Fanshawe College students still won't be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine to access the post-secondary school's campuses.
The college reaffirmed on Wednesday what health and safety protocols it will have in place as students and staff make their gradual return to in-person learning and activities this fall.
"Fanshawe is expanding some face-to-face academic delivery and student services this fall in a responsible manner with smaller classes, hands-on labs and practical instruction in person. More than half of all classes will continue to be conducted online to limit the number of students on our campuses," the college said in a statement.
The plans for fall were developed based on the blended online and in-person learning system used over the past year and are in line with a recent update from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the college added.
In order to limit transmission of the virus, Fanshawe plans to have 60 per cent of its students study online full-time. Another 35 per cent will have a combination of online and in-person learning. The remaining 5 per cent will be on co-op and job placements. Physical distancing measures will be in place inside classrooms and under a new flexible work policy there will be a reduced number of staff working on campus on a daily basis.
Anyone coming to campus will have to complete a mandatory online screening assessment daily, which college staff and security will be able to confirm has been done. Face coverings will be mandatory at all times in public spaces including labs and classrooms, hallways, reception areas, and dining halls.
Notably, the college's return to campus plans fall short of mandating those on campus be fully vaccinated. Instead, only students living in residence and varsity athletes will be required to show proof-of-vaccination. All staff and students are "strongly encouraged" to get both doses of the vaccine as soon as possible, the college said.
Western University has also not issued a vaccine mandate on its campus, but does require proof of vaccination to live in any of the on-campus residences. But pressure for both to do so could be coming as Seneca College, the University of Ottawa, the University of Waterloo, and Niagara University have already issued vaccination requirements to access their campuses.
Fanshawe has said its fall term plans will be adjusted as needed.
