It appears the majority of students attending two Greater Victoria universities won’t be in the classroom this coming fall.
Both the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University announced that they will be offering online classes this coming fall as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
UVic said in a message posted on its website Monday, that the majority of its classes will be predominantly online for the upcoming fall term.
“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,” said school president, Jamie Cassels.
The school said it is exploring opportunities for in-person instruction to support essential experiential learning, graduate education, and work-integrated learning, where health and safety permits.
“As we plan for the months ahead, we will be introducing specific measures to protect the health and safety of all members of our university community. These measures will be informed by enhanced protocols developed for our sector through a process involving university health and safety experts, union representatives, ministry representatives and WorkSafeBC,” said Cassels.
Where health and safety permits, we are also exploring opportunities for in-person instruction to support essential experiential learning, graduate education and work-integrated learning; the fall timetable will be available later this month.
Meanwhile, Royal Roads University has said that all of its programs, courses and residencies will be entirely online until December 31.
“As always, Royal Roads University’s top priority is ensuring the continued health and safety of our students, faculty and staff during the easing of pandemic restrictions,” said Royal Roads president Philip Steenkamp in an update on the school’s website.
Vancouver Island University, which has campuses north of Victoria, said it is moving to a “hybrid program delivery model” that “takes advantage of the best features of both face-to-face and online learning” for the fall 2020 semester.
“[It] will include the use of robust online educational technologies for most classes; re-imagined experiential learning opportunities (ensuring compliance with health and safety guidelines including guidelines on social distancing); new or modified approaches to labs and practicums – that will still support an in-depth practical learning experience; and virtual supports, services and extra-curricular activities,” the school said in a release issued Monday.
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