MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Christmas break will be a little longer than originally planned for students at Medicine Hat College.
And they won’t be back in the classroom until late January.
With more questions than answers regarding the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, college officials are delaying the start of the winter semester by almost a week.
And classes will be online as much as possible until Jan. 21.
“This particular wave is approaching us at a somewhat awkward time. We’re about to head off on to Christmas break, students might be returning home and if any of the projections hold true we might find ourselves reacting in early January,” said Mark Keller, executive director, Advancement and Community Relations.
“So we thought the better thing to do would be to plan for a small slowdown at the beginning of the semester, which allows a planning opportunity to step into the semester delayed but with high quality.”
Only classes that can’t be delivered online such as apprenticeship courses will keep the original schedule.
A limited number of courses may also start as scheduled, especially if a delay threatens the ability of students to complete a program on time. Students need to check their college email for changes that may affect their program.
Keller said college staff will monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed.
He adds current public health measures at the college have not changed and they will stay in step with measures announced by the provincial government.
For now, they’ll hope for the best.
“Let’s hope everybody stays safe and well with their families over Christmas and we’ll see everyone in January,” Keller said.
