Laurier to resume some in-person operations Feb. 22 following provincial shutdown lift

Feb. 19, 2021.

Dear Wilfrid Laurier University graduate and undergraduate students:

We hope this email finds you well and rejuvenated after your Reading Week break. As you are likely aware, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has lifted the province’s stay-at-home order for Waterloo Region and Brant County Public Health units, which have been returned to Red and Orange zones respectively.

As announced before Reading Week, the university will resume operations allowed under the provincial guidelines on Monday, Feb. 22.

Key updates are highlighted below; for full details, please visit the COVID-19 Information Hub or individual department websites.

Your Courses Will Continue to be Offered Primarily Remotely and Online

• There are some exceptions for courses and curricular elements considered priorities for in-person delivery, which will be in effect Feb. 22.
• To find out if your Winter term courses have an in-person element, visit the list of instructional plans for each undergraduate and graduate program at Instructional Plans for Winter 2021. Please contact your instructors or academic advisors with further questions.
• For a list of instructional plans for the Spring, Intersession and Summer 2021 terms, visit Instructional Plans for Spring 2021.

Student Services

Supporting your academic success and wellbeing remains a top priority. The COVID-19 Information Hub will direct you to updates about the combination of remote and in-person delivery of student services as of Feb. 22. Please check department websites regularly for the current status of the service you would like to access. Of note:

• Remote learning supports are available through the Remote Learning Hub, including mental health and wellness support.
• Bookable study spaces will be available as of Wed. Feb. 24.
• The Library is offering a variety of remote and online services and will resume bookable study space and Archives appointments March 1.
• Select dining services are available on the Waterloo campus.
• The Athletic Complex on Laurier’s Waterloo campus will open Feb. 22 at 7 a.m. The Athletics and Recreation site outlines details about reservations and capacity limits. An opening date for the Laurier Brantford YMCA is not yet determined.

Ongoing COVID-19 Safety

While we are able to safely resume some in-person activities, we all continue to play a part in keeping our community safe by following the university’s COVID-19 safety steps and government and public health guidelines. Students attending campus are required to complete a COVID-19 Self-Assessment through the Laurier SAFEHawk App prior to attending campus. Public health continues to advise people to stay at home as much as possible, stay at home when ill, avoid social gatherings, limit close contact to your household and avoid non-essential travel.

Thank you for your continued cooperation, patience and resilience as we work together to keep our communities safe and respond to changing guidelines.

Dan Dawson, Chair
Pandemic Recovery Steering Group