Dear Students,

I know that many of you have been waiting for an update on the Spring term. I appreciate your patience as we considered how best to proceed and monitored the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations from our Provincial Health Officer.

After careful consideration, we have determined that the Spring term will look very similar to our current Fall term. Seventy percent of courses will be delivered entirely online. The remaining 30 percent will be “hybrid,” with a mix of online and in-person delivery.

This means that students can continue their studies remotely from outside of the Lower Mainland if they choose to by registering in online-only courses. Students who are studying locally can also register in hybrid courses, which will offer in-person activities that adhere to public health recommendations for physical distancing.

No program area will be disadvantaged. All students will be able to complete their program requirements, whether they study online or opt for a mix of hybrid and online courses. Comprehensive resources for online learning are available, as are virtual appointments to support you in your studies. We remain committed to providing an exceptional education to all our students, in person and online.

To students studying locally, you will continue to have access to campus spaces. You can book time in shops and studios online, and arrange contactless pick-ups of library materials and Media Resources equipment. Building hours have been extended to allow more students to use campus spaces while maintaining safe occupancy limits.

Our guidelines for campus safety remain unchanged. We strongly recommend that everyone wear a mask at all times on campus, and require masks to be worn in common areas, including hallways, washrooms and stairwells. Please continue to use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment each day that you come to campus, and stay home if you feel ill. I wish to remind you that community safety is a shared responsibility and that we all need to do our part.

We will continue to update our COVID-19 information pages as the situation evolves. If it is safe to do so, we will offer more campus access and in-person programming and events. Any expansion of face-to-face activities will be compliant with public health guidelines, as your health and safety remain our highest priority.

Finally, I recognize that the Spring term means that many of you are anticipating the end of your studies, and the milestones of The Show and graduation. We know these events will look different in 2021 than they have in past years. But I do want to assure you that we will find a unique and memorable way to honour your incredible achievements. I look forward to sharing more details as plans take shape for those celebrations.

The last eight months have been deeply challenging for all of us, but I am proud of how our resilient community has come together to support and care for one another from a distance. This Fall has seen remarkable online events, incredible student achievement, and innovative courses developed by our faculty. I know that the Spring term will also inspire us to find new ways to learn, share and create together.

Trish Kelly
Vice-President Academic + Provost