I am writing to extend my heartfelt thanks to all Niagara College employees for a great start to the Fall 2021 term, and to provide important updates as we move into week two.
At the risk of overusing a phrase that’s come to define our operations over the past 18 months, Fall 2021 is once again “a term like no other,” and it took a coordinated effort from all corners of our college to address the unique challenges, opportunities and requirements associated with an increase in on-campus learning and the gradual return of on-campus services and supports.
As we welcome our students to the start of the Fall 2021 term, all enrolment figures – new, returning, domestic and international – are trending toward our projections. We welcomed more than 4,800 new students to Niagara College last week, and more than 5,000 of our students will have at least some on-campus classes or labs this term.
By all measures our start of term has been successful and smooth thanks to your hard work and ongoing dedication to providing our students with a positive experience and supporting their success. Many of you were at access points or on the front lines of our services, classrooms and labs providing a warm welcome to our new and returning students, addressing their concerns, answering questions, helping them navigate new systems and requirements or helping them find their way around a new environment. Others have worked tirelessly to adapt academic programs, build new systems, reconfigure spaces, enhance online and virtual courses and services, comply with new public health requirements, and maintain the key support areas that keep our college running. It has truly been “all hands on deck,” and I’m amazed by – and grateful for – your remarkable work. I hope you take enormous pride in these accomplishments.
I also want to thank you for your ongoing commitment to a safe and healthy learning environment and workplace. As more students access our campuses for in-person learning and as we gradually and cautiously bring services and supports back to campus, the measures that have kept our campuses safe for the past three terms are more important than ever – including daily health screening, physical distancing, masks, hand hygiene and enhanced cleaning.
As you know, we have also implemented a mandatory vaccination policy for students, employees and contractors, which is also required by the provincial government. This important step adds another layer of safety to our ongoing measures, and I want to thank those of you returning to campus for your cooperation. Since we launched our vaccine documentation system on August 23, more than 6,000 students and more than 1,000 employees have uploaded proof of vaccination.
As I’ve mentioned, we are taking a gradual approach to increasing on campus services and amenities. Some critical student and enrolment services have returned over the past few weeks, and others will return over the course of the Fall term. Student/learning commons and cafeterias are available (with limited capacity), along with NCSAC kiosks (The Shack and the Underground) at both campuses. Full information on College services is available here.
Finally, if you haven’t already, I hope you will review our Return to Campus website and watch the Safe Return to Campus video. The site will be updated regularly throughout the term with the latest information on our operations, safety measures, resources and more.
Whether you have returned to campus or are continuing to perform your important role remotely, I thank you once again for your contribution to a successful start of term for our students. Please stay safe, support one another, and continue to demonstrate the incredible caring and kindness that makes NC such a remarkable place to work and study.
Best wishes for a successful Fall term,
