University of Regina Kicks Off Winter Semester with Remote Learning – Regina | The Canadian News

The University of Regina is temporarily moving to remote learning to begin its winter semester in January.

The decision was announced Tuesday, stating that the change is due “to the accelerated spread of the highly communicable COVID-19 Omicron variant in Saskatchewan and Canada.”

Classes were initially scheduled to start on January 5, but the U of R has postponed the winter start date of 2022 to January 10, beginning with remote learning for the next two weeks from there.

Remote instruction will continue through January 22 with a deadline for in-person teaching scheduled for January 24.

“Looking at the medical evidence, what could happen to ICUs, the fact that we are bringing back 15,000+ students to campus plus thousands of staff, we thought this was best to protect everyone,” said Jeff Keshen, rector and rector of the University of Regina.

“We really wanted to come to term in person. It’s a huge disappointment not to start the semester that way. “

Keshen said the decision reflects what other postsecondary institutions have decided to do across the country, including schools in Alberta and Manitoba.

“I hope it’s a temporary hiatus and due diligence.”

Keshen mentioned that the announcement at this time gives staff and students the maximum amount of time possible to make adjustments during the break.

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However, some feel that it is not enough time.

“There are mixed reactions to the temporary switch to the internet and the subsequent start date, but I can say that one thing almost all students are struggling with is uncertainty,” shared Hannah Tait, president of the University of California Student Union. Regina (URSU). .

Tait said the change has created a number of challenges for students hoping to enter the next term with face-to-face classes.

He added that there are questions about URSU events as part of “Welcome Week” that was supposed to happen at the beginning of the semester.

Those plans are up in the air, but Tait said they are in talks with officials to determine next steps.

Tait also spoke about how students who were anticipating in-person learning wonder what they should do next regarding living arrangements and schedules.

“They have paid thousands of dollars to return to campus for the winter,” Tait said. “Students from all over Saskatchewan and around the world have moved to Regina to take classes in person, but now they’re not sure if it was worth it.”

The U of R indicated that the institution’s COVID-19 situation will be reassessed in mid-January.