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Coming back to campus during Omicron

RACHEL TAIT

On Jan. 24, UFV students returned back to campus for scheduled in-person learning. At the beginning of the semester, classes shifted to online learning with health concerns over the Omicron variant. With classes back in-person, steps are being taken by UFV to keep faculty, staff, and students healthy and maintain a safe learning environment for all.

According to UFV’s director of communications, Dave Pinton, returning to inperson learning can help with the mental well-being of students and can give them the support they need. Pinton adds that “the decision to return to in-person learning was made with the Provincial Health Officer and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training and reflects UFV’s ongoing concern for the health and well-being of faculty, staff, and students.”

Pinton explains that “across BC, 17 postsecondary institutions have returned to in-person learning. The layers of protection deployed by UFV, and a highly vaccinated campus community, have kept transmission rates low. Recent data from the Provincial Health Office indicates that it is those who are unvaccinated and over the age of 70 who have the greatest risk of severe illness and hospitalization.”

UFV recently responded to a letter from the Student Union Society that outlined their concerns for health and safety as classes resumed in-person. The university addressed concerns regarding class sizes, safety protocols, health checks, and if students can eat and drink in the classroom.

In regard to the recent letter that SUS sent the university requesting a return to online learning, Pinton explains that “it is important to note the survey results SUS posted in their letter of Jan. 21, while conveying concerns held by a portion of students at UFV, do not statistically reflect the opinions of the majority of students at UFV.”

Pinton also adds that “[although] SUS stated that 68 per cent of students disapprove of returning to campus and 70 per cent believe that back to campus should be delayed, [it] would be correct if it read, 68 per cent of students who responded to the poll (2634 according to the SUS letter dated January 19) disapprove of returning to campus (please note: 68 per cent of 2634 students surveyed equals 1791 students). While this segment of the UFV population is significant and deserves answers, given there are currently 9100 students registered; this means it is possible 20 per cent of all UFV’s current students are expressing this sentiment. Therefore, this is statistically not the “unanimous concern” mentioned in the SUS letter of Jan. 21. It is not the majority of current UFV students. In fact, looking at these numbers, one could reasonably conclude 80 per cent of UFV students either agree with coming back to UFV or did not give an opinion.”

In regards to returning to the university, Pinton emphasizes that, “students should make sure they are familiar with the requirements of coming to campus as listed on the UFV Return to Campus website and check their UFV email often for updates as the provincial pandemic guidelines change in concert with the scientific response to the pandemic.”

With classes and activities shifting back to face-to face interactions and learning, Pinton also addresses that “UFV recognizes there are a variety of perspectives on returning to campus.” He adds that “many students are excited about the prospect of face-to-face learning, while others may be anxious [and] support services are available through UFV Student Services.”

UFV Abbotsford Campus. (Laura Ayres/ The Cascade)