Dear members of the McGill community,
As Provost Manfredi and Vice-Principal Beauchamp wrote to you last week, our society is now living in a period of learning to co-exist with COVID-19. The success of our ongoing, multi-phase research ramp-up is proof positive that, together, well-considered institutional directives and conscientious individual efforts can result in safely re-opening our physical spaces. We will now take significant steps in the weeks to come to increase the resumption of all types of activities across our campuses.
At the same time as the fourth and last phase* of select on-campus research activities is being deployed, we are now planning what we are calling Phase 5, which will also involve resuming administrative and other non-research activities. Even with fall courses being primarily delivered remotely, the University is committed to safely re-establishing a vibrant campus experience for our students. As noted in last week’s message, this phase is about collaborating with the Faculties on implementing in-person teaching activities through teaching hubs, safely designed study and learning spaces, and other innovative opportunities for student engagement. In addition, we are also working with unit heads to have back-to-campus transition plans properly implemented to support our community as we get ready for the fall semester. These will enable employees to gradually come back to work on campus and, as individual unit needs allow, to start to alternate between working on-campus and working from home.
Our main priority has always been, and continues to be, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, faculty, instructors and researchers.
To support our community in getting ready for a safe fall semester, starting this week we will be posting amended directives for resuming on-campus activities on McGill’s coronavirus resource webpage. We will also be holding a series of Phase 5 Town Halls for our faculty, staff and student community. The first, for academic and administrative staff, will be held this Thursday, July 30. A separate invitation is forthcoming. Dates and other details for other Town Halls will be shared with you when finalized.
- 550 Sherbrooke
- Bronfman Building
- Currie Gymnasium
- Duggan House and Coach House
- Elizabeth Wirth building
- Leacock Building
- Strathcona Music Building
Thank you for your time in reading this. I hope you have a great week.
Sincerely,
Fabrice Labeau
Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning), on behalf of the Emergency Operations Centre