ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada,– Thirteen months after thousands of its students departed for the United States and other parts of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, St George’s University (SGU), has announced that its campus will be reopening for in-person classes for the August 2021 semester.
“Today, St. George’s University (SGU) announced that all students in the Schools of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Arts and Sciences, and Graduate Studies will be welcomed back to in person learning on (its) campus in Grenada for the August 2021 term,” said the university in a statement on Thursday.
The statement explained that the leadership of SGU considered all aspects of a safe return, placing the health and safety of students, faculty and staff on campus, and that of the Grenada community as a priority.
“As part of our plan for a safe return to campus life, COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for all students, faculty, staff, and administrators, vendors and visitors on campus. Many universities around the world are requiring COVID-19 vaccinations. as part of their return strategies for the Fall term,” said the statement published just weeks after Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said that all frontline and hospitality workers will be mandated to be vaccinated.
The University said that while it is an expectation that all students will eventually return to campus, the University also recognizes that the situation regarding the pandemic, travel, and vaccination delivery is evolving.
“Although our goal is to return all students to in-person learning as quickly as possible, we will be reasonable in our consideration of exceptions to in-person education and use of online education for the August 2021 term,” said the statement which confirms an alternative to attending classes.
“An option to continue online learning will be made available for students who have a lack of access to vaccinations in their country, challenges with travel visas, passports, and flights from some countries and other situations that may require students to remain online for the August term,” the statement said.
“SGU will continue to collaborate with the Government of Grenada to support its public health response to combat the spread of the virus. This collaboration has helped to inform our decisions throughout the pandemic. We are working closely with the airlines who will be adding significant capacity throughout the summer in response to booking demand,” said Dr Charles Modica, Chancellor of St. Georges University.
“The University has implemented public health procedures to ensure Grenada’s Public Health (COVID-19) Regulations and Quarantine Act are followed and to ensure the health of our students, faculty and staff and the wider Grenadian community. We are very excited about a safe return to a vibrant campus,” Modica said.
