Laurier to proceed as planned with fall-term academic delivery

Sept. 1, 2021

Further to our Aug. 30 update, Ontario universities have received direction from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) that allows Wilfrid Laurier University to proceed as planned with our fall-term academic delivery, which was announced in the spring.

• MCU’s Postsecondary Education Health Measures Framework for Fall was developed in consultation with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and allows for flexibility with respect to capacity limits and physical distancing for indoor instructional spaces including classrooms and labs.
• Laurier’s fall-term academic plans, which have been approved by our local public health units, incorporate this flexibility and are based on 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of approximately 150 people as well as ventilation, masking, cleaning and vaccine requirements inside our instructional spaces.
• Our continued priority is to maximize in-person learning experiences for students while protecting health and safety within the guidelines.
• The fall is a transitional term while we continue to plan to return to normal operations in the winter term.

The direction from MCU further clarifies that beyond the flexibility allowed in indoor instructional areas, universities must follow the Province’s Step 3 capacity limits and physical distancing restrictions in all other areas.

• Laurier’s health and safety policies and procedures for these areas, which will be updated on our wlu.ca/recovery website and through on-campus signage, will reflect Step 3 public health guidelines.
• We will continue to update the website as we confirm Step 3 details related to university services and activities.
• Laurier’s vaccination requirements align with MCU’s direction under this framework that requires all postsecondary universities to have mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies in place effective Sept. 7, 2021.

We continue to keep the health and safety of the Laurier community as our top priority. Please familiarize yourself with 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. A reminder to please upload your vaccination status to the SAFEHawk app by Sept. 7.

We are grateful to be able to provide this certainty to our university community. For full details about fall plans, please continue to visit wlu.ca/recovery.

Best wishes for a successful fall term.