Here's what Edmonton post-secondary schools are mandating on campus this fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic

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Universities and colleges are navigating having hundreds of students, faculty and staff return to in-person classes in just a few weeks while still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Here is a breakdown of the measures Edmonton post-secondaries are putting in place.

University of Alberta

Starting Sept. 1, all staff, students, and faculty will be required to be fully vaccinated or undergo rapid testing. Those who are not fully vaccinated or who do not wish to disclose their vaccine status will need to regularly complete a rapid screening test and receive a negative result.

Members of the public and others visiting campus will also be required to be fully vaccinated or complete rapid screening.

The university said those who are fully vaccinated may be required to provide proof and more information for vaccine requirements and rapid testing will be available by Aug. 25.

The U of A is also requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings where physical distancing is not possible. Those who have symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test will be required to self-isolate for 10 days.

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MacEwan University

MacEwan University will not be requiring proof of vaccination come the fall semester, but states Alberta Health Services (AHS) recommends all Albertans to be vaccinated.

After the province and the city of Edmonton rescinded their mandatory masking policies, the university also says wearing masks on campus will be optional.

“We acknowledge that some individuals may choose to continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing. We ask that you join us in respecting and supporting the choices of other individuals,” the university’s website states.

If a student or employee develops symptoms of COVID-19, they are asked to stay home and notify their supervisor or instructor. They also must complete the university’s COVID-19 reporting form, which is an online tool that will help the university respond to AHS inquiries.

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Concordia University of Edmonton 

The Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) will require masks to be worn in public indoor spaces, except for instructors while teaching, as of Aug. 23. However, the university will not be implementing mandatory vaccinations or rapid testing for everyone on campus.

In a letter, Tim Loreman, CUE president and vice-chancellor notes doing so would be unenforceable.

“Consider that approximately 3000-4000 people come to CUE’s campus each day. Processing and testing that number of people as they enter campus would take hours, resulting in missed classes, long line-ups, and employees being very late for work,” Loreman said.

“It is unrealistic to expect that we could operate in this way on a daily basis over an extended period of time, and no university has the resources to deploy the large number of staff and tests (which are expensive) necessary to implement this.”

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While there is no vaccine mandate for everyone on campus, those who are living in residence, participate in athletics and participate in non-academic performances must be vaccinated.

The university is also offering blended online and in-person courses to provide a flexible delivery to students.

NorQuest College

At NorQuest College, classes and labs for most faculties and programs will return to in-person. However, at NorQuest, face masks are not mandatory, but it is recommended students wear them as much as possible indoors.

“We will support the choice of all students to wear a mask or not,” the college states on their website.

The college is also strongly encouraging vaccination.

For students who feel sick, they are asked to stay home and speak to their instructors to discuss options to continue their studies until their symptoms go away. If staff or students have been on campus within 14 days and develop symptoms of COVID-19, they are required to email trackingcovid@norquest.ca so the college can assist AHS.

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NAIT

As of August 23, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) will be requiring masks in all indoor public spaces.

While the institute is not making vaccines mandatory, NAIT is strongly encouraging staff and students to get vaccinated before coming to campus. The institute will also be hosting vaccination clinics on campus on Sept. 22 and 23.

NAIT is also determining how it could introduce rapid COVID-19 testing and will provide the school community with advance notice if they decide to introduce the program.

Staff and students, as well as those visiting or working on campus, will also be required to complete a “COVID-19 declaration acknowledging their responsibility to follow NAIT and provincial requirements.”

The institute notes they have also improved building ventilation and upgraded filtration wherever possible.

ajunker@postmedia.com