July 25, 2022
Dear members of the McGill community,
I hope this finds you well and profiting from the summer weather and a quieter pace of academic life, which afford a chance to recharge as we look ahead to September.
This coming academic year promises the resumption – for the first time in more than two years – of full on-campus activity. Many of you will recall that, last May, Senate approved the recommendations of the Final Report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on COVID Academic Planning and Policies, the result of which is the return to fully in-person teaching and research.
We look forward with tremendous anticipation to welcoming new and returning students later this summer, and to an academic year abundant with the intellectual and social richness of life for which McGill is internationally renowned. At the same time, we must remember that care remains necessary as we continue to coexist with the pandemic.
Unfortunately, although not unexpectedly, we have seen the emergence of a new COVID variant (BA.5) that has triggered another spike in cases. Earlier this month, the Quebec Government, announcing that Quebec is now in its seventh wave, confirmed that no new restrictions were being put in place, while issuing revised vaccination guidelines. These guidelines advise as to appropriate timing for vaccines based on one’s history of COVID immunization and illness.
With the announcement of these new guidelines, I take this opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of vaccination. I received my second booster, and fourth vaccination in total, last April, and I certainly intend to obtain additional boosters in accordance with public health authority advisories. I encourage you to do the same. In addition, I urge everyone to continue to self-isolate if they are ill and/or in the wake of a positive COVID test. I also remind you that masks continue to be available for use on our campuses, and I encourage those who wish to wear them, especially in indoor settings, to do so.
Although it is terrific to be able to enjoy this summer and look ahead to the Fall in way that we’ve not been able to do for the last two years, we must remain vigilant. Please take care.
I wish you the very best of health and happiness for the balance of summertime and look forward to resuming campus life with you at the start of the Fall 2022 term.
Sincerely,
Christopher Manfredi
Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic)