Winter term update

As communicated in the December 21 Campus update, the Pandemic Response and Recovery Team (PRT) is closely monitoring the spread of the omicron variant as we consider its potential impact on USask campuses and operations for the upcoming Winter term. This is a rapidly changing situation, with Canada now experiencing record increases in daily COVID-19 cases, and cases similarly increasing here in Saskatchewan.

As a precautionary measure to ensure the continued health and safety of our campus community, USask is making the following changes to class delivery and operations, effective January 4, 2022:

  • There will be a delayed start in many classes and programs until January 10. Details around start times for programs will come directly from colleges and schools.
  • For the January 10 start of term, many classes and programs will temporarily be delivered remotely, wherever possible, protecting learning outcomes and the need to progress degree completion. 
  • We expect the remote class delivery to be in place for two weeks, until January 24. The readiness of a shift back to in-person classes will be assessed during that time, but the expectation is a return to in-person classes as soon as safe and reasonable to do so.
  • Full details of which elements of programs will shift to remote delivery, and which will stay in-person will be provided directly to students and faculty as soon as possible.
  • All employees who can work remotely will do so until January 24. Specific communications will come from your respective people leaders. Like class delivery, the readiness of a return to work on campus will be assessed prior to January 24.

Additional details will be provided prior to December 31, including any additional changes determined by public health and the province. PRT will continue to monitor the situation throughout the holiday break and will provide an update to all students, faculty, and staff in the week between Christmas and New Year.

During the extended break, we encourage all members of the campus community to obtain their vaccination booster shots. Once you have received your booster shot, do not update your vaccination status in PAWS at this time. Information about campus expectations for booster shots will be shared in January, as will information on how to update your vaccination status in PAWS.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and we look forward to providing further updates to our USask campuses next week.