Start of 2022 winter term

To all Concordia students,

As the winter 2022 academic term gets underway, we want to welcome all new and returning students to Concordia, even if it’s not the start to the term that many of us wanted.

Given the current public health situation, the Government of Quebec has mandated that all teaching and assessment be delivered remotely until January 17, with an allowable transition period until January 31. At Concordia, we had previously announced that all teaching — with the exception of some labs and studios that require in-person attendance — would be remote until January 19. These arrangements will likely be extended in light of the government’s statement. If this is indeed the case, we will aim to give faculty, staff and students a week’s notice of the upcoming change.

Our priorities amid ongoing uncertainty

The situation is extremely fluid and uncertain. Therefore, rather than trying to forecast the date when it will be possible to resume in-person learning and other campus activities, our priorities are the following:

• foster a learning environment and campuses that are as safe and healthy as possible under the circumstances;
• adhere to the recommendations of Santé publique and the government’s directives regarding higher education; and
• ensure that appropriate conditions are in place to enable a smooth, sustainable transition from remote to in-person.

We’re also committed to resuming in-person classes and activities as soon as it’s appropriate to do so. While the digital world offers numerous options for communicating, learning and working, the opportunity to learn in person and participate in campus life is a big part of the university experience.

We’d made real progress toward that objective last fall and were poised to be largely in person this winter. So, it’s a bitter moment for all of us, as it is for university students and staff elsewhere in the world, to have that hope interrupted again.

Students are eligible to book their third vaccines as of January 17

We remain hopeful that better times are ahead. To help us get there, we all need to do our part, including by getting a booster dose of the COVID vaccine, which is available for all students over 18 to book via ClicSanté as of January 17.

Campus buildings remain open

Our campus buildings remain open, including both libraries. Many student services are available in person, and all are accessible virtually, whether by appointment or by zoom drop-in. We encourage you to make use of those services to help you navigate the beginning of the term.

As a reminder, strict health and safety protocols remain in place on campus. Designated spaces are available for students who wish to eat meals or take a break. Students can remove their masks and eat in these areas, provided they remain two metres apart from one another.

In closing, we wish you every success this term as together, we make the best of a difficult situation.

Sincerely,