Exam season has already begun at UVic, but how that looks for students will be changing in response to rising COVID-19 numbers on campus.
Effective Monday, December 13th, the university will no longer hold in-person exams for the remainder of the December 2021 exam season.
“UVic has made this decision in consultation with Island Health,” UVic said in a release.
“Throughout the fall academic term, UVic has worked closely with government and public health experts to keep the university community healthy and safe, while delivering on our academic mission of teaching, learning, research and community engagement.”
According to the Martlet, UVic’s independent newspaper, two off-campus social events last weekend resulted in approximately 30 students testing positive for COVID-19.
In a media release last week, UVic said medical health officers confirmed there was an increase in COVID-19 cases among students that attended two off-campus social gatherings.
The decision was made to reduce the frequency and number of students sitting together for extended periods of time in examination gyms and rooms.
UVic acknowledged that, for many, this may be late notice with exams to be held on Monday, but they are asking instructors to offer their assessments online or in another format for the time being.
Along with changes to this year’s examination period, the release issued today also outlines COVID-19 protocols for other areas of campus life.
Student services, administrative services and support services will continue to operate with COVID-19 safety plan measures.
Research centres, labs, The Centre for Athletics and Recreation (CARSA) and study spaces will also remain open with COVID-19 safety plan measures.
On-campus, in-person social events for employees and students must be canceled or postponed until further notice.
Campus retail food service locations will be primarily take-out services with limited, physically distanced seating arrangements.
The University of Victoria also reminds students to follow guidelines and get tested by Island Health if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19.
There are currently 664 active COVID-19 cases in the Island Health region and 2,994 active cases in the province.
