To our U of T Engineering community
You all received the University-wide message this afternoon that shares important updates on U of T’s mask policy and our plans for a safe in-person Fall Term. This is consistent with the path we’ve already been on here in U of T Engineering — we will continue to be informed by public health guidelines, and at this point I’m looking forward to feeling that unique back-to-Skule™ energy on campus.
But before we start thinking ahead to September, I want to encourage everyone to really enjoy your time this summer. We’ve all been through a lot over the last couple of years, and I hope each of you can finally take an opportunity to unplug, unwind and relax. It is so important to step back from work for a while and find a balance that supports your own well-being. I’m certainly looking forward to taking some time to detach and recharge. We all need a rest!
Wishing you a wonderful summer,
Chris
Christopher Yip
Dean
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
University of Toronto
To: University of Toronto community
From: Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President & Provost
Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture
Re: Fall planning and mask requirement
Our community has overcome tremendous challenges both collectively and individually over the past two years. We are grateful to all members of the U of T community for your creativity in adjusting to changing circumstances, for maintaining our educational programs and research and for the compassion and care you have shown to others. We hope that with the close of this academic year, we can all find hope celebrating our new graduates and reflecting on our shared accomplishments.
The close of the academic year also means that we are embarking on the summer term and continue to plan for the fall. We write today to provide some updates, and we encourage all of you to continue to watch our Utogether website for updates and opportunities to reconnect.
Planning for September
The University of Toronto is preparing for mostly in-person course delivery this fall. Details of how courses will be delivered will vary by Faculty, and by campus, according to local needs and program requirements. Information about course delivery will be available on Faculty and campus websites before course registration begins.
We are looking forward to welcoming new and returning members of our community to our campuses this fall. Many will be experiencing campus life for the first time, and for others it will be a chance to become reacquainted. We encourage everyone to seek out the connections and experiences that make U of T such a unique and diverse institution.
Face masks
The University’s current mask requirement will be lifted as of July 1, 2022, subject to any changes in public health guidance.
Some members of our community may choose to continue to wear a mask after July 1. We ask everyone to respect each other’s decisions, comfort levels and health needs.
Ventilation
The University implemented a sector-leading ventilation strategy that includes improvements to existing ventilation systems that service all parts of buildings, including classrooms, labs, offices, meeting rooms and hallways. Further to this, air-change assessments have met a high-ventilation target in all classrooms that are in use. These exceptional ventilation standards will continue. See U of T’s HVAC strategy website for more information.
Wellness
The pandemic has touched all of our lives in many different ways. Please know that the University has wellness resources available to our community to help us deal with adversity and loss, and to help rebuild our individual and collective well-being.
For students, a number of programs and services are available (see the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students’ webpage for more information).
My Student Support Program (My SSP) provides students with real-time and/or appointment-based confidential, 24-hour support for any school, health or general life concerns at no cost.
The University’s new Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), offers a variety of services and supports to all staff, faculty, and librarians. Resources include confidential short–term counselling, coaching, information, and support for various types of issues relating to mental health, health management, and achieving greater personal and workplace well-being, among others. This program is provided at no cost 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. Call toll-free 1-855-597-2110.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our community and our academic mission as we prepare for the coming academic year together. Although the past two years have been difficult for many of us, we will continue to move forward together with the same care, compassion, respect, and collective strength that have carried us through this unprecedented time.
Please continue to check the Utogether website for the latest updates.
An external review of the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering and its undergraduate and graduate programs has been scheduled for June 27-28, 2022. Four eminent colleagues have agreed to form the review team:
Brian Denton, PhD
Professor and Chair, Industrial and Operations Engineering
University of Michigan
Sheldon Green, PhD
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
University of British Columbia
Garud Iyengar, PhD
Professor, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
Columbia University
Jayathi Murthy, PhD
Dean, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of California, Los Angeles
Members of the Faculty who would like to offer comments toward this review are asked to send them via email to governance.fase@utoronto.ca.
Please circulate this memorandum to any member of the Faculty who may not have received it through the general distribution.
To our U of T Engineering community,
As many of you are wrapping up classes, preparing for exams and looking forward to celebrating the season, I wanted to take this opportunity to reiterate the requirements, processes and supports in place to ensure a smooth and safe completion of the Winter Term.
Final Examination Schedule Updates
We are preparing to host Winter Term exams in-person, as planned. To find out where and when your exams are taking place, please review the Final Exam Schedule. Any changes or updates will be reflected on the schedule — please check back regularly.
Masking & UCheck
As announced on March 29, the University will maintain current COVID-19 vaccination, screening and masking policies until the end of the Winter Term, April 30.
Please ensure you:
- Complete the UCheck self-assessment for each day you plan to be on campus before you arrive. A green screen permits you to be on campus as planned. If your result is a red screen, please stay home and self-isolate — do not attend class, exams or work.
- Students with a red screen should:
- Follow the instructions in UCheck
- Submit a petition if you cannot write a final exam because your UCheck status is red. See below for details on how to submit a petition.
- Staff and faculty with a red screen should:
- Follow the instructions in UCheck
- Contact your supervisor to determine next steps
- Students with a red screen should:
- Wear a face mask that fully covers your nose and mouth when indoors on campus, including during exams. The University recommends the use of medical masks.
Final Examination Petitions
For the 2022 Winter Term, U of T Engineering students who are absent from class — including final examinations — for any reason (e.g., COVID-19, other illness or injury, bereavement) and require consideration for missed academic work should:
- Report absences through the online absence declaration in ACORN under the Profile and Settings menu
- Submit final examination petition(s) through the Engineering Portal before the May 7 deadline
U of T has temporarily suspended the need for a doctor’s note or medical certificate for medically related absences. However, documentation is required for absences due to non-medical reasons.
In the interest of keeping our community safe, if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 — even if they seem mild and you are fully vaccinated — do not come to campus. Instead, file a petition and follow the protocols as outlined above.
If you are sick or you are experiencing other extenuating circumstances that you feel will severely affect your performance, do not write your final exam. The Undergraduate Assessment Committee is less likely to grant a petition after a student has attempted the final examination.
Deferred Exams
Students who are absent from final exams due to illness and filed their petition(s) before May 7 will be provided with an accommodation that may require sitting for a deferred exam in-person. The deferred exam period will be May 16 to May 27, with as many exams as possible scheduled at the beginning of this period. Every effort will be made to provide students with three weeks’ notice regarding the specific time and location of the examination. However, this may not always be possible.
Health & Wellness
As we find ourselves in the sixth wave of the pandemic, I fully recognize how exhausted everyone is. We all have different ways to cope and manage. Please take time to reflect on how you’re feeling, sleep well, drink lots of water and stay energized through activity and healthy food. It is also important to remain vigilant to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including masking while on public transit, washing and sanitizing your hands regularly, and being especially cautious of your activities over the next few weeks.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by exams or other aspects of your life, support and mental health resources are available for U of T Engineering students, faculty and staff. I’ve included a list of these supports and services below and encourage you to keep them handy.
Students can also explore the following Faculty and University opportunities in the coming weeks in preparation for exams:
- First-year students can stay connected and de-stress at Exam Jam on April 18 from 9am to 4pm
- Guided Engineering Academic Review Sessions (GEARS) are a great opportunity for first-year students to prepare with support from upper-year students:
- Undergraduate students can schedule a virtual accountability check-in with our Engineering Learning Strategist, Shahad Abdulnour
- An in-person Health & Wellness Peer Support Service is open to all U of T students at Robarts Library
- Academic Success offers exam prep resources and tips
Looking Ahead
I am optimistic that we will be able to return to a less restrictive routine soon. Until the path is clear, we must continue to work together, as we have done so diligently throughout the pandemic, to minimize impact on our community during this critical time.
When the University’s masking and UCheck policies are paused starting on May 1, I ask that everyone respect the decisions of others regarding these measures, according to their comfort levels and health needs. It is also important to recognize that these requirements may be reinstated on short notice as public health conditions or guidance changes. As always, I will keep you updated if anything should shift.
The month of April holds many special occasions, beginning with Ramadan, followed by Passover and Easter. To community members who celebrate these sacred days, I wish you much joy and happiness.
Take care, stay safe and all the best with your exams,
Chris
Christopher Yip
Dean
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
University of Toronto
Support Resources for Students
U of T My Student Support Program (MySSP)
Immediate and/or ongoing confidential, free, 24-hour counselling support available in several languages
- 1-844-451-9700 (outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578)
- Download the My SSP app: Apple App Store | Google Play
Campus Chaplains offer spiritual care in times of grief
U of T St. George Health & Wellness
Physical & mental health care by physicians, nurses, counsellors and psychologists
- 416-978-8030
U of T Engineering Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health learning opportunities, COVID-related resources, reports, services & supports for U of T Engineering
Student Mental Health Resource
U of T’s mental health resource hub containing the tools, strategies and experts to meet you exactly where you are on your mental health journey
Support Resources for Staff and Faculty
For staff and faculty who are supporting students navigating mental health challenges, the U of T Engineering Student Well-Being Resource Guide outlines additional considerations and a variety of resources for both you and the student. We thank you in advance for all the ways that you continue to foster a culture of care and support here at U of T Engineering.
All U of T staff and faculty members have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). If you are experiencing distress, please reach out at any time — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year — by contacting the EFAP at:
- (Toll-free) 1-800-663-1142
- (TTY) 1-866-398-9505
- (Collect) 604-689-1717