University of Saskatchewan classes to remain online until at least Feb. 7: spokesperson

Students at the University of Saskatchewan will have online classes for several more weeks as cases of COVID-19 continue to grow across the province.

On Tuesday, the university announced that all classes currently delivered online would be staying that way until Feb. 7, with the university closely monitoring the situation going forward.

"We've been closely monitoring case numbers as well as the disruption to our health-care system, test positivity rates, modelling data, wastewater both on and off campus, as well as the practice at other institutions," said Darcy Marciniuk, chair of the university's pandemic response and recovery team.

"We feel that this is in the best interest of the health and wellness of our campus community." 

The winter semester had been expected to start with in-person classes, although that decision was revised after the spread of the Omicron variant. The start of classes was also bumped back a week to allow professors to get ready for remote learning.

Marciniuk says it's possible that no further restrictions will be needed after Feb. 7, and all classes could resume shortly thereafter. However, he adde, the university is being careful about making predictions and will be closely analyzing the data before making a final decision.

"We don't want to make an announcement and then have to recant," he said. "That uncertainty is not good for our students nor our faculty and staff."

University staff who are currently working from home are expected to be brought back in phases.

The university is asking any students or faculty who have not received their third booster shot to do so before returning to campus. Under current rules  anyone on campus must have both injections of the vaccine.

The university is expected to release more information on any revised definition of a full vaccination next week, and whether people will also need a third booster shot.

The University of Regina is planning a phased-in approach to a return to in-person classes starting Feb. 7 and tentatively ending Mar. 1.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Elsewhere, most programs at Saskatchewan Polytechnic have now entered their third week of in-person learning since the beginning of the winter semester.

So far, president and CEO Larry Rosia says, the institution has been informed of roughly 200 positive tests among staff and faculty since the start of classes in January. However, he says no classes have been postponed due to illness.

Rosia says it is essential to bring students back to class as quickly as possible.

"We offer hands-on education, and it was important our students were able to come back to the classroom and complete their education," he said.

"We continue to follow the guidance of the provincial government, Saskatchewan Health Authority and the chief medical health officer of Saskatchewan."

Rosia says 97 per cent of staff and students have been fully vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated must submit negative test results three times a week in order to attend classes or work.

Several courses are still being taught in a hybrid fashion, with some instruction online and some virtual teaching.

Staff who do not work with students continue to work from home.