Colleges, universities should plan for normal this fall, government says

Thestar.com
July 19, 2021
Kristin Rushowy

Ontario colleges and universities can fully reopen this fall with no capacity limits for classes or physical distancing requirements for students, says a government memo obtained by the Star.

However, face masks will still be required indoors, the memo says, adding that schools should also hold vaccine clinics and offer rapid, asymptomatic COVID-19 testing while continuing to promote good hygiene and maintain additional cleaning measures.

The missive, sent Friday to institutions, is a first glimpse at what post-secondary life will look like come September and signals the government is looking for a return to near-normal after more than a year of disruption because of the pandemic that put an end to almost all in-person classes, frosh week and extracurricular activities, as well as campus life.

And it comes as at least one college -- Seneca, in Toronto -- has decided that anyone wanting to learn on campus this fall must be vaccinated, and also as the Ford government looks at how to handle the return of in-person learning for elementary and secondary students -- a highly anticipated plan that is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop said in a statement to the Star that as a mother of three daughters attending Ontario universities, she knows “first-hand that many students are looking forward to returning to campus for in-person learning experiences. It is my hope that this news will bring some comfort in that regard.”

Dunlop, a former faculty member at Georgian College, said that “with the continued progress of our provincial vaccination program and further easing of public health measures, we are able to take this positive step forward, while maintaining the flexibility of hybrid learning models for students and institutions.”

Some universities such as Queen’s and Western have already been planning for in-person learning. Others, like McMaster, have said they will offer a mix of online and in-person, and want to implement physical distancing protocols.

The new government recommendations are to guide institutions as they make final decisions about September.

The memo, sent by Deputy Minister Shelley Tapp, states that “masks and face coverings will still be required for indoor settings and all ... (post-secondary) institutions are required to continue following provincial and federal public health and workplace safety requirements. We also encourage (schools) to engage with their local public health unit to establish opportunities for vaccination clinics and vaccine promotion on campus, and during events with high attendance.”

Tapp also reminded schools they need to continue to screen those on campus for COVID symptoms, and promote hand-washing and keep up enhanced cleaning practices.

“As well, the ministry encourages (post-secondary) institutions to have policies in place to leverage rapid antigen testing for routine screening of asymptomatic individuals in alignment with provincial testing guidance, and wastewater surveillance, where appropriate.”

Tapp also wrote that colleges and universities should offer resources and supports for students and staff given the toll the pandemic has taken on their mental health, and also have contingency plans in place should another wave of the pandemic hit the province.

“The impacts of COVID-19 have been challenging for all of us. (Post-secondary) institutions should make every effort to ensure that students and employees have the mental health and well-being supports they need,” the memo said.

The government will issue an update to schools in early August, to “ensure alignment with the most current public health and safety guidance and advice for September 2021 and onwards ... I am optimistic that the (post-secondary) sector will resume many of the cherished in-person experiences that have been on pause for so long.”

A statement issued by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance and the Council of Ontario Universities said they “encourage all faculty, staff and students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 ... We want to thank each and every one of the many students, staff, faculty and community members who have already received one or both shots, as high vaccination rates play a critical role in bringing student life back to our campuses.”

Both alliance President Eunice Oladejo and Steve Orsini, president of the universities’ council, added that “many university students are also volunteering at regional and university-run pop-ups and clinics to help our communities administer vaccines safely and quickly.”

Western, Ryerson, the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa have all said that students wishing to live in residence this fall must be vaccinated. Seneca College is believed to be the first to mandate shots for anyone wanting to be on campus, in person.