COVID-19: Ryerson University will hold mostly online classes this fall
TORONTO, ON., May 18, 2020 — As students and staff are becoming curious and concerned about how university life will be come this fall, as the city and province weather the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor at Ryerson University has announced that most of their courses will be online. He also said they are planning for a potential mix of online and in-person classes.
Ryerson’s president also said the university is planning to offer as many on-campus activities as provincial and public health guidelines permit. They also say the university is planning on providing an array of online extra-curricular programming and academic supports.
Lachemi said that Ryerson has set up planning groups to work out details and address the challenges they face particularly, because of their “unique downtown location.”
One of the groups is focusing on strategic planning within the COVID-19 disruption, managing change, and positioning Ryerson for longer-term strategic success while a second group is devising a list of plausible scenarios to help the university navigate through potential disruptions and to ensure that they are prepared for any challenges that the fall may bring.
“These groups, along with the work of countless staff and faculty, are mapping out options for the school’s eventual return to campus,” says Lachemi. “Flexibility and resiliency, while ensuring the ongoing safety of our students, faculty and staff, is the heart of our approach.”
And in terms of students and staff returning to campus, Lachemi said, “As part of our planning, the university continues to follow directives from our ministry, the provincial and federal governments, local health agencies, and the province’s reopening framework. Any decisions made by the university with regards to teaching, student supports, scholarly research and creative activities (SRC), and a potential re-opening will be done in accordance with their advice, guidelines and best practices and in consultation with the Ryerson community.”
The Ryerson University president says one of the scenarios they are planning for is a gradual return to campus, but that they “will not ask anyone to come to our campus until our government and public health agencies have told us it is safe to open and that the safety and well-being of our entire community can be assured.
Students can learn more about services available to them at the Ryerson Centre for Student Development and Counselling.
