Given the rapidly evolving pandemic and high incidence of Omicron cases, we wanted to provide an update on return to campus for the Winter Term.
In consideration of the latest COVID-19 update from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) and in consultation with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, BCIT has decided to delay a full return to on campus and in-person learning and teaching until January 10, 2022. BCIT campuses will remain open during this time. Faculty and staff will work as scheduled on January 4 and students should be available and ready to complete course work during that time.
The majority of our programs will be moved online from January 4 to 10; however, there will be some programs that require in-person, on-campus learning. Faculty members should contact their Associate Dean for further details. Students will be contacted directly by their Program/Department Head or Associate Dean. Please check your BCIT email.
This decision to modify our January return by a week is proactive, to reduce future disruption to the term by allowing time for additional planning and preparation. As always, the learning needs of our students are paramount. We recognize our students are ready and eager to learn.
With this approach, we also aim to support faculty, staff, and students who have children in the K-12 system at home until school starts on January 10. If you have young children and require additional flexibility around remote work, please discuss this directly with your supervisor or faculty member.
We will continue to follow Ministry and PHO guidelines throughout the new term, adjusting our current methods of learning, teaching, and working if needed. This approach has served us well as we continued with on campus activity throughout the pandemic.
BCIT is confident that we continue to have the resources, knowledge, and expertise to support the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our community, while providing an applied educational experience to our students. More information on the latest COVID-19 Return-to-Campus Guidelines is available on our BCIT COVID-19 website.
As 2021 comes to a close, we reflect on the BCIT community’s resilience, patience, dedication, and kindness in ensuring wellbeing and safety throughout this past year. Together, we persevered and built an even stronger community of support. Thank you for everything you are doing and, particularly, for your flexibility in changing conditions.
The most important thing you can do to keep yourself and our community safe is to get fully vaccinated, perform a daily self-assessment (health check), and wear a mask.
For the latest information on the BCIT COVID-19 response, including what to know before you arrive on campus, please visit the BCIT COVID-19 website. We continue to update our Frequently Asked Questions section and additional information as it becomes available.
Thank you again for your ongoing patience and understanding. Stay warm and safe!
Glen Magel
Director, Safety, Security and Emergency Management
Jennifer Figner
Associate Vice President, Academic Operations