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.

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).