Teachers are back in class today and students at Ontario's 24 community colleges return tomorrow.
The President and CEO of Georgian College issued a statement outlining plans for the rest of the first semester that was cancelled due to a 5-week faculty strike.
"Many students I spoke with during the work stoppage expressed their concern about achieving their learning outcomes if the semester was too compressed. Our intent is to give students the opportunity to complete the semester and academic year, without compromising quality or creating unreasonable workloads. We will work with you on an individual basis to accommodate conflicting work and family commitments," said Georgian College President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes in an email to students.
"I recognize this isn’t the semester you imagined or planned for. I am confident with your continued patience and understanding that together we can successfully complete the academic year."
Classes will resume according to students' regular weekly timetable. West-Moynes said the length of the strike requires that Georgian, along with the other 23 Ontario public colleges, must extend the fall semester into January and delay the start of the winter semester.
The new semester dates are as follows:
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Classes continue to Dec. 22.
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The holiday break for students is Saturday, Dec. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 7.
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Fall semester classes will resume Jan. 8.
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The fall semester will conclude Jan. 12.
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There will be no classes for most programs the week of Jan. 15 to 19 so faculty can mark and provide grades.
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The winter semester begins Jan. 22.
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Instead of winter Study Week, students will get two study days that will allow for four-day weekends:
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The winter semester will be extended by one week, concluding on April 27. There is no impact to the summer semester.
Faculty are taking Monday to prepare for the first class.
"They need this time to get ready for your return. I ask you to hold your questions so they have enough time to be able to think through and document for you how they plan to complete the semester. When you do return to class, you will find academic completion plans vary by course and program," said West-Moynes.
The college says faculty will share detailed information regarding course content, assignments, tests, exams and work experience. Individual needs and circumstances will be taken into consideration if students require support and accommodation.
Free and confidential counselling is also being made available for students who feel overwhelmed or wish to talk to someone.
