Update to Summer Pilot Project – A Message from AC Senior Vice President Academic
Posted on Thursday, July 23rd, 2020
Dear Learners and Colleagues:
In his communiqué on July 16, 2020, President Claude Brulé shared some good news about the progress of our pilot program to allow a limited number of learners and employees back to our campuses in order to complete studies from the Winter term. Now, nearly three weeks after the pilot began, I am happy to report that learners in the Welding and Fabrication Techniques as well as the Massage Therapy programs have successfully completed their Winter term. The remaining pilot programs will finish in the coming weeks.
Success for the pilot is defined in several ways. These activities have been completed in a safe manner. The responses to a survey of employees and learners who were on campus during the pilot indicated they were satisfied with the adequacy of safety measures being taken to protect their health while on campus. Though the health and safety of all our employees and learners has been at the forefront of all our decision making, the most exciting measure of success is that these groups of learners have finally been able to complete their studies.
While the pilot has been proceeding smoothly, we continue to refine our procedures based on lessons learned from the pilot. As we make plans for enabling more Winter- and Spring-term students to complete their term, we are making continuous improvements to our procedures to ensure these activities will be conducted safely.
Which brings me to the next exciting news I would like to share. Based on the success of the initial pilot and the move to Phase 3 of Provincial reopening in Ottawa, we are now able to invite additional learners back to campus to complete their Winter and Spring terms. The plans and timing for each program will vary depending on the nature of the remaining learning requirements. Learners should expect to receive communication from the College in the coming days that will provide the details for their specific program. They will also be provided with the instructions and health and safety training required for their return to campus.
I also wish to report that placement opportunities have been reopening over the course of the summer. I urge any learner needing to complete a placement from the Winter or Spring terms to remain in close communication with their program placement coordinator or professor to ensure these opportunities are not missed.
The framework for Fall activities has not changed since my last communication. The additional face-to-face learning activities in August will guide the continuous refinement of plans and procedures for the Fall term as we safely increase the number of learners and employees on our campuses. While it is wonderful to be taking steps towards the return of limited face-to-face instruction, it is also important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. Plans for the August activities and the Fall term are still based on the premise that only those activities that absolutely require face-to-face learning will be conducted on our physical campuses this Fall and that access to campus is limited to only those who absolutely need to be there.
I appreciate how challenging it has been to deal with the uncertainty and changes around our work and studies these past months. I want to thank the entire College community for their continued creativity and resolve in their efforts to find solutions that allow our learners to progress in their studies.
Stay safe and healthy everyone.
Chris Janzen
Senior Vice President, Academic
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