The senior director of media relations at UBC, Kurt Heinrich, issued the pursuing statement on December 19 in reaction to worries about the basic safety of examinations:
“We appreciate the worries raised by some learners in the university group all over COVID-19 throughout the test period of time on the UBC Vancouver campus.
“During the pandemic, UBC has worked closely with the Provincial Wellness Officer and Regional Health Authorities to assure we are following their steering in our campus operations and that we are preserving our local community safe and sound.
“This past Friday, UBC achieved with the Provincial Well being Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and other community health officers to talk about the evolving condition with COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. The campus security suggestions, such as the determination to carry on with in-man or woman examinations on the Vancouver campus, were being built in near session with the Provincial Well being Officer.
“They encouraged that COVID-19 transmission is quite unusual in structured instructional options mainly because of significant vaccination costs and the security measures in location, and that in-particular person exams can move forward. (The choice to move examinations on the internet at the College of Victoria was designed in a distinctive public wellness context.)
“Through the investigation and administration of cases, Public Overall health has confirmed that situations among the employees, students and college at UBC have been reduce than in encompassing communities, and when cases do manifest, the huge greater part of acquisition is in houses and social options. Simply because of this, the Activities and Gatherings Orders explicitly excluded a selection of options like: ‘Educational actions, together with a practicum or investigation, involving students or scientists of article-secondary establishments in any locale when offered or organized by a post-secondary institution.’
“The UBC Vancouver Deans also figure out that some pupils may perhaps have other well being fears, such as college students who dwell with loved ones associates or other folks who are part of a substantial-risk group, as examples. In a assertion, Deans have indicated to pupils that if they do not sense comfy attending their remaining ultimate exams because of to these issues, the university student may well request to delay their exam via what is identified as a Standing Deferred, or SD. Usually, SD position is for healthcare or personalized crisis, but, presented the unconventional circumstances, they will automatically permit SD tests on the basis of these concerns.
“As the college has accomplished throughout this pandemic, we will continue on to keep track of the problem and adjust basic safety measures as essential in conjunction with the General public Health Officer and Regional Health Authorities.”
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