A ‘phased return’ to on-site classes at IT and St Angela’s
DESPITE ongoing increases in Covid19 cases, two local third level colleges are aiming to return to normal in-person teaching on campus, but there will be a phased/incremental return at both that will see students back at lectures on campus.
While further advice is anticipated, the plans locally are largely based on the ‘Safe Return to on-site Further and Higher Education and research document’ issued in mid-June by Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris. At that time Minister Harris said that third level colleges around the country will reopen to all students from September adding that almost all facilities on campuses around the country will reopen, as a result of the vaccination programme. He also warned that institutions could face a staggered return, which now appears to be the case in many institutions. This staggered approach is reflected in plans for two Sligo third level col- leges, IT Sligo and St Angela’s College, which are opting for what has been variously described as a “phased” or an “incremental” approach to getting students back to lectures on campus as opposed to remote or online learning.
At St Angela’s College in Sligo the planning and roll-out of on-site learning will be on an incremental basis. On their website they have advised students they can expect a hybrid model of remote (online) and on-site learning. The amount of on-site learning will vary across courses particularly at the start of the academic year and will increase incrementally throughout the semester.
They said: “Please note, in September you will not be on-site every day, but you will have some on-site experience each week. When not required on-site, your learning will be delivered remotely (online). “Our plan is for on-site attendance to increase incrementally and therefore safely from September to December with the plan for 100% attendance on-site for Semester 2 (January to May).
“The library, canteen, and Students’ Union area will all be open when you return in September and will operate in line with prevailing general public health advice for those activities.” Affiliated to NUI Galway, their website statement adds: “St Angela’s College is committed to providing students with the full college experience in the coming year,” adding that they will be following the direction/ advice offered by Minister Harris to assist them in their current and future planning.
St Angela’s College said they are encouraging “for your safety and the safety of others” all their students to “consider taking the opportunities available to them to get the Covid-19 vaccine,” adding that this “will greatly assist us with our return to campus plan and will help to ensure a safe environment for all”.
The statement states that the planning and roll-out of on-site learning will be on an incremental basis.
“The safety of our students, staff, the wider community of Sligo are paramount, and we will continue to adhere to all public health guidelines as well as advice from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Science.”
Meanwhile IT Sligo, alluding to a “phased approach” as they plan for the return of students, say the “quantum of on-site learning will vary across programmes at the start of the academic year and will be influenced by the typ of activity [involved].”
In a statement issued to the Sligo Weekender, IT Sligo outlined its approach: “IT Sligo is taking a phased approach to the introduction of on campus learning to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff. All programmes will require students to attend for on-site learning from early semester one.
“On-site learning will include workshops, laboratory/studio work, tutorials and classroom-based teaching starting with smaller classes sizes initially. The quantum of on-site learning will vary across programmes at the start of the academic year and will be influenced by the type of activity.” They further confirm that Semester 1 will begin for returning students on September 20 with teaching commencing on that day. Semester 1 will begin for first year students and apprentices on September 27 with teaching commencing on that day. This is slightly unusual as first year students usually would be first to come to a college campus, but a delay in the CAO system requires that they start one week after returning students. The IT Sligo statement adds: “We will monitor very carefully on campus activity and increase the amount of on campus learning for all programmes/students as soon as it is feasible in accordance with public health guidelines.”
Meanwhile at LYIT in Letterkenny which caters for students from Sligo, in response to the Simon Harris document, ‘Safe Return to on-site Further and Higher Education and research document’ the intention is to see all students return by September 27 to on-site learning.
Michael Margey, Head of Business, confirmed that with the vaccination programme rolling out successfully, it is expected that a full return to on-site activity is feasible.
Students will return on September 20 (existing) and September 27 (new students).