Semester to Continue Online
By: Maria Garcia Manzano, AEIC of The Quill
Photo Credits: Google Images
On Friday January 21, 2022 Brandon University came out with an announcement saying that the semester would continue online. In their email to all students, faculty and staff the university said that they would continue a cautious approach to the Winter Term. Noting that classes will begin transitioning back to in-person learning, a phase-in process that will last through February. They highlighted the importance of striking a careful balance of learning needs and the health and safety of the community during the Omicron surge. Previously, the university delayed the start of Winter Term, and moved most classes online through January, with the hope that the Omicron variant would have peaked by the end of the month. Unfortunately, the variant’s surge has not yet declined to point where the university feels that we can fully resume in-person learning immediately.
As per their email the following updates were made:
WINTER TERM UPDATES:
Some classes, where the need for in-person instruction is highest, will transition back to in-person. This phase-in process will differ from class to class.
Other classes will continue to be held online until after the Winter Study Break, or Reading Week (Feb. 22–25). Those classes will resume in-person instruction as of Monday, Feb. 28.
There is no change to administrative deadlines, like add/drop and voluntary withdrawal.
In each faculty, Deans will determine which classes and other instruction will transition back and on what schedule, after discussion and consultation with faculty.
Students will hear from their professors directly with the date and specifics of their classes’ transitions.
Returning to in-person learning after the break means that approximately half of a class’s instructional hours will be offered in person, with an even greater percentage for those classes returning earlier.