Dear 2T0 students,
In follow up to the message sent Friday March 27, we are writing to share the decision regarding rotation blocks for your group. Given that your class is most urgently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have prioritized our decision making regarding the remainder of the program and have worked around the clock to listen to your feedback, engage with our counterparts at other health faculties at U of T and across Canada, as well as our preceptor network.
We are now able to confirm the plan for the remaining rotation blocks for this academic year. In consultation with the Provost and Vice-Provost, the Faculty requested and was granted a declaration of academic disruption for the fourth year cohort of students in the entry-to-practice Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program effective immediately and to May 1, 2020. This effectively means that the academic year is complete and that Block 10 is cancelled for the current fourth year cohort of students. Please be aware that this decision applies only to fourth year Doctor of Pharmacy students.
Having taken a close look at our curriculum and the extent of experiential education that has been completed, we are making this decision with confidence knowing that the large majority of students have met the competencies required to move forward with officially graduating from our program. We expect each student had a solid understanding of their academic standing in the program before the pause in rotations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional clarity, all students will receive an individual email outlining your status to graduate and detailing if there are any outstanding academic requirements.
Throughout the last two weeks, we have also been in direct consultation with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP). We have learned that, at this time, it is not possible to accelerate licensure or grant temporary licenses to registered pharmacy students or recent graduates without an act of parliament. However, recognizing that your registration as a student ends once you have graduated, it is possible for those previously registered as students to register as pharmacy interns with the OCP so that you can continue to practice the authorized acts of the profession including some added legal authority for scope of practice / authorized acts. Please see additional information attached.
Many students have also expressed a desire to volunteer in various capacities. We have attached important information regarding the parameters of the University’s responsibilities should you decide to volunteer. We urge you to read the attached information so that you are making an informed decision in this regard.
We recognize that the declaration of academic disruption may be disappointing news for those students who were looking forward to continuing Block 9 and beginning Block 10. In the current circumstances, this will no longer be possible. We understand that you will have many questions regarding this decision and what next steps you should take. We are hosting a virtual town hall on Monday March 30 at 3:15pm. Please see details below.
Monday, March 30 2020
3:15 p.m. – 4 p.m.
BB Collaborate platform in Quercus.
Shortly, you will receive an email to your mail.utoronto.ca address notifying you of a new course titled ‘Class of 2T0’ added to your Quercus portal.
- On the day of our town hall, login to Quercus, navigate to the ‘Class of 2T0’ course on your dashboard, select the BB Collaborate tab on the course menu and join the Class of 2T0 Town Hall session.
- The session room will open 15 minutes before the session begins.
- To engage in the session, please type your questions into the chat box located to the right of your BB Collaborate window. Session moderators will relay your questions to the panel.
For optimal service, please join the platform using a desktop, laptop or tablet device. Please refrain from using Internet Explorer as your web browser.
Thank you
Jamie Kellar
Acting Director, Doctor of Pharmacy Program
Sandra Bjelajac Mejia
Interim Director, Professional Programs