University of Regina plans ‘phased’ approach for return to the classroom

The University of Regina is hoping to slowly have students return to the classroom starting on Feb. 7.

The school is planning what it’s calling “a cautious and phased return to in-person operations” followed by a full resumption of in-person classes by March 1.

Work is currently underway by university officials to determine which courses are suitable to resume in person in February, with more information being sent to students by Monday.

On Feb. 22, some on-campus events and activities will resume, followed by all remaining face-to-face classes, events and activities on campus by March 1.

Courses originally scheduled as remote will continue to be delivered in that manner for the rest of the term.

“The university will continue monitoring the pandemic situation in the province and will adjust as required,” a release by the school read. “This may include temporarily ‘pivots’ to remote delivery for individual classes, or, if public health orders change, another blanket shift to remote learning to ensure the safety of our university and the broader community.

“This phased return to in-person classes, combined with the university’s requirement for proof of vaccination or regular rapid antigen testing, updated guidelines for masking on campus, and other precautions that are in place, will make the university environment as safe as possible.”

The university had announced in December that the winter semester would start online because of concerns surrounding the Omicron COVID variant.