CKPG News

By Randi-Marie Adams

University and Post-secondary in-person learning will soon be back in session

Mar 9, 2021 | 5:50 PM

Prince George – Dr. Bonnie Henry has upped the time frame when it comes to in-person learning at universities and colleges across the province. And, schools around Prince George are ready to welcome students back full time.

” I think we need to start planning that full-back into campus and campus life and those important connections and social and emotional growth that we see in those situations, Will be back to much more normal.” ~ Dr. Bonnie Henry

A sign of hope for university and post-secondary students announced yesterday. According to Geoff Payne, interim president of UNBC says, they have been planning for this:

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” I am glad that the announcement came in March and not July, so we have a long enough runway, we’ve already been planning. this continues to solidify our concreteness around our plans for the fall. and we will continue to work with Dr. Henry and the government to make sure we have a safe and effective roll-out of the 2021 term.”

This further confirmed in a statement by Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training, which reads:

“Today, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, advised the presidents of all public colleges and universities to prepare for a full return to on-campus education this September.”

“This year has been incredibly hard, and I’ve heard from many students, faculty and staff who are eager to return to campus when it is safe. That’s why I’m encouraged by Dr. Henry’s advice that a return to in-person instruction can be done safely this fall for all students, staff and faculty. In fact, it’s important to do so for people’s well-being.”

Kang also saying guidelines will be coming for post-secondary institutions over the coming months. But, Payne says there have always been numerous plans set in place.

” We weren’t caught flat-footed, we knew this was coming and we are prepared for that. This just allows us to continue with our planning in a direction that, which is having more face to face for opportunities for classes.” ~ Geoff Payne

Although things may get back to a new normal sooner than planned, Payne says this has been a trying time for students and staff and they are eager to get back into the campus groove.

” I think as COVID has dragged on and we are now as I said into this year. People’s resiliency has been challenged, it’s hard to live in this online zoom world. day in and day out and for students to take courses this way and for the facility to deliver and for staff to support.”

Initially, the return to campus plan was set for January of 2022. However, the accelerated vaccination plan announced last week, which promises to vaccinate every willing British Columbian by July, has helped move up plans like in-person learning for post-secondary and university students.

“I suspect we will be adding covid in some way or the other to the types of settings that we’ll need to pay attention to. But I fully expect we will get to a post-pandemic way of looking at that by this summer.” ~Dr. Bonnie Henry