Fall Planning Update

Aug. 30, 2021

Wilfrid Laurier University is proceeding as planned with our approach to the fall term while we await further direction from government about fall-term delivery for Ontario post-secondary institutions.

We are actively engaged in discussions with government, through the Council of Ontario Universities, to advocate for safe and flexible classroom delivery outside the current Stage 3 physical distancing and capacity restrictions. These discussions are in light of universities’ recent mandatory vaccination requirements and additional safety protocols. This flexibility will allow us to continue with the fall term approach we outlined in the spring when students registered for courses.

Following direction from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities in July that universities should plan for fall term with increased capacity and reduced physical distancing, Laurier has been actively planning our fall term in a transitional manner that maximizes both student safety and student experience, with plans to return to normal operations in the winter term. Our fall-term academic delivery plans, which have been approved by our local public health units, are based on reduced capacity as well as ventilation, masking, cleaning and vaccine requirements inside our classrooms to ensure safety without two-metre distancing in classes. Our continued priority is to maximize in-person university experience for as many students as we can while protecting health and safety within public health guidelines.

We are currently continuing to proceed with our plans; however, should universities be directed to follow Stage 3 capacity restrictions and two-metre physical distancing in classrooms for the fall term, we will need to adjust our in-person classroom delivery plans to comply.

Based on our balanced approach with a mix of remote and in-person learning, we are well-positioned to pivot to updated requirements if needed. Given the number of courses, classroom size limitations, unique requirements of various programs, and our continued goal to provide as many of our students as possible with at least one in-person academic experience in the fall, this is an extremely complex exercise. We are modelling these alternate scenarios and will be working directly with each faculty dean in preparation for any necessary changes.

We appreciate that the fall term is quickly approaching and the university community needs certainty – we will confirm our fall plans with the university community as soon as we receive government direction.

In the meantime, please be assured of our existing health and safety policies and procedures, including our face-covering policy, the 12 ways Laurier is planning for a safe return to campus this fall and vaccination requirements. Note: the SAFEHawk app Vaccination Passport section is now live to upload your vaccination status by Sept. 7.

Please continue to check wlu.ca/recovery for updates.