COVID-19 Update

March 15, 2020

I know that there are many questions from students, parents, faculty and staff about next steps and how to prepare for the remainder of the term. I also acknowledge that these are challenging and uncertain times for all of us. 

I am writing to provide more details about the decision made by UNB on Friday, March 13, 2020 to suspend all in-person classes. 

1. ALL in-person classes are suspended from March 14 to March 22, 2020 inclusive. 

Students will not be required to complete any course work, including scheduled or deferred tests or mid-terms, during this period. This will allow students to travel home if desired or necessary, adapt to the many changes in their environment and prepare to complete their course work in a different format. Instruction using alternate methods will resume March 23, 2020.

2. ALL in-person classes are suspended for the remainder of the academic year.

There will be no exemptions to this suspension. The decision to suspend in-person classes was made carefully to support the health and safety of faculty and students. All campus in-person classes and labs are suspended and will be delivered using alternative methods. Students will not be expected to come to campus to complete any aspect of course requirements.

Off-campus clinical placements and co-op work is continuing according to the requirements of clinical and community partners.

Residences will remain open.

3. The dates for end of class and the exam period will remain unchanged.

Outlined in the UNB 2019-2020 Calendar of Academic Dates

4. Examinations and Final Assessments will be administered online or using alternate assessment strategies.  

Students will not be required to return to campus for exams. More details regarding examinations will be forthcoming.

I appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this unprecedented situation. We will be reassessing and evaluating the situation continuously and issuing regular communication updates. 

As per previous university communications we are asking faculty, staff and students to follow specific guidelines developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Public Health GNB to reduce the risk of spread of influenza and COVID-19.

Please check your university email regularly in the days and weeks ahead. While we will continue to update our website, unb.ca/coronavirus, the latest news will be shared with you via email and UNB social media channels.

Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle
President and Vice-Chancellor
The University of New Brunswick