Ryerson University to move classes from in-person to online

Ryerson University is shifting all in-person classes to virtual classes effective Friday, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university president said.

Starting on March 13, all exams will also be conducted by alternate methods.

“Since the outbreak occurred, the university has been focused on the health and well-being of our community members and committed to ensuring that our students can successfully complete this academic term,” Mohamed Lachemi, Ryerson’s President said in a statement on Friday.

As of today, March 13, Ryerson classes will begin to move to online formats in response to COVID-19. https://t.co/Hwr2WINTEr

— Ryerson University (@RyersonU) March 13, 2020

“Staff across the university have been working extremely hard and have been in near constant contact with other universities and colleges, public health and public safety agencies.”

Based on the consultations with health officials, the university decided that while classes are being prepared for online, the week of March 16 will be cancelled for students —all courses will have the alternate arrangements finalized by Monday, March 23.

According to the school’s president, effective immediately, the university is undertaking the following additional actions: all university-sanctioned international travel by students and staff is cancelled until August 31 or further notice; all faculty travel to level 3 countries is cancelled until August 31 or further notice; all other international travel by faculty is strongly discouraged; all Ryerson events on and off-campus scheduled from now until May 1, 2020 are being cancelled or postponed.

While in-person classes and events are cancelled, for now, the residences, facilities and food halls will remain open.

“I understand that this is a stressful situation for many people and I want to remind all of our community members – students, faculty and staff – that counselling and health services are available, should they be needed,” Lachemi said.

• See also: 
  • University of Toronto cancels all in-person classes across its 3 campuses
  • Seneca College suspends week of classes before moving online-only
  • York University “suspending all face-to-face instruction” starting Monday
  • Humber College moves to online classes until next month

Ryerson University follows, Humber College, George Brown College, University of Toronto, Seneca College, and York University who all just cancelled in-person classes for the time being.