University open, class temporarily suspended for the day on Friday, March 13

Late this afternoon, Alberta Health announced that certain large gatherings of people should be canceled to ward off the continued spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

While the University of Calgary will remain open on Friday, with all services available and all staff at work, classes are being suspended for the day. This will allow consultation with public health experts, government officials and other post-secondary institutions on appropriate next steps. Following this consultation classes will resume on Monday morning. We will provide you an update with further information as to how that will occur on Friday.

The safety of our university community is of the utmost importance for us, as we know it is for all parties involved in such decisions. While Alberta Health guidelines do not require the closure of schools, large research institutions are unique in their scale and diversity of experiences and we have heard from many of you that you that you want us to fully assess the situation. The University of Calgary, University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge –institutions that have classes with 250+ students – are all taking these measures.

We have heard you, and we thank you for your patience and understanding as we take this additional step.

Dru Marshall
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

For the most up-to-date information about the University of Calgary's response to the spread of coronavirus, visit the UCalgary COVID-19 website.