THUNDER BAY – The president of Confederation College says she’s confident it will be all systems go for students when they make the switch to on-line learning next week.
Kathleen Lynch on Wednesday said students and faculty should enjoy a seamless transition after a week without classes as preparations were put in place at the Thunder Bay campus.
However, Lynch said some in-house labs, placements and other hands-on learning will have to be cancelled, with restrictions in place limiting access to the school.
“They will be able to continue all their theory courses, and every program has theory courses. What we can put online, we’re putting online,” Lynch said.
“I have to give kudos to our faculty. They have been fantastic, really creative, and on top of this and working hard to make sure we have successful students. I’m confident. I know we can convert much of it online.”
Lynch said it’s been a day-by-day learning curve as COVID-19 spreads around the globe, with new restrictions put in place to help stem the spread of the virus.
“We’re all just reacting as best as we can to try to do what we can. At this point, we can’t say one way or the other what’s going to happen. We’re waiting for word, as always, from the official health agencies to tell us what we’ll be able to do an not do,” she said.
“I don’t think at this point they know. They’re trying to flatten the curve and we’re going to know in a couple of weeks if that’s happening in Ontario.”
The biggest obstacle to online learning is not getting the course material online, but ensuring students and faculty have access to the system from home.
There is a contingency, Lynch said.
“We will let staff come in, on an as-needed basis and teach from here. We’re controlling the entrance, obviously. Only people with ID can come in,” she said.
Computer labs will also be made available to some students on a limited basis, but every other computer will be shut down to maintain proper social-distancing standards to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Changes have also been enacted at the school’s on-campus residences.
Lynch said meals are being delivered to students.
“They’re eating in their rooms and basically they are using the same restrictions the general public is using,” she said.
Lynch made a plea to local landlords to consider the plight of many students living off-campus, given the number of job losses expected due to mandated closures in the retail and service industries, asking them to have patience.
“Many are concerned,” she said, adding there is also an emergency food supply on campus for students in need.
“They can access it here at the Shuniah Building at the back door.”
Anyone who wants to help students in need can do so via the college’s COVID-19 website to do so.
