Carleton University is making plans for a safe and gradual return to campus for the fall semester, Carleton president Antoine-Benoit Bacon announced today

In a statement emailed to students on March 29, Bacon said the school was in the process of drafting relevant guidelines and procedures with the Carleton University Scenario Planning (CUSP) working group. 

The draft guidelines would see certain courses including seminars, labs, experiential learning and smaller classes return to campus come September. Online options will remain available for larger class sizes and students not living in Ottawa. 

Bacon said CUSP is consulting with stakeholders, including the Board of Governors and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, to develop recommendations for the fall and presented the draft guidelines at the Senate meeting last Friday. 

In their recommendations, CUSP also suggested setting classroom maximum capacity at 60 people, with larger class sizes remaining online. 

“We will remain flexible in this changing environment, and all units and departments will be supported throughout this process,” Bacon’s statement read. 

Student government leaders are expected to be consulted on the recommendations on March 30, Sean Maguire, undergraduate student representative on the Senate, said in an email. 

While CUSP’s presentation at the Senate on Friday wasn’t taking any decisions, the working group is currently conducting further consultations with plans of returning to Senate on April 30 with a full report, Bacon said. 


Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.