and others who needed a place to quarantine, will be open.
Physical distancing, masks, and screening protocols will remain in place.
In the meantime, the school said it is reviewing the new public health protocols that come with stage 3 and is looking at how to adapt its reopening plans.
“For now, Step 3 will allow some increased activity on campus,” the update said.
“It is still expected that most people will continue to work from home and that planning will continue on transition plans for this fall when we anticipate even fewer public health restrictions will be in place and a gradual return to campus will begin that will incorporate insights gained from the pandemic working and learning environment.”
For more information on McMaster University’s reopening plans, visit its website.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising