Instructor information and resources

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Preparing for absence
Course outline requirements
Student COVID-19 cases
Classroom supplies and technology
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Preparing for absence

Prior to the first class, you should devise a plan with your unit head (Chair/Director) about how to proceed with class instruction in the event you become unavailable. Should you become ill or unable to teach in-person, report the absence to your unit head so that the contingency plan can be implemented.

Course outline requirements

Every course outline for an in-person class should be designed with a plan that considers alternate arrangements for:
- a short-term (e.g., one-week) cancellation of in-person classes, whether for the particular course or University-wide;
- a longer-term cancellation of in-person meetings, whether for the particular course or University-wide;
- cancellation of in-person (midterm or final) examinations.
You should include as much detail as possible in your plan to make students aware of possible scenarios. Where there are program, department, or faculty-wide contingency plans in place, you should ensure that your course plans are consistent with them.
Outlines should also describe accommodation that will be available for students who cannot attend classes due to self-isolation.

Student COVID-19 cases

Students should be instructed not to come to class or other in-person activities if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or are required to self-isolate.
In the event of absence due to influenza-like illness or required self-isolation, students shall submit an Illness Self-declaration. Students can find the Illness Self-declaration form in the Personal Information section of Quest. A doctor’s note for accommodation is not required. Direct students to contact the COVID-19 Support and Advice line to report their illness.
To see which students have completed an Illness Self-declaration for your class, follow the Quest instructions.
COVID-19 absences of multiple students in a cluster or outbreak should be reported to the appropriate Chair or Head as directed by your Faculty (beginning of term memos from your Associate Dean will articulate details) The authority to move a course online or make any other alterations rests with the Dean or delegate. They may consult with Health Services' COVID-19 Support and Advice resources, the Safety Office and faculty stakeholders before making a decision to move a course online or implement any other mitigating action within a class or cohort of students. Review the student protocols.

Classroom supplies and technology

Podium fobs: In recognition of the current situation, podium fobs will not be required to use the instructional technology in Registrar e-classrooms for spring term. We ask that you please remember to shut down the system from the touch screen when you have finished using the instructional technology.
Podiums: You may sanitize touch surfaces on the podium prior to using them. Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer are available in all Registrar's Office-managed classrooms. Note: Disinfecting wipes cannot be used to clean electronic equipment such as touch screens or monitors, as they will damage the equipment.
Microphones: If you are teaching in a Registrar's e-classroom, you will no longer need to borrow a microphone, as each room will be equipped with microphones. You will be provided with individual windscreens to minimize the risk related to handling and speaking with a microphone. Windscreens can be picked up from the Dana Porter or the Davis Center IST Service Desk.
If you were given a microphone to use in fall 2021, we would like to remind you to return the microphone. You may return the microphone to either IST Service Desk listed above. Note: When returning the microphone, keep the windscreen for future use or disposal; the windscreens should NOT be returned.
Operating equipment: For questions about network connections and operating classroom equipment, contact ITMS support (eclass@uwaterloo.ca). For use of specific software, contact your faculty IT or helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca.
We highly recommend booking an appointment with e-classroom staff to test using your device in the classroom in advance of term. If you previously indicated you will use lecture capture, it is vital that you test your planned setup. Contact eclass@uwaterloo.ca to book an appointment. Note: You may need to book access to the room.

Frequently asked questions

For instructors and teaching assistants (TAs) of in-person classes

These questions and responses are intended to provide guidance to instructors (who can share with TAs) on appropriate responses in the cases where there are heightened risks of COVID-19 exposure to the class.

Do I, as an instructor, have the right to ask students about their vaccination status?

No, it is the University’s responsibility to request and follow up on students’ vaccination status.

Since the University has removed our vaccination mandate starting May 1, supervisors or instructors are not able to independently set “local” vaccination proof requirements for their lab, class or other activities. We know that a significant proportion of our campus community is vaccinated due to our previous mandate – this level of vaccination offers a good degree of protection to the entire community.

What are my responsibilities as a TA if a student (or students) reports to me that they have COVID-19 or are feeling unwell with COVID-19 symptoms?

TAs who receive this information must notify the instructor immediately, including the name of the affected student.

If a student in a class has COVID-19, will the university automatically do contact tracing of all students in that class?

Due to high levels of COVID-19 in the community, Public Health is no longer contact tracing and has advised that students who have COVID-19 should notify their close contacts (close contacts can follow the flow chart (PDF)). The University will not automatically do contact tracing of all students. Classmates and instructors do not need to self-isolate and can continue to monitor for symptoms and follow public health advice.

Will I be informed if a student in my class tests positive, or if students in my class are living in a place (e.g., a residence) where an outbreak occurs?

Generally no, unless the situation is found to be high risk for the instructor or other students in the class.

If any changes to academic or other programming, or to any campus operations are required as a result of an outbreak on campus, the University will work to identify where those changes will occur, including consulting with local Public Health.

What do I do if I, a course instructor, test positive for COVID-19 (or have symptoms)?

If you have symptoms, complete the COVID-19 self-assessment, and notify Occupational Health if the assessment indicates you should isolate or be tested.
If you have a positive COVID-19 test, report your absence to your supervisor (or their delegate), and report your positive test to Occupational Health.
You may be entitled for up to three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave because of certain reasons related to COVID-19; visit the Employment Standards Act (ESA) leaves section of the Human Resources website for more information.

Depending on your appointment length and type you may be entitled to sick leave credits; visit the Benefit Eligibility section of the Human Resources website for more information. 
Generally, in-person classes do not need to be cancelled if it is possible for you and your supervisor to arrange a replacement instructor.
If the results of contact tracing determine that in-person classes should be cancelled, the instructor and departmental chair will be notified.

I am a TA, what do I do if I test positive for COVID-19 (or have symptoms)?

TAs who test positive or who have symptoms should contact Health Services via their COVID-19 Support and Advice form. Staff managing the form submissions will guide you through next steps.

TAs who test positive or who have symptoms should also report that they are unwell (without disclosing personal medical information) to the instructor and to their TA administrator such that actions can be taken to support the delivery of the course in the TA’s absence.

I am an instructor, can I cancel an in-person class, or move an in-person class online, if I feel the in-person classroom situation is not safe?

This is NOT a decision to be made unilaterally by a course instructor. If you have health and safety concerns specifically about the instructional space or class behaviour, your first step should be to discuss them with your department chair, who may consult offices that have influence over operations or the conduct that is causing concern.
If this does not resolve the situation:

Instructors or TAs may also contact a worker rep of the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) for advice, or to request further consultation from the Safety Office. The University has a work refusal process to address unresolved concerns where work is thought to be unsafe after consulting with the chair.