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Post-secondary students in Greater Victoria won’t be back on campus this fall, as both University of Victoria and Royal Roads University announce that the novel coronavirus pandemic will keep classes online this September.
In an announcement Monday, University of Victoria president Jamie Cassels said plans to continue online classes were in line with provincial health guidelines that prohibit gatherings of 50 people or more.
“We are committed to offering students options for staying on track, graduating on time, and meeting their learning goals. With these factors in mind, we will be offering programming predominantly online for the fall term,” Cassels said in a statement.
As long as physical distancing can be practised, there will be a gradual return of faculty and graduate students conducting on-campus research, experiential learning and work-integrated learning, Cassels said. The timetable for the fall semester will be posted later this month.
There is also a plan to slowly bring back university staff who have been working from home, he said.
“Know that we are dedicated to continuing to meet the immediate needs created by this global challenge, and look forward to the day we can welcome all our students, faculty and staff back to campus,” Cassels said.
At Royal Roads University in Colwood, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic means that all on-campus classes, including residencies, will be offered online until Dec. 31, 2020
“At Royal Roads, our top priority is student safety. We are working hard to maintain a quality learning experience for our students as they move to complete programs,” said Philip Steenkamp, the university’s president.
“Royal Roads is ideally suited to make this shift, as a university where most classes are routinely held online.”
Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo said this fall it will offer a mix of online classes and on-campus learning in a “hybrid” program delivery model. That means most classes will be delivered online, while labs, practicums and experiential learning will be modified to ensure they comply with provincial guidelines on social distancing, said VIU president Deb Saucier.
“There will be lots of opportunities to take part in a variety of different activities to enhance your learning and allow you to connect with others and be part of the VIU community,” Saucier said.
Island universities suspended on-campus classes after B.C. declared a state of emergency on March 18.
kderosa@timescolonist.com