Lethbridge College student Zane Domke is on his way to the library to do some work in the college on Sep. 17, 2021.
Lethbridge College has moved to enact a restriction exemption program at the school. This is similar to the vaccine passport already put in place by other post-secondary institutions across Alberta.
Lethbridge College student Kaitlyn Raven is glad the college is trying to keep everyone safe but believes better preventative measures could have been taken.
“I think that we all knew this was coming,” Raven said.
All her classes were cancelled on Friday, although she is still happier with the learning environment compared to her past semesters.
“I was only on campus a couple times last year.”
The few in-person events she attended did not feel like enough to teach her the valuable skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Raven is taking the conservation enforcement applied science degree program, which she said is well known for its hands-on style of learning.
Raven said it was hard for her to get the experience she needed in real-life scenarios.
“As dramatic as it sounds, it is affecting my future,” she added.
Raven looks forward to vaccinations becoming mandatory to access campus so she can get more experience in her program.
“It’s not fair for everyone to go online, when it’s only a few people that are not being vaccinated,” she said.
Not everyone is happy with the upcoming requirements to be able to walk through the college doors.
First-year student Zane Domke thinks the college may be overstepping.
“I think it’s a violation in some way of the charter,” Domke said.
He has enjoyed the classes that he has been able to attend on campus so far.
“It’s been great being in-person, nice being back to normal,” said Domke.
This sentiment was shared by Raven, who prefers being face-to-face with her instructors.
“I hate online learning, I can never focus,” Raven said, adding, “the thought of going back online is stressing me out a lot, but I’m hoping we’re good.”
With the recent announcement of mandatory vaccine requirements, the students are looking forward to continuing operations as normal.
Not everyone has been taking the news well. Raven noticed some of her peers reacted poorly to the new announcement from the college.
“People think it’s the end and were all going online,” she said.
When asked about the current incentives to get a vaccine, Raven made her displeasure known.
“I think it’s ridiculous that we got to this point,” she said.
Raven says incentives should have focused on those who got vaccinated right away and not those who were hesitant.
Members of the public were not allowed access to campus while the vaccine passport program was being prepared for launch on Monday. In-person learning returns to college for the vaccinated, with those seeking exemptions required to submit their case for assessment.
College students are still allowed to access campus for services and to perform work as needed. Those who can, are encouraged to work from home until the plan has been put into place.
If they must be on campus, students, staff and faculty must follow social distancing and masking requirements.
All work-integrated learning, practicums and placements will remain in place as the college stays open.
