Knox College, Canada

Statements on potential impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)

This page is for official announcements about COVID-19’s impact on the Knox College community. For community encouragement and connection during COVID-19, visit knox.utoronto.ca/careduringcovid19.

June 21, 2022

Re-opening plan: general operational protocols, effective July 4, 2022

Knox College is re-opening for a safe and gradual return to onsite and in-person activities. The College will continue to monitor the latest public health guidance, including directives from the
Canadian federal and Ontario provincial authorities, including the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Working in concert with the Toronto School of Theology, Knox College also monitors developments and decisions at the University of Toronto.

1. Knox College is open for business (academic programs, library, residence, rentals) onsite. The building is open is open to students, faculty, staff, residents, contractors, volunteers, visitors, T-card holders, and the general public.
2. Knox College will be open to all those who are vaccinated. Vaccination is required but self-monitored. No proof of vaccination will be required. Masks are no longer required, but persons are encouraged to wear them, especially when physical distancing from others is not maintained.
3. Access to Knox College will be through the Academic Wing cloister door via the courtyard. This door will be open Monday to Thursday, 9 am. to 4 pm. A monitor will be stationed for security in the reception booth during these hours. The north door (parking lot), the St. George Street door, and the Kings’ College Circle door will remain locked and used as emergency egresses only. Caven Library will be open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Thursday.
4. Courses in regular academic programs for Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 will be offered through either onsite in-person classes or online platforms.
5. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will continue to be provided at the main entrance and egress points.

March 7, 2022

COVID-19 Protocols, effective March 1, 2022, and remaining in effect through the end of May 2022

December 16, 2021

From Principal John Vissers

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, Knox College has operated with an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of all within our community, while continuing to provide our programs of theological education with excellence. To date, our protocols and plans have served us well. The lingering presence of the Delta variant accompanied by the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant suggest that the next few months will be challenging.

Under current government guidelines and public health advice, existing COVID-19 protocols and restrictions are in force at Knox College. Please note the following:

1. Knox College is open for business, but the building remains closed to the public.
2. The Caven Library is now closed until January 3, 2022.
3. All Winter 2022 Knox College courses will begin, as scheduled, during the week of January 10, 2022.  All Knox College courses will be offered remote-synchronously, as they were in Fall 2021.
4. Faculty and staff will continue to work remotely from home, except in cases where supervisors determine that the nature of their work requires them to be on-site.
5. All requirements for vaccination, physical distancing, masks, and reporting remain in place and will be strictly enforced.

We will continue to review the academic, administrative, and pastoral resources required to support students, staff, faculty, and residents through this stage of pandemic. Please watch for an update at the beginning of the next term, in early January.

We appreciate that the developments of the past few days have been disappointing, especially as we head into the Christmas break. I want to thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we make plans for the winter term. In the meantime, I take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and best wishes for a happy and healthy new year. May the peace of Christ be with us all.

October 21, 2021

From Vice Principal Stuart Macdonald

To all Knox College students:

September 7, 2021

August 30, 2021: Update on Caven Library services

Curbside requests through the catalogue have now ended. The last day to pick up curbside materials is Thursday, September 2.

Caven Library stacks will reopen on September 7 and will be open to current TCard holders, Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm.

The Reading Room will be open to current students and residents of Knox College by appointment only.

August 27, 2021: Updated COVID-19 protocols at Knox College

From Principal John Vissers

To all members of the Knox College community:

As we begin a new academic year, I am writing to update you on COVID-19 protocols at Knox College. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, Knox College has operated with an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of all within our community of faith and learning while continuing to provide our programs of theological education with excellence.

We are preparing for a safe and gradual return to in-person activities. The College will continue to monitor the latest public health guidance, including directives from the Canadian federal and Ontario provincial authorities, including the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Working in concert with the Toronto School of Theology, Knox College also monitors developments and decisions at the University of Toronto.

Effective September 7, 2021, the following operating protocols will be in effect:  

GENERAL OPERATIONAL PROTOCOLS

1.   Knox College is open for business (academic programs, library, residence, rentals), but the building remains closed to the general public.
2.   For the Fall Semester 2021 (September through December) all classes in regular academic programs will be accessible through virtual remote platforms online. An announcement concerning the Winter Semester (January through April 2022) will be made November 2021.
3.   Knox College requires all students, faculty, staff, residents, and current TCard holders to be fully vaccinated in order to enter the building.
4.   Following public health directives and the guidance of the University of Toronto, Knox College requires anyone coming to the Knox building – including faculty, staff, students, residents, and current TCard holders – to complete the UCheck self-assessment before coming onto campus and to be prepared to present it upon arrival.
5.   Access to the Academic Wing will be through the north door (parking lot) only. This door will be locked. This entrance will be monitored Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students and TCard holders can access the building by calling a number during these hours that will be provided on the door.
6.   The Caven Library is closed to the general public. The stacks are open to current TCard holders from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday. The Reading Room is open to current students and residents of Knox College by appointment only. Contact knox.readerservices@utoronto.ca to book your time.
7.   Faculty and staff will continue to work remotely, except in cases where supervisors have determined that their presence on campus is required, or in cases where departments implement an approved plan for the gradual return to onsite work.
8.   Faculty, staff, and students who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or who are feeling ill or have symptoms of COVID-19 must self-isolate and get tested.  If exposure, illness or symptoms occurred within 2 weeks of visitation to Knox College, then they are to notify Daniela D’Aniello via e-mail, daniela.daniello@utoronto.ca of their situation. Subsequent access into the Knox College building will only be permitted with proof of a negative COVID-19 test result.
9.   All visitors to Knox College will be required to sign in and provide proof of double vaccination to the person/office being visited for contact tracing. This information is to be sent to daniela.daniello@utoronto.ca. No guests will be permitted in the residence.
10.   All persons must wear a mask while in the Knox College building and must physically distance from others.
11.   Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be provided at all entrance and egress points. Meeting rooms and offices will be cleaned and sanitized daily.

As we monitor developments related to the global pandemic, we will communicate any changes to these protocols. We look forward to the time when we will once again be able to gather for in-person activities on the campus of Knox College. We hope and pray it will be soon. In the meantime, stay safe, be well, and welcome back to Knox College. The Lord be with you.

April 27, 2021: Fall 2021 at Knox College 

At Knox College we look forward to the time when we will be able to reopen the campus and host classes in person onsite. For the Fall 2021 academic term, however, Knox College will continue to offer all its academic courses, for both Basic Degree and Graduate Degree programs, using virtual remote platforms online.

Our primary goals are to provide uninterrupted access to our academic programs and to promote the health and safety of all in our community of faith and learning. As public health guidelines permit, we hope to begin to reopen the Knox campus during the Fall semester for study, meetings, and co-curricular activities, with the possibility of return to in-person classes beginning in January 2022.

While we hope and pray for improved health conditions in 2021-2022 with the vaccine rollout, Knox College will continue to operate with an abundance of caution as we fulfill our mission and our commitment to excellence in theological education.

Each of the Member Colleges of the Toronto School of Theology is planning to fulfil its mission in theological education in ways that it deems appropriate for its constituency, in concert with TST and the University of Toronto, as public health conditions allow. Some Member Colleges will provide remote access to courses, while others will plan for in-person courses.

Knox College will continue to work with students to fulfil curricular requirements, including those who anticipate practicums in experiential learning, theological field education, and clinical pastoral placements. We will also continue to work with our faculty and librarians to make available the research resources required to support our academic programs.

Watch for more information from the Academic Office of Knox College on matters related to program requirements for both Basic Degree students and Graduate Degree students. 

April 16, 2021

Due to the provincial measures put in place on Friday, April 16, Caven Library has suspended curbside pickup/ book return service, as well as scan and deliver service, until further notice.

February 23, 2021

Next week due to a scheduling conflict, Caven Library’s curbside pickup/dropoff service will be available Monday, Tuesday, and Friday — March 1, 2, and 5 — from 10am to 4pm. (Curbside services are typically available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.)

Please see information here on curbside pickup/book return, and scan and deliver services. 

January 14, 2021

To all members of the Knox College community:

I am writing to update you on COVID-19 protocols in relation to the state of emergency declared by the Province of Ontario, beginning today, Thursday, January 14, 2021.

Since the pandemic began in March 2020 Knox College has operated with an abundance of caution in order to protect the health and safety of all within our community while continuing to provide our programs of theological education. Under the state of emergency, the existing COVID-19 protocols remain in force and will continue to provide the basis of operations at Knox College, including the following:

1. Knox College will be open for business, but the building will remain closed.
2. The Caven Library will provide curbside pickup and drop-off of books on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
3. In accordance with the provincial stay at home order, faculty and staff will continue to work remotely from home, except in cases where supervisors determine that the nature of their work requires them to be on-site at the College, in accordance with the provincial order.

All protocols for physical distancing, screening, face coverings and reporting remain in place and will be strictly enforced.

We will continue to review the academic, administrative and pastoral resources required to support students and faculty through the state of emergency and beyond. We will also assess the situation daily and make adjustments as may be necessary to participate in the province-wide effort “to reduce the number of contacts people are having, in order to prevent illness and death” and “to protect the health care system.”

We’d like to think that with the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines we are heading into the final stretch of this pandemic marathon. But this will be a challenging term for us all. I urge patience, prayer, and persistence in all things. Knox College will stand with its students, faculty, staff, and residents as we face this together. May the Lord be with us.

John Vissers
Principal

January 6, 2021

Caven Library’s curbside pickup service has resumed; please see information here on curbside pickup/book return, and scan and deliver services. 

December 9, 2020

In accordance with revised COVID-19 protocols, Caven Library’s curbside pickup service is not available until January 2021. Please contact library staff at knox.readerservices@utoronto.ca for assistance with research and online resources.

Update for November 23, 2020 from Principal John Vissers

Change to Winter term schedule for Knox College and the Toronto School of Theology

Classes for the winter term will now begin on Monday, January 11, 2021. All semester academic deadlines (including ROSI deadlines) will be delayed by one week. Reading Week (February 15-19) will not be changed. The final week of classes will now be April 5-9 and exam week will be April 12-16. As previously announced, all classes will be delivered using virtual remote platforms online. Further information will be coming from the Registrar’s Office and posted on the TST Website in the next few weeks.

To quote President Gertler of the University of Toronto, these decisions are “prompted by the fact that we’ve all been under an extraordinary amount of stress for months now, because of the burdens imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic…we care deeply about the wellness of each and every one of you. We want to make sure that you’re able to rest and recharge, and to make the most of the upcoming holiday break.”

Let me add this word of encouragement to our students: this is a very challenging time to be engaged in theological study and you deserve to be commended for what you are accomplishing under the conditions of COVID-19. Many of you are studying at Knox College while meeting major demands at home, managing the needs of your family, often under financial stress. Others are facing isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and mental health challenges which have been caused or exacerbated by the pandemic.

Let’s continue to reach out to one another, especially if you’re struggling, or you know someone who may be struggling. Let’s continue to pray for another. Let’s believe what we say we believe, especially as we enter Advent: God is with us. The pandemic may be with us for some time yet, and we will continue to face times of stress, uncertainty, and discouragement. But God is with us always. This is the assurance of faith given to us in Jesus Christ.

May the Lord be with you through the remainder of this term, and always.

John Vissers
Knox College Principal

Update for October 19, 2020

Winter 2021 courses will be offered remotely via Zoom and online platforms, continuing in the same manner as Fall 2020 courses.

Update for July 10, 2020

Admissions applications and mailing services update

We can now accept mail sent via Canada Post. However, as our building remains closed due to COVID-19, we cannot receive any mail coming from other mailing services. Reference letters and transcripts may be mailed to us only via Canada Post. All documents except for official transcripts can be submitted by email as PDF files. Electronic Official Transcripts are welcomed. Unofficial electronic copies (PDF) of transcripts directly from the issuing institution will be accepted as placeholders. If you have any questions, please contact the Recruitment Officer and Admissions Counsellor, Megan Shin, at megan.shin@utoronto.ca.

Update for May 28, 2020

Knox College continues to work closely with the Toronto School of Theology and the University of Toronto in monitoring government regulations and protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic. With this in mind, and in order to ensure student support and success, it is our intention to offer all Fall 2020 courses remotely via Zoom and online platforms. Students will not be required to attend classes on campus in Fall 2020, though access to academic resources and support services will be provided as physical distancing restrictions are adjusted. Please note: A decision had not been made regarding proposed course offerings in Winter 2021.  Knox College will continue to respond to developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will announce any decisions. Please monitor this website for more information as it becomes available.

Update for May 7, 2020

Update for May 6, 2020

Fall Semester Classes at Toronto School of Theology: Principles in effect until December 31, 2020

We have received many questions from students and prospective students about Fall classes. It will be several weeks before the University of Toronto announces plans for Fall; however, TST is in regular conversation with the University and understands itself to be consistent with the U of T’s goals by announcing the following:

Our primary organizing principle will be providing access to classes and extra-curricular responsibilities that allow students to make progress with their degrees and to engage with their fellow student and college communities in this exceptional time of pandemic and its aftermath.

In light of this we are actively planning for the following:

• To provide for Fall 2020 remote access to most classes, except practicums, and to communicate decisions about the scope of remote access for future academic terms in consultation with the University of Toronto and public health directives.
• To provide for some person-to-person opportunities in some classes, if public health conditions permit.
• To work with students, including those who anticipate healthcare-based practicums, to fulfill curricular requirements in appropriate ways.
• To work with international students who have met admission requirements but do not have a visa and/or study permit in hand, or who cannot travel to Toronto, to begin classes through remote access.
• To work with our librarians to make research access available.

Students should stay in touch with their faculty advisors and administrators when they need more information.

Minimal technological requirements to access Quercus, can be found here.

Update for April 23, 2020

During Caven Library closure

A new Resource Guide for TST students to access electronic resources: visit this page and click “UTL Guide to Accessing Electronic Resources 2020” (to be updated weekly).