On-campus instruction returns, with provincially mandated safety measures in place

Submitted by Darryl Dux

After many months of alternative delivery, College of the Rockies is looking forward to welcoming students back to campus again, starting September 7.

“We’re thrilled to be preparing for a full return to campus for the fall semester and look forward to once again enjoying the energy our students bring to our hallways,” said Paul Vogt, College of the Rockies’ President. “We will continue to follow the lead of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training and the Provincial Health Officer as we prepare to make the on-campus experience safe for everyone.”

In a joint press conference August 24, AEST Minister Anne Kang and PHO Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the return of a mask mandate for all indoor common spaces at post-secondary institutions. Vaccinations will also be required to live in student housing and to access some non-essential services like the gymnasium and cafeteria as well as inter-collegiate sports, intramural sports, club events or organized social gatherings. Full details of the College’s return-to-campus plan are available at cotr.ca

“We maintained a mask requirement at all of our campuses through the summer months and will be keeping that requirement in place until the PHO’s order is rescinded,” Vogt added. “Our orientation activities were planned to limit the size of gatherings and we will ensure that all welcome back events stay within the 50-person limit.”

In conjunction with Interior Health, pop-up vaccination clinics will be held at the College’s Cranbrook main campus gymnasium from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on September 8 and 9. These clinics are open to the public and do not require an appointment. Masks must be worn while inside the campus.

College of the Rockies students, meanwhile, will have access to a host of new or updated courses this fall, with additions or updates to the Environmental Science Associate Degree, the Financial Services diploma, Engineering certificate, and the Business Administration, Fine Arts, and University Studies programs. Further updates are in the works for the winter 2022 semester.

Learn more about the College of the Rockies at cotr.ca.