UW students return to classrooms

University of Waterloo students will once again fill the campus. 

Starting Monday, most courses will be delivered in-person, including labs, lectures, seminars, and tutorials but some large lectures will be remote. 

Recreation and dining facilities are at half capacity.

This comes after nearly two years of remote learning for some students.

“We've really said from the beginning of the pandemic that the goal is really to return to more in-person learning,” said Nick Manning, vice-president of communications at the University of Waterloo.

“We know there's no substitute for what happens in a lab or a classroom together for peers and we think the time is now here to return to that in-person learning. We're confident that the vast majority of our students are keen and ready to return.”

Ahead of the return to classrooms, a group of graduate students, PHD candidates, and teaching assistants wrote an open letter to the university, expressing fears about students returning campus, calling to have a say in decision-making, and asking for additional measures like rapid tests and N-95 masking.

The letter received over 300 signatures.

“Getting back to some of those in-person opportunities is so critical for our students, so our plan is really focused on that. We're very lucky—we have 99 per cent of everybody who needs to come to the campus to live, learn, and work are fully vaccinated so we have a population that is well protected against the most severe illness,” said Manning. 

The university will begin handing out cloth masks with interior filter layers to students on Monday at various campus locations.

It's put over 70,000 masks on order, increased available spaces in residences, and taken measures with ventilation.

Manning encouraged any students with concerns or who want to make alternative arrangements to reach out to their academic advisor to explore their options.

He said in some cases, there are online classes students can switch to. 

Meanwhile, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College opted for phased approaches to bringing students back to the classroom.

At Laurier, all courses will be in-person by the end of February.

At Conestoga, in-person learning components restart by March 7. 

Winter Term Update

▹ Most in-person instruction resumes on Feb 7 incl. labs, seminars, lectures, & tutorials
▹ We will continue to deliver some large lectures online until Feb 28
▹ Rec facilities & dining spaces will open (50% capacity) on Jan 31
More: https://t.co/1HJgLVHujk pic.twitter.com/xb1rcp9cWp

— University of Waterloo (@UWaterloo) January 21, 2022