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University of Fraser Valley plans for return to on-campus learning this fall

President Joanne Maclean says priority remains health and safety of students, staff and community
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University of the Fraser Valley campus in Abbotsford.

University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) has confirmed that it is planning for a return to in-person instruction in September.

The announcement came Tuesday (March 9) after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training, indicated earlier in the day that post-secondary institutions across B.C. could prepare return to on-campus learning this fall.

UFV president Joanne Maclean said the university’s priorities remain the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community.

She said UFV will be working with provincial health and safety organizations to ensure a “safe, healthy, and organized return to campus” in the fall.

RELATED: B.C. tells universities, colleges to prepare for on-campus learning this fall

Maclean commended students, faculty and staff for the “heart, tenacity, and dedication” they have demonstrated during the pandemic, and thanked the community for their support.

“While the rollout of vaccines and this announcement provide encouragement for the fall, the pandemic is not yet over. We must all still work together diligently to curb the spread of COVID-19 and to begin to plan our post-pandemic future,” she said.

UFV and other post-secondary institutions will work with the BC Centre for Disease Control, WorkSafeBC, the Provincial Health Office, and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training to update these plans.

UFV will also partner with the Fraser Health Authority and WorkSafeBC to develop more detailed safety plans for the university.

In the coming weeks, Go-Forward Guidelines released by the province will, as they have over the course of the last year, help provide an overview of how things will look for an anticipated return in the September.

Maclean said although the change will be welcomed by many, some might find it stressful or unsettling. She said UFV will continue to provide support resources for students, faculty, and staff.



vhopes@abbynews.com

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Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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