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COTR prepares for new academic year
Full slate of programs offered, most online with on-campus instruction when needed
College of the Rockies (COTR) is preparing to welcome students to the 2020/21 academic year on Tuesday, September 8, with enhanced safety protocols in place.
“This start to the academic year is unlike any we’ve seen before,” said College President Paul Vogt. “Our focus remains on ensuring our students get the education they need to prepare for their future careers or further education, while keeping their health and safety, along with that of our employees as our priority.”
All college campuses will be open but operating in a different way. The number of people in buildings will be significantly reduced by having employees work from home when possible, limiting the general public’s access to facilities, and delivering most courses online or via web-conferencing. For those present at campuses, masks will be required when physical distancing is not possible.
Programs and courses that require hands-on learning -such as trades, healthcare, and science labs – will be delivered on-campus in small groups, with physical distancing and other public health guidelines in place.
Student services like academic advising will be delivered, for the most part, virtually. There will be a limited number of employees working at the campus to provide necessary assistance to students, including the Campus Store, and Library Services. Registration services will be primarily available virtually, with some in-person assistance available if necessary. Limited access to the gym and weight room will be available to support student health and wellbeing.
The college will once again be welcoming a number of international students from a wide variety of countries, with appropriate precautions in place.
“Many of our international students remained with us from the previous academic year, deciding to stay in Canada to work and prepare for the fall semester,” Vogt said. “Any new students arriving from abroad will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.”
Prior to the start of the semester, all registered students were enrolled in the annual JumpStart program, aimed at fostering student success.
For 2020, the JumpStart program went virtual with weekly updates being sent to students with information about the college’s COVID-19 protocol, online learning tips, services available to students, helpful videos, and more.
Orientation Week activities and information will also be held online.
Though the semester officially starts on September 8, enrolment into some programs will be accepted until September 23.
College of the Rockies safety protocols: fall 2020
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, most College of the Rockies classes will be held online or via web-conferencing, with some – physically distanced – on-campus learning for those programs that require it, such as trades, health programs, and science labs.
In addition, the college has implemented several new safety protocols, including:
- Restricted access to campuses: Access limited to employees and students who are participating in face-to-face educational programming or services, and employees performing core functions. All employees and students will be required to present their College ID at the entrance. Public access will be limited to those with pre-booked appointments.
- Self-assessments: All employees and students will be asked to do a COVID-19 self- assessment/health self-check. Those who are symptomatic or who are assessed to be at risk will be asked to stay away from college campuses for 14 days.
- Signage: College campuses have been outfitted with floor and wall signage reminders to maintain physical distance.
- Hand-sanitization and masks: All campuses have been equipped with numerous hand- sanitization stations. Masks are required if physical distancing is not possible. Disposable masks will be available at the main campus entry point for students and employees.
- Occupancy limits: All common areas and classrooms will be assigned occupancy limits to allow for safe physical distancing. Plexiglass will be set up between work areas in science lab and trades shop areas. Grab-and-go fresh pre-made sandwiches and coffee will be available in the cafeteria with limited seating.
- Student services: All student services are available but will be delivered, for the most part, virtually. There will be a limited number of employees working in registration, with plexiglass barriers in place. The Campus Store staff are available to fill online and telephone book orders, and Library Services will be open on a limited basis with careful public health guidelines in place. Limited access to areas such as the gym and weight room will be available to support student health and wellbeing, with enhanced cleaning of these areas.
- International students: Many international students chose to stay in Canada to work and prepare for the fall semester. Any students arriving from abroad will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. The College’s International team will work closely with international students to ensure this requirement is followed.
For more information on College of the Rockies’ programs, or to apply, visit: cotr.ca.
A more comprehensive look at safety protocols for the fall semester is available at:Â cotr.ca/moving-forward
Lead image: College of the Rockies is offering most programs online for fall 2020, with enhanced safety protocols in place for programs that require some on-campus learning. COTR photo
College of the Rockies