Camosun’s plans for campus return

Many of you have been asking about the possibility of mandatory vaccination. Thank you for your patience while we have been in discussions with government, public health experts and other colleges about the best way to safely return to campus. The Provincial Health Officer has been clear that she will not support mandatory vaccinations in post secondary institutions.

You may have read the announcement by the Research Universities’ Council of BC and the BC Association of Institutes and Universities that universities in B.C. will soon require the self-disclosure of vaccination status for everyone on campus and offering rapid testing for people who are not yet vaccinated or choose not to disclose their vaccination status.

We have been in alignment with public health guidance and recommendations throughout the pandemic. We welcomed the additional health and safety measures announced last week of wearing masks in public indoor spaces and proof of vaccination for non-educational activities. However, while we strongly encourage vaccinations against COVID-19, Camosun will not be implementing any requirement to disclose your vaccination status or testing.

A BC Colleges news release explains how public health advice has supported us throughout the pandemic and continues to guide us to a full and safe return to in-class learning. Public health experts tell us that experience has shown educational activities to be low-risk sites for COVID-19 transmission including activities in classrooms, labs, workshops and practicums, even before vaccination.

Thank you to all of the faculty and staff who have worked so hard to ensure that education and support services continued to be delivered throughout the pandemic and now on campus.

I am looking forward to seeing you on campus. Please take care and stay safe.

Sherri Bell, President