Laurier paused its proof of vaccination requirements on May 1, 2022. As Laurier has done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to monitor pandemic conditions and take direction from public health and the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Laurier reserves the right to re-implement the vaccination requirement at any time in response to public health conditions.

Given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, Laurier is strongly encouraging all community members to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including third and fourth doses, so that their work/study is not disrupted.

Should the vaccination requirement be reinstated, the university will not offer remote or hybrid options for students enrolled in in-person courses who do not meet this requirement. Failure to demonstrate proof of vaccination under a future mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy may result in deregistration from in-person courses for students who cannot verify compliance.

Should the vaccination requirement be reinstated, this requirement would apply to students living in residence.

If the vaccination requirement is reinstated and the meaning of “fully vaccinated” changes to include additional doses, remaining up to date on your vaccination status will ensure your stay in residence is not disrupted.

Please be advised that it is possible that students who are not fully vaccinated may not be eligible for a residence space.

Laurier’s pause of its vaccination requirement as of May 1 is in alignment with the province’s removal of vaccination passport requirements for restaurants, gyms and high-risk settings like hospitals and long-term care centres. This direction has the support of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Waterloo Region Public Health and the Brant County Health Unit given the Laurier community’s very high rate of vaccination (99% for two doses).

Effective July 1, masks will no longer be mandatory for students, faculty, staff and visitors at Wilfrid Laurier University. The university’s current face-covering requirement will be lifted at all of our campuses and locations, subject to any changes in public health conditions.

While face masks will no longer be required, some members of our community will choose to continue to wear masks after July 1. Please respect each other’s decisions, recognizing differences in comfort levels and health needs.

The requirement for Laurier students, faculty, staff and visitors to do active daily screening through the SAFEHawk app is paused as of May 1. Laurier community members are expected to self-monitor and should refrain from attending Laurier’s campuses and locations if experiencing any symptoms of illness.

Students can visit the Dean of Students Office on the Waterloo or Brantford campus to pick up a mask. In Waterloo, the Dean of Students Office is located in the Fred Nichols Campus Centre, Room 2-209. In Brantford, the Dean of Students Office is located in One Market, Room 207-40.

Masks are also available at the Students’ Union U-Desk in Waterloo and the Level One Lounge in Brantford.

In addition, masks are available for pickup at the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work building in Kitchener. Visit Room 106 in the Lyle S. Hallman building on Thursdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to pick up a mask, or email Zaida Leon at zleon@wlu.ca to arrange a pick-up time.

Remote learning is not an option for in-person classes. Laurier is an in-person community, and we believe a university education should be a holistic experience where students are able to build strong relationships with faculty and their peers. Various health and safety protocols have been maintained, such as increased hygiene and cleaning and upgraded ventilation. These policies and protocols offer our students opportunities for learning and connection in the safest way possible during the pandemic.

The primary objective of the Accessible Learning Centre (ALC) is to support the full engagement of students with disabilities in courses in their designed mode of delivery. For courses delivered in person, ALC will support students to attend in person. Students who are immunocompromised, seriously unwell, and unable to attend an in-person course should seek academic advising about alternative academic options.

In rare and unusual circumstances, the ALC will work with students and faculty to explore remote access to in-person courses when there are no other solutions. In these circumstances, students must provide documentation completed by a qualified health-care practitioner that clearly explains how the functional impact of their disability prevents them from leaving their home to attend in-person courses.

Additionally, Ontario Health encourages everyone who may have a serious health condition to get a third or even fourth COVID-19 vaccine booster.