RED DEER POLYTECHNIC
Red Deer Polytechnic continues Winter 2022 Term primarily online until February 27

With the ongoing spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant, Red Deer Polytechnic has determined that the best way to keep its students and employees healthy and safe is to continue primarily with online learning and service delivery until February 27. The post-secondary institution intends to resume more in-person learning and services starting February 28, following its Reading Break. This is consistent with the approach that many Alberta post-secondary institutions have announced, following advice from Alberta Health Services.

"By sharing this announcement now, it provides our students and employees with the opportunity to plan as best they can, given the dynamic situation we all find ourselves within," says Kylie Thomas, Vice President Academic and Provost. "I appreciate the continued dedication shown by our faculty and staff as they support our learners each day. We will continue to provide high-quality learning experiences for our students, both online and in person, to help them achieve their educational goals."

"As we continue to see the increase of COVID-19 illness across our province, we will maintain our current learning and service delivery mostly online to help reduce the spread of infection and keep our campus community members safe. With this decision, we are providing an environment with lower risk of learning opportunities being cancelled due to illness or isolation requirements. We anticipate the return to more in- person learning prior to the end of the term," says Jim Brinkhurst, Interim President, Red Deer Polytechnic.

With enhanced COVID-19 protocols and a vaccination program in place at Red Deer Polytechnic, combined with less people attending its campuses and learning centres each day, the post-secondary institution will continue to provide as safe of an environment as possible for its students, employees and visitors.

Details of this announcement, as well as other resources to assist members of Red Deer Polytechnic's community during the pandemic, are online at rdpolytech.ca/covid.