On-campus learning returns but Lethbridge post-secondary schools prepared to pivot
Both Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge are preparing to return to on-campus learning this fall, although with COVID-19 numbers rising, the schools are prepared to pivot if necessary.
Fourth-year automotive student Phoenix Cant was among hundreds who were back on campus at Lethbridge College on Monday.
Cant said it felt good to be back after taking her second and third-year courses online due to COVID-19.
“It’s phenomenally better to be back in the classroom,” said Cant.
“It’s a little bit easier for communication with the teachers.”
Students in the Trades, Technology and Innovation Facility were the first to return to school, with most other programs resuming next week.
The University of Lethbridge is also preparing to return to in-class learning after switching to a mostly online delivery model last fall.
“We anticipate 90 per cent of classes will be face-to-face,” said U of L president Mike Mahon.
The University of Calgary allowed professors to move courses online as recently as Aug. 20, raising concerns from the U of C Students Union.
In a news release, the University of Calgary Students Union said the sudden course changes had “pulled the rug out” from under thousands of students.
With less than two weeks until the start of the fall semester, many students, especially international students, had spent money on flights, housing and parking spaces, to find out their in-person classes had moved online.
In February, the University of Lethbridge announced that students should prepare to be back on campus in the fall.
Mahon said that continues to be their goal.
We know our students want to be face-to-face,” said Mahon. “We’re a destination university, and so many of students come from away.”
At the same time, the university will continue to monitor what is happening in the province and region from a health and safety perspective.
“We hope we don’t have to do any pivoting, but we pivoted a year and a half ago, and we’re prepared if need be to move some courses online.," said Mahon.
While many Albertans were hoping for things to be closer to normal this fall, COVID-19 variants have recently led to an increase in cases.
The university had previously announced that there would be mandatory masking on campus and stipulated those who were not vaccinated would have to undergo regular rapid testing.
Discussions around COVID-19 protocols are continuing, and the U of L said the final plan would be announced prior to classes resuming next week.
Since the start of the pandemic Lethbridge College has changed or updated its COVID-19 guidelines nine times. Lethbridge College president Paula Burns said institutions would have to remain flexible as they determine how to offer as many course experiences on campus as possible, while ensuring the health of its students, faculty and staff.
Now into her final year of schooling, Cant is hoping she can finish her automotive course in the classroom.
“It’s a very hands-on industry,” she added.
“So it is a lot nicer to be physically here, to see how things are going and be able to do it yourself as well.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Missing B.C. climber died from fall on Mount Baker, medical examiner says
The body of a British Columbia mountain climber has been located and recovered after the 39-year-old man was reported missing during a solo climb on Washington state's Mount Baker earlier this week.
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies and bats
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Anne Hathaway confirms 'Princess Diaries 3': 'Miracles happen'
You might be thinking, 'Shut up!' but it’s officially true: the 'Princess Diaries' franchise is finally growing.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
Sask. man pleads guilty in U.S. after unknowingly providing videos of men raping toddlers to FBI agent
A Saskatchewan man living in the United States has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography after he unknowingly provided disturbing videos to an FBI agent he thought was a pedophile.