Post-secondary schools plan fall relaunch strategy

Edmonton’s post-secondary schools are figuring out the best way to offer classes this fall semester, with some institutions planning to shift nearly all courses online.

Under Alberta’s relaunch plan, how post-secondaries can deliver programs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic — whether in person, online or a blend of the two — depends on what public health orders are in place. Although there is uncertainty over what the pandemic will look like in the fall, schools are working on plans to give students as much notice as possible.

Concordia University of Edmonton president Tim Loreman said Friday more than 90 per cent of courses will be offered online when students return in the fall because of the COVID -19 pandemic. There will be some exceptions such as science labs, drama classes and physical education.

Although the fall plan hasn’t been officially approved yet, Loreman said the university will be following public health guidelines such as physical distancing and limiting class sizes to 15 people.

“We want to make sure that every student is able to participate and learn without barriers and we will be sharing our complete plan on May 25 on our website,” he said. “We have been thinking about this for at least a couple of months ever since we had to abruptly shift online in the winter semester.”

Loreman said student residences will be closed in the fall but the university will assist those who need to find accommodations. The campus itself will remain open.

He said presidents of all of Alberta’s post-secondary institutions had an opportunity to meet with the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw and other members of her office to discuss plans. However, Loreman said what Concordia decides will be based on the general guidelines the province released on Thursday.

Samantha Power, media relations adviser at Macewan University, said in an email the school is still working on fall scenarios.

“We expect to have an academic plan in place by the end of May,” she said. “We know that this fall will look and feel different on our campus for everyone. At this point, we know that, regardless of the health situation, we will offer as much content as possible online.”

On Thursday, University of Alberta president and vice-chancellor David Turpin officially announced that the majority of the school’s fall classes will be delivered online.