Dear students and colleagues,

On Friday, we received new direction from our Ministry of Colleges and Universities regarding plans for Fall 2021 and a resumption of on-campus activity. Shelley Tapp, Deputy Minister, wrote to advise that “assuming the continued progress of provincewide vaccination rates and continued improvements in key public health and health care indicators, it is anticipated that all in-person instruction and on-campus activities at PSE institutions would be permitted to resume without capacity limits of physical distancing requirements starting in Fall 2021.”

Our Deputy Minister further indicated, “I want to emphasize that PSE institutions continue to have the flexibility to deliver academic instruction in the mode that best suits the needs of students and institutions including virtual and hybrid delivery models.” The ministry will release an updated framework in early August, to ensure alignment with the most current public health and safety guidance and advice for September 2021 and onwards.

This is welcome news and something we have been looking forward to and planning for!

Our students have made their plans for the fall and in keeping with our commitment to them, our academic delivery schedule will remain the same for Fall 2021 and include a combination of remote online and in-person delivery. Georgian students and employees can expect a gradual increase in on-campus activity as the semester progresses. We will soon post what services will be available either in-person, online or both as well as what to expect when you return to campus.

As required, we will update our health and safety protocols to align with our Ministry framework as well as our local public health unit requirements. They’ve served us well because you’ve followed them so rigorously. Please remember Georgian has a number of resources to help you manage your mental health, should you require support. Visit the student or employee portals for more information.

Working together, we’ve adjusted and adapted throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so, always keeping our students at the centre of our decision making and doing all that we can to ensure their health, safety and ultimate success. As more information is available and decisions are made, we’ll be sure to update you regularly.

In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated – it will bring us all back together faster.

Kim Garraway, MCM
Manager, Communications
Georgian College