Update on remote work and return-to-campus planning

First, I want to thank all of you for working tremendously hard during this period. Whether transitioning and continuing work in remote settings or providing essential services on campus, your work is important to the university and I am extremely appreciative of the commitment you have shown over the past months. 

I am writing to provide you with an update on Ryerson’s remote work commitment and on the development of return-to-campus guidelines.

Remote work to continue until September

Overall, remote work at Ryerson will continue until at least September, in support of the City of Toronto's recovery and rebuild initiative (external link) .  

The university is allowing access to campus as needed. Please consult with your leadership and your executive leader if you require access so it can be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As always, the safety of our community is our top priority.

Academic planning is well underway for the fall semester. Regardless of the format of fall courses and programming, the university is committed to continuing to provide our students with exceptional education and engaging experiences.

Moving forward with a shared and consistent approach

While we are not yet initiating a broad return to campus, we are encouraging leaders and managers to continue planning for the future.

Later this week, Human Resources and Facilities Management and Development will provide leaders and employees with updates on next steps and on return-to-campus planning. We will continue to consult across the university with leaders, unions and the Joint Health and Safety Committee so we can move forward together with a shared and consistent approach.

Staying connected

These past few months have been challenging for all of us in many different ways. We are navigating a global pandemic, adapting to remote workplaces and the challenge of balancing our professional and personal lives. Most recently, we have witnessed acts of race-based hatred and violence against members of racialized communities. 

COVID-19 has meant we are not able to gather as a community, and our day-to-day check-ins with our colleagues might not be as frequent. I’d like to encourage employees to prioritize your wellbeing and ensure you are balancing work and time away as needed. I’d also like to encourage our colleagues to check in with one another as we move forward in the weeks ahead. 

We will continue to update Ryerson’s COVID-19 Information and Updates website and communicate with you by email. 

Thank you to everyone for your continued patience and commitment to continuing the work of Ryerson University.