Now that our summer courses are underway, we are pleased to provide you with an update about York’s plans for the Fall Term.

IMPORTANT: OsgoodePD students will be receiving more detail from their program in the near future.

Prioritizing the health and safety of our community members
The safety of our community members is paramount and re-opening the campuses will occur in stages to adhere to public health guidelines.

Ensuring our students have access to a high-quality experience
To the extent possible and with physical distancing measures in place, we are planning to offer selected in-person smaller classes and tutorials, experiential activities such as studio and labs, and re-establish access to our research facilities.

Being sufficiently flexible to provide equitable access for students
We understand that not everyone will be able to make it to campus in the fall. Course delivery is being planned with enough flexibility to provide access for all students, considering your different geographic locations and time zones, as well as considerations for health, family status and accommodations for students with disabilities.

Whether you join us on or off campus, we will connect you with peers, mentors and your Faculty advising team to enhance your experience.

Graduate Defences via Zoom
Until the campus is fully reopened, graduate students have the right to choose to hold a thesis or dissertation defence in an electronically mediated, audio/visual, online format (via Zoom), or to defer the defence with no penalty until such time as the university recommends a return to in-person formats for classes and other program requirements. Consult with your supervisor, supervisory committee, and Graduate Program Assistant via email. Information on electronic defences can be found here.

Financial assistance
We recognize that this is a challenging time for many of our graduate students. On the graduate COVID information site, you will find information on internal and government resources that are available. We are also not charging fees for leaves of absence during this time.

Scheduling courses to enable progression
Students who begin Fall Term courses in a remote/online format normally will be able to complete the entire course remotely/online if they wish. Instructors will let you know at the outset if the course will require you to attend on campus at any point during the Fall 2020 Term. If the course has an optional in-person component, you will be provided with alternative remote access to those learning activities.

The overall quality of your learning experience and your safety guides our decisions. We are working hard to ensure you can progress in your program with minimal disruption.

While there is reason to be optimistic that good progress is being made in getting the pandemic under control, it will still be some time before we know exactly when and how our campuses can open and what restrictions may still be in place. We are ready to deliver our academic programs, our student services and the peer connections that are all important components of your university experience.

We are excited to welcome you in Fall 2020.

Lucy Fromowitz
Vice Provost, Students
York University