As you near the end of the Fall 2020 term, I know you are looking forward to the successful completion of the term and the break. I want to take the opportunity to provide an update on what is ahead.

On November 4, 2020, I provided an update for the Winter 2021 term. It’s now time to turn attention to Summer 2021.

York University’s Senate Executive Committee recently approved the extension of the Principles to Guide Fall/Winter Graduate and Undergraduate Course Planning to the Summer 2021 term.

This means that the same approach to course delivery approved for the upcoming Winter term will also apply to the Summer 2021 term. The following process will apply to the Summer 2021 term:

• Instructors will be polled to identify courses requiring in-person activities or optional learning components.
• Where remote learning is not able to accommodate course components such as labs, studios or small graduate classes, York will maintain flexibility and make best efforts to accommodate requests for in-person instruction.
• At registration, students will be informed if a course has a required in-person component.
• Courses with optional in-person components should also have a fully remote version available to allow students to complete their work online if needed.

As soon as courses are available for enrolment, we will send additional registration information and a link to available courses, just as we did for fall and winter courses.

We are actively monitoring the rapidly evolving public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As announcements on vaccine availability are made, we will continue to update our response during the Winter 2021 term.

More details will also be shared shortly concerning this year’s holiday closure period – December 24 through to January 6. Services resume on January 7 and classes for the majority of students resume on January 11. See Important Dates for exceptions.

A forward-looking plan for the 2021/22 academic year, including Fall 2021 course delivery, is underway, alongside a plan for the phased return to campus.

I know the transition to virtual learning has not been easy but you have shown great resilience. Through your feedback, the University has learned much about what we can do to further support your virtual learning experience. We welcome and encourage your continued input.

I wish you a safe and restful break. Be well.

Lucy Fromowitz
Vice-Provost Students