St. Clair pauses an extra week for holidays

REGIONAL — In a recent letter to its students, St. Clair College announced that it has paused in-person gathering on campuses until vaccination boosters and other mitigation methods can bring the Omicron surge under control.

“St. Clair College is thankful for your efforts in following the safety protocols that were in place throughout the fall semester,” said the letter. “These efforts have allowed us to successfully complete the semester on campus. We continue to ensure compliance with all public health regulations and protocols. The same amount of preparation and strategy has gone into planning your winter semester.”

The pause will be two weeks in duration. For all returning post-secondary students, that means that classes will be delayed one week and commence on January 17, 2022.

However, in-person classes and labs will be delayed until January 24, 2022.

To be clear, all post-secondary classes and labs between January 17 to January 23, 2022, will be held online synchronously following the course schedules that have been posted on the students’ SIS.

During this period, all online classes will be recorded and posted to Blackboard.

For those in placement, the college announced that all placements will continue as scheduled unless otherwise communicated. In addition, all faculty will continue to upload their teaching materials to Blackboard and will ensure it is posted for the duration of the semester.

For all first year, first semester post-secondary students, your start date will also commence on January 17, 2022.

Your program will continue to remain online for the entire semester, with the exception of the first semester courses in the following four programs due to the nature of their delivery:

• Electrical Techniques (T947);

• English for Academic Purposes (EAP);

• Personal Support Worker (H932 and K933);

• Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (C904).

There are no plans to delay March Break and the winter semester is expected to end on April 29, 2022.

The St. Clair website will continue to be updated regularly as information becomes available.

“We ask all of you to please review the College’s policies to ensure that you continue your efforts in following the health and safety protocols while on campus,” said the letter. “As a reminder, we are advising all staff and students that if you are feeling unwell, to please stay home.”

The letter was signed by College President Patti France and Vice President Waseem Habash.