Decision Regarding Status of Exams

As many of you are aware by now, the current COVID-19 situation at StFX is dire, with 21 students testing positive for COVID-19, as of Wednesday, December 8, including 12 confirmed cases announced on Tuesday. More confirmed cases are expected in the coming days, and the school is encouraging students, staff, and members of the community to get tested as soon as possible. Of course, this leaves many wondering about the status of exams, with first term classes finishing up on Tuesday and in person exams scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 9. Unsurprisingly, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer, Dr. Robert Strang, suspects rising cases to be related to this past weekend’s X-Ring ceremony and celebrations. If you are fully vaccinated, you must monitor yourself for symptoms until December 18 and book a PCR test. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must isolate regardless of if you’re experiencing symptoms or not, and, in general, anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should get tested immediately. Nova Scotia Health’s mobile unit will be at the Keating Centre on campus on Wednesday from 2 pm to 6 pm, and Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm. You can book an appointment or drop in.

An email from President and Vice-Chancellor Andy Hakin was sent out to students, faculty, and staff regarding exams, stating that members of administration would be meeting with public health to discuss the issue. Undoubtedly, many were anxiously waiting with emails open for the final decision. In a follow-up email from acting Academic Vice-President and Provost Timothy W. Hynes, it was announced that scheduled in-person exams will proceed, unless the instructor has changed the mode of delivery. If students have not been contacted by their professor regarding a change, the exam will proceed as scheduled. Faculty must notify their students, their deans, and the Registrar should they change the exam delivery mode. Instructors who move to a synchronous online exam must ensure it matches the date and time of the pre-existing exam schedule, and instructors who move to an asynchronous online exam must ensure the deadline is consistent with the pre-existing exam time. In short, students will have the option to write in whichever format their professor chooses, or if they are unable or uncomfortable to write in December, they may instead choose to write in January. Nova Scotia Public Health officials have assured the University it is safe to write in person, but despite recent events, social isolation requirements, and the fact that many students are uncomfortable writing exams in person, this final verdict has been decided.