Learning In Person

Dear undergraduate students,

I wanted to reach out and share my response to a question frequently asked by students at UTM: how much in-person learning and activity can I expect to have in January, in the Winter 2022 semester?

The short answer is: a lot.

We know—because you’ve told us!—how much students treasure the on-campus experience. And we also know that many students have already returned to campus this fall, both to participate in exciting in-person courses and to enjoy the other enriching opportunities that this special place affords: meeting new friends in residence; discovering new resources in the library; engaging in student communities and clubs.

In January 2022, we aim to build on this positive momentum and offer even more opportunities for classroom learning on campus. Thirty per cent of our fall semester courses already have at least one in-person component. In Winter 2022, this number will increase considerably, with the majority of classes occurring in person.

We have started the planning process to make this transition as successful and seamless as possible, guided by our commitment to community health and student safety. We will continue to work closely with the experts at Peel Public Health; to implement comprehensive safety and wellness measures; and to adapt our campus practices as the science develops. Above all, we will continue to promote the science behind COVID-19 vaccination; to learn from our success in limiting the spread of cases on campus; and to advance efforts in making UTM, Mississauga and Peel among the most widely vaccinated communities in the world.

We’ll also stay connected with you, sharing regular updates on course scheduling so you can plan your semester effectively. Many UTM students, we know, have enrolled in winter courses currently scheduled for online delivery. Many students from U of T’s other campuses have enrolled in online winter courses at UTM, too. Welcome, all: we’re thrilled to connect you with our outstanding faculty, programs and campus. The method of winter course delivery may change shortly, as our teams work hard to provide a predominantly in-person teaching experience that best enables our commitment to student success.

So, stay tuned: much more information and support will follow on navigating any transitions in the timetable, including transitions to in-person only course delivery. Thanks, as always, for your continued patience, dedication and care.

Warm wishes,

Alexandra Gillespie
Vice-President and Principal
University of Toronto Mississauga