COVID-19’s Impact on Grebel Programs and Plans

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many changes and challenges for Conrad Grebel University College. While construction on the kitchen and dining room expansion continues, many other activities have been curtailed or adjusted.

The spring term that runs from May to August at the University of Waterloo is being taught entirely online in light of the pandemic. Grebel’s residence is entirely empty, resulting in significant temporary staff layoffs. However, there are 23 students living in six units in the College’s on-campus apartment building. “We are running a slimmed down program for these students, with virtual chapels, community suppers, online Student Council events, and some socially distant group gatherings,” said Mary Brubaker-Zehr, Director of Student Services.

Courses at Grebel are integrated into the Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo. This term, the College is offering ten courses online, ranging from Roots of Conflict to Popular Music, and enrolments are strong for these courses. Plans for the fall term are evolving, but at this point, the direction is similar to the spring term, where undergraduate and graduate courses will be delivered remotely. The main difference between spring and fall is that Grebel professors might have more freedom to include synchronous elements.

“Grebel’s instructors are already developing exciting ideas for adjusting to online teaching,” said Dean Troy Osborne.

"Although social distancing measures impact our normal way of doing things, the associated challenges provide unique opportunities to identify and more intentionally cultivate the core qualities of Grebel's music program,” said Laura Gray, acting Music Department Chair. “The creativity needed to meet those challenges can be energizing, not only for faculty, but for students too."

Plans for residence living in a traditional dorm with shared rooms and washrooms is much more difficult. Grebel has planned for only single room occupancy in the fall term to allow for more social distancing. “We are also upgrading our washrooms and plan to have robust sanitization protocols in place to ensure that we comply with public health best practises,” explained Brubaker-Zehr. “Even with all of this, we need to get creative with how we create community and support students both on- and off-campus!”

“I’ve been very thankful for the way our faculty and staff have made adjustments and accommodations to respond to the needs of our students,” added President Marcus Shantz.

For the latest updates from the University of Waterloo related to the pandemic, visit the University’s COVID-19 Information website.