MHC adjusts to the different learning year during pandemic

The number of students at MHC is between 300-400 students per day this school year.

That’s about 85 percent fewer students compared to regular years.

But the Vice-President of Academic Dr. Vicky Roy says it’s been “so far so good” with all the changes.

“I can never switch from on to off because every morning when I wake up I said I hope we can go through the weeks and nothing major is going to happen or there are no cases of COVID-19 at the college.”

Normally in a regular fall semester, Roy says there are between 2,500 to 3,000 students on campus, not counting the continuing studies.

With a few weeks under their belt, she says students and staff are in the same boat together.

Roy says it has been an adjustment.

“For me, I will call it, because I’m a researcher, it’s a big exploratory research right now. About how the student can cope and also the faculty and it’s not because the staff and management are not important, but they are the front line.”

Roy adds students and faculty are doing great, “And I guess it’s tough, mental health especially in the city right now, I mean it’s around the world so students are stressed or anxious. They can see everything they need to do online or the blended approach and it’s the same thing for the faculty.”

Only students in programs where face-to-face interaction is required – such as health care, visual communications, or trades – are attending campus this fall.

Students are either online learning from home or have a blended learning approach.

“Last year when we finished early it was a little bit of a mess because everyone was kind of rushed into changing. They’ve had summer to prepare and the teachers are a lot more ready this semester which is really great for the students,” MHC student Veronica Yeoman told Chat News.

She says the first few weeks have gone really well, but the college has a different vibe this year.

“Not very many people at all. It’s very blank. You can tell the energy of the college has dropped a little bit because of the number of students that are gone. But the students that are there are really engaged and there’s a lot of talk between students and mingling which is really great,” Yeoman added.

Taylor Ohs is also attending MHC this fall, she says she is getting used to having classes online.

“It’s nice to watch from home from the comfort of your own bed so I’m really enjoying that part. But definitely missing face to face with all my friends.”

Roy adds staff and faculty are working hard to make sure they don’t leave any students in the dark during this virtual school year.

by Chantal Wagner

MHC adjusts to the different learning year during pandemic

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