King's returns to in-person learning

A message from Dr. David Malloy, King's Principal:

You would have received an email from Western University, our academic partner, regarding the confirmation of in-person learning for the fall. King’s, along with the other two affiliated university colleges, Brescia and Huron, supports Western’s announcement. It is in line with the Ontario government framework for post-secondary institutions that was released late on August 31, 2021. This reinforces a directive from the Ontario government on July 16, 2021 sent to university presidents to plan for in-person learning this fall. Since spring 2021, we have consistently communicated with our community that our plan was to return to in-person learning as allowed by government and health regulations.  

All of us in the wider Western complex have strong, unified vaccination and masking policies. The wider Western community has demonstrated a strong uptake of the vaccination policy. Latest data shows the campus community vaccination rate as being in the high 90 per cent range. 

The Ontario government has stated that amendments have been made which will, effective September 7, 2021, remove physical distancing and capacity limit requirements for indoor instructional spaces at post-secondary institutions including classrooms, labs and libraries. This announcement supports our plans for in-person learning – with all the health and safety measures we have been planning and implementing for many months. 

Many health and safety procedures are in place this fall at King’s: 

• Mandatory indoor three-layer non-surgical masking at all times 
• New and increased Vaccination Policy at King’s and Western including mandatory vaccination  
• Daily online health screening to attend campus  
• Access to Western vaccination and testing centre 
• Restriction of guests to campus  
• Plexiglass installation in rooms 
• Air filtration equipment in classrooms  
• Double disinfection of common spaces, classrooms 
• Hand sanitizers throughout the campus  
• Enforcement of the Health and Safety policy and the Student Code of Conduct for those who do not comply with the vaccination procedures 
• Consistent work by the Return to Campus committee  
• Meetings with employee groups  
• Meeting with student representatives
• Training of student leaders on COVID-19 safety measures
• Strong relationship with the Middlesex-London Health Unit  

While classes, labs and library are opening, other areas of campus, including study spaces, are still under Step 3 restrictions with capacity limits.

Classes start on September 8 and before they do we are requiring proof of vaccination to attend campus. You must submit your proof of vaccination by September 7 via the individual email you each received from Western. If you are not fully vaccinated by September 7, you will be placed in the twice weekly testing program until you are fully vaccinated. People, except those with exemptions, will need to receive a second dose of a vaccine by September 28 in order to be fully vaccinated by October 12. If you are not fully vaccinated by October 12, you will not be allowed on campus. Everyone attending campus must provide proof of vaccination or have an exemption, and those with a medical or Ontario Human Rights Code exemption must be tested for COVID-19 twice weekly.

If you have questions, please check our FAQ pages for students and employees. You can also email the Return to Campus committee for further clarification.  

Thank you to all who have taken care of yourself, taken care of each other and taken care of this place.