Message from the President, December 17

Posted on Friday, December 17th, 2021

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

Our College leadership team is closely monitoring all recent government-issued responses to rising COVID-19 case counts, with particular emphasis on the risks associated with the highly transmissible Omicron variant of concern.

As we have done throughout this pandemic, we need to adapt quickly to these changing circumstances and ensure the safety of all employees and learners, particularly those who are required to be on campus. As a result, I want to convey some important messages and decisions.

The majority of our academic programming for the Winter term will begin as scheduled on January 10, but in a primarily virtual (remote) delivery mode. Every class where remote delivery is possible will begin as a virtual class. For those learning activities that cannot be delivered virtually, on-campus delivery will continue, but with physical distancing requirements in place for the entire campus. We will continually review the need for virtual delivery, but it is expected to continue in this manner until March 7, i.e. until the end of our Winter mid-term break.

Similar to the direction that was provided in the Fall, only those learners and employees required to be on campus should be attending campus in-person. If you are not required to be on campus, we strongly encourage you to work remotely from home. The more we can limit unnecessary in-person activity on our campuses, the more we can reduce the risk of transmission. Managers can help answer employees’ questions should further clarification be required, and students can speak with their professors – please do not hesitate to reach out.

We will also be pausing all in-person, non-academic events and social gatherings on our campuses until it is safe to gather again. I would like to strongly encourage you to consider extending a pause to college-related off-campus activities as well. I can confirm that our upcoming AC Day 1 activities will be conducted virtually, however there will be individuals in-person, operating our Here-2-Help booths.

These are difficult times, and as such, can impact us all differently. If you are looking for support, there are numerous resources available to employees and learners. Learners can access program, financial and personal supports via this link, and employees can find a full range of resources here.

We are continuing to monitor all developments and public health directives, and review our policies accordingly. Any further changes to operations will be communicated immediately to all employees and learners.

Over the past year and a half, you have been called upon to make more sacrifices, to exercise more patience and adapt to new and challenging sets of circumstances. I know it is not easy; thank you for your ongoing commitment and resiliency.

Stay well everyone,

Sincerely,

Claude Brulé

President and CEO

Algonquin College


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