Thompson Rivers University moves to online instruction

Photo: Glacier Media

Thompson Rivers University has decided to move away from face-to-face classroom instruction.

In a letter shared with staff and students on Sunday, president and vice-chancellor Brett Fairbairn says classes are suspended as of today. That includes lectures, seminars, labs, studios, and field school and field trips at the Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses and regional centres.

"For students, the week of March 16 will be a study and catch-up week; for faculty, it will provide needed time to make arrangements for virtual or alternate forms of delivery of their courses, including final exams," reads the letter.

Teachers will be in contact with students, as arrangements are made.

The week of March 23, courses will resume for most programs in alternate formats. 

"For trades, given the extensive shop time required for learning, more discussions are required," says Fairbairn. "Students will be informed as soon as possible on how these programs will resume."

Internships, placements and practica are not affected at this time and will continue as normally scheduled.

TRU Open Learning is still operating with registration open for courses. However, some in-person labs may be affected and students will be notified directly.

Fairbairn adds TRU's campuses and regional centres will remain open (i.e. libraries, student supports, administrative offices and study areas). There may be some changes to hours, or how the service is delivered.

"These are unprecedented times at TRU, and for our society. The measures above are our way of helping to contain the spread of the coronavirus, while at the same time, supporting students in their continued studies," he says, noting the next step is planning for how courses will be delivered in the spring and summer semesters.

TRU follows UBC, SFU and other universities, in shifting to online instruction.