Dear University of Toronto community,
As we welcome our community to a new academic year, we have planned for a fall term with expanded in-person experience and have put in place measures that protect and promote safety in our working and learning environment.
Further to last week’s COVID-19 fall planning update, we are providing you with additional details on the latest announcement from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, proof of vaccination, and the UCheck platform.
Provincial Guidance on in-Person Instruction
New guidance from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities released August 31 provides Ontario universities with the ability to deliver in person teaching without physical distancing and capacity limits as long as there are stringent public health measures in place that include a vaccine mandate and indoor masking.
All other requirements at Step 3 of the province’s reopening plan continue, including physical distancing requirements and capacity limits in non-instructional spaces.
Faculties and Divisions will apply this guidance based on local conditions and their unique instructional needs in consultation with Divisional leadership and their teaching staff. We will continue to adjust plans as public health conditions evolve.
Students should check their Faculty/Divisional websites for more information on their courses.
Proof of Vaccination
As stated in our previous memo, beginning September 13, in order to attend University premises for any reason you must:
- Provide proof of vaccination.
- Complete daily health screenings via UCheck.
Those awaiting their final vaccine dose (required by October 15) or who have a University-approved exemption must submit negative rapid screening results through UCheck.
Starting September 6, you will be able to upload proof of vaccination in UCheck. Only the vaccine receipt(s) that provide(s) proof that you are fully vaccinated is/are required to be uploaded. For example, if you have a Government of Ontario vaccine receipt showing the second of two doses, upload only this document.
Instructions on how to upload documents are available on the UCheck website.
The provincial government will be launching a vaccine passport program effective September 22 that will provide a way to verify vaccination status for those without UCheck access. We will provide additional details as they become available.
If you are participating in an activity that is identified as higher risk (e.g., athletics, living in residence, and music instruction) and have received instructions on how to upload your proof of vaccination via Star Rez or ServiceNow, you will also be required to upload your vaccine documents in UCheck.
The University of Toronto is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its faculty and librarians, staff, students, volunteers, visitors, and other community members. We will continue to refine our comprehensive plan as new information becomes available, including updated public health recommendations.
We look forward to a safe and exciting fall term back on our campuses together.
Requests for Exemption
Those seeking an exemption for medical or other protected human rights grounds can make a request through the University’s Vaccination Exemption Request Portal via the Enterprise Service Centre (ServiceNow). Forms are now available and completed requests can be uploaded for review beginning today. Please note that approval is not guaranteed.
If you have already applied for an exemption through another process (i.e., living in residence) continue to follow that process.
Rapid Screening Program
U of T’s Rapid Antigen screening program is now open.
Rapid screening is mandatory for those with an approved vaccination exemption or those in the process of becoming fully vaccinated if they are coming to University premises or live in residence. Results must be uploaded through UCheck twice a week.
The Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health has advised that rapid screening cannot be used as an alternative to vaccination.
Vaccination Clinics
Pop-up vaccination clinics will be available on our campuses this fall in addition to other vaccination clinics. More information is available on the UTogether vaccine page.
Thank you for your hard work, patience, and understanding as new protocols are established. We appreciate our community’s dedication to keeping each other safe. A further update will be provided next week.
Further and New Resources
- Vaccination *Updated*
- Rapid Screening – *New*
- UCheck Login *New*
- UTogether
- Safe Return to Campus
- Frequently Asked Questions *Updated*
- COVID-19 Information for University of Toronto Students *New*
- U of T COVID-19 Dashboard
- Student Mental Health Supports
- Faculty and Staff Mental Health Supports
- Procedures in the Event of a UCheck red screen, Confirmed Case and/or COVID-19 Symptoms
- Environmental Health and Safety COVID-19 General Workplace Guideline & resources
- Return to Campus ITS Toolkit
- Tri-campus Caretaking Strategy
- Tri-Campus HVAC Strategy for Return to the University