What N.S. university experience will be like this fall
Some institutions offering online classes
More Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions are joining a growing list of Canadian universities that will be moving fall courses online.
On Thurs., May 20, the University of King's College announced it would offer its courses online in September. Some in-person teaching may happen in the winter semester, but students will still have the option for distance learning.
In an email sent to Mount Saint Vincent University staff, students and faculty on May 14, the university noted physical distancing measures will likely still be in place by fall and the decision was made now to ensure "we have the time needed to plan for a quality experience."
MSVU noted it has been delivering distance education courses for nearly 40 years.
Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador also announced it would be moving to remote classes until winter, with the exception of medicine, pharmacy and nursing programs.
Other N.S. universities and colleges
Dalhousie University in Halifax has also announced its fall term will be predominantly online, with limited exceptions.
Saint Mary's University shifted in Halifax to virtual education, but it's unclear what its plans will be come fall. In a May 10 update, the university said it would be following public health advice for the fall semester.
Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., has not announced its fall plans yet, but noted some of its summer programs would be delivered remotely.
St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., shifted to online courses this spring. In an update to students on May 8, the university said it is preparing for classes to restart in September 2020, on campus and in person. But it is also preparing a backup plan for the possibility of online and alternative-format course delivery.
Cape Breton University announced it would be moving to online-only classes this fall.
NSCAD University in Halifax has not announced a fall plan yet. On its website, the university said "it's uncertain when we'll know what potential impacts the pandemic and social distancing may present to our 2020 course schedule."
NSCC moved to distance learning, including online and remote options, for the spring and summer. So far, no plans have been announced for fall.
Université Sainte-Anne in Church Point, N.S., said it is optimistic about the resumption of institutional operations for the fall semester, but only with the approval of public health officials.
On March 15, the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax suspended on-campus classes and said it would move them online as soon as that could be arranged. It's unclear what the plans are for the fall semester.