Delivery of Teaching and Learning Modality (Blended Approach)

To limit the population density on campus and to prioritize support services, teaching and learning will be offered using a blended modality. All Theory courses will be migrated to 100 percent online and Practical/Studio courses will be offered in a blended mode, to combine in-person and distance methods through a mix of studio rotations and virtual scenarios. Additional information specific to your area of study will be communicated to you directly by the Dean or Director of Studies in each School.

Student Fees

There are no plans to increase fees at this time, given the current economic downturn.

Tuition – Tuition and Ancillary Fees for the 2021-2022 academic year remains the same as the fees for 2019/2020. Fees are due and payable before or by the start of each academic year.

Local Student Fees       International Student Fees

New guidelines for residing on the Hall of Residence will be shared with students by the Hall Manager.

Protocols to be Implemented for the ‘New Normal’

The resumption of operations will be centred around a combination of health and safety measures, including but not limited to adherence to physical distancing, the wearing of masks, emphasis on hand hygiene, limited density in indoor spaces, maintenance of temperature checks and employee teleworking, where possible. In addition, modified layouts are being explored for the classroom space to observe the requisite physical distancing requirements, where furniture will be spaced 6 feet apart, where feasible. In addition, physical guides, such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls, will be utilised to ensure that distance is maintained. Additionally, arrival times/class schedules or locations by cohort will have to be staggered or protocols effected to limit contact between cohorts.

Health checks will be conducted daily and emphasis will be placed on administering them safely and respectfully, in accordance with any applicable privacy laws and regulations. In this regard, a system has been established and is currently being practiced that outlines the protocols for temperature checks as well as for employees/students that are potentially symptomatic. This includes a no access policy to the campus without the requisite temperature readings being undertaken. In the event that temperatures are high (above 38 degrees Celsius), the individual is barred from accessing the property and in the case of an employee of student, their information is logged by the security personnel and forwarded to the Human Resource management and Development department and the Office of the Students Services, respectively.

Should an employee or student present with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath), an isolation area has been designated for them to be separated from the rest of the community and where the necessary checks can take place to determine the status of the individual and the next steps. The College Nurse oversees this process. As part of the arsenal of preventative measures, hand sanitizer stations have been set up throughout the various high traffic areas and offices on campus. As a complement, training will be continuously provided to all cleaning staff on site to include cleaning and disinfecting protocols in between shifts or class changes and ensuring that ventilation systems operate properly to increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible, for example by opening windows and doors. Where the use of A/C systems are unavoidable, emphasis will be placed on ensuring that proper filters and systems for safe use are employed.

A code of conduct agreement is also being designed for students to ensure adherence to protocols, including online ones. To ensure that the community is kept abreast of health safety protocols and to reinforce same, the College will launch a sustained public information initiative via social media, signage, instructional videos and other means. A virtual Town Hall will also be hosted to address student queries.

Great emphasis will also be placed on shoring up our ICT infrastructure to ensure increased bandwidth, the acquisition of additional Zoom licences and the engagement of Educational Technologists to assist with the successful reconfiguration of our tactile, studio based courses for an online space, in a way that maintains the spirit of the programmes. Ongoing training sessions will also serve to orient students and faculty to ways in which the platform may be optimized for full use and benefits.

For increased accessibility purposes, virtual access to Counselling Services will be instituted for members of the community. In addition, flexible access options will also be explored for students to derive the benefits of the Writing Centre and support services provided by the Special Needs Facilitator and Interpreter.

Please note that as the situation continues to evolve it may become necessary for the College to adjust the plans outlined above. If this happens formal communication will be sent to our stakeholders.

We wish to thank you for your patience and continued support, and we look forward to welcoming our new and returning students to the 2021/2022 academic year.