Course Delivery Guidance

Context for 2021-22

Currently, the majority of Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 courses are delivered remotely. There are some courses with an in-person element because they are essential to support learning outcomes.

We expect improved public health conditions in 2021-2022 due to vaccine rollout in the coming months, and institutional messaging (PDAD&C memo and President’s letter) has therefore emphasized the return to in-person instruction. Nevertheless, we expect continued need for some level of remote delivery in response to public health constraints (and its downstream impacts on visa processing). As a result, for the 2021-22 academic year, the ROSI course delivery mode codes will continue to be In Person, Synchronous, and Asynchronous (see the School of Graduate Studies’ definitions for COVID-era codes). Delivering courses remotely using these codes will continue to not require governance.

Recommendations for Divisions for 2021-22

Divisions will develop plans for course and program delivery for 2021-2022 and assign the appropriate COVID-era ROSI delivery mode codes. The adoption of in-person vs remote delivery modes may look different in each division, reflecting each division’s unique array of programs.

Guidance (e.g., public health considerations, institutional planning framework/ scenarios) for divisional plans will be provided through institutional groups (Academic Continuity, Advisory Committee on Academic Scheduling, Response and Adaptation Committee, etc.) that are supporting the University’s response to COVID-19.

Changing Mode of Delivery for 2022-23 and Later

Based on experiences delivering courses and programs remotely during the present pandemic, faculty may be considering permanently changing the delivery mode of courses and programs for 2022-2023 or later. In some cases, permanent changes require governance (see table below).

For changes that require governance approval, the proposal is where the strategic and pedagogical considerations; guiding principles; impact on the student experience; and commitment to resources will be addressed.

Here is the governance process for courses:

OfferingGovernance Required to Create or Change
In-person courseCreate: Through a minor modification.

Change: Converting an existing in-person course from hybrid or online to in person is done through a minor modification.

Hybrid courseCreate: Through a minor modification.

Change: Governance is not normally required to change an existing regular course to hybrid delivery (although divisions have the discretion to require governance).

Online courseCreate: Through a minor modification.

Change: If an existing in-person course is converted to an online course, or a section of an existing in-person course is to be delivered online, this change is done through a minor modification.

Here is the governance process for programs:

OfferingGovernance Required to Create or Change
In-person programCreate: Through a new program process.

Change: Converting an existing hybrid or online program to in person is done through a major modification.

Hybrid programCreate: Through a new program process.

Change: If an existing program is being converted or extended to a hybrid offering, approval is done through a major modification.

Online program*Create: Through a new program process.

Change: If the proposal is to convert or extend an existing program to an online offering, approval is done through a major modification.

* For graduate programs, only Professional Master’s or Diploma programs can be offered entirely online.

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