Concordia’s plans for the summer 2021 term

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Dear Concordians,

As Reading Week approaches, we are all understandably eager to begin planning for the months ahead.

We were encouraged by the Government of Quebec’s announcement in early February that universities in the province could begin to reopen gradually, taking into account the particular realities of each campus. Nevertheless, from a public health standpoint the short- to mid-term future remains uncertain, with concerns about new variants and delays in the mass vaccination program.

Summer 2021 will be remote

Because the health and well-being of our community remain our first priority, Concordia will continue to deliver remote teaching and learning this summer. As has been the case since last summer, there will be some exceptions for teaching labs, courses or studio work where in-person presence is required. Research labs and our libraries on both campuses will remain open.

Starting this summer, if health and safety conditions permit, we plan to hold in-person final exams for a limited number of courses. A list of those courses requiring an in-person activity and/or final exam as well as further information will be published in mid-March.

Building on pilots from last fall and this winter, we will also facilitate more voluntary on-campus activities for small groups of students. These activities, which will be carefully monitored from a health and safety perspective, could also potentially involve interactions with faculty and/or staff, again on a voluntary basis. More details on the process and the protocols will be communicated shortly.

Looking toward the future

We are targeting the beginning of May to make an announcement about the academic delivery of the fall 2021 term. Public health conditions permitting, the best case scenario is that the fall term will be a hybrid model of remote and in-person instruction.

We also know that, once again, we will not be able to host in-person convocation ceremonies this June. Instead, CU Celebrate, a virtual celebration of graduates, will take place on June 17,^, 2021. More information on how to participate will follow.

With regard to staff, we anticipate that remote work will continue into summer. However, a ‘return-to-campus’ committee was struck several months ago and is developing scenarios that could allow some phased-in return to campus to support certain academic and para-academic activities. We will share more information once we have greater clarity on the public health trajectory in the months ahead.

Support is available virtually

Throughout the past year we have had outstanding collaboration from Concordia faculty, staff and students in responding to the challenges posed by the health emergency, lockdowns, confinements and curfews. It has not been easy, and we thank you for your determination to continue holding fast as we enter what we all hope will be the final phases of the pandemic.

As a reminder, Concordia offers support for its students, faculty and staff that include mental health resources and other services that can be accessed by visiting the university’s Health and Wellness hub.

While we remain hopeful about a gradual return to campus, we must all continue to do our part in following health and safety directives until we can be confident that the worst is behind us.

As a reminder, Concordia’s COVID-19 information page is updated regularly. Any questions or concerns can be directed to covid19info@concordia.ca.

Keep well,