I am writing today to provide you with an update on our plans for the fall 2021 semester.
The COVID-19 landscape remains dynamic and ever-changing. As such, our approach is “planning for flexibility” — flexibility in our preparations for the fall, in meeting the needs of our students, faculty and staff, and in adjusting to any changes the pandemic may still bring. 
We are also making plans based on what public health experts predict the situation will be in September, not where we are today.
The positive developments with vaccination rollout and recent advice from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health give us confidence that we can plan for a vibrant on-campus experience in the fall. We are planning to offer as many face-to-face classes, labs and other student experiences as possible.
In short, I am delighted to say that our students, faculty and staff can count on being on campus this fall!
Our No. 1 priority, as always, is the health and wellness of our campus community. We expect that some health and safety measures will still be in place come September, and we will continue to be guided by public health and government protocols and guidelines.
Our decision-making also reflects our commitment to the needs of our students, faculty and staff and to sustaining the quality of our academic programs and outstanding student experience.
We are planning for face-to-face delivery for most courses. We anticipate some faculty will leverage remote technologies and teaching approaches that have proven effective during the past year to make greater use of blended and hybrid teaching.
We are also planning a range of student activities that are a signature of the U of G experience. These include athletics, student wellness, experiential learning, career development and student housing. Our student experience team will be organizing a dynamic Orientation Week and other welcome back activities.
I want to recognize the extraordinary achievements and hard work of our faculty, staff and students in meeting the challenges of this past year. I am so grateful to you for your ongoing commitment to research and teaching excellence and to our University community.
Working together, we will help ensure that the University is ready to safely welcome people back to our campuses come September.
Sincerely,
Gwen Chapman
Interim Provost and Vice-President (Academic)