Carleton University, University of Ottawa set to resume in-person learning
Students and faculty will return to campus for in-person learning at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University this winter.
Ottawa's two universities have announced that the campuses will re-open for in-person courses and activities.
University of Ottawa students will return to campus on Jan. 31, while Carleton University will resume in-person learning on Feb. 7.
Both universities moved classes online following the holiday break due to the rise of cases associated with the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
In a letter to students late Wednesday afternoon, uOttawa President and Vice-Chancellor Jacques Fremont says the return to campus will begin on Jan. 31 for students and professors.
"Information we have received to date from provincial and municipal public health authorities is unequivocal," said Fremont.
"The message is clear: under current conditions, we can envisage a return to campus in person starting January 31, so long as preventative measures are followed at all times, including mandatory vaccination, masking and physical distancing of two metres, along with other public health and safety recommendations. Vaccination remains our best protection against COVID-19."
All students and staff are required to have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the university is encouraging everyone to get their third dose.
Fremont says all in-person or bimodal courses will be given as initially planned for in the Winter 2022 term, and each faculty will provide information to students soon.
CARLETON UNIVERSITY
Carleton University President and Vice-Chancellor Benoit-Antoine Bacon says "barring another dramatic change in the trajectory of the pandemic", Carleton University will re-open its facilities and resume in-person learning on Feb. 7.
"I am grateful that our in-person activities for winter 2022 were carefully established with the health and safety of our community as our primary concern," said Bacon in a letter to students and faculty.
"Especially given that we have maintained physical distancing in all classrooms in designing the winter 2022 schedule, we are confident that these activities can be delivered safely in the present context."
Bacon says units in Phases 2 and 3 will resume in-person operations on campus similar to Fall 2021. Units in Phase 4 will be contacted regarding the scheduling of their return to campus.
Carleton is encouraging all students, faculty and support staff to get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.