Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) has released its framework for the upcoming academic year, entitled “Learning and living well in an era of pandemic.”
The framework offers details for on-campus learning, teaching and life for students, faculty and staff. Overseen by CMU’s Pandemic Response and Recovery Committee, the document will be updated as health guidelines and clinical best practices continue to evolve, to ensure the safety of the on-campus and wider community.
CMU’s decision to pursue a return to campus reflects:
- The benefits of in-person education for students.
- A commitment to learn how to live in safe and healthy ways together.
- A recognition that a spacious campus and smaller student body can support education in ways that are safe.
- A shared commitment by all members of the CMU learning community to take responsibility for the “health, safety, and well-being of all,” both on and off campus.
In returning to hybrid, in-person and virtual learning, CMU is committed to:
- Implement guidelines from health authorities to safeguard the well-being of all students, staff, and faculty.
- Provide engaged hybrid teaching and learning, in-person and virtual, for all students.
- Increase activities that support mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health.
- Designate expansive student-only spaces for study and connection.
- Provide training for all students, staff and faculty for a return to campus.
- Ensure that clear occupancy limits in all campus spaces are followed.
- Limit the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings.
- Increase sanitization and hygiene protocols.
- Supply all students, staff and faculty with two non-medical, reusable cloth masks for required use throughout the campus.
- Lock all campus buildings and restrict campus access for outside guests.
- Provide clear signage throughout the campus.
- Ensure clear contact-tracing protocols are in place.
To be on campus students, staff, and faculty must:
- Be symptom-free, as monitored daily and personally.
- Complete mandatory training and self-isolate as required.
- Respect physical distancing and campus-space usage.
- Practise diligent hygiene.
- Wear masks throughout the campus where required.
- Respect contact-tracing and CMU guidelines for community health, safety and wellness.
- Use proximity cards at each door upon entry and exit to maintain safety and practise contact tracing.
A hybrid teaching model will deliver student support services and the same quality of education and interaction whether students attend in-person or virtually. CMU is committed to find new and safe ways forward through this pandemic, while maintaining bonds of community and high standards of post-secondary learning.
Cheryl Pauls, CMU’s president, states, “The byline to this manual . . . asserts with courage and trust that each CMU student, staff and faculty member is committed to participating in the CMU community in ways that promote the health, safety and well-being of all.”
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