Just days before the academic year is meant to begin, St. Lawrence College has announced it will “reduce face-to-face programming for the fall semester.”
The college says the last-minute decision is due to lack of information from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities on how the school should proceed with its COVID-19 guidelines over the coming months.
“As we have yet to receive final direction, some courses planned to be face-to-face will now shift to an alternate method of delivery,” the college said.
Only larger-sized or theory-based courses will be moved online, the college says.
According to Glenn Vollebregt, president and CEO of the college, original plans had 80 per cent of the student population back on campus in the fall, but that number has been cut down to 50 per cent.
“We plan to continue hosting labs, practical education components, and smaller classes on campus, as we are being told this will be possible under the new guidelines.”
Students will be contacted by the school’s registrar’s office for any amendments to their courses in the coming days.
The courses that are changed online at the start of this semester will remain online until the end of the fall semester.
“SLC is committed to the fact that we will finish the fall term the way we begin it, barring another lockdown or situation beyond our control,” Vollebregt said.
The college will also open common spaces like cafeterias, study spaces and welcome centres. Those students who are only studying online will be allowed on campus, provided they show proof of being vaccinated or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Updated vaccine policy
The college has also updated its COVID-19 vaccine policy. It will now required anyone visiting campus to show proof of either full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
Prior to this, the school said it was working off an honour-based system. The college changed its policy after the province releases its Postsecondary Education Health Measures Framework for Fall 2021, which requires schools to ask for proof of vaccination or testing status.
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