OTTERBURNE, MB – This fall, Providence University College looks forward to welcoming students back to campus. We’re planning to return to a “near normal” academic experience with face-to-face classes.
“The entire campus has worked very hard this past year to keep students safe and to keep their learning opportunities as engaging as possible. We are still focused on student safety and success. We will be working hard to ensure a safe return to campus for our students,” says Cameron McKenzie, Provost and VP Academic. “But, we are excited as we anticipate the full return to campus living and learning in September 2021.”
Pandemic restrictions have begun to loosen in Manitoba. We are greatly encouraged by the arrival of vaccines and the gradual decline of COVID cases in our province. We are excited about the 2021/2022 academic year ahead.
The Remainder of the Winter Session Will Be Online
At the end of October (2020), we moved all our classes from a blended format to a fully online format due to ‘code red’ restrictions. We can now see the academic challenges that come with virtual learning when in-class participation is somewhat limited to screen time on Zoom.
Josh Hoogerdijk, STUCO President comments, “COVID has forced me individually, and our Prov community collectively, to realize the importance of the community we have and the impact it has, not just socially but academically as well.”
“At times, it certainly seems difficult,” says Ethan Hoekstra, STUCO Vice President of Communication as he reflected on the effects of COVID on students’ mental health (such as an increase in stress and anxiety levels). However, Hoekstra also noted an appreciation for the flexibility that online delivery has offered him and his classmates, and was quick to lightheartedly add, “But at least I can wear pajamas to class with no one knowing.”
It’s this kind of resiliency and positivity from our students that inspires us.
Plans for Summer Courses
Our students are the reason why we’re making every effort to have summer courses available in-person on our Otterburne campus. For instance, our Summer TESOL Intensive will be face-to-face from May 3 to June 11 with a possibility of a one-week practicum from June 21 to 25.
The Providence Seminary will continue to deliver its courses in a variety of ways including online and hybrid options. So, students will have to check with their professors for more details about available summer course offerings.
Registration Opens March 17th
Students can now begin planning for their next semester’s program. As Dr. Nicholas Greco, Registrar, explains, “Students can soon choose their courses for an exciting fall semester and a return to campus living and learning. Their faculty advisors and enrollment officers are ready to help with planning.”
Registration for all students is open on March 17th for both the Summer and Fall sessions. You can register for your courses by signing into Populi. Further instructions can be found here. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office.
More updates will be published on our Summer/Fall 2021 webpages in the weeks and months to come.
