To the McGill Community, Deputy Provost Fabrice Labeau, and McGill Administration,

On January 14, 2022, the McGill Administration has announced its decision to “follow its plan to transition to in-person classes for most teaching activities on January 24.” This comes after the decision to move classes online amid the surge of the Omicron variant in Quebec. As many students returned home during the Winter Break before shifting to remote learning, the return to in-person classes encourages international travel which aggravates the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, the McGill student body at large has not been consulted or surveyed regarding this decision to move classes in person. As an administration, the lack of consideration for the health and wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff is appalling.

17 COVID-19 cases were reported within the McGill community last week (as of January 10, 2022). These cases come despite a period of online learning to mitigate the spread and are also not reflective of the McGill community at large (off-campus). Case numbers are also inaccurate and under-representative because of the decreased accessibility to testing as a whole. Seeing as cases continue to spread rapidly within campus while remote learning, it is clear that returning to in-person classes with up to 200 students will rapidly increase the spread.

McGill’s messaging has been dismissive of the reality of the pandemic. In the e-mail sent by McGill, they write that "nearly all COVID cases in triply vaccinated people are not severe.” However, “nearly” is not enough to ensure safety. For those who become severely, or even mildly ill, the expectation to return to class in person without proper accommodations increases the likelihood of on-campus transmission among students.  McGill also fails to acknowledge the long-term effects of COVID-19 on an individual that are still uncertain. An assumption that most students will not be seriously harmed if infected with COVID-19 is ableist and contributes to McGill’s devaluing of disabled students and community members.

Immunocompromised, chronically ill, and vulnerable students, should not have to choose between sacrificing their education or their health. Furthermore, staff and faculty are valued members of the McGill community who may represent the population at-risk for COVID-19 as well.

While the McGill administration concedes that the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, they cite government projections saying Quebec has “hit its peak.” This, however, does not account for the several cases unaccounted for as PCR testing has been limited across Canada. Furthermore, as hospitals have been overwhelmed for the past few weeks, and the government added desperate measures such as a curfew, it is shocking to see McGill has moved forward with its re-opening plan that does not reflect the ongoing severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreover, the public health situation in Quebec and Canada has not shown enough improvement to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant will not affect students. Earlier this week, Concordia University announced that it will delay its return to in-person learning due to rising COVID-19 cases in Quebec. According to the aforementioned article, UdeM notes it is not opposed to extending its remote learning plan past Jan. 17. Across Canada, acclaimed universities like UBC and the University of Toronto have also extended remote learning. Why has McGill, in the face of rising hospitalizations in Quebec, chosen to push forward with re-opening?

We demand a flexible learning environment that prioritizes student health. We urge the McGill administration to offer hybrid learning, offering online alternatives to all classes and at the very least, mandate that every classroom has options to record lectures.

We demand a robust framework and a plan for reopening that includes detailed accounts of the methodology used for contact-tracing in and off-campus, in neighbouring communities where a majority of the McGill population resides. We also demand the provision of appropriate PPE for teaching staff, students, and faculty, such as KN95 masks.

We demand cooperation from the administration and faculty in providing all students with flexible attendance, considering the likelihood of increased absenteeism due to COVID-19 infection. We ask that students not be penalized for any missed classes or evaluations (including in-person examinations) and are provided with resources to ensure learning is at the level McGill promises.

We, like many other students and faculty, are exhausted by the ongoing pandemic. Like anyone else, we would also like to transition in-person, granted safety is prioritized. However, McGill’s decision to move to in-person learning as of January 24, 2022, ignores the well-being of its community. Going outside, meditating, and calling a friend is not enough when the University is systematically failing us. Education should not come at the cost of public health.

If you would like to sign in support of this open letter, please sign below.

Sincerely,

Students of McGill University

This letter was drafted and written by Lavinia Auhoma and co-written by Claire Downie. Direct any concerns or questions to lavinia.auhoma@mail.mcgill.ca or ua@ssmu.ca.