**Update Dec 30, 2021: As a result of the evolving Omicron variant situation, KPU has moved to a phased return to campus for the Spring 2022 term. The start of term has been delayed until January 10. Classes will be online from January 10 to January 23, inclusive, except for hands-on lab, studio and shop instruction that cannot be taught as effectively online. Continue to check your KPU email for updates from your instructors on how your classes will be delivered. See the KPU Phased Return to Campus webpage for further information.
In line with the guidance from the Provincial Health Officer and the provincial government’s BC's Restart: A plan to bring us back together, we are excited to be welcoming many of you back to campus, and welcoming our new students who will be joining us for the first time!
All of us at KPU continue to work tirelessly to provide you with a high-quality educational experience. Your health and well-being continue to be of utmost importance to us and we continue to work with our healthcare partners and WorkSafe BC to ensure all necessary measures are in place to keep the KPU community safe.
Here is what you can expect for the Spring 2022 term:
Course Offerings
Our spring course offerings will include a variety of in-person and online classes, as well as classes being offered in a blended (partially online) format. Whether a course is delivered in-person, online or in a blended (partially online) format, the specific instructional method will be noted in the timetable, so that you are able to view the various options when you browse classes and register. You will be notified by email when your registration time and date has been assigned which you can view in the Prepare for Registration section of the registration app. Please ensure you are checking your KPU email often.
Online Course Delivery
For online courses, curriculum will be delivered as a mix of both synchronous and asynchronous learning:
Synchronous learning online is the educational term for live streaming. It occurs at a designated day and time to allow for real-time interaction between instructors and students. This may be used for short lectures, group discussions, office hours, and question and answer periods. If your course has synchronous components, you will need to be online during the scheduled days and times.
Asynchronous learning online is the educational term for aspects of learning that don't need to be live. For any asynchronous components, you will be able to access the course material at any time, although you will need to adhere to the deadlines for activities, assignments and overall timelines that your instructor provides. As much as possible, KPU will provide opportunities for our learners to complete their learning in an asynchronous format when the ability to participate synchronously is not possible. It is important for you to know that asynchronous activities require you to be more self-directed in reading, watching videos, and completing activities online in order to achieve the course outcomes. This can feel unfamiliar if you are used to classroom-based learning. KPU's Learning Centres have resources and learning strategies that will help you to succeed (see below).
Blended (Partially Online) Course Delivery
KPU will also offer a number of courses in a blended (or partially online) format that include both on-campus, in-person, and online delivery of the curriculum, in order for students to meet the learning outcomes of the course. Courses that require students to be on-campus for in-person delivery will be noted in the timetable as either 'in-person' or 'blended' so you are aware of this requirement when you register.
Know Before You Register
All students who register in online or blended courses will need to have a laptop, personal computer, or tablet, and access to the internet in order to complete courses and access KPU services. For more information about minimum technology requirements for learners at KPU, visit kpu.ca/minimum-technology-requirements.
Students who register in any blended courses, or in any on-campus, in-person courses will maintain their eligibility for BC’s U-Pass program, as well as the KSA’s MultiPass program. For details visit: the U-Pass BC / MultiPass website.
The first day of classes for the spring term was originally scheduled for January 5, however as a result of the evolving Omicron variant situation, the start of term has been delayed until January 10. If you have registered in any classes with a 'blended' instructional method, your instructors will provide you with greater details on the first day of class, including the specific times during the term when you will be expected to be on campus.
For information about spring term dates and deadlines, visit: kpu.ca/registration/dates.
Learning Online
For our online learners, here are a number of resources to get you started and help you to better understand and be successful in the online learning environment:
- KPU's Learning Centres: study skills, academic skills and tutoring support
- Making the Move to Online Learning (3 minute video)
- Get Started with Online Learning at KPU (a web-based guide)
- Learning to Learn Online (a free downloadable guidebook)
Additional supports are available through our Student Services website to help you navigate the term.
Health and Safety Guidelines
Please note, on-campus course components may be cancelled at any time upon the order of provincial health authorities, or at KPU's discretion in order to protect the health and safety of the KPU community.
KPU cannot guarantee that its campus, facilities and all students and employees are and will continue to be infection-free. Protecting the health and safety of KPU students and employees is a shared responsibility.
Following KPU's Safety and Health Policy (SR7), the university has developed comprehensive health and safety plans for all courses delivered on campus. These plans meet the appropriate WorkSafe BC safety guidelines and comply with public health requirements to ensure a safe environment for all our students and employees. In the event of future changes to provincial health safety guidance, these plans will be updated accordingly.
It is your responsibility to be aware of and comply with KPU's health and safety guidelines, including any additional requirements of your particular course. Failure to do so may result in you losing the privilege of access to university property, services or university activities, pursuant to KPU's Student Conduct (Non-Academic) Policy, ST7.
We expect all KPU students to act in a manner that demonstrates respect and consideration for those around them, including respect and consideration for the health and safety of all community members.
KPU students attending on-campus classes are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health and safety, stay away from campus if they experience COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has, and immediately report unsafe conditions on campus to their instructor or supervisor.
KPU's health and safety guidance will continue to evolve and we thank you for doing your part.
For more information regarding KPU's return to more on-campus activity, please visit our Return to Campus page.
For more information regarding KPU's COVID-19 response, visit COVID-19: Information and KPU's response.
Take care and stay safe.