In further news confirming that all of 2020 is basically a write-off amid the COVID-19 pandemic, McMaster University just announced that its entire fall academic term will be taking place online this year.
The move affects all of McMaster’s programs and classes through the fall term, leaving all incoming and current students at the university to complete their course work remotely for the remainder of 2020 at least.
An update on the Fall 2020 term: All classes will be online. With few exceptions, students will not need to be on campus. We want everyone to be safe, to have the support they need, and to be confident our decisions are based on public health advice. 1/ https://t.co/PURav1EH4v
— McMaster University (@McMasterU) May 25, 2020
In very limited cases, some in-person labs and specialized facilities may be available for controlled access; though faculty and staff are encouraged to create alternate means of completing program requirements, or deferring some in-person work to a future time.
“We want our students and everyone at the University to be as safe as possible, to have the support they need to be successful and to be confident that our decisions are based on public health advice,” said McMaster University’s President David Farrar in a statement.
“We know there are very real concerns regarding the evolution of the pandemic in the fall term and what that could mean for the health and well-being of every member of the McMaster community.”
The statement goes on to explain that McMaster is “investing significantly” in the development of a high-quality online learning experience; one that still allows students to connect with each other and with their instructors. The university also says it intends to offer enhanced supports for student well-being, mental health, and technical assistance.
More details will be made available to McMaster students and staff in the coming days.
McMaster’s move to an e-learning model amid COVID-19 is not an unsurprising one; other colleges and universities have already announced similar plans in an attempt to ensure safety, as well as instil some level of certainty during an extremely uncertain and unpredictable time.
Read the full statement on the McMaster University website.
Lead image courtesy of @mcmasteru
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