Ryerson University has revised its return to campus initiatives for the 2022 winter semester, cancelling its initial plan to return to full capacity classes and workplaces in the new year.
Due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 Omicron variant, as well as rising positive cases across the GTA, the university decided to keep all classes online until Jan. 30, 2022.
For workplaces, faculties will be notified of further plans when winter semester commences on Jan. 6.
Unviersity President Mohamed Lachemi wrote in a press release that further planning for the semester will be reviewed once the fall semester officially ends.
"As we approach the end of our fall semester, I am sure that many of you are following the news on the rise of the Omicron variant in our province and are concerned about how this will impact our Winter 2022 semester. The university is monitoring this closely and continues to respond to guidance from our government and public health authorities in planning for January."
Ryerson previously announced a gradual return to full capacity on Oct. 14, with some faculities notifying students of future plans prior to the university's official statements.
As more individuals submitted their proof of vaccination through the Ryerson Safety app, the school was hopeful that campus life would return to full capacity.
The 2019-20 school year was online only, while the 2021 fall semester was hybrid for some facilities. The success of the in-person classes, according to Lachemi, was viewed as a pilot project of what would be implemented in 2022.
Students and staff were asked to submit their proof of vaccination, which is two doses to be fully vaccinated or have a legitimate medical exemption, by the end of November.
For plans after Jan. 30, Lachemi believes that the school can attempt to return to in-person activities again, but the progress of case counts and booster shots will be considered.
"On Monday, Jan. 31, we will shift back to in-person learning and teaching. Wherever possible, remote work will also continue for the month of January and research activity will continue as planned," Lachemi wrote in the press release. "We know the immediate weeks ahead will be critical in managing the spread of the Omicron variant; this move to a modified start of term will help ensure the continued health and safety of our community. Beginning next week, the province is ramping up their booster program - we would strongly encourage all of our community members to receive a booster as soon as they are eligible to do so."
Further, Lachemi indicates that students will be notified of updates by their respective departments, and human resources will offer additional steps and info for staff.
Each plan for Ryerson’s return to campus will be updated as more information from Toronto Public Health becomes available, according to Lachemi, including vaccination submissions and information regarding booster shots for students and staff.
Starting on Dec. 20, all Toronto residents 18-years-old or older are able to book for a COVID-19 booster vaccine, as long as they received their second dose three months or earlier prior.
The university will be closed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6, and no further updates regarding the school’s reopening is expected before the new year.
Lachemi and associate director of university communications Karen Benner were asked to comment on the new developments.
No response was given at this time.
Benner previously wrote in an email to CJRU in October regarding the gradual announcements by each faculty about in-person classes.
“While some faculties and programs at the university are starting to identify their processes for winter classes, the university is still working through the details and no official decision has been made about the winter term.”
More details to come in early 2022.
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