U of C won't mandate vaccinations and masks when classes resume this fall

The University of Calgary will not mandate vaccinations or masks when students and staff return to campus this fall, prompting concern from some faculty members.

"We have been reviewing the safety measures and COVID-19 supports in place at the University with an eye towards whether they need to be strengthened given recent regulatory changes and increases in delta variant cases," reads a letter addressed to Ed McCauley, president ofU of C.

In the letter, McCauley said the university will be introducing rapid-testing for residences, varsity athletics and field schools where individuals are residing on site.

The school will recommend mask usebut will not mandate it.

It will also not mandate vaccinations, a move already taken by a number of Canadian universities in advance of fall classes resuming. On Wednesday, the University of Toronto said it would require "all those intending to be present on [campuses] to be fully vaccinated."

The university'splans have caused concern among some faculty members, includingLorian Hardcastle,anassistant professorwhospecializes in health law and policy.

"The position that I think lots of people are taking, is that what's in that letter and what they're planning on doing is largely inadequate," Hardcastle said.

"And so, you know, people want it to be back in person, but that they feel like it may not be safe with the level of precautions that they're planning on taking."

The university conducted a recent survey that indicated that more than 90 per cent of respondents expect to be fully vaccinated by the fall.

"The University of Calgary is a highly vaccinated environment,"McCauley said in the letter."The measures today will provide additional protection for our community. We will continue to monitor and take the measures necessary to keep our community safe."

Online classes

Administration also saidinstructors have been given the choice to teach in personor to continue to offer their courses to students online.

Hardcastlesaid that might lead to students not getting the full campus experience they had hoped for.

"If they're in a class that is online, that may not be the best learning environment for them or what they feel they signed up for," she said.

"Conversely, if they're in an in-person class, they may feel veryconcerned about that learning environment."

The universitysaidstudents are being notified if a modality change to their courses has occurred. Those students willhave the ability to build their schedules to include online and blended options.

Students have until Sept. 16 to make changes to their schedules.