Dear University Students,

Welcome to September! Ordinarily, we would be actively preparing for the imminent start of the academic year. But once again this is not shaping up to be a “normal” year. We have not heard from the government if we will continue with blended learning, be fully in person, or be required to be online. We will keep you informed as soon as we hear from the authorities.

The uncertainty of the upcoming academic year has impacted the start of Fall semester.  Thus, we have decided to postpone the start of the academic year until November 1, 2021.

Please note the following information carefully.

1.    The delayed start of Fall 2021 allows more time for you to be vaccinated. As per the government instructions, all students will be required to have two doses of vaccine before classes start.

2.    The new Add/Drop period is the three weeks before the semester i.e. 11-29 October. During this time all students will have access to both the course outline and the short video introduction on a Moodle site available to all. This will assist you to make informed course decisions without add/drop during the first week of the semester. Remember that the purpose of the new add/drop schedule is to allow instruction in classes from Day 1, thus salvaging a week of learning from the chaos of the old system.

(Note: there are no add/drop and seat exceptions during the semester, so once classes start on Nov. 1, changing class schedules will not be allowed.)

As October approaches, you will be provided with instructions on how to access the course outlines and course trailers during Add/Drop.

We look forward to welcoming you for the fall semester.

With our best wishes,

Douglas E. Trimble, Ph.D.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs

Gloria Calib, Ph.D.

Associate Vice Rector for Academic Affairs