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Winter 2022 FAQ

Updated as of  Jan 26, 2022.

The University has announced a full return to campus in winter 2022, with on campus classes returning at staggered dates from Jan 31 to Feb 28.  It is expected that all in person classes will resume on campus no later than the week of Feb 28.  All undergraduate and graduate English courses will be delivered in person in Winter 2022. There are currently no plans to offer any English courses in an online (virtual) or hybrid format.

Instructors will post the on campus return date in D2L when available and students will be expected to return to on campus study at that time.

Here’s what you need to know before returning to campus:  

Vaccination Policy
Like other post-secondary institutions in Ontario, all students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit proof of vaccination to access campus. 

By January 13, all undergraduate and graduate students who remained non-compliant (either through not attesting to their status, or remaining not fully vaccinated), were removed from any in-person winter courses. Non-compliant students may also face investigation under the Non-Academic Code of Conduct (see Student Code of Conduct - Student Care - Toronto Metropolitan University)

COVID Screening
Each day, before arriving on campus, all students must complete a COVID health screening on the RyersonSafe app. (RyersonSafe Mobile App - Community Safety and Security - Toronto Metropolitan University).  Students must not come to campus if they do not pass the COVID screening.

Instructors may request to see the results of a student’s COVID screening.

Mask Policy
All students are required to wear a mask or face covering that covers their mouth, nose and chin while indoors in public spaces including classrooms and individual study spaces. 

Exemptions
Vaccination Policy
The University considered exemptions to the vaccination requirement for winter 2022 in limited circumstances where there is a duty to accommodate based on protected grounds under Ontario’s Human Rights Code.  The University is no longer accepting vaccination exemption requests for winter 2022.

Mask Policy
Only the following individuals are exempt from the Mask or Face Covering requirement: 

  • children under two years of age; 
  • persons with an underlying medical condition which inhibits their ability to wear a Mask or Face Covering; 
  • persons who are unable to place or remove a Mask or Face Covering without assistance; and 
  • persons who are reasonably accommodated by not wearing a Mask or Face Covering in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code or the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

During the Winter 2022 Term
General information on the University’s response to COVID-19 cases on campus see:  https://www.torontomu.ca/covid-19/health-safety-on-campus/reporting-cases-on-campus/how-the-university-responds-to-cases

If You Test Positive for COVID-19 and have not been on campus

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been attending classes virtually and will be unable to attend virtual class due to COVID-19, please let your instructor know so that academic considerations can be made as necessary. A self-declaration form is not required.

If You Test Positive for COVID-19 and have been on campus

If you have been attending campus in the past 14 days and you have symptoms of COVID-19 

  1. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, do not come to campus. 
  2. Complete Ontario’s COVID-19 Assessment Tool, external link (external link)  and follow its advice and any advice you receive from Public Health.
  3. If the assessment advises you to get tested for COVID-19, dedicated assessment centres, external link (external link)  have been established across the greater Toronto area to facilitate assessment and testing. Information on locations is available on local public health websites including Toronto and Peel Region.
  4. Complete Ryerson’s  (google form) google formSelf-Declaration form, external link (external link)  only if you had close contact (high risk exposure) with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or you have been tested and your test has come back inconclusive. 
  5. Contact your faculty/instructors by email if you have questions about assignments, exams or make-up classes

Please note that students who are in residence are also required to inform Housing and Residence Life at 1-888-960-1191 right away. This hotline is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Students who have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus must follow the directions of Public Health including  (PDF file) Appendix 11 High Risk Contact Flow Chart (gov.on.ca) (external link) 

If you have been attending campus and spent time with someone that tested positive for COVID-19

Due to the ongoing public health monitoring of COVID-19 variants of concern, all individuals are asked to contact their public health unit immediately if they have been in close-contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 for further assistance.

  1. If you have spent time with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, and have been identified as a close contact (had a high risk exposure) do not come to campus.
  2. Complete Ontario’s COVID-19 Assessment Tool, external link (external link)  and follow any directives on self isolation or testing or advice you receive from Public Health. If you are fully vaccinated, this assessment will determine whether self-isolation is required.
  3. If the assessment advises you to get tested for COVID-19 and your test returns inconclusive, self isolate and follow any direction received from Public Health, and  complete Ryerson’s  (google form) google formSelf-Declaration form, external link (external link) .
  4. Contact your faculty/instructors by email if you have questions about assignments, exams or make-up classes.

What happens if your classmate/fellow student tests positive for COVID-19

Toronto Metropolitan University has implemented strategies such as physical distancing requirements and masking policies which greatly reduces the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for our on-campus learners.

Based on current public health recommendations, a confirmation of a positive test within a classroom or on campus activity does not automatically indicate other individuals in the same space were at risk of exposure to COVID-19.

If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 and public health agencies advise that there is a possible exposure risk for members of the Ryerson community, those impacted will be contacted by the university and advised on what precautions must be taken. You will also receive further details on potential cancellation of on-campus activities, including classes.

For more information, visit How the University Responds to Cases.

  • If You Aren’t Sure Whether You Have COVID-19

Students who are feeling sick must stay home. Students who begin to feel sick while on campus should return home and take every possible precaution to protect those around them. Complete the Ontario COVID Assessment (Coronavirus (COVID-19) self-assessment (ontario.ca) (external link) ) and follow the recommendations of Public Health provided with the Assessment. 

  • If Your Instructor Is Directed to Isolate

The course syllabus includes information on how your course will be delivered if your instructor is directed to isolate.  Information will be posted on D2L.

  • Access to the 10th Floor of Jorgenson Hall

Access to the 10th Floor of Jorgenson Hall will be limited to pre-arranged appointments only. Office hours (including TA office hours) and consultations with Program Administrators will be held in person by appointment only.  The Grad Lounge is not available.  

Information for International Students
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 measures that might impact international students, including eligibility and quarantine requirements, please see: COVID-19 Updates - Student Life and Learning Support - Toronto Metropolitan University

Further questions can be addressed to International Student Support at issask@torontomu.ca.

University Measures to Reduce the Risk of Transmission
In addition to implementing vaccine and mask policies, the University is continuing to implement measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, including: 

If You’re Not Ready to Return in Winter
We recognize that some students may feel anxious about the return to campus. We remind students that there are counsellors at Student Wellbeing who are available to discuss your concerns.  For more information se: https://www.torontomu.ca/student-wellbeing/

  • Short-term Withdrawal/Leave of Absence

Students may also want to consider temporarily withdrawing from their programs. Undergraduate students can do so by submitting a Short-term Withdrawal Request. Graduate students can apply for a Leave of Absence.  Undergraduate students wishing to take a short-term withdrawal are advised to discuss this with the program department (Wendy Francis wfrancis@torontomu.ca or Dale Smith dmsmith@torontomu.ca ) to understand the program trajectory impact and timespan implications.

The Chang School of Continuing Education (Home | The Chang School of Continuing Education - Toronto Metropolitan University) offers online courses.  Some of these courses may be able to count toward your undergraduate degree as electives; however please note that ENG Liberal Studies courses cannot be counted toward the BA in English and they cannot be used as Table A or B courses for English students.  Students wishing to take Chang courses towards their degree are encouraged to discuss it with Wendy Francis wfrancis@torontomu.ca

  • Letter of Permission

A Letter of Permission grants Ryerson students permission to enrol in a course at another accredited post-secondary institution and confirms credit will be applied toward their Ryerson program. Credits will not be granted for courses taken at another institution if an approved Letter of Permission has not been issued prior to course enrolment. Students must meet eligibility and satisfy all other requirements. For further information on Letters of Permission, see: 

Undergraduate students: Letter of Permission - Curriculum Advising - Toronto Metropolitan University

Graduate Students:  (PDF file) Letter of Permission - Graduate Student Guide - form downloads 

Students are strongly advised to discuss their situations with their Program Directors before deciding to pursue any of the options listed above. 


Whom Should I Contact if I Still Have Questions?

The Program Administrators are the first point of contact for questions about the return to campus:

Undergraduate Program Administrator, Wendy Francis: wfrancis@torontomu.ca

Graduate Program Administrator, Lisa Benadiba: lisa.benadiba@torontomu.ca