Statement from the Dean's Office 

Since my last update in March, we have seen promising developments across the province as we prepare for a safe return to campus. If you are a new or returning student, plan for in-person learning and increased on-campus opportunities at the Daniels Faculty this fall. 

On May 28, 2021, the Province of Ontario announced it reached a key milestone in the fight against COVID-19: 65 per cent of eligible Ontarians have now received the vaccine ahead of schedule and the province is now accelerating second dose appointments.  

This is promising news, but it is critical that we continue to do our part: get vaccinated, follow the guidelines, and stay safe this summer. We will provide another update on June 30 when new information is available. 

How is U of T planning for a safe return to campus? 

U of T is closely monitoring the Government of Ontario’s plans for safely re-opening our province. Efforts are underway to prepare for the arrival of new and returning students, including preparation of residences and programs to assist students arriving from outside of Canada. Sandy Welsh, U of T’s vice-provost, students, recently spoke with U of T News about University plans for the fall. 

• International Student Arrival 

• Quarantine Information for Students Entering Canada 

• Residences and Off-campus Housing 

From upgraded building ventilation and air filtration to rapid screenings and vaccination clinics,  read “12 ways U of T is preparing for a safe return to in-person instruction” for details on University-wide safety measures. 

What will fall 2021 look like at the Daniels Faculty? 

Students, faculty, and staff should make appropriate plans to be on campus this September. 

At the Daniels Faculty, we are prioritizing activities that benefit the most from an in-person experience – like undergraduate and graduate studios, on-campus research activities, and student services and workshop access – while maintaining the best practices we have learned from virtual teaching.  

As vaccination rates increase and public health guidelines are updated, we will share more information around physical distancing and capacity limits in the classroom. 

We understand that there will be questions as plans progress this summer. Please reference the related links, including the UTogether hub and the Daniels Faculty COVID-19 FAQs.

Take good care, 
Robert Wright 
Interim Dean