Mohawk College moves most classes online for remainder of winter semester
CBC
Mohawk College has announced most courses during its winter semester will be delivered online, joining post-secondary institutions across the area in making adjustments amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.
A message from president Ron McKerlie shared Tuesday stated that all "required" in-person learning will continue, but all other teaching that was expected to take place in the classroom will be done remotely for the remainder of the term.
The ongoing spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant has created uncertainty for Mohawk College students and staff," he wrote. "This decision will allow students to plan ahead with certainty."
The president noted "many students" have shared their desire to return to campus to experience in-person extracurricular activities and social events. The college may organize optional campus activities if the situation improves and it's safe to do so, he said.
In the meantime, the following changes have been made:
"We know the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant is frustrating and heightens the anxiety that some people may be feeling," wrote McKerlie, adding the college is providing supports.
Here's how other colleges and universities in the region are responding to the COVID-19 situation this semester:
McMaster University has posted a plan that sees students slowly return to campus.
Classes are virtual this week, except for some clinical programs. But, starting Jan. 17, the university says it will add undergraduate labs, studios, clinical and other high-priority hands-on learning in person, though with some exceptions.
All level-one undergraduate courses are currently scheduled to be in-person beginning on Jan. 31 and the university said more than half of its first-year students will be living in residence as of Jan. 14.
In-person classes for all students are set to start on Feb. 7.
Redeemer University said earlier this month that it was going ahead with plans for students to move on campus starting Jan. 8 and for classes to start this week.
However, both students and staff have the option to take part in class either in-person or remotely for the first two weeks of the term.
The university stated it will continue to monitor provincial developments and share updates as they arise.
P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking for 50 substitute bus drivers, and it'll be recruiting at three job fairs on Saturday, June 8. The job fairs are located at the Atlantic Superstore in Montague, Royalty Crossing in Charlottetown, and the bus parking lot of Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. All three run from 9 a.m. until noon. Dave Gillis, the director of transportation and risk management for the Public Schools Branch, said the number of substitute drivers they're hiring isn't unusual. "We are always looking for more. Our drivers tend to have an older demographic," he said.