Faculty of Law announces plan for 2021 fall term
The Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba will be returning to virtual classes this fall, beginning with a virtual First Year Orientation September 2 and 3, 2021.
As the Associate Dean (Juris Doctor program), Dr. Virginia Torrie stated in a recent email to students, “As many of you know, Manitoba entered, and exited, the third wave of the pandemic later than other provinces. The University of Manitoba has also taken a more deliberative and conservative approach to making decisions about in-person/remote learning for the 2021-2022 academic year, and this meant a decision was not reached about the Fall 2021 term until mid- summer.”
It is critical that the Law School move in lock-step with the University as it engages in its phased reopening plans. The University aspires for an in-person Winter 2022 term, and though this Fall term will be remote, students will be expected to be resident in and around Winnipeg for January 2022 and available to attend classes in-person for the Winter term (January – April 2022). The University also retains the ability to reconsider the Winter term approach if the public health situation fundamentally changes.
This fall, subject to Public and University health orders, while students are still not expected in-person in Robson Hall, employee building occupancy can increase in 10 percent increments starting in September. University Guidelines remain as “two metres distanced and in-person but masked” when within University buildings. Robson Hall and the E.K. Williams Law Library remain locked until the University declares the building open. Faculty and staff may work in their offices with the door closed but must remain masked in common areas and with a two-metre distance.
Mental Health services and information are being provided to students on a regular basis through the ADJD office. The Faculty is extending reasonable accommodations to all staff, faculty and students in all cases for mental and physical health purposes and caregiving.
The Faculty of Law Dean’s Office is prepared to assist its community members in any way possible including funding Teaching Assistant services, technological devices, and other services and assistance where needed.
In the effort to retain some sense of normalcy, the faculty’s regular annual events such as guest lectures, Homecoming and awards ceremonies will take place either online or in a socially distanced manner in accordance with University Guidelines.
Regarding Vaccinations, the Faculty of Law follows the University of Manitoba’s lead on this subject which is that: the University of Manitoba strongly encourages all UM community members to get vaccinated, but is not requiring proof of vaccination outside of public health regulations.