Dear students,

As we begin our transition to the summer months, I want to provide an update on the fall term and our planned return to campus and in-person learning in September. As vaccination rates across the province are rising, I am optimistic that we will be able to enjoy the U of T campus and our beautiful Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building again very soon.

Our goal is to resume in-person teaching; hence all courses are currently scheduled to take place in-person. Students should plan to be available to attend in-person classes on campus beginning in September. However, at this time we do not know whether physical-distancing or indoor-capacity limits will be in effect, hence it is too early to determine whether some courses may need to be adjusted and delivered online.

In the event of physical distancing requirements and/or indoor capacity-limits, we will prioritize conducting skills-based courses and labs in person. Our commitment is to bring students to campus to resume in-person learning to the fullest possible extent, based on public health and provincial guidelines.

We hope for a full return to in-person teaching, but we are prepared to pivot as needed based on public health guidelines. Our Academic Program Directors, Registrar’s Office and Education Office are working diligently on the fall schedule and academic delivery plans. Our Facilities staff continue to work with colleagues in U of T’s Facilities and Services group on enhanced cleaning and classroom ventilation and are closely monitoring building ventilation and air filtration.

These efforts complement University-wide preparations for a safe return to campus, which where necessary include health screening, physical distancing, masks and other measures. I encourage you to view the University’s UTogether website for information specific to students, and to check our reopening: plans and procedures page for Pharmacy updates related to COVID-19. Students currently residing outside Canada can review the University’s international student arrival and quarantine pages.

It is important to recognize that the unpredictable nature of the pandemic could alter our academic planning as the summer progresses, in which case we may be required to make adjustments. Student, faculty, and staff safety continues to be our main priority; hence all plans will put safety first.

I can appreciate that there is uncertainty around what September will look and feel like. However, I am confident that as more of you are able to access vaccines and our reopening plans roll out, we will have a better sense of how the fall will unfold. We will continue to provide regular updates as more specific details are finalized.

I wish you all an enjoyable summer. 

Take good care,

Jamie Kellar,
Associate Dean, Academic
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Toronto