Date: January 25, 2023
Policy Regarding Reopening Under Covid-19 Public Health Restrictions
Reopening statement
ADLER Graduate Professional School Inc. (ADLER) delivers a degree that is in-person. While the School operated virtually during the period in which there were restrictions related to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we are continuing our full return to in-person classes for the Winter 2023 trimester. The School will be following the guidelines and directives from the Government of Ontario, as well as Toronto Public Health, and will make any adjustments or changes that are necessary if the situation changes.
In-person attendance
In-person attendance at all classes is required for classes that are scheduled to be held at the school. The schedule of any classes that will remain online will be posted on ADLearn for student’s reference.
Exemptions, exceptions
Students who are medically vulnerable to Covid-19, or who have a household member who is medically vulnerable to Covid-19 can apply for an exemption to the in-person requirement
Documentation
Students applying for an exemption must provide medical documentation that they are vulnerable (it does not have to specify a diagnosis or details beyond the accommodation required).
Students applying for exemptions based on a household member need to provide an attestation that someone they live with is vulnerable to Covid-19 along with supporting medical documentation for verification.
Documentation should be provided to the Registrar before classes begin. If you cannot provide documentation right away, accommodations can be made until you have the documentation.
Acknowledgment
The School will make every effort to ensure that students with exemptions to the in-person requirements have accommodations that allow them to participate in classes, but due to technical limitations, it may make the experience of attending classes different.
If students with an exemption attend class through a virtual platform, the School is not responsible for the quality of their internet connection, or support for their own personal devices.
Restrictions and Infection Control at the School
Masking
All people at the school are strongly recommended to wear an appropriate mask (please see Public Health Toronto for descriptions of appropriate masks) at all times, with the following exceptions:
While eating, students must be appropriately distanced.
Distancing
Even while masked, students must maintain physical distancing as much as possible - not crowding in washrooms, elevators, and common spaces
Scheduling
Lunch and breaks will be staggered and scheduled by the School so that students have enough space to physical distance and be able to eat and move around safely
Facility and equipment
While students will be able to use the kitchens to eat, the School will not be providing cutlery, plates, vessels or other related items. The cupboards are closed, and students will not be able to store any items at the school or use the dishwasher.
Students can use the kettle, but only one at a time
Disinfection and air quality
The School will have a staff member responsible for cleaning areas after breaks and lunches, but students are asked to clean up after themselves and use the cleaning products and hand sanitizer provided.
The School will be providing devices to help clean the air and provide better circulation. We ask that students not interfere with the devices, or unplug them to use the electrical outlets.
In the case of positive Covid-19 tests or exposure to Covid-19
Students
If you test positive for Covid-19, you must follow the instructions of Public Health with regard to quarantine and isolation. You cannot come to the school during this time. You will qualify for the exemptions for in-person attendance.
If a student you have attended class with tests positive for Covid-19, Public Health will tell you if you need to quarantine or isolate. If you are advised to isolate, you will qualify for the exemptions for in-person attendance.
If you are exposed to Covid-19 outside of the school and have been advised by Public Health to isolate for a period of time, you will qualify for the exemption for in-person attendance, once you have submitted documentation to the Registrar.
If advised by Public Health that more than a single individual in a class must isolate after exposure at the School, the School will arrange for that class to be moved to virtual attendance for that period of time. Students will be contacted in advance of the class.
Faculty
If a faculty member tests positive for Covid-19 and is advised by Public Health to isolate, the classes they teach will be moved to virtual attendance for that period of time. Students will be contacted before the class.
If a faculty member becomes ill, the same policy applies to all faculty illnesses or emergency. Students will be notified as quickly as possible, and the class will be rescheduled.
Public Health guidelines
The School will follow all directives from Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities for Post-Secondary Institutions. Students and faculty will be advised of any changes as soon as the School becomes aware of them via ADLearn.
Outbreaks
In the case of a significant outbreak of Covid-19 in the school community, or the School is advised by Public Health to close, the administration will close the School and all classes will be moved to virtual attendance.
If this occurs, the School will advise students and faculty via ADLearn as soon as possible.
Vaccination policy
The School Vaccination Policy was updated on January 25, 2023, on ADLearn and meets the requirements of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities for Post-secondary Institutions. Any changes to the policy or requirements will be announced on ADLearn.
ADLER SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Policy
This policy is compliant with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities Postsecondary Education Health Measures Framework.
Please see the Procedures section at the end of this document for specific instructions on actions related to this policy.
Please Note:
This policy was created to meet the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities on September 7, 2021. Due to the evolving nature of the public health situation in Ontario, this policy will continue to be updated following guidance from the provincial government. Updates will be posted here, and announced through the All School Announcement Forum. Please check the policy for updates if you are planning to come to the school in person.
Scope and Purpose
- To protect the health and safety of the ADLER community, ADLER Graduate Professional School (ADLER) is requiring that individuals be vaccinated as a condition to come on school premises.
- All in-person activity on the school premises, and this policy, will continue to be subject to federal, provincial and local public health regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Public health guidance on measures for fully-vaccinated, partially-vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals may continue to evolve and could affect this policy.
Actions for employees, staff, and students
All Required Individuals (employees, staff, and students) entering the physical premises of the school on or after September 7, 2021 will be required to have submitted one of the following to the Registrar (students, visitors) or Human Resources (staff, faculty, vendors):
- Proof they are fully vaccinated (see below)
- Proof of a valid medical exemption (see below for requirements and restrictions)
A previously confirmed COVID-19 infection does not remove the requirement to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated.
Individuals who choose not to provide proof they are fully vaccinated or proof of a valid medical exemption will not be allowed to enter the premises of the school. We invite any individual who makes this choice to register for and participate in the COVID-19 Educational Series provided by The Family and Community Medicine department at the University of Toronto (https://www.dfcm.utoronto.ca/covid19-vaccination-modules). It is free to access.
Confidentiality of Information
The documentation provided to the school is protected under the same confidentiality and security requirements as other student and employee information, as required by Ontario law.
Definitions
Required Individuals
All employees, staff, and students. Students newly joining an academic program at the school will be required to comply with this policy before coming to school for the first time.
Accepted Vaccine
ADLER accepts COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada and/or the World Health Organization(WHO).
School premises
ADLER owned or leased grounds, buildings, instructional spaces, and office spaces.
Student
An individual or company that comes on school premises to access educational services provided by ADLER.
Fully vaccinated
Having received the full series of a COVID19 vaccine or combination of COVID-19 vaccines approved by WHO (e.g., two doses of a two-dose vaccine series, or one dose of a single-dose vaccine series); and having received the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.
Proof of Vaccination
For those who were vaccinated in Ontario
- Individuals were provided the physical (hard copy) and email version of the receipt from the Ministry of Health with the individual’s name, date of vaccination and product name (i.e., Pfizer, Moderna, etc.) at the time of vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination receipts can also be downloaded or printed through the COVID-19 vaccination provincial portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900. This version of the COVID-19 vaccine receipt contains a watermark and a digital signature to deter forgery.
- ADLER will also accept written attestations of full vaccination against COVID-19 until October 29, 2021 (see form here)
- Should other Provincial documentation regarding COVID-19 vaccination become available, this policy will be updated to reflect other acceptable documentation forms.
For individuals who were not vaccinated in Ontario, you must follow Federal guidelines for documentation of your vaccination status (see below)
Exemptions
Medical Grounds
individuals without proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 can provide written proof of a medical reason, provided by a physician or registered nurse in the extended class that sets out:
- a documented medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19; and
- the effective time-period for the medical reason.
Individuals with a valid medical exemption must follow the provisions below under "Provisions for Unvaccinated Members of the ADLER Community" below.
Religion/Creed
The law in Ontario requires that ADLER provide exemptions based on valid medical criteria. ADLER will consider individual applications for exemptions based on the Human Rights Code.
Please note that with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) position is that a singular belief or personal preference against vaccinations or masks does not appear to be protected on the ground of creed under the Code.
COVID-19 and Ontario’s Human Rights Code – Questions and Answers, http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/covid-19-and-ontario%E2%80%99s-human-rights-code-%E2%80%93-questions-and-answers
Provisions for Unvaccinated Members of the ADLER Community
Individuals who do not provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical reasons will be required:
- To submit to regular antigen point of care testing for COVID-19 at a minimum of once every seven days); and
- To provide verification of a negative test result in a manner that allows ADLER to verify the results
The school will be making rapid antigen tests available through the school. Please contact the school to arrange testing if you require it.
Non-Compliance
Non-compliance with any part of this policy will result in consequences ranging from, but not limited to, lack of access to the school premise, in-person classes and seminars, working from home, removal from the program until the individual is in compliance with the policy.
Accommodations
ADLER will continue to provide academic and employment accommodations, as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, to members of the ADLER Community. Accommodations based on the provisions of this policy will be considered on an individual basis, and be based on guidance from the Government of Ontario.
Additional Information
Approved Covid-19 Vaccines https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19-industry/drugs-vaccines-treatments/vaccines.html
COVID-19 Guidance for Individuals Vaccinated outside of Ontario/Canada https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/vaccine/COVID-19_guidance_for_individuals_vaccinated_outside_of_ontario.pdf
If you require support related to Covid-19, please see the following resource list from the Province of Ontario
https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-people#section-4
False Attestations and Documentation
Individuals who make false attestations about, or provide false documents related to, being vaccinated may be subject to disciplinary actions, up to and including expulsion for students, termination for employees, voiding of contracts for clients and contractors and removal/restriction from the premises for visitors and/or any other attendees; such individuals could also be at risk of criminal liability.
For questions regarding the ADLER Covid-19 Vaccination Policy, please contact Annette Smith, Administrative Director, Policy and Program Development, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..