As families arrived for Grebel’s Move-In Day over the Labour Day weekend, joy was visible in student eyes, even as masks hid their smiles. Students have modeled care for their community by diligently wearing masks inside the public places of Grebel and outside when distancing isn’t possible. A full gamut of Orientation Week activities helped to build relationships and cement friendships forged virtually last year, as some students met their friends in person for the first time. For students who spent their first year of university isolated at home, moving into Grebel brought relief and excitement as they navigate living with a roommate and finding classrooms on the larger campus. Over the fall term, standard practices have been re-imagined, new initiatives created, and some favourite traditions embraced once again—all with the underlying purpose of creating community and rebuilding connections.
While full normalcy hasn’t returned yet to Grebel, professors were delighted to begin teaching some classes in person. The College offered a variety of different teaching modes this term, some blending remote and in-person elements, while others were taught remotely. Music ensembles were also mostly in-person, giving participants the opportunity to hear each other in the same room. Students have expressed gratitude to be able to take at least some of their courses in a physical classroom and to connect with peers face-to-face.
Following the University of Waterloo’s lead, the winter 2022 term will return to pre-pandemic levels of in-person instruction.
