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By Abby Zieverink

Vaccines needed on campus

GPRC implementing Restriction Exemption Program starting Monday

Sep 17, 2021 | 12:03 PM

Grande Prairie Regional College officials have opted to keep its doors open following the Alberta government’s new COVID-19 restrictions announced Wednesday.

Academic and Research Vice President Dr. Vanessa Sheane says in order to maintain education delivery in-person, GPRC will be implementing the Restriction Exemption Program.

“We are maintaining our education delivery in the best interest of our students, so we will be continuing to offer our courses (same as) before the announcement (Wednesday).”

This means staff and students will be required to provide government proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test that is no more than 72 hours old as of Monday, September 20, if they are going on to campus.

Sheane explains with this announcement, GPRC will be extending the course drop deadline for students.

“So, if students decide this is no longer for them, they will have the opportunity to drop their courses with a refund.”

Sheane adds students will be encouraged to look into different course delivery options.

“Perhaps the student registered in a face-to-face component and now doesn’t want to… We now have that high flex or remote or online option, so we will provide that academic advising as well.”

Sheane believes the strategy to be in the best interest of the students was to align directly with the provincial COVID-19 restrictions throughout the pandemic.

“We decided to take the time and look at all of our options and restrictions that were put in place (Wednesday) in greater detail, and come up with a solution that would work best for us and for our students and allow us to maintain the educational delivery.”

GPRC’s Back to School Campaign set to encourage the uptake of vaccines ran from June 1 to September 3.

Sheane says over 200 staff members and nearly 500 students had their names in the draw for prizes, including free, fall tuition.