Universities in Waterloo, Guelph suspend classes amid COVID-19 concerns

The University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier and the University of Guelph have suspended classes due to coronavirus concerns.

The University of Waterloo is suspending all of its classes and all in-person course activity until the end of term.

On Friday, university officials said final exams would be cancelled and instructors would work on alternate ways to deliver course work, exams and assessments due to coronavirus concerns.

Online courses will continue, but in-person exams were cancelled. University officials said those exams could be replaced with alternative assessments.

"Effective March 14, we are suspending classes and course activity and that suspension will take place until March 20," said Matthew Grant, the media relations director for the University of Waterloo. "We're also cancelling all in-person course activity until the end of the term, which is approximately end of April and that includes exams. So there'll be no in-person exams during the suspension."

In the meantime, the university is keeping all of its business and administrative operations open, as well as its office buildings and residences.

Grant said the university has co-op students in more than 60 countries in the world. They've been in touch with those students on a regular basis to offer help and information.

They are reminding those who are sick to stay home and seek medical advice.

Laurier

Friday afternoon Deborah MacLatchy, President and Vice-Chancellor, posted on the university's website that "Laurier is discontinuing in-person instruction in all courses effective Monday, March 16 at 8:30 a.m. for the remainder of the winter 2020 term."

Her posting added that "next week, instructors will develop and communicate a plan for alternative instruction and assessment to enable students to fulfill learning outcomes and receive course credits."

Acknowledging the unusual nature of the closing, MacLatchy urged patience as details of individual classes, teaching formats, content and evaluations would be worked out. 

The university buildings and residences would remain open, the posting stated, although it also noted that students who had the option of going home "are encouraged to do so."

"Students should consult with the relevant co-op, practicum, or field placement office responsible for organizing placements in their program to jointly determine the best path forward, in consultation with the community partner or employer," the posting added.

University of Guelph extends semester

On Friday, University of Guelph officials announced face-to-face classes would be cancelled effective March 16 for one week. Courses were expected to resume Monday, March 23 in an "alternative-format delivery."

No face-to-face classes will be held at the university for the remainder of the semester, which will be extended one week. The last day of classes for the term are now April 9. 

Final exams will also be done in "a modified format" and the university's final exam period will be extended.

Conestoga College 

Conestoga College announced that as of March 16, "most" face-to-face class delivery would be discontinued and the college would transition to remote and hybrid course deliveries.

All of Conestoga's campuses will remain open, according to college officials. Employees are being expected to report ot work as usual, and the college plans to continue its field and clinical placements "wherever possible."

As of Friday at 10:30 a.m., Waterloo region had noted four confirmed cases of coronavirus.

On Thursday, the province of Ontario shut down publicly funded schools for two weeks after March Break over COVID-19 concerns.

On Friday, the province's chief medical officer of health said he is "recommending the immediate suspension of all large events and public gatherings of over 250 people."