Oshawa’s Ontario Tech, Durham College preparing for gradual return to class
Published January 25, 2022 at 1:55 pm
Ontario Tech and Durham College will be slowly transitioning to in-class learning next week after the Province begins easing COVID-19 public health restrictions.
In a letter to students, Ontario Tech President Dr. Steven Murphy and Vice-President Lori Livingston said the university will return to their ‘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, with the gradual return with this phase-in occurring throughout the month of February.
All public-health precautions will remain in effect.
“Returning to campus may cause some of you to feel trepidation or anxiety,” the letter stated. “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.”
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“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. “
At the adjoining Durham College campus, most courses will be offered as a hybrid in-class/remote format starting January 31.
The Provincial government’s plan is to lift most remaining measures by mid-March.
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