Quebec lockdown extended until February 8, 2021

Happy New Year to Everyone,

We trust that you all had a chance to rest and relax over the break.

As you know, the Government of Quebec has announced that effective January 9 the current pandemic lockdown restrictions are extended until February 8 as well as an overnight curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

We are confident we can continue to collectively offer a stimulating and challenging roster of courses at Bishop’s, while respecting these new restrictions.

For the majority of students and faculty, classes will resume on January 18.

The conditions established when we first entered a Red Zone remain in effect:

• All classes scheduled to be delivered online will continue to be delivered online.
• All classes and hybrid ‘sections’ of courses that are currently scheduled to meet in person will begin online, except for the following courses which will continue their in-person offering:

• Students who have registered for in-person sections of hybrid classes may remain online even if/when the instructor offers the in-person section of the course later this term (depending on public health directives).
• However, if the region goes into Orange or Yellow, professors could opt to remain online only or to go hybrid, meaning that the course could have an in-person section as well as an online section. However, as indicated above, no student will be required to come to campus, but will be able to continue online if that is their preference.
• In-person night classes will continue to run despite the curfew. Students enrolled in such classes may obtain a letter of attestation from the course instructor.
• The curfew prohibits student use of LLC after 7:30 p.m. unless participating in one of the exempted in-person classes listed above. It is not possible to access an online class after 7:30 p.m. from the LLC.
• Education practica will continue. The School of Education will communicate with students directly about details regarding changes to practicum start dates, etc.
• Community-based experiential learning, internships and COOP placements will continue unless the host organization is unable to host our students, in-person or virtually. All COVID-19 related safety measures must be respected by the host organization for all internships.
• All office hours will be virtual.
• The Arts and Science Help Centre is available at mgallich@ubishops.ca.
• The Library Learning Commons (LLC) is currently open for remote support only. The circulation services at the main service desk will remain open. The Writing Centre will continue to offer its services virtually.From January 18th the LLC will be open for in-person access to support your studies, teaching and research. Only seating for individual study will be available. This includes group study rooms, fishbowls and booths/banquettes. No group work or study will be allowed.The LLC will close at 7:30 p.m. to respect the curfew.Procedural masks will be required while circulating inside all buildings, in all locations in the Library Learning Commons, and by students and professors in classrooms, even while seated. The University will supply procedural masks to everyone.

Anyone entering campus must also complete the daily SAFEGaiter Self-Assessment

Wishing you all the best as we embark on a New Year and semester.

Dr. Miles Turnbull, Vice-Principal Academic & Research

Dr. Claire Grogan, Associate Vice-Principal Academic