Acadia University will stay the course and welcome students back to campus for a COVID-19-ready Winter 2021 term with a hybrid approach to teaching and learning. Dr. Peter Ricketts, Acadia’s President and Vice-Chancellor, announced the plan directly to students, faculty and staff on October 8, 2020, via email.

“We have worked tirelessly to transition to our student-focused mixed-delivery model to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community,” Ricketts said, referring to the return to campus plans implemented in Fall 2020. “Our model is working, and we can be proud of that and the fact that we are successfully providing a true, in-person learning experience on campus, even if it is under unusual levels of constraint.”

Winter term courses will be delivered in a mix of formats – face-to-face on-campus instruction, virtual, and hybrid – and offered as scheduled or unscheduled, where students can take them on their own time.

“This model provides students with the greatest flexibility and is part of our commitment to put students front and centre in our decision-making,” said Ricketts, adding that the priorities for in-person instruction include small classes and experiential learning opportunities such as labs, tutorials, and seminars, with necessary public health precautions in place. The remainder of learning will occur through online or remote delivery.

“As always, Acadia will be flexible and provide personal assistance as needed,” he said. Ricketts added that the University remains committed to following and promoting the public health practices that have helped keep the Acadia University campus and the wider community safe.

Key dates for the winter term include:

• Academic classes will begin on January 18, 2021.
• Residences will open January 3 for a staggered move-in to allow 14 days for mandatory quarantine (starting immediately upon arrival in Canada for international students) and online orientation programming for new and returning students. Students who are not required to quarantine are asked to return to residence on January 17.
• Acadia will offer a reduced Winter Study Break on February 15-16.
• The last day of exams will be April 24, and residences will close on April 25.

Acadia plans to share specific details about which courses will be offered as face-to-face on-campus instruction, virtual, or hybrid by the end of October. The University will notify the Acadia community directly and update the Student Life and COVID-19 websites as new information is available.

Read the President’s Winter 2021 Announcement to the Campus Community.