Information for Students

Students wearing face masks sit at study tables

Last updated Thursday, September 30, 2021.

This page features information for UTM students regarding the University’s responses and actions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Please continue to check your U of T email, since you may be receiving emails directly from your divisions, residences, and Deans of Students.

Graduate Students, please also visit the School of Graduate Studies webpage for specific updates.

For further information for all students, please visit the COVID-19 Information for University of Toronto students information page on the Office of the Vice-Provost Students website.

On this page:

COVID-19 Safety:

Academic and Administrative Information:

Proof of Vaccination

In order to attend university premises for ANY reason you must: 

  1. Provide proof of vaccination.
  2. Complete daily health screenings via UCheck.

You must use UCheck before you come to campus for ANY purpose — even to come to Starbucks. The UCheck system will ask you to confirm your vaccine status, upload proof of vaccination, and answer a few health screening questions. You will then receive a red or green screen, based on your status, which you can display as needed If you have an exemption, you will be given information on rapid screening tests.

Only the vaccine receipt(s) that provide(s) proof that you are fully vaccinated is/are required to be uploaded. For example, if you have a Government of Ontario vaccine receipt showing the second of two doses, upload only this document. Instructions on how to upload documents are also available on the UCheck website, and you may also see the video below.

How to upload your proof of vaccination:

Video: how to upload proof of vaccination in UCheck

Passport program:

The provincial government will be launching a vaccine passport program effective September 22 that will provide a way to verify vaccination status for those without UCheck access. We will provide additional details as they become available.

If you are participating in an activity that is identified as higher risk (e.g., athletics, living in residence, and music instruction) and have received instructions on how to upload your proof of vaccination via Star Rez or ServiceNow, you will also be required to upload your vaccine documents in UCheck.

More information can be found on the UTogether FAQ page.

Visitors:

Visitors can use a printed version of the form to supply their vaccine status information. Please see the link to visitor and volunteer information on the UCheck page.

International students:

International students who will be in quarantine at the second dose deadline should contact UTM’s Health & Counselling Centre. The VP Students FAQ on vaccines also shares helpful advice.

Requests for Exemption

Those seeking an exemption for medical or other protected human rights grounds can make a formal request as U of T has an official process in place for those who require an exemption.

See https://www.utoronto.ca/utogether/vaccines and https://ucheck.utoronto.ca/ for details. Please note that approval is not guaranteed.

Rapid Screening Program

U of T’s Rapid Antigen screening program is now open. 

Rapid screening is mandatory for those with an approved vaccination exemption or those in the process of becoming fully vaccinated if they are coming to University premises or live in residence. Results must be uploaded through UCheck twice a week.  

The Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health has advised that rapid screening cannot be used as an alternative to vaccination.

For more information, visit the UTogether website.

Vaccination Clinics

Pop-up vaccination clinics will be available on our campuses this fall in addition to other vaccination clinics. More information is available on the UTogether vaccine page.

Thank you for your hard work, patience, and understanding as new protocols are established. We appreciate our community’s dedication to keeping each other safe. A further update will be provided next week.

Mask Policy, Contact Tracing and Other Safety Measures

The University has a 12-step plan for a safe return to campus for our entire community. This plan includes many layers of safety measures such as:

  • Masks are required in all indoor spaces, including classrooms, offices, common and study areas and research facilities.
  • If an instructor decides there is a compelling pedagogical reason to remove their mask, they can do so in their classroom. In that case, everyone must continue to maintain the physical distancing already required in all UTM spaces. Removing a mask outside of the classroom requires consultation with UTM Accessibility or U of T Health and Wellness.
  • An example of a pedagogical reason for an instructor to remove a mask might come in a language class where it is necessary to demonstrate technique: to show how a word is formed through movement of the lips and interaction with the teeth and the tongue, or how the jaw and eyes come together in communication. Instructors remain rightfully cautious: the decision to remove their mask will not be made lightly.
  • Masks are also available for purchase on campus; visit the Hospitality website for more details.

  • Contact tracing: all classes being held at UTM — and indeed all events — have been set up to enable contact tracing through ROSI lists, room scheduling lists, EHS investigations and other measures

  • Other measures:
    • UCheck health screening, contact tracing and case management that protect the confidentiality of individuals.
    • Industry-leading ventilation and building air filtration strategy, including upgrades to MERV 13 filters and air flushing pre- and post-occupancy for all central ventilation systems on all campuses; and classrooms upgraded to a minimum of six air changes per hour — the standard used in healthcare settings.
    • Measures to reduce congestion such as signage, traffic flow controls, and queue management systems.
    • Frequently updated COVID safety resources and in-person assessments to evaluate on-campus activities and support the implementation of protective measures.

For more information, visit the UTogether website.

Expectations and Options for Students in Classrooms

Students should attend class in the mode of delivery for which they signed up, so we have accurate in-person sectional data.

Online courses can only require students to attend an in-person exam if the course was designated as such from the start, as identified in the UTM Timetable by a 6000 section code.

For courses coded as having an in-person exam, we expect that students will only register if they are prepared to take the exam in-person. In extenuating circumstances, students can petition the Registrar’s Exams Office using their Exam Petition system.  

Instructors will provide their contact information on the syllabus, in the course Quercus shell and during the first class. They will also note online and/or in-person office hours. For email contact, professors may ask students to use specific subject lines or to email through Quercus to ensure they receive messages. For the fastest answers, TAs will often be the best people to contact with questions, especially for those in a first-year class. 

Information about textbooks will be available on the course syllabus or in the Quercus shell. 

For students who wish to attend online lectures from campus, UTM has opened additional classrooms and study spaces. See the Registrar’s FAQs for listings.

For graduate students, please see U of T’s VP Students website for frequent updates, including details on processes and limitations for travelling internationally and studying abroad.

Office of the Registrar

The Office of the Registrar offers information and support for current students, recently admitted students and future students.

Starting Monday, August 30, our front desk will be open in a limited capacity for general inquiries in-person. The front desk is located in the Innovation Complex (Room 1235), and can also be reached at 905-828-5399. Hours of operation can be found here.

All services will continue to operate remotely, including appointments, requests, and submission of documents.

 Information about Fall 2021 

A large number of courses will be offered remotely, with select opportunities for dual-delivery and in-person only courses.

Student Services & Support

Health & Counselling Centre

UTM's Health & Counselling Centre is open for non-urgent health appointments and virtual counselling sessions. For additional information about health care and mental health supports available to UTM students, please visit the Mental Health and Wellness page.

The Instructional Centre

The Instructional Centre, or Instructional Building (IB), was completed in 2011. It features lecture theatres, computer labs and classrooms, and classes/orientation sessions are now being held here. The IB Building is located at 1599 Outer Circle Road, close to the UTM Library.

Student Housing & Residence Life

Visit the Student Housing & Residence Life COVID-19 Updates page for information about on-campus accomodations, first-year and international student housing, meal plans, amenities and health and safety concerns. The page also has contact information to reach residence staff by phone, LiveChat, and email. 

International Student Support

International students may contact the International Education Centre for online support regarding immigration matters related to study and work permits, permanent residency, study abroad initiatives and more.

Additional information for current and newly-admitted international students is available on from the Vice-Provost Students website.

Please refer to the Government of Canada website to see the most up-to-date requirements for travelling to and within Canada. Additional information may also be found on the Government of Canada's Air Travel page. Please also feel free to contact your airline for further details. 

International students may find additional support on the Student Information page.

Additional links:

Financial Support and Information

The University of Toronto is working to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including providing emergency financial support and work-study opportunities for students. The Financial Support & Funding Opportunities directory provides resources to access university financial aid supports as well as provincial and federal government programs.

Student Engagement

The Centre for Student Engagement is operating remotely and offering services by videoconference or telephone. Visit the site to learn more.

Student Groups and In-Person Activities

UTM Recognized Student Groups will be able to offer some in-person programming under public health guidelines. Groups will be required to complete an EAT for any programming delivered on campus. For more information, and if you have questions about the process, please email studentgroups.utm@utoronto.ca.

Career Centre

Visit the UTM Career Centre site to find out about online career workshops, or to connect with career counsellors, employment strategists and resource centre staff daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Workshops are being offered via recorded webinars—log into CLNx for details. 

Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre

Visit the Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre’s webpage to browse virtual programming options and to help you stay connected, get active and move your way to wellness. Additional RAWC resources may be found on the Mental Health and Wellness page.

Academic Support

The Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre continues to offer online supports to students and partners.

Accessibility Services

The Accessibility Services team offers support and resources to new and returning students who have a documented learning, physical, sensory, mental health disability or medical condition. Visit the site to register for academic accommodations, learn more about online learning support resources or schedule an appointment with an accessibility advisor.

I&ITS Services

UTM's Information & Instructional Technology Services team (I&ITS) is available to provide remote services for students seeking help with email, UTORid account access, TCards and more.

Students may access in-person support at the UTM Service Desk in the CCT Building Atrium, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please visit the I&ITS Services site for additional information, including locations and hours for on-site and remote services.

TCards and UTORid

The TCard is your gateway to life at University of Toronto. You must obtain a TCard and activate your UTORid in order to access your UTM email (@mail.utoronto.ca), library resources and secure areas, meal plans, printing, residence and more.

Please visit the TCard Services information page for detailed instructions on this process or to access assistance from the Information & Instructional Technology team.

Bookstore

The UTM Bookstore is located on the first floor of the William G. Davis Building.

The UTM Bookstore is operated by the University of Toronto Press and is not managed by UTM, but should you have any questions, please contact their main line at (905) 828-5272 or visit the UofT Bookstore website here. Hours of operation may also be found here.

U-Pass

The U-Pass program, offering unlimited fare-free transportation on MiWay (Mississauga Transit), will continue for the 2021-22 academic year, supported by fees assessed by UTMSU (for undergraduate students) and UTMAGS (for UTM-affiliated graduate students). For more information, please visit the UTMSU or UTMAGS websites or social media channels.

Computer Labs and Quiet Work Spaces on Campus

Students and faculty who are physically present at UTM will have access to essential technology and wifi on campus.

On the main floor, there are 42 physically-distanced computer workstations (30 PCs and 12 Macs). The computers in the first floor computer lab are not currently available, as the first floor is closed.

We have a total of 228 study spaces available without computers:

  • Main floor: 27, mix of study tables and bar seating
  • Level 3: 59, carrels only
  • Level 4: 142, carrels only

Workstations and study spaces are now available on a first-come, first-served basis; you no longer need to reserve these.

UTM Library

Located in the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre, the Library will expand access to physical spaces and in-person services starting September 7.

Fall hours:
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

The main floor and levels 3–4 will reopen, including access to the stacks; some areas will continue to be unavailable. The first floor (including the computer labs), the Li Koon Chun Finance Learning Centre physical space, and group study rooms will be closed to patrons. Library users must wear masks at all times, and measures to promote physical distancing remain in place.

Staff will be available at the Information & Loans Desk to facilitate borrowing and to answer questions, and at the Reference & Research Desk to provide research assistance. Library users will not need to reserve workstations or study spaces, which will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Many library services will continue to be offered remotely. To learn more about how we are working to support our community during the return to campus, explore the Library's Remote Supports page. 

For the most current information about Library spaces and services, please visit the Library's service & operation updates page.

Equity Offices

The Equity & Diversity Office and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives remain open and available to provide online programming and support. Staff are available by email and phone Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit the Facebook page for information about online events.

STILL HAVE COVID QUESTIONS? Submit a question here or refer to the following pages for more details: