For this semester, however, the extended winter break forced some changes to be made to important academic deadlines. UVic has also reopened their general bursary, allowing students to access more financial aid.
Here are some updates on what we can expect regarding an eventual return to face-to-face classes, an update on those key dates, and how to apply for financial aid through the bursary.
More in-person classes coming
Although COVID-19 vaccines are beginning to arrive on Vancouver Island, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding what pandemic-related restrictions will be in place in the coming months and what they will mean for students. UVic plans to have a greater number of in-person courses for the upcoming summer semesters (May-August 2021), but held off on making any concrete decisions about next fall.
Due to the smaller number of students enrolled in summer programs and therefore a small number of students returning to in-person coursework, UVic says more in-person instruction may be feasible. Though larger classes will still be held online, classes of under forty students may return to the classroom.
These smaller face-to-face classes would be held in larger classrooms to allow for sufficient social distancing. A plan for a return to an online format will still be in place in case of public health restriction or a lack of available space.
Further details on the summer session timetable will be available for students in late February, which will provide more information about which classes will be online or in-person. Despite the possibility of a return to the physical campus, International students are still subject to Canada-wide travel restrictions, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
UVic encourages incoming students to refrain from finalizing travel and living arrangements until the timetable is finalized.
No decisions have been made regarding online or in-person instruction for the 2021/2022 academic year.
Important dates adjusted
On December 4th, UVic’s Senate voted to push back the start of the spring semester (January-April) by three academic days, giving students a longer winter break. Due to this decision, some important dates have been pushed back to accommodate the extra days.
The last day for 100 per cent reduction of second term fees will be January 24th for all standard courses. The last day for adding courses for the second term will similarly be moved to January 27th.
February reading break will remain unaffected, but the exam period will be pushed back.
The last day of classes for the spring term has been pushed to April 12th, with the exam period for all faculties beginning on April 15th. Contrary to previous years, some exams will fall on Sundays. Because of this, the final day of examinations will only be pushed back a day, bringing the spring term and exam period to a slightly delayed close on April 27th.
Domestic bursary reopened
UVic has reopened application for their domestic-student bursary program. The bursary provides a non-repayable monetary award to students who have applied for or taken government student loans for the 2020/2021 Winter semester.
To be eligible, students must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Undergraduate applicants must be registered in at least three courses (4.5 units) for the Spring semester, and graduate students must be registered in a full-time courseload. Students that received bursary funding from UVic for September 2020 to April 2021 are not eligible.
Applications reopened on January 6th and will remain available until the 26th.
Students can apply for this bursary and find more information about scholarships by visiting the website for the Office of the Register and clicking the subheading Student Awards and Financial Aid.
With files from Kate Korte.
