Dear Faculty of Information Students,
As we enter the month of May, I wanted to update you on what to expect at the Faculty of Information moving forward. But before I get to that, I would like to first say that I hope you and your families are all doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. We’ve all been through a lot since March, and I would like to thank everyone for your incredible contributions, made at a time of genuine personal duress for many of you.
If you’ve had time to follow the news, you may have come across stories about when and how universities are expected to reopen. Much remains uncertain and that is also the case at UofT, but there is one thing we can say for sure. The Faculty’s Fall 2020 semester will continue to offer you the excellent academic experiences for which we are known and recognized the world over. We are committed to ensuring that our students receive an exceptional education during the 2020-2021 academic year. This will apply whether courses are delivered in person or, as a temporary measure, through online instruction, or through a combination of methods.
Right now, we are contemplating and working through possible scenarios for the fall. While it was the University that made the original decision to move online, it will be public health authorities and governments who decide when groups can gather again and how big those groups can be.
As we head into the summer term and prepare for the fall, here is where things stand at the Faculty of Information. Please understand that this situation is constantly evolving as more and more information about the coronavirus becomes known and this information will be updated regularly. You will find updates and relevant links on the Faculty’s dedicated Covid-19 page as well as the University’s page.
Summer
- All Faculty of Information summer-term courses will be offered with remote delivery. Visit the Summer 2020 Information Page for details on what courses are available and important dates.
- Some summer co-op opportunities are still open to applicants and there are other summer job opportunities available. For more information, please contact our Careers Officer.
- The Virtual Inforum remains open all summer long with drop-in Student Services hours.
Work-Integrated Learning Opportunities (Co-op, Internship and Practicum Placements)
- While these are challenging times, our careers office is working closely with our employer partners to encourage virtual onboarding and remote work arrangements as employers are making adjustments to their business continuity plans. Where possible, our employers are accommodating this change and making the necessary adjustments to provide co-op and other job placements.
- In response to covid-19, the federal government is providing wage subsidies to support the recruitment of students in co-op/Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs. In the Faculty of Information, the minimum requirement for a co-op placement has been changed to 8 weeks. We are optimistic that these changes will increase our co-op placements in the coming weeks. As a result of the subsidies, the Faculty of Information is also recruiting co-op students for a variety of exciting job opportunities at the Faculty.
- Please refer to the careers section of our student information page for contact our Careers Officer.
Convocation
- The Chancellor, who is the Chair of Convocation, will convene a virtual Convocation to be broadcast on or before June 2, 2020, incorporating the core elements of a Convocation ceremony. Convocation FAQ.
- The Faculty of Information will host an in-person celebration as soon as we’re able to gather together again in 2020 or 2021. There will be both a ceremony with academic regalia and a reception. The details will follow.
- Diplomas will be couriered to all graduates on a rolling basis starting June 2 through June 19.
Recruitment & Admissions
- We’re excited to welcome our incoming undergraduate and grad students this September — our recruitment and admissions cycles are on track and on schedule, with online and virtual recruitment events reaching prospective students all around the world.
- If you would like to attend a Virtual Meet & Greet, you can sign up here.
- We’re also holding a Weekly Check-in (Starting May 14, 2020) for our incoming students. Drop by the virtual front-desk on Thursdays from 11am to 12pm EST to chat with us live and ask your questions. Here is the access link.
Fall Semester
- As we look to the Fall term and beyond, the Faculty is setting up an advisory council to assist our Fall Academic Scenario Planning team, led by Kelly Lyons, Associate Dean Academic. This council will include students, alumni, faculty, staff, lecturers and other stakeholders.
- We welcome input and/or representation on this advisory council. Please email covid19.ischool@utoronto.ca if you have feedback you wish to share.
Emergency Aid
- Please know that we understand that the COVID-19 situation has impacted people in very different ways, with some members of our community feeling the effects more than others. The Faculty, working together with the University, is committed to finding outcomes that are as equitable as possible.
- If you need emergency financial aid, please see the “Emergency Grants” section at the top of the Faculty’s Financial Aid web page.
- Counselling and mental health services are available through the University’ Student Life services.
While we promise to keep you updated as the situation evolves at both the Faculty of Information and the University, I would also like to invite you to reach out to us. Whether you have a specific question or request, or just want to share your thoughts, we want to hear from you.
As always, please stay as safe and healthy as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Wendy Duff
