Changes to Exam Schedule

To the Campus Community,

In follow up to yesterday’s positive case confirmation, I am writing today to inform you that while we do have one Nova Scotia Public Health confirmed case on campus, we have also heard from a small number of students who have either self-reported their own confirmed case or are currently symptomatic, isolating and waiting for lab confirmed test results. We will have more information on the confirmed case by tomorrow morning.

Given this information, and out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to stop all in-person exams and move to different delivery modes. While we have been informed by Nova Scotia Public Health that exam scenarios are very low risk due to masking and physical distancing, this is not a risk we are willing to take at this time. While we continue to work with, and take direction from Public Health, we have always ensured that we at CBU are either meeting or exceeding safety requirements. This case is no different. And so, with COVID-19 cases rising across the province, we will be working with faculty members to provide a balance of alternative exam options that will work for everyone.

What you need to know:

• For courses being moved from in-person to online the existing examination schedule will remain in place, including for tomorrow, Tuesday, December 14.

Alternative delivery options may include, but are not limited to:

• Take Home exams
• Online exams
• Alternative assignments
• Adjustments to the weighting of assignments in courses in which a significant amount of assessment has already taken place in order to assign a grade
• Other options deemed appropriate by the teaching employees
• When considering options, faculty may choose or need to offer more than one option to students in a course based on their students’ unique situations.
• Once an alternative plan is in place, your professor will communicate this with you directly.

Again, I strongly encourage anyone who has been at any exposure site in the province including events in Antigonish or at St.FX last weekend to get tested as soon as possible. If you are symptomatic or are identified as a close contact, you will need to receive a PCR test at a Nova Scotia Health testing site. Please do not come to campus for testing if you are a close contact or have symptoms.

While this is not how we foresaw the exam period going, please know this decision is made in the interest of your health, safety and well-being. I want to reiterate that while campus vaccination rates are well above the provincial average, I urge you to remain vigilant. We absolutely must continue to wear masks, stay home if you are sick, and get vaccinated if you are not. This how we will protect each other.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett

Chair of the Return to Campus Committee

Associate Vice President, Research and Academic