Waterloo, Laurier universities delay return to in-person classes for winter semester

Local universities say students and staff won't return to in-person learning right away in Januaryin response to the rapidly rising COVID-19 cases and the spread of the Omicron variant.

Students and staff at the University of Waterloo were set to return Jan.5, 2022, but now those on-campus classes will shift online. The university said in-person classes wont resume until at least Jan. 24.

Some final exams at there will also be held virtually, according to the university. Thelast in-person examsare scheduled for Dec.17.

"We need to stay vigilant and keep doing the things we know limit the spread of COVID," the university said. "While much remains to be learned about this new variant,itis spreading at a much faster rate than previous variants."

Some courses, including clinical classes and some lab-based programs,will continue in person.

"Students in these courses can expect to hear about academic plans from their program or faculty," the website said.

Residences will remain open for students living there and students canexpect to hear more from campus housing in the next few days.

Wilfrid Laurier University

The winter semester at Wilfrid Laurier University is scheduledto start virtually on Jan. 4, 2022. The return to in-personclasses has now been pushed to Jan. 31, according the the university's website.

"These modifications, supported by the medical officers of health in the Region of Waterloo and Brant Countywill allow us to keep the health and safety of the Laurier community as our top priorityand allow us to continue with plans to deliver the remainder of the winter term in person as public health direction allows."

Studentswill still be able to live in residenceat the beginning of winter term, according to Wilfrid Laurier University.

Any scheduled in-person exams on the Waterloo and Brantford campuses will continue as planned.