Saskatchewan Polytechnic students will be heading back to campuses this fall under a hybrid return plan, with programs delivered using both in-person and virtual methods for at least the first semester.
Has Malik, provost and vice-president academic, said administrators at Sask Polytech are taking a gradual approach to return to campus, following the switch to virtual learning last year, but with high hopes that a full return is in the future.
“It’s a hybrid approach, is probably the best way to describe it,” said Malik.
Currently, on-campus presence is at about 30 to 35 per cent of normal capacity, with many programs still utilizing fully online delivery. The return plan anticipates increasing to at least 50 per cent capacity, with the majority of programs offering an integrated approach that uses both online and in-person education tools.
“We will still maintain really strict guidelines around daily health checks, mandatory masking, and some form of social distancing included, to ensure we’re keeping safety in mind,” said Malik.
Select courses will be returning to campus, including those that utilize labs, shop time and other hands-on instruction methods. Other courses, like ones that focus on theoretical learning, will still be delivered virtually.
“What we’re looking at is potentially several courses entirely online, and other programs in which you might have a few courses face-to-face and a few courses that are online in the same semester,” explained Malik.
Course information currently available on the Sask Polytech website details what courses will be delivered using which method, with students advised to “expect to be on campus for the majority of their learning.”
The majority of campus services will also be resuming, but likely with limited hours that may expand later. This includes library and bookstore access, food services, testing centres, counselling, and Indigenous centres.
“It may not be full hours, but the services will be available to all on campus, so that students can take advantage,” said Malik.
Vaccination will not be mandatory for students to come back, Malik confirmed, but students are encouraged to consider seeking immunization for their own personal health and safety.
“We strongly recommend that students [get vaccinated] because that is really both for their safety, themselves, and also for the community,” said Malik. “But we’re not going to mandate, we’re not going to be verifying or checking that.”
He indicated that further re-opening for the winter session may be in consideration if the fall semester goes well, but that doesn’t mean campus closures aren’t off the table if transmission spikes again in the future.
Moose Jaw and Regina campuses recently closed due to increased numbers of COVID-19, said Malik, and the decision was made to keep both communities safe at the time.
“What we want to do is avoid those scenarios, [and] we feel confident we won’t need to change our plans,” said Malik. “If there is an unexpected spike, we’ve been following the advice of the Chief Medical Health Officer [and] if his office is saying that we need to limit access, we will obviously follow those guidelines.”
Changes to course delivery also aren’t likely to happen mid-semester either, said Malik, although service operations may be extended.
Sask Polytech has developed its plan under consultation with other post-secondary institutions in the province, and Malik said that the administration is confident it will be effective.
“We’re working very closely with the Ministries of Education and Health, and I think we’ve come up with a plan that’s pretty solid,” said Malik.
Malik also added that virtual course delivery has actually been receiving positive feedback from about half of Polytech students this past year, which has administration considering integrating hybrid education on a more permanent basis for some programs.
“I think it's great to have the ability to get back on campus, and have campus services available, [because] there’s so much more of the social environment for students,” said Malik. “So we want to find that happy medium and give students all the opportunity we have possible, between the various options that work best for them.”
Fall orientation sessions will be taking place online this year, with campus tours tentatively cancelled for all Sask Polytech locations. Further details about program delivery and the return to campus plan can be found online at saskpolytech.ca/programstatus.
