Ontario universities are responding to Omicron by moving all classes online for the start of the winter 2022 semester — and the variant is making students all over the country nervous..Some of the schools going online include: Queens University, Ryerson University, Guelph University, University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, Carleton University, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Algonquin College..Most students attending these universities are already fully vaccinated..These changes affect millions of students in their quality of learning and mental health..“I understand the need for remote learning but I would prefer an in-person class. I feel as if I am not getting the full experience out of my learning this way,” third-year biomedical science student at Guelph, Julia Chpadyk told the Western Standard..So far Alberta universities have made no changes to exams or classes, but have followed suit with other Canadian universities in the past on mandates..The University of Calgary had one case of Omicron on campus this week but have decided to continue with exams as planned..Many students at the University of Calgary are concerned about how the school will decide to proceed with the January semester..Teri Balser, The University of Calgary’s provost and vice-president sent out an e-mail to all students regarding the looming decision..“Any action would be taken out of an abundance of caution while the facts become clear. With classes for winter semester beginning in just under a month, many of you have asked if the increased presence of the Omicron variant in Alberta will be causing a change to January plans for teaching and learning, research and other activity on campus,” said Balser..“At this point, we do not know. Teams are meeting daily to assess the situation locally. We will continue to make data-driven decisions as information becomes available.”.Ewa Sudyk is a reporter with the Western Standard
