St. FX Cancels In-Person Exams Amid Growing COVID-19 Outbreak – Halifax | The Canadian News

St. Francis Xavier University canceled in-person exams in response to the growing COVID-19 outbreak.

As of Friday, there were 114 cases associated with the outbreak, which stemmed from graduation events at the Antigonish, NS school.

On Friday, the province said that due to the outbreak, all close contacts, including those who are fully vaccinated, must be isolated until they obtain a negative result from a laboratory test (PCR). The laboratory test must be performed at least 72 hours after exposure.

Previously, people did not need to isolate themselves if they were fully vaccinated.

In a statement on Dec. 10, St. FX Vice President and Chancellor Timothy Hynes said this policy change “significantly affects our ability to take exams in person.”

“For clarity, Public Health reiterated that face-to-face exams are safe; however, this new province-wide change will almost certainly increase the number of students required to isolate and test, affecting their ability to attend an exam in person, ”Hynes said in his statement. “Faculty and staff are likely to be affected as well.”

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He said the university decided to suspend in-person exams during the December exam period starting Saturday. Faculty members are asked to switch to an alternate presentation format, such as online or take-home exams.

“For those courses where such a change is not practical, faculty members will have to postpone the examination in person until January,” the statement said.

The statement said the school planned to contact faculty members Friday night who were scheduled to deliver exams in person on Saturday to make sure they were aware of the change.

“I acknowledge and regret that the decision to take exams online on such short notice may cause additional stress and challenge at an already stressful and challenging time,” he said. “However, it is important to comply with this latest directive from public health officials and follow their example.”

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