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We should all collectively celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and adaptability of the Mount Allison community as we all navigated the challenges of university life during a global pandemic.

2020–21 — a year like no other

Through all the many twists and turns, the ‘MtA Sackville Bubble’ has remained a safe and secure environment, recording only two MtA-related COVID-19 cases during the academic year.

We successfully and safely welcomed back more than 75 per cent of our total student population to Sackville and housed more than 600 students in on-campus residences.

The current Yellow level of recovery in New Brunswick has afforded us a more stable environment in which to complete the winter term. Though an on-campus Convocation is not possible, we look forward to celebrating the Class of 2021 with a virtual Conferring of Degrees on May 17. More details on that in the coming weeks.

New Brunswick’s current situation

New Brunswick Public Health continues to be positive about the near-term outlook for the province. In recent weeks, the number of confirmed COVID cases has remained relatively low. Public Health’s focus now is on an expedient vaccination rollout this spring and early summer. Today's GNB news of the conditional return of the by April 19 adds further to the expanding positive outlook.

This provides us with the opportunity to begin planning for an orderly and safe return to campus for the majority of University operations, staff members, and students, this summer.

Plans for fall/winter 2021–22

In the Fall 2021 term, Mount Allison will provide as much on-campus academic programming as possible.

• While most of the course delivery will be on-campus in both fall and winter terms, we will continue to use a hybrid delivery model in some courses based on demand and to provide flexibility for students and faculty.
• In addition to courses delivered on campus, there will be a selection of fully-online courses, as well as courses with online and on-campus elements.
• Details of courses to be offered in Fall/Winter 2021–22 will be made public by late April, in advance of the course registration period beginning in mid-May/June.

The overall student experience will be much more campus-centric as well. You can expect the campus experience to be much more like the true ‘MtA experience’ beginning in September 2021.

• We will be able to accommodate more students in residences, classrooms, studios, labs, the Libraries and Archives, and other campus buildings.
• We expect that student activities such as clubs and societies, along with intramural, club, and varsity athletics, will take place.
• Most, if not all, student services will be available on campus beginning in September.

Campus preparations will continue to support a healthy and safe environment for returning and incoming students.

• While we expect fewer Public Health guidelines in general, it is prudent to continue with a few of the most essential practices that have been the foundation of our collective health and safety practice this year.
• In 2021–22, we will encourage all community members to continue with common sense, self-care strategies such as voluntary use of masks, proper handwashing, and frequent use of hand sanitizer.

We will continue to be in contact with Public Health in the coming weeks and months regarding their guidance and recommendations for the province and for post-secondary institutions. As we all know, the pandemic has created an ever-changing environment for us all — and if we need to adapt, we will.

Again, thank you to our community for successfully navigating the challenges arising from the pandemic this year. We look forward to seeing many more people on campus in Fall 2021 and to welcoming our new incoming class to Mount Allison!

Be kind and stay safe!

Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau
President and Vice-Chancellor
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