McGill and Concordia University cancel all exams and classes today

McGill and Concordia University are following suit with various other events and organizations throughout Montreal by cancelling all classes and exams on Friday due to coronavirus concerns.

Both universities are also cancelling all on-campus events throughout the weekend that are likely to attract more than 250 participants.

Concordia has closed both its downtown and Loyola campus libraries for the weekend but the actual schools will remain open. According to Concordia, “All other services will continue as usual; Friday is a regular working day for employees.”

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“Our goal at Concordia is first and foremost to ensure that members of our community are safe,” reads the university’s statement. “At the same time, we want to do everything we can to support students in the successful completion of their studies.”

Concordia also stated that as of Friday, courses with enrollments of 250 students or more will be moved from classrooms to the online delivery variety. For all other courses, classes will continue as of Monday, March 16. “We are finalizing plans for alternative forms of delivery and will be communicating on this shortly.”

Concordia employees who are self-isolating are urged to speak to their managers about working from home. Conferences and events – regardless of the number of attendees – scheduled between today and April 15 are being postponed or cancelled.

Concordia University (Shutterstock)

“In order to evaluate how today’s coronavirus (COVID-19) announcement from the Quebec government will impact campus operations and academic activities, the University is suspending classes and exams on Friday, March 13,” reads the McGill statement. “The University is also cancelling all on-campus events likely to attract more than 250 participants, effective now through to Sunday, March 15.”

While other McGill operations are expected to be carried out normally throughout today, employees who are experience cold or flu-like symptoms, regardless of their travel history, are being advised to work from home.

In order to facilitate planning and field questions, Associate Deans, Associate Director-level staff, and  Academic Chairs and Directors are asked to remain reachable throughout the weekend.