
Thompson Rivers University is planning to start the 2021-22 winter semester with in-person classes next month.
In a letter to students, Donna Murnaghan, the interim Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research, says it comes after updated guidance from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, recommending that universities maintain in-person learning for January.
“Throughout the pandemic we have followed the guidance of the Provincial Health Officer and are continuing to do so,” Murnaghan wrote. “With the support of students, faculty and staff we have done extremely well as an institution with high vaccine uptake and no known transmission on campus.”
“As of today, case counts in the Interior are less than other parts of the province and continue to remain moderate,” she added, referencing the additional public health orders and restrictions put in place by Dr. Henry this week given the rate of spread of the Omicron Variant.
The University of British Columbia announced this week it is moving all classes online until at least Jan. 24 at both its Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, a move that was made on Wednesday, one day after Dr. Henry’s letter to universities.
In a statement, UBC president Santa Ono says they intent to return to in-person learning after that date, but added they will be monitoring the situation with an update coming in the first week of January.
The University of Victoria – which saw a major cluster of Omicron cases – said on Monday that it plans to continue with on-campus learning in January, but added it will assess the situation as it unfolds.
“UVic leaders are actively consulting across the sector, with public health officials and with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training to determine if we need to make any necessary adjustments to our spring term programming, our prevention measures or both,” a statement said.
“To that end, we are expecting clear public health direction and guidance later this week.”
Murnaghan meanwhile notes that TRU will be also monitoring the situation and ready to pivot to online learning, should the need arise.
“As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will follow the expert advice of our medical experts regarding how we can best continue learning and working safely,” she said.
“The pandemic can result in rapid shifts in direction and we ask that faculty and students be prepared for the possibility of virtual, hybrid or in-person learning as classes resume. We will make decisions based on the guidance from the PHO and Interior Health, with a focus on regional case rates and ensuring student needs are first.”
She also noted that 96 per cent of the students, faculty, and staff at TRU have gotten either one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Vaccines are the most effective way to reduce the risk of COVID-19 on campus and also provide children and adults protection from getting seriously ill even if they get COVID-19. We continue to strongly encourage everyone on campus to get vaccinated,” Murnaghan said.
The winter semester at TRU is set to begin on Jan. 10.