Queen’s University suspends undergrad classes in light of COVID-19

On Friday, Mar. 13, 2020, Queen’s University and Principal Patrick Deane announced that all undergraduate classes will be suspended for a week beginning on Monday, Mar. 16, 2020.

The following is a message from Deane published on Queen’s University’s website today:

The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving across the globe. The University recognizes that there is a great deal of concern amongst students, staff and faculty.  Our experts, including Public Health officials have advised and stated that the risk to our community remains low because we have no active cases at this time and no community spread. For purely operational reasons starting on Monday, all undergraduate (excluding health professional programs) will be suspended for one week after which we will communicate our plans for alternative delivery. We need to take time to assess how our educational programs will proceed.  The university will maintain all operations. Some students may decide to return home and that is left to individual choice. Residences will remain open. 

With public schools closed across Canada for the next three weeks, additional pressure has been placed on the institution. We are working on plans for staff and faculty to assist them with childcare pressures due to school closures. The administration will continue to work daily on communications to support those still on campus here or at our satellite offices in Canada.  Public health is an essential partner and as things change, we will be in constant communication with our community to let them know of any new direction or changes to operations.

Please note that classes and operations at the Bader International Study Centre will continue and any changes regarding that campus will be communicated directly.

Patrick Deane
Principal and Vice-Chancellor

The University also noted that administrators are actively monitoring reports on the evolving outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19, which can cause acute upper respiratory illness and pneumonia.

“Protecting the health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty, whether on campus in Kingston, at SmithToronto, the Bader International Study Centre (BISC), or elsewhere in the world, are our primary concerns, ?and we are continuously assessing what may be required in response to any spread of the virus,” the University said in a statement.

For more information on COVID-19 preparedness and cancellations from Queen’s University, click here.