Universities, NSCC suspend in-person classes

Plans being worked on for online learning

Universities in Nova Scotia have been cancelling inperson classes and are working on go-forward plans as a result of COVID-19 concerns as they implement social distancing measures to help curb the future spread of the virus.

For the most part, universities are adopting uniform measures, although there are some differences when it comes to facilities. Students, staff and families should check their university’s website for a full list of updated measures.

Many students returned home this past weekend.

This was the situation at this newspaper’s Monday press deadline with many of the universities.

“In-person classes, inperson labs and in-person exams will not resume this term,” read a message on the website of Dalhousie and the University of King’s College. “Students should expect instruction to resume via distance (education) on Monday, March 23.”

Dalhousie and the University of King’s College say students who are able to leave residence should do so as soon as possible and can plan to learn from home for the rest of the semester. Residences will remain open for students who are unable to leave.

“All non-essential university events are cancelled or postponed. At this point, this is in effect until June 1 at a minimum,” the website reads. “This cancellation, regrettably, includes Dalhousie Convocation and King’s Encaenia ceremonies scheduled for

May 2020. Students will still be awarded their degree(s)/ credentials.”

At Saint Mary’s University, all face-to-face classes and related classwork have been suspended from March 16 to 22. This includes in-class instruction, tests, midterms, assignments and office hours. Online courses continue as normal.

“Face-to-face instruction is suspended for the rest of the term (March 23 to end of term). Students will not attend classes in a classroom for the rest of this term. This includes exams,” reads the university’s website. “The university will provide further information by March 20 on how courses for this term will be completed after this week. Students who wish to leave and return home should do so. They will not need to be on campus to complete the term.”

St. Francis Xavier University also suspended all in-person classes March 16 to 20.

“This will permit our instructors the time necessary to assess how programs will be delivered through to the end of the term,” the

St. FX website reads. “It is important to note that we are not closing the campus nor is the academic term cancelled. Please be aware that classes will resume on Monday, March 23 using online or other alternative delivery methods. More details on how classes (including exams) will be delivered will be provided in the days ahead.”

The St. FX campus in Antigonish was closed to the general public on March 15. The closure will remain in effect until April 30. Exceptions were made to allow parents to pick up students.

“COVID-19 presents a number of unprecedented situations and challenges for the campus community,” said

Kevin Wamsley, president and vice chancellor of St. FX University. “We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to work through these trying times.”

Université Sainte-Anne says the priority is the health and safety of the university community. It says courses and laboratories are suspended for the period from March 16 to 20, with the exception of online courses, which continue as planned. No evaluation or submission of work will take place during this week.

There will be no examination period in person from April 14 to 21. Faculty members will communicate directly with those enrolled in their courses to indicate how they will be assessed. Additional information will follow in the coming days, its website says.

For the time being on Monday, the university said all buildings and facilities on the campuses of Université Sainte-Anne remained open, including residences, the cafeteria, the Louis-RComeau Library and the Marcel-R-Comeau Sports Centre.

The university noted many post-secondary institutions in Canada have cancelled courses and/or are transitioning to distance education. “A variety of similar options will be evaluated over the next few days and communicated to you early next week.”

The university reminds people that social isolation is encouraged “and that we must all take action to reduce the spread of the virus.”

Mount Saint Vincent University’s in-person classes and labs have been suspended until the end of term. Classes already being delivered online will continue. Faculty has been asked to move to different modes of delivery where possible. There will be no face-to-face exams this term. Faculty are being asked to consider whether take-home or digitally-delivered exams are feasible for a particular course.

NSCC already had its planned March break for students March 16 to 20. Beyond this, NSCC is suspending classes from March 23 to April 3 to prepare for alternative forms of learning, such as online. A number of events have been cancelled and others are under review.

The college has suspended all international and out-ofprovince travel for work, and student international travel until April 24 and had cancelled a number of events including with others under review.