December 20 Update from the Dean on the Winter 2022 term

20/12/2021

Dear KPE students, 

I’m writing to provide an update on the Winter 2022 term at the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE), further to the December 15 update sent to the broader University community. 

In light of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 context with the rise of the Omicron variant of concern, we are making some changes to KPE’s previously announced plans for the Winter 2022 term. Below you will find updated plans:

Academic Programming & Student Services

  • In keeping with the University’s directive, KPE courses will resume remotely on Monday January 10, 2022 and will remain remote until January 31, 2022. 
  • Student support services will also be delivered remotely until January 31, 2022. 
  • Barring unforeseen circumstances, we anticipate that some in-person activity will resume starting January 31, with priority going to academic and co-curricular KPE student activities that can be safely delivered to smaller groups. 

Undergraduate Kinesiology Program

Bachelor of Kinesiology (BKin) program

  • For the Winter 2022 term, 1st and 2nd year required BKin courses will be delivered online and accessible through internet platforms.
  • After January 31st, barring unforeseen circumstances, the delivery mode for upper year BKin courses will be a combination of in-person and online delivery. Courses coded as SYNC or ASYNC will be delivered online for the full term and INPER courses will resume in-person, as soon as it is safe to do so, with the expectation that students registered in INPER courses are attending in-person. 

Graduate Kinesiology Programs

Master of Professional Kinesiology (MPK) program

  • MPK courses will be delivered online until January 31, 2022. From that date forward, barring unforeseen circumstances, there will be a combination of in-person and online courses, with most labs/tutorials requiring in-person attendance. 

MSc and PhD Kinesiology (KIN) program

  • All KIN graduate courses will be delivered online until January 31, 2022. From that date forward, barring unforeseen circumstances, a combination of in-person and online synchronous courses will be offered. 

Students are encouraged to take home learning materials and personal belongings from offices and/or lockers so as to reduce trips to campus while classes are being delivered remotely in January.

For additional information and revised academic timetables, please visit the Academic Updates for 2022 webpage.

Research

  • All in-person research with participants who are from vulnerable populations must stop until January 31, 2022. 

  • Virtual research may continue. Any research that can be moved virtually should be moved virtually now. 

  • On-campus research laboratories will remain open and operational. In-person research activity with non-vulnerable populations can continue when approved COVID transmission mitigation strategies are followed. Researchers should be prepared to pivot to online should it be required by public health directives. Graduate students are encouraged to take home materials necessary to continue work remotely.

  • As always, those working in research labs must use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and complete a UCheck self-assessment prior to coming to campus.

  • Please visit the website of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) for additional guidance.

Sport & Recreation

  • Consistent with the previously announced holiday schedule, Sport & Rec will operate with reduced hours and capacity limits through the holidays. Please check the Sport & Rec webpage for program updates at the start of the Winter term, as well as Building Access information provided below.
  • Virtual fitness programs remain available, including the Virtual Fitness Studio and MoveU Anywhere workouts.

Building Access - Reminders re: Scheduled Holiday Closure

  • Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport and the Varsity Centre 

    • Closed December 22, 2021 through January 2, 2022, inclusive. 
  •  Athletic Centre

    • Open weekdays, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

    • Please note that the Huron doors will not be open for use during this period.

    • Closed December 24 – 26, December 31 and January 1, 2022. 

    • Student study spaces closed during the holiday break. 

Vaccinations and Self-Assessments

Wellness

  • U of T’s Telus Health Student Support (formerly My SSP) provides students with real-time and/or appointment-based confidential, 24-hour support for any school, health, or general life concern at no cost.

Please continue to check the frequently updated resources available to you, including the COVID-19 Information for University of Toronto Students FAQ and the University’s UTogether website.

While we are extending the first phase of our gradual return to campus to protect and promote safety in our working and learning environments, we look forward to providing an expanded in-person experience as soon as we are safely able to do so. These are indeed challenging times, but we will get through them together. 

In the meantime, I wish you safe, happy and healthy holidays.

Gretchen Kerr, PhD
Professor & Dean
Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto