Important Update from Mohawk College including plans for 2021

With the end of Fall semester approaching, we want to provide some important updates on the college’s plans for the Winter and Spring/Summer semesters, and keep you informed about how changes to the public health measures in Hamilton may affect the college. This update also includes important reminders about following protocols on campus, the status of events and activities to June 2021 and a reminder about where to go for information related to campus closures due to winter storms.

Winter 2021 Semester Start and Delivery

Classes for the Winter 2021 semester will begin as planned on Wednesday, January 6 with most programs being delivered remotely for the duration of the semester. In most cases, programs with required in-person components (e.g., labs, simulations, assessments) will also be delivered remotely for the first two weeks and will begin required in-person delivery the week of January 18. Any exceptions will be communicated directly to impacted students by the appropriate School by December 8. This includes students in skilled trades and apprenticeship programs who will be receiving more information directly from their programs. The two-week delay for the majority of in-person training will allow anyone who travelled over the Holiday break as well as international students arriving or returning to Canada the opportunity to self-isolate and limit the spread of COVID-19.

Co-ops and placements, whether in-person or virtual, will resume on their scheduled date. If you have questions about your placement or co-op, please contact your Co-op Specialist or Field Placement Coordinator directly.

Employees who are scheduled to be on campus but who are able to work from home until January 18 are encouraged to do so to limit the number of people on campus and in the community.

For the Winter semester, access to campus will remain restricted to students who are required to be on campus for in-person training, and employees who are required for the delivery of academic programs or campus services.

Resources for students completing their studies online

Students who will be completing their studies online next semester are encouraged to check out the Future Ready Toolkit which provides important orientation support and information on virtual and remote learning, technical tips and college services. You can access this online resource here: https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/future-ready-toolkit/orientation

The college has also developed a free dedicated module that includes a broad range of skill development that is customized to the current learning environment. Students can access this module through the MyCanvas learning platform.

What if Hamilton goes into lockdown?

At this time, colleges and universities are not required to close in the event that Hamilton is moved into lockdown. The college continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide an update if anything changes.

In anticipation of the higher number of COVID-19 cases in the community and the potential for additional public health measures, the college has developed contingency plans for a number of different scenarios related to in-person instruction. In all scenarios, the college’s top priorities are the health and well-being of students and employees and to limit the spread of the virus within the campus community. The scenarios considered include temporary, short-term suspension of in-person classes for a specific program, up to the closure of an entire campus. If any of these situations arise, the college will work to ensure students are able to complete the in-person requirements of their programs.

It is important to note that remote and virtual instruction would not be impacted by any closure and will continue as planned.

Health and Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

In order for our college to continue operating with in-person training and instruction, college protocols and safety measures must be followed. The college expects all students and employees to recognize the impact of their actions and to prioritize the health and safety of all community members. Students and employees who do not comply with these necessary Public Health and safety standards will be managed through the Student Behaviour Policy and Human Resources, respectively.

Please continue to assess your health daily. If you are visiting a Mohawk College campus, respond to the assessment questions honestly on your Mohawk Safety app as part of the entry process. You can find more information on the protocols and procedures for accessing the campus at the link below.

What you need to know before coming to campus: https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/covid-19-coronavirus/campus-re-opening/what-you-need-to-know-before-coming-to-campus

Plans for Spring/Summer 2021

Courses will continue to be delivered through a combination of remote/virtual learning and in-person delivery for the Spring/Summer 2021 semester, just as the college has done for the Fall 2020 semester and will be doing for the Winter 2021 semester. This means that for the Spring/Summer semester, beginning Monday, May 3, all lecture-based program components will continue to be delivered in a remote/virtual environment while all required face-to-face instruction (e.g., labs, simulations, assessments, etc.) will continue to be provided on campus. The college will not make a decision on the status of the Fall 2021 semester until later in the Winter semester.

It is important to note that Mohawk’s plans for the Winter and Spring/Summer semesters continue to based on current information. These plans are flexible and the college remains ready to respond to any changes that may come in the weeks and months ahead.

College to hold Virtual Convocation ceremonies in February and June 2021

Due to ongoing restrictions on gathering sizes, Mohawk will be holding virtual Convocation ceremonies in February and June 2021. The February Virtual Convocation will be for students who will be graduating in Winter 2021. Also included will be students who graduated in February 2020 and June 2020. The Virtual Convocation ceremony will go live online on Wednesday, February 24 at 11 a.m. The link to the site will be shared closer to the date. Graduates will also receive an email with more details including instructions on how to upload photos to be shared as part of the virtual Convocation ceremony. Credentials will be mailed to graduates in late February. The date for the June Convocation will be shared at a later date.

Events and activities cancelled until the end of June 2021

The college is extending the cancellation of all events and facility rentals on and off campus until the end of June 2021. Internal events will continue to be run virtually.

Coming to campus this winter? Where to go for information when threatening weather approaches.

Closing campuses due to inclement weather is not a decision the college takes lightly. Mohawk will only close campuses when normal operations would pose a danger to students and employees while on campus or would prevent large numbers of them from coming to campus or returning safely to their homes.

The best way to learn about campus snow closures is to sign up for Mohawk’s SAM (Security Alert Messenger) service. SAM uses text messages, social media, the college website, email and local media to quickly inform students and employees that the college is closed. SAM is also used for other emergencies that require rapid communication with the college community.

Please note that virtual and remote classes are not affected by weather-related campus closures and will continue as scheduled. Mohawk will continue to run virtually during a campus snow closure.

For more information on campus closures due to weather visit: https://www.mohawknewsdesk.ca/winter-is-on-its-way-heres-what-you-need-to-know-if-mohawk-campuses-need-to-close-due-to-bad-weather/

Whether you are learning online or in-person, we are committed to supporting you through these challenging times.

We also ask that you continue to do your part to keep our campuses and the Hamilton community safe. With the Holidays approaching, please consider the choices you make carefully. Follow the direction of our Public Health authorities and understand what you need to do to keep yourself and the people you care about safe.

For current information and updates on Mohawk’s response to COVID-19 visit: https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/covid-19-coronavirus

For general questions about admissions, financial aid or registration please contact us by completing this form: https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/form/email-ask